If you’re planning a cruise and wondering what’s onboard Liberty of the Seas after the refit, the first thing to understand is that the ship has changed in some important areas, but it has not been completely refitted.
Liberty of the Seas has recently come out of a major refit, with new venues, updated public spaces and changes across several decks, including the pool deck, dining areas, casino, activities and some cabin areas.
The pool deck feels fresher, there are new food and drink venues, new activities, extra cabins and an expanded casino, but many of the original parts of the ship are still very much the same. So if you’re expecting the whole ship to feel brand new after the refit, that isn’t quite the reality.
What Liberty of the Seas does offer is a big, busy, resort-style cruise experience, with outdoor pools, waterslides, a surf simulator, an ice rink, a large Royal Promenade, plenty of casual food options, a three-deck dining room, bars, lounges, family areas and lots of activities.
Watch the Full Ship Tour
If you want to see how the ship actually looks in practice, I’ve included my full Liberty of the Seas ship tour below, where I walk through the ship deck by deck after the refit.
What’s Onboard Liberty of the Seas After the Refit: What the Outdoor Spaces Are Actually Like?
One of the biggest parts of Liberty of the Seas is the outdoor space. The main outdoor areas are spread across Decks 11, 12 and 13, with the pool deck on Deck 11, the upper pool deck and running track on Deck 12, and the mini golf, sports court, waterslides and FlowRider on Deck 13. This is where Liberty of the Seas feels most like a Royal Caribbean resort at sea.
The main pool deck is on Deck 11, and this is one of the busiest parts of the ship during the day. You’ll find the main pool, sports pool, whirlpools, Splashaway Bay, The Lime & Coconut, El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca and the Windjammer nearby.The pool deck is also one of the areas where the refit is most noticeable.
The Lime & Coconut has replaced the older pool bar setup and gives the area a brighter, more Caribbean-style feel. There is also new seating around the pool deck, including resort-style furniture and casitas that can be hired during the cruise.
At the front of Deck 11, you’ll find the Solarium. This is the adults-only pool and relaxation area, and it is a good option if you want somewhere calmer than the main pool deck. It has its own pool, bar, loungers and seating, but the standout feature is the pair of large cantilevered hot tubs that sit out over the side of the ship.
Further back on Deck 11 is Splashaway Bay, which is the children’s water play area. This has not really changed as part of the refit, but it is still one of the main family areas onboard.
Up on Deck 13, the outdoor activity areas continue. At the front of the ship, you’ll find Liberty Dunes, which is the mini golf course. This is a useful area to know about because it can feel quieter than the main pool deck, and there are also loungers around this section.
At the back of Deck 13, you’ll find the sports court, rock climbing wall, Perfect Storm waterslides and FlowRider. The big new addition here is Tidal Wave, which was added as part of the refit. Liberty of the Seas already had the twin racing slides, Cyclone and Typhoon, but Tidal Wave gives the aft of the ship more of a waterpark feel.
The FlowRider is right at the back of the ship and is one of Royal Caribbean’s classic onboard activities. Even if you do not want to try it yourself, it is a fun place to stop and watch.
The outdoor areas are one of Liberty’s strengths, but they do get busy, especially on warm sea days. If you want quieter spots, it helps to move away from the main pool deck and explore the higher decks, the mini golf area or the outside promenade on Deck 4.
Food and Dining – How It Works in Practice
Liberty of the Seas has a good mix of included dining, casual food and speciality restaurants. The main buffet is the Windjammer, which is at the back of Deck 11. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the cruise and has some lovely views from the aft windows.
The Main Dining Room is spread across three decks at the aft of the ship. Botticelli is on Deck 5, Michelangelo is on Deck 4, and Rembrandt is on Deck 3. This is the main sit-down dining venue onboard and is used for dinner, with the Deck 3 level also usually used for breakfast and lunch.
One of the best new included options after the refit is El Loco Fresh on Deck 11. This is a casual Mexican-style venue serving things like burritos, tacos, nachos and quesadillas. It is very useful because it gives you another included option close to the pool deck without having to go into the Windjammer.
On Deck 5, in the Royal Promenade, you’ll find Sorrento’s, which is the included pizza venue onboard. This is a handy option during the day or later in the evening if you want something quick and easy.
