If you’re thinking about booking Liberty of the Seas, the recent refit may make it sound as though the ship has been completely transformed. Royal Caribbean added a brighter pool deck, new places to eat and drink, more cabins and several new features. But does Liberty of the Seas now feel like a new ship, or is it still an older Royal Caribbean ship with a few updated areas?
I was onboard for the first two cruises after the refit, sailing back-to-back on a two-night cruise to Le Havre followed by a seven-night itinerary to Bilbao, Lisbon and Vigo. Being onboard so soon after the work had finished gave me a good opportunity to see what had genuinely improved. It also quickly became clear that the ship wasn’t completely ready.
There were unfinished areas, maintenance problems, broken seats and long queues at Guest Services. At the same time, the food and service were excellent, the new pool deck looked much better, and Liberty still had the relaxed and lively Royal Caribbean atmosphere I enjoy.
This Liberty of the Seas honest review looks at what the refit has actually changed, what still feels dated, what the cabins, food and entertainment were like, and whether Liberty of the Seas is worth booking after the refit.
Liberty of the Seas Honest Review: Is the Refit Worth It?
Watch my full Liberty of the Seas honest review below, including what changed during the refit, the problems I experienced on the first two cruises, and whether I would book the ship again.
Has the Liberty of the Seas Refit Really Improved the Ship?
The Liberty of the Seas refit has improved the ship, but it hasn’t transformed it. The most noticeable changes are around the main pool deck. Lime & Coconut has made the area feel brighter, more colourful and much more in keeping with the lively atmosphere Royal Caribbean is known for.
The updated design works well, particularly when the weather is good and the pool deck becomes one of the busiest areas onboard. It feels fresher than it did before and gives the ship a more modern first impression.
El Loco Fresh is another very good addition. It serves included Mexican-style food such as tacos and burritos and gives you an easy lunch option without having to go inside to the Windjammer. This is particularly useful on sea days when you want something quick near the pool. It also helps spread passengers across more dining venues during the busiest lunchtime periods.
Cantina Fresca has also been added nearby, giving passengers another place to buy drinks around the pool deck.
Royal Caribbean has added an escape room close to the Star Lounge as well. I didn’t try it during my cruise, and it costs extra, but it adds another activity for anyone looking for something different to do onboard.
The casino has also been expanded. Personally, I would have preferred Royal Caribbean to add Playmakers instead. A sports bar would have provided another place to eat, drink and spend the evening, particularly when smaller venues such as Boleros and the Hoof & Claw became busy. The larger casino may appeal to some passengers, but it didn’t add much to my own experience.
The important thing to understand is that the changes are concentrated in specific areas. The restaurants, existing cabins and most public spaces haven’t all been rebuilt. Liberty now has some noticeably fresher areas, but underneath the changes, it’s still largely the same ship that originally entered service in 2007.
Was Liberty of the Seas Ready After the Refit?
On the first two sailings after the refit, Liberty of the Seas wasn’t completely ready. Guest Services regularly had long queues, and passengers were reporting problems including damp cabins, blocked toilets and other maintenance issues.
The toilet in both of my cabins worked intermittently. It would sometimes refuse to flush and then suddenly start working again around five minutes later.
It wasn’t completely unusable, but it happened often enough to become frustrating. Experiencing the same problem in two different cabins also suggested it wasn’t limited to one room.
There were other signs that work had either been rushed or hadn’t been completed. Some seats in the theatre were broken, and there was a broken seat in the Solarium pool. At the aft end of the outdoor promenade on Deck 4, rolls of carpet were still being stored in an area that looked unfinished. Work was also continuing in different parts of the ship, and some of the new cabins weren’t ready for passengers.
These were the first two cruises after the refit, so hopefully many of the early problems have now been resolved. It’s reasonable to expect a few minor issues after a major period of work, but there were too many problems to ignore during my own sailings.
The refit improved parts of Liberty of the Seas, but the ship should have been in a better state before passengers were welcomed back onboard.
Do the Cabins Feel New After the Refit?
Most of the existing cabins on Liberty of the Seas do not feel new. I stayed in two different balcony cabins because I changed rooms between the two cruises.
My first balcony cabin was on Deck 8. It was clean, comfortable and had everything I needed, but it definitely felt dated. The darker furniture, older colour scheme and general design all made it clear that this wasn’t a newly refurbished cabin. There was nothing wrong with it as a practical place to sleep, but it didn’t feel like a room on a ship that had just completed a major refit.
My second balcony cabin was on Deck 12. That cabin felt fresher because the cabins in this area were added or updated more recently. The colour scheme felt lighter, and the room had a slightly more modern appearance. Even so, I wouldn’t describe it as a brand-new cabin. It felt newer than the Deck 8 room, but it still didn’t have the fully modern finish you would expect on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.
The Deck 12 location also experienced more movement during the rough weather. Being higher up on the ship made the motion more noticeable while crossing the Bay of Biscay.
Royal Caribbean has added extra cabins as part of the refit, but most of the existing rooms haven’t suddenly become new. Anyone booking Liberty because of the refit needs to check the cabin location and keep their expectations realistic.
Is the Food Good on Liberty of the Seas?
Dining was one of the best parts of both cruises. On the two-night sailing, I had the Unlimited Dining Package and focused on the speciality restaurants. During the seven-night cruise, I spent more time trying the included dining options. Overall, the food and service were very good.
The Main Dining Room was consistently reliable. I had fixed dining in the Rembrandt Dining