Big Ship, Empty Decks
Coxen Hole, Roatan
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Morning
We woke up around 8AM expecting to be pulling in but Captain James already had the Liberty of the Seas parked at the dock. We had already been to Coxen Hole while cruising on the NCL Pearl (check out that blog HERE) and we were not too impressed so we planned on spending most of the day on the ship. We were going to get off and see the damage to the pier that MSC Armonia made when it hit the pier in April but we had no other plans. Ironically enough, the MSC Armonia was also in Roatan with us but had to tender in since we were a larger ship.
Viral video of the MSC Armonia hitting the pier!
Oddly enough, the pier was in good shape and we didn't even realize it was the Armonia that hit the pier until we got home. We couldn't see any damage!
Good morning from the balcony!
Oddly enough, the pier was in good shape and we didn't even realize it was the Armonia that hit the pier until we got home. We couldn't see any damage!
We made our way to the buffet around 9AM and it was still crowded as not all of the guests had gotten off the ship. After we ate we made our way to the Solarium to sit in the gigantic hot tub. By 10AM the ship was a ghost town and there was hardly anyone on the ship or the main pool deck/ Solarium area. TIP- If you want to stay on board a ship, do it on the 1st port day as EVERYONE wants to get off the ship. Especially, if the route has 2 sea days at the beginning.
This is our home for the next 3-4 hours! Yes... Please!
We sat in the hot tub for over an hour before getting out and getting in the main pool. It, too, was hardly busy with maybe 1 or 2 other people in the pool. However, there was still a lifeguard on duty the entire time. TIP- Royal is the only cruise line I have seen in recent years that has a lifeguard on duty at ALL pools. This was a nice added touch and I see the other cruise lines adding these in the near future.
Once the Solarium pool opened up at 10:30AM we made our way to it as it had a large area that was in the shade. The area in the shade was on the deeper end of the pool which was labeled as 6' 11". We had fun floating in this area. While we were in the Solarium pool we met a lovely older couple who had been on 91 cruises. NINETY ONE! We talked to them for over an hour and had the best conversations. They also said the Baltic was one of their favorite itineraries and told us all about their journeys. They said they had 9 more booked with Royal over the next 15 months so they can reach Pinnacle. They are both in their mid-80s, although they didn't look a day over 65 and were in great health. They were both retired but the wife was a retired SPED teacher. THESE PEOPLE ARE MY HEROS! I now have a new goal in life... Kidding (only kinda)! But their story was inspiring and interesting! What is crazy, is they found this cruise (in the middle of the summer in a balcony) for $509. That is almost unheard of nowadays, especially on Royal Caribbean! Congrats to them and I wish them well!
Afternoon
I decided to go to the waterslides as soon as they opened so avoid the crowds, as the previous 2 sea days were overwhelming with kids and lines. TIP- If you want to ride the slides, do it on EMBARKATION DAY or on a port day for less lines. I made my way up to the top of the Perfect Storm waterslides and got ready to ride the "Cyclone" (orange) slide. I stepped into the shoot and the power of the water literally swept me away (I'm not a "small" girl) and one of my legs was completely bent back and crooked the whole ride. When I got to the bottom I realized my toe was dragging the slide the whole time. I had a pretty nasty cut on the toe and the crew member told me I was lucky I didn't break my leg. It hurt pretty bad and left me limping the rest of the cruise with a broken toe. Geez... It's always something.
Even with the broken toe I went down the other slide "Typhoon" (green) and it did a number on me. It was dark and had lights flashing on and off and had my epilepsy churning up. In fact, I think it should come with some type of warning. Needless to say, I did not ride that one again. Unfortunately, the Tidal Wave was not open at that time, even though it said it would be, so I missed that one. I will get it on the next few days. I decided the broken toe was enough so I met Chris for lunch at the Windjammer. The food was typical cruise ship buffet food and we were not impressed.
We went back to our room and changed so we could get off the ship. We wanted to find Wifi to message our kids and check out the newly damaged pier. We got off very easily (it was after 1PM) and meandered our way through the port terminal. I knew I wanted to go to the Fish Spa right there at the port but unfortunately since I had an open wound on my foot due to the waterslide, I was not able to. Maybe next time! This terminal is not very built up and not great stores or selections and we did not find any wifi offerings.
