This was our second cruise on this ship and the same itinerary, we were with the Celtic on the Caribbean group again for its second year. We chose to go again because we were forced to miss the Grand Cayman stop last year due to rough seas.
We stayed in the Baymont Suites hotel off 61st and Seawall (close to Starbucks and a straight shot to our parking at 81st Dolphin on 29th at Merchant). Adequate hotel; I recommend the parking. This is the second time we have used them and no problems at all. The wait to be picked up was longer because the Liberty was unable to dock on time due to fog, and we didn't know because they had emailed about it and we didn't have internet connection that worked to check mail. Text messaging would have been a better option. Once at the pier, we waited for almost an hour in the security line before they even opened security and processed people to the waiting lounge. One gentleman behind us in line collapsed - don't know how he did or if he got on. The new waiting area was nice, although the bathrooms are totally inadequate for the 3000 or so passengers waiting. Wait we did, too.3.5 hours on folding chairs with no food. We got on board just in time to stand for another 45 minutes for the muster drill, then it was dinner time. No luggage yet, so we attended the MDR in our travelling clothes.
Our cabin, the same one as last year, was great. Walton, our steward, kept everything sparkling, and the bed and pillows were very comfy. We had a balcony room, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Halls were kept clean, although someone a few doors down from us had a HUGE mobility scooter that he kept parked in the middle of the hall. It did help slow down the teenagers racing down the hall though, so that helped in a way. The lifts were once again jammed, with long waits. There was an incident I have already posted about on the Roll Call boards where a man who is a member of these groups as he was going to the Meet and Greet injured several people in a packed elevator and terrorized his wife by forcing his way in and dragging her on her scooter into a completely packed lift. He parked her scooter right on top of my right foot, and it is fractured. Then he screamed all the way to the 14th floor. His wife was trembling, poor thing. What a jerk.
Love this room! Quiet, easy to get to, large with a comfy bed and great pillows. The balcony is amazing, and a great place to go for quiet time.
Ate dinner at the Cajun Greek. Expensive, but good food.