Café Promenade is also on Deck 5 and serves snacks, light bites, tea and coffee during the day and evening.
There are also several speciality dining options that cost extra. Chops Grille is Royal Caribbean’s steakhouse, Giovanni’s Table is the Italian restaurant, and Johnny Rockets is the American-style diner serving burgers, fries and milkshakes.
Izumi Teppanyaki is one of the new dining additions after the refit. It replaced Sabor and offers a Japanese hibachi-style dining experience where the chef cooks in front of you at the table.
Starbucks has also been added on Deck 4, near Boleros.
So Liberty of the Seas has enough dining choice for a cruise, but it is worth knowing what is included and what costs extra before you sail. If dining is one of the most important parts of your cruise, I’ll cover this properly in my Liberty of the Seas dining options guide.
Bars and Evenings Onboard
There are plenty of bars and lounges on Liberty of the Seas, and they each have a slightly different feel. During the day, most people naturally end up around the pool deck.
The Lime & Coconut is the main pool bar area and is one of the most obvious changes after the refit. It gives the pool deck a brighter and more relaxed feel than the older setup.
Beside El Loco Fresh, you’ll also find Cantina Fresca, which serves Mexican-style drinks and cocktails.
Inside the ship, the Royal Promenade on Deck 5 is one of the main evening areas. This is where you’ll find venues like the Hoof & Claw Pub, Vintages wine bar, R Bar, Café Promenade, Sorrento’s and the main shops.
The Royal Promenade is one of the areas that gives Liberty of the Seas its Royal Caribbean feel. It works as a central hub during the day and evening, and you’ll probably pass through it many times during the cruise.
On Deck 4, you’ll find the Schooner Bar, which is one of Royal Caribbean’s classic bar venues. It is often used for quizzes, trivia, piano music and evening drinks.
Boleros is also on Deck 4, and this is the Latin-style bar onboard. There had been some concern before the refit that Boleros might be removed, but it is still there.
High up on Deck 14, Olive or Twist is one of the best places onboard for elevated views over the ship and out to sea. During the day and early evening, it can feel quieter than the busier public areas, but later at night it may be used for karaoke, silent disco and late-night music.
There are also restricted-access lounges on Deck 14, including the Crown Lounge for eligible Crown and Anchor loyalty members and the Suite Lounge for qualifying suite guests.
Entertainment Across the Ship
Entertainment on Liberty of the Seas is spread across several venues, so it is not all centred in one place.
The Platinum Theatre is the main theatre onboard and is where you’ll find production shows, guest entertainers and some of the bigger evening performances.
One of the standout venues is Studio B, which is the ice rink. This is one of the things that makes Liberty of the Seas feel different from many cruise ships. The ice shows are definitely worth looking out for, because it is not every day you see an ice show at sea.
The Star Lounge on Deck 5 is used for different activities during the cruise, and near this area you’ll also find the Royal Escape Room, which was added as part of the refit.
The Royal Promenade is also used for events and activities at different points during the sailing.
Casino Royale on Deck 4 has been expanded as part of the refit, with more space for gaming tables and slot machines. If you enjoy the casino, this will probably be a positive change. If you prefer extra bars or sports venues, you may feel the space could have been used differently.
Across the ship, you can also expect things like quizzes, trivia, karaoke, silent disco, live music, pool deck activities and late-night events depending on the cruise schedule.
Family Areas and Activities
Liberty of the Seas is a very family-friendly ship. For younger children, Splashaway Bay on Deck 11 is one of the main daytime areas. It has water features, shallow splash areas and space for children to enjoy the pool deck without using the main pools.
Adventure Ocean is on Deck 12 and is Royal Caribbean’s youth programme. This area has been updated as part of the refit, although some of the original space has been reduced because new cabins have been added nearby.
There is also a Nursery for younger children, along with The Living Room and Fuel Teen Disco for teenagers.
The arcade is also on Deck 12, close to the children’s and teen areas.
For families, the layout works quite well because Splashaway Bay, Sprinkles, El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca, the pool deck and Windjammer are all fairly close together. Older children and teenagers also have plenty to do, with the waterslides, FlowRider, rock climbing wall, sports court, mini golf, arcade and teen spaces.
Cabins – What to Expect
Cabins on Liberty of the Seas are spread across several decks, including Decks 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 2, with some additional cabins on Decks 4 and 3. This is one of the areas where you need to be careful with expectations after the refit.
