Considering Spring Break on Liberty of the Seas

[BensDaddy]

Hello all,

Long story short, my wife and 8 year old son and I have sailed on Disney Dream twice and it was VERY popular with the family. So much so that we booked a 7 day on Magic while we were still onboard last year. As the time approached we realized we needed to reschedule the cruise and the only time that would work for everyone was spring break of 2015. The price for our Disney cruise ballooned to over $6500. None of us was really excited about another 4 day on Dream, so I am considering a 5 day on Liberty of the Seas.

I am concerned about a few things. We have never sailed RCCL before although my wife and I have been on Carnival a few times pre-baby.

- I am concerned about the quality of the kids club compared to Disney.
- I am worried the 8YO will be bored
- I am worried about crowds (ship and island) and especially any drunk college kids and inappropriate behavior
- i am worried about perceived quality of the product compared to Disney
- I am concerned about whether we will be impacted by smokers (didn't see much on Disney but assumed that since this ship is geared more towards adults and has a casino there might be more)

I wonder if you could share your spring break or other holiday experiences on Liberty and either confirm or alleviate my fears.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BensDaddy]

Also, wife and boy are wondering what there is to do in the kids club if he doesn't want to participate in group activities? Are there toys, play areas, video games, etc? I noticed that the dragon tail coaster on Labadee is $36 per person. Is that for a single ride?!? What do y recommend on Labadee?

Does anyone have any pictures of the 6-8 year old kids club on Liberty? Can't find any online. How does it compare to Disney?

Having a tough time getting excited about this trip.

 

[ldo]

just off the Dream, have also done Fantasy--love DCL--our fav cruiseline. We did the Liberty 4 day over Christmas b/c the price was outstanding, esp. for a "big" ship. Bottom line, not as fun/good as DCL, but perfectly fine and a really good bang for the buck. I saw no drunken fools, smoke did not bother me, and I am asthmatic. Kids clubs on RCCL for 6-9 age range are very good (more structured--this activity/game/craft for this hour sort of thing--very good for shy kids, like mine, who get a bit lost just wandering around--they liked RCCL much better than DCL at age 9--at ages 6-9, I had to drag them out of RCCL kids clubs)--preteens, program on RCCL not as strong, IMHO. You should post on cruiseciritic.com on RCCL to find out about alternatives if your child does not want to participate in the activity--you could also choose when to send him for activities that he liked. Food is definitely better on buffet and MDR on DCL, but Liberty was perfectly edible, just not special or memorable. Promenade area is great, pizza parlor is great, Johnny Rockets ($5 fee) very fun. Flow rider, excellent--8 might be too young even to knee board, same for rock wall. Putt-putt was fun, but not themed. They will play at least 1 3D movie in big theater--but there is no movie theater and no kids daytime movies by the pool--they showed poker, sports, etc., and 1 or 2 night movies, but they started at 10pm-same movies were also on the TV. Sat night fever is the major show--very good--but will be over your 8 yr olds head. Ice show is excellent--we went 2X. Labadee is very nice.
We LOVED the DREAM---but it was double the price of the Liberty for a 4 day cruise. We are considering RCCL again for next spring break--with above expectations.

 

[BensDaddy]

Thank you! That was extremely helpful!!

 

[BensDaddy]

I chickened out and booked Disney Wonder out of Miami for the same week, about $500 more. I'm sure Liberty is amazing but while the little guy is still young Disney is a trusted brand and a known quantity

 

[ldo]

We also have Wonder 5 day booked for Spring, but debating Brilliance out of Tampa on 4 day. It's $2K less for 5 persons. As we just went on DCL last week, we are thinking RCCL to mix it up, plus $2K less.
For you, with an 8 yr old--for 5 days on either, with DCL being only $500 more---Wonder would be no brainer for me! HAve a great trip! Elaine

 

[BensDaddy]

Thanks Elaine. I think we are all feeling more comfortable with our decision. Maybe will try RCCL again when he ages out of Disney.

 

[bumbershoot]

I missed offering timely advice, but...

On freedom I only smelled smoke when in the casino and in schooner bar because it came through. Neither are places DS would be. Other than that they have the same rules Disney has, so avoid the outdoor smoking areas and you're good. I don't even remember smoking areas on freedom, but I do on the dream, because the spot on deck 4 was right where I would jog past, and was a really cool seating area where I wanted to be but couldn't bc it's a smoking area.

DS was 9 for freedom and wasn't bored. The kid club isn't beautiful like on dream but the employees were awesome and engaging and FUN. And recognized him outside of the club and used his name after one day of him using the club. That has not come close to happening on dream.

I would worry about spring break on ANY cruiseline. DH's birthday is right at the very start of what I consider spring break season and we don't go anywhere at that time. College students can be anywhere. We have to pay for a family. A college student just pays for him/herself. Pack a room with four or five people each paying their own portion of the room and when you only have one person to worry about its a bargain. I wouldn't have worried about spring break on liberty any more than I would on dream.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh, for our cruise the 6-8s were combined with the 9-11s in the 6-8 room. It worked well. But it was late jan/early feb so there were fewer kids.

 

[Patience]

Good information! We will be on the Liberty in March with our 7 year old and our 20 year old daughters. We booked early and got a really good deal. The Disney Wonder leaving at the same time from Miami is a little over $800 more which is not too bad- but that's for only one inside cabin for the four of us instead of two cabins which is what we have booked on the RCCL. We are sticking with RCCL this time. I'd rather have two cabins and save the $800+ bucks for shore excursions, etc.