The MSC Armonia, the exact ship that hit the pier in April was in port with us.
Hello Gorgeous!
Coxen Hole, Roatan- Not a great port but it IS beautiful!
Welcome to Roatan!
And just like that... we are in line to get back on board!
We decided this was a bust and went back onboard before the crowds arrived. We went straight back to the Solarium pool and hot tubs and enjoyed a few drinks before dinner. We also stumbled upon a 10 Drink savings card at the Solarium Bar.
These 10 Drink cards were offered beginning on the 4th day and offered 10 drinks of any kind (up to $12) and it can be shared. It is priced at $79, but for whatever reason I got mine for $70. Even with gratuities it averages out to be $9.70 per drink which is $3-5 less than buying each drink separate.
Evening
We got ready for dinner and watched sail away from our balcony before heading to Giovanni's Table for dinner. The sailaway was unique as we had never noticed the Roatan airport between the Coxen Hole pier and the Mahogany Bay pier! We were even able to see a plane fly in to land!
Another goofy pose for my hubby!
Goodbye Roatan... We won't see you for a while!
The Roatan Airport and the Mahogany Bay terminal with the Carnival Paradise.
(This would be the VERY 1st time we have seen the Paradise... Must be a sign it's time to book).
A view from our room. I loved the larger window!
The Coxen Hole Roatan pier area.
Our balcony was cleaned and painted during the day!
(This would be the VERY 1st time we have seen the Paradise... Must be a sign it's time to book).
We had dinner reservations at Giovanni's Table at 6PM so we made our way to deck 11 for dinner. TIP- Giovanni's is a specialty restaurant offering fine Italian food including seafood and steak. It is $30 dinner and $15 for lunch. This was part of our 4 meal dining package that we paid $90 (with gratuities included) and worth every penny. The food was phenomenal and full of flavor. The mushroom risotto and pasta were the absolute best I have ever had. In addition, Filet Mignon was just as good if not better than Chops. Plus the service was the best thus far of any cruise line. This place totally blew me away and we will be coming back in March.
All of the Specialty Dining chefs for Giovanni's and Chops were having their nighty meeting at Giovanni's!
Easily the largest and best mussels I have EVER seen or had.
Luke would have LOVED this as he LOVES mussels.
Luke would have LOVED this as he LOVES mussels.
After dinner we went back to the balcony to catch the sunset again. It was covered by clouds but still a perfect way to end our evening. Then we went to NextCruise to look up Baltic cruises and prices. We are planning this ecstravegant trip for Summer 2021 and have quite a lot of saving to do in order to pull it off! I guess no more Starbucks or LuLaRoe for me for a while.
My favorite towel animal thus far! Way to go Roy!
We then found our way to our favorite bar on the ship, Vintages on the Promenade. Since we were Gold level Royal Caribbean cruisers we had Buy One Get One drink coupons. We knew we wanted Caymas Cabernet Sauvignon so we expect to buy a glass and get a glass ($27/glass) but the bartender, "Indian Frasier" as we humorously named him, used these coupons to get us the entire bottle of Caymus for only $88 (usually $127). We found this gem on the Navigator and it is our FAVORITE. We enjoyed a glass and then let "Frasier" hold on to it for the following night.
Our nightly stroll down the Promenade!
We LOVE the Liberty of the Seas.
We LOVE the Liberty of the Seas.
Our last entertainment for the evening was the always funny Love and Marriage show. We used our 10 drink card and got another cocktail and got good seats for the show. This show has 3 couples play the Newlyweds game and this game's older couple was a little more difficult than usual but the CD did a GREAT job with the cards he had dealt. We enjoyed the show and then late night pizza at Sorrento's and a cocktail at Hoof and Claw before calling it a night around 1AM.
It was a GREAT day spent enjoying the 12th largest cruise ship in the world mostly to ourselves. Plus we were able to enjoy some of the best specialty dining we have had. The next day was Costa Maya and massages on the beach!
Be sure to check back for the daily posts of our trip. Each day we will include more tips and tricks about the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas.
Once again, thank you so much for following along!
Next up... Costa Maya, Mexico!
God is good… ALL the time!
Carnival Legend- ALASKA- 2016
Click on a link to see our past cruising adventures:
Carnival Legend- ALASKA- 2016
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