The existing cabins were not refreshed in the same way as some of the public spaces. So if you book one of the older cabins, don’t expect it to feel brand new just because Liberty of the Seas has had a refit.
I sailed on Liberty of the Seas as a back-to-back cruise, so I stayed in two different balcony cabins.
My first balcony cabin was on Deck 8, and my second was on Deck 12.
The Deck 8 cabin was absolutely fine and had everything I needed, but it did feel more dated compared with newer cruise ship cabins. The Deck 12 cabin felt newer, although it was not newly added as part of this latest refit.
In a standard balcony cabin, you can expect the main bed, a sofa, desk area, wardrobe space, storage, fridge, hairdryer and safe.
The bathroom is small, but it has the basics you need, including a toilet, sink, storage shelves and shower. Shower gel and shampoo are provided in the shower.
There were a few practical things worth knowing. There were no plug sockets by the bed in the balcony cabins I stayed in. There was also no kettle in the cabin as standard, although you can ask for one onboard.
Liberty of the Seas also does not have passenger launderettes, so you cannot do your own washing onboard in the way you can on some cruise lines.
There were also new cabins added as part of the refit. Some were added near the gym on Deck 11, replacing the previous free sauna and steam room area. New ocean view suites were also added near Adventure Ocean on Deck 12, although on the first sailings after the refit, some of these were still not ready.
There are also new cabins on Deck 4 near the casino, accessed through a glass door next to Casino Royale. This is quite an unusual location, so if you are looking at one of these cabins, check the position carefully before booking.
Other Facilities Onboard Liberty of the Seas
The gym is at the front of Deck 11 and is one of the better positioned gyms I’ve seen on a cruise ship.
It has a good mix of cardio machines, free weights and strength equipment, and because it sits right at the front of the ship, you get large windows and sea views while you work out.
One change after the refit is that the previous free sauna and steam room have gone. That space has been used for new cabins, so if you have sailed on Liberty of the Seas before, this is one of the differences you may notice.
The spa is also located forward on the upper decks and offers paid treatments such as massages and facials.
The main shopping area is around the Royal Promenade on Deck 5, where you’ll find shops selling things like clothing, jewellery, watches, perfume, souvenirs and duty-free items.
Guest Services and Next Cruise are also on Deck 5.
On Deck 3, the Photo and Shore Excursions area has been updated as part of the refit. This is where you can view your onboard photos, ask questions about Royal Caribbean excursions or book tours for the ports on your itinerary.
There is also an Art Gallery nearby, and the Loyalty Desk is down on Deck 2.
How the Layout Actually Works
Liberty of the Seas is fairly easy to get around once you understand the main areas, but there are a few layout quirks that are useful to know.
The Royal Promenade on Deck 5 is the main indoor hub. This is a good reference point because lots of shops, bars, casual food venues and Guest Services are connected to it.
Deck 11 is the main daytime deck, with the pool deck, Solarium, Splashaway Bay, El Loco Fresh, Windjammer and some of the dining venues all close together.
Deck 4 and Deck 3 are important for entertainment, dining and practical areas, but they do not always work as simple walk-through decks.
The main thing to know is that Deck 13 does not run all the way through.
If you visit the mini golf area at the front of Deck 13 and then want to reach the sports court, waterslides and FlowRider at the back, you need to go down to Deck 12, walk further aft, and then come back up again.
Deck 3 can also catch people out. The Platinum Theatre and Studio B are both shown on Deck 3, but you can’t walk straight from the theatre area through to Studio B. You usually need to go back up to Deck 4, walk further back, and then come down again.
Deck 2 is mainly a cabin deck. The theatre and Studio B extend down to this level on the deck plan, but you do not access them from Deck 2.
Once you know those few things, the ship becomes much easier to navigate.
What Changed in the Liberty of the Seas Refit?
The refit made some obvious changes to Liberty of the Seas, especially in the public areas.
The Lime & Coconut was added to the pool deck.
El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca were added on Deck 11.
Tidal Wave was added to the waterslide area.
Izumi Teppanyaki replaced Sabor.
Starbucks was added near Boleros.
The Royal Escape Room was added near the Star Lounge.
Casino Royale was expanded.
Adventure Ocean was updated, although some of the space around that area has changed because of new cabins.
