Bahamas Cruise aboard the Carnival Liberty

ABOARD CARNIVAL LIBERTY — It’s just after 6 a.m. Liberty’s captain is making the final approach to Port Canaveral. You know what that means … the cruise is over. For the 3,700-plus guests onboard, they grab breakfast one more time and begin the wait to leave the ship. The fastest way off the ship is take your own luggage when your deck is called. The other option is check your bags the night before and wait for …

Read moreBahamas cruise aboard the Carnival Liberty: Cruise wrap up

ABOARD CARNIVAL LIBERTY — We left Port Canaveral four days ago and this morning we are 80 miles from where we personally started our trip — Palm Beach. Liberty is docked at Freeport, Grand Bahama, an international hub for shipping and commerce which also welcomes over a million cruise visitors a year. No question it’s a busy, working port, evidenced by a giant MSC cargo ship that blocked out the windows during breakfast in the main dining …

Read moreBahamas cruise aboard the Carnival Liberty: Day four

ABOARD CARNIVAL LIBERTY — We are docked in Nassau, and as guests prepare to disembark for shore excursions, shopping, sightseeing and soaking up some Bahamas sun, the welcome message over the ship’s P.A. adds a sobering note: The U.S. State Dept. advises visitors to the Bahamas to be on alert as there has been a recent rise in crime here. Persons should be especially careful when they venture off the beaten paths. We plan to remain in …

Read moreBahamas cruise aboard the Carnival Liberty: Day three

ABOARD CARNIVAL LIBERTY — According to the calendar, it’s Monday. But somehow at sea, all days seem alike. We are moving, slowly but surely, toward our first port of call — Nassau. In the meantime, the fun goes on for the several thousand passengers aboard. Our first stop is the Silver Olympian Restaurant, the two-story main dining room, where they are serving brunch. It’s a beautiful room, ornately decorated in an art deco style that harkens back …

Read moreBahamas Cruise aboard the Carnival Liberty: Day two

ABOARD CARNIVAL LIBERTY — Outside our stateroom balcony door a brilliant afternoon sun reflects on the deep blues of the Caribbean Sea. We are just underway  on a 4-night cruise to the Bahamas, departing from Port Canaveral, and it’s a beautiful day for cruising. We normally make our departures from Miami and Fort Lauderdale; this is our first experience with Canaveral. I’m happy to report it was all positive. The port is a two-hour-plus drive from our …

Read moreBahamas Cruise aboard the Carnival Liberty: Day one

Almost time to start packing. On July 16, Pam and I leave for a summer getaway to the Bahamas aboard Carnival Liberty. Liberty, launched in 2005, was the first Carnival ship to undergo the “Fun 2.0” transformation in 2011, an almost one billion dollar-initiative to add new features and experiences across the Carnival fleet. Those included an outdoor theater, Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint, RedFrog Rum Bar,  BlueIguana Cantina, Alchemy Bar, EA Sports Bar and a DJ nightclub. …

Read morePreparing for Bahamas Cruise aboard the Carnival Liberty