This Carnival Liberty 9/15/07 eight day cruise was our 5th with Carnival. We have also cruised with Royal Caribbean ( Radiance, Navigator), Princess and Celebrity. Nine cruises total. My wife and I are in our 50's and were sailing with our son who just turned 18 years old the day of the cruise. We were looking forward to a relaxing vacation which unfortunately did not happen to our liking. I won't bore you with the pre-boarding info and just get right to the main points that may help you.
I can tell you.... if you do not like the smell of smoke then avoid the Liberty. The entire main promenade deck near the casino was over taken by smokers and smoke. You had trouble getting away from it. This area was also where most of your formal pictures where taken. Not the greatest feeling when all dressed up to feel like you are in a stale vegas bar and casino. When eating breakfast-there were smokers. The out-door movies where ruined by cigar smoke. it just seemed that every where you went-there was smoke. Anyway, check some of the other reviews and you will read the same complaint. Carnival needs to limit the smoking to a few select areas. My wife is a light smoker and it bothered her because she could not breath or get away from it. It ruined the cruise for us.
The Food. I can say that the food was good to excellent with the exception of the lobster which was like rubber. Omelet stations where great as well as the Asian food. We decided to shine on the alternative Harry's since the dining room food was good.