New cabins were added on Deck 11, Deck 12 and Deck 4.
The Photo and Shore Excursions area on Deck 3 was also updated.
So the refit has made a difference, but it is not a full rebuild of the ship.
What Hasn’t Really Changed?
It is also important to understand what has not really changed.
The older cabins were not fully modernised in the same way as the public areas.
Splashaway Bay is still much the same.
Boleros is still onboard.
The Royal Promenade still feels like classic Royal Caribbean.
Studio B, the Platinum Theatre, the Main Dining Room, Windjammer and many of the core venues are still part of the Liberty of the Seas experience.
So if you have sailed on Liberty before, it will feel fresher in some places, but it will not feel like a completely different ship.
Related Guides
For a closer look at what changed during the refit, my Liberty of the Seas refit guide covers the new venues, what was removed, what wasn’t ready and what you need to know before booking.
My Liberty of the Seas dining options guide explains what’s included, what costs extra, where to eat onboard and which venues are worth knowing about before your cruise.
If you want to compare the pool areas, waterslides, hot tubs, Solarium and quieter outdoor spaces, my Liberty of the Seas pools guide covers the main outdoor areas in more detail.
If you want to know where to get a drink onboard, my Liberty of the Seas bars guide covers the main bars, lounges and outdoor drinking spots around the ship.
If you are trying to decide whether to buy a drinks package, my Royal Caribbean drinks package guide compares the different options and looks at when a package may or may not be worth it.
What’s Onboard Liberty of the Seas After the Refit: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Liberty of the Seas easy to navigate?
Liberty of the Seas is fairly easy to navigate once you understand the main decks, but there are a few confusing areas. Deck 13 does not run all the way through, and Deck 3 does not connect directly from the forward theatre area to Studio B.
What are the main pool areas on Liberty of the Seas?
The main pool deck is on Deck 11 and includes the main pool, sports pool, whirlpools, Splashaway Bay and The Lime & Coconut. The adults-only Solarium is also on Deck 11, towards the front of the ship.
Does Liberty of the Seas have waterslides?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas has The Perfect Storm waterslide area on Deck 13. This includes Cyclone, Typhoon and Tidal Wave.
Does Liberty of the Seas have a FlowRider?
Yes, the FlowRider surf simulator is located at the aft of Deck 13.
What food is included on Liberty of the Seas?
Included dining options include the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, Sorrento’s, Café Promenade and El Loco Fresh. Some venues, such as Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Johnny Rockets, Izumi Teppanyaki, Starbucks, the Ice Cream Parlour and Cupcake Cupboard, cost extra.
What changed in the Liberty of the Seas refit?
The refit added The Lime & Coconut, El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca, Tidal Wave, Izumi Teppanyaki, Starbucks, Royal Escape Room, expanded casino space and new cabin areas. Some existing public areas were refreshed, but the whole ship was not rebuilt.
Were the cabins refurbished on Liberty of the Seas?
The older cabins were not fully refreshed in the same way as the public spaces. Some new cabins were added, but older cabins may still feel dated compared with newer ships.
Does Liberty of the Seas have a promenade deck?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas has an outside promenade on Deck 4. It is a good place for a quieter walk close to the sea, and there are also shuffleboard courts along this deck.
Can passengers access the helipad on Liberty of the Seas?
Passengers can usually access the helipad when it is open. You reach it from the Star Lounge area on Deck 5 and then follow the outside walkway forward.
Is Liberty of the Seas good for families?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas is a very family-friendly ship. It has Splashaway Bay, Adventure Ocean, a nursery, teen spaces, an arcade, mini golf, waterslides, FlowRider, casual food and lots of organised activities.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard. I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Cruise eSIM from Saily
Buying the ship’s WiFi package isn’t the only way to stay connected during a cruise. Saily has launched a cruise eSIM that provides mobile data at sea and in supported ports, which could be worth considering if you mainly need internet access for messaging, maps and general browsing.
You can check the available plans and coverage here: Saily Cruise Esim
Use discount code solotravel10 to receive 10 % off your purchase.
Affiliate disclosure: This section contains an affiliate link. I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through the link, at no additional cost to you. I haven’t personally tested the Saily cruise eSIM yet, so check the current coverage, data allowance and compatibility with your phone before purchasing.