Peanut0880

I just booked a cruise on the Liberty of the Seas, Royal Carrib...andyone been on that boat yet? Thoughts?

Also, the cruise is in September, is that a good time to cruise?

annewest

These are the type of questions your experienced professional cruise agent could have easily answered. I have cruised on the Freedom of the Seas, sister to the Liberty. You are in for a treat. September is a good time to go since fares are lower but you should take out trip cancellation protection since it is still hurricane season.

Feel free to contact me for more information

jacketwatch

Actually try: www.cruisecritic.com. There is an entire board for RCI cruises and its very active. You can also find tons of passenger reviews there as well. In addition try: www.cruisemates.com. In each of these sites you will find passenger and professional reviews. Have you registered online w/ RCI? If not then do so and be sure to have your booking number. They can answer your questions too. Cheers, Larry

Peanut0880

Thanks for the suggestions

jacketwatch

You're welcome.

kfusto

jacketwatch gives good advice and the RCI boards on cruisecritic is very active.

I have been on Liberty and she is very well done for a monster ship. She is designed for the family cruising market and offers many diversions. For me, this ships does not appeal but if you are looking for action packed, casual cruising with a family atmosphere rather than a cruise focused on food, service and upscale ambiance, then I think you will be fine.

jacketwatch

Thank you Kfusto: BTW do you know of any tours guides for St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua or Barbados? We will be their w/ friends and though I usually wing it upon getting off I think they would prefer having something ready at the dock. Thank you. Larry

LLindaC

Hi Larry! I just got off the Liberty a couple weeks ago. I booked the Independence for next year. Unlike kfusto, I love the big ships. I love all the different venues and excitement. Different strokes! Anyway, St Lucia is not some place you want to go out alone. Roads are terrible. Book a trip to the Pitons via boat for a great excursion. In St Martin last year, we went early and took a ferry to pristine Anguilla. Give yourself plenty of time to get back, though, traffic is horrible on St Martin.
The only disappointment to me was the amount of smoke in Boleros, and the pub on promenade. Wine bar, too. Seems the nonsmoking cabin rule is bringing the smokers down to the bars. Yuck.

Laoghaire

Hi Linda...Your post intrested me re St. Maarten and Anguilla. What was your time frame? We arrive at 8am (November 30th cruise on the Explorer OTS), and leave at 6 pm. I should think that would be plenty of time for a ferry ride over to Anguilla and back. Does the ferry leave from Philipsburg or Marigot? Thanks,
I would appreciate any info.

Helen

LLindaC

http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/anguilla-ferry.html

I found the ferry schedule and planned accordingly. We left the ship pretty early and took an early ferry. it's just about 20 min. Once there, there are plenty taxis to take you around. We found the whole atmosphere over there tobe polar opposite to St martin. Beautiful, pristine beaches. Island homes, no Mc Donalds or Pizza Hut, etc. Gorgeous beaches. Our driver also gave us a little "tour" which was fun. He took us to a little beach place on Shoal Bay east where we could find shade and get a drink as well as leave any belongings with the proprietor. We arranged a time for pickup to get back to the ferry. The dock is in Marigot. Allow yourself at least an hour and a half from Anguilla to the cruise ship (traffic into St Maarten)Also, take your passport. The people over there are so warm and genuinely glad you came over. W are going back next January!

jacketwatch

Thanks Linda. You know I have been thinking about that ferry to Anguilla. It will depend on whether or not we get an early start I think. We'll see. I already have some leads for private tour operators in St. Lucia and St. Maarten. I found out that if you book an excursion online w/ RCCL that you owe the money right then and there. You are charged up front. Thats new to me. Anyway for the Caribbean I think you can do fine on your own. I too look forward to all that is offered on a big boat. Cheers, Larry

kfusto

Sorry, I cannot remember the name of the drivers we have used in St. Maarten or St. Lucia.

I don't book excursions and either rent a car or hire a driver for a half day or day. I agree that it is preferable not to book directly with the cruise line.

These are beautiful ports and I have done two land trips to St. Lucia and enjoyed it very much. Unlike LLindaC, I have never had any problems out and about on my own, including early morning runs.

We like to go for jazz fest

LLindaC

I also did a land trip to St Lucia. Never had problems, per se, but would never drive those roads. Full of pot holes, goats, people on horseback, etc. And they are poorly marked. I agree about ship excursions- overbooked and too expensive. We took the local bus quite a bit in St Lucia. It's a pretty island, but I still think the best excursion is by water!
I also did a land trip to St Martin where we rented a car for the week. Roads were good, but traffic was horrible, especially when cruise ship were in. Driving all around the island wasn't all that great, IMO, but picking a beach or shopping in Marigot and feasting on some great French/Caribbean food is awesome.

LLindaC

I also meant to add...seeing an island from a cruise will give you a limited look at the island/country. Best to do sume research and decide on what to do in the limited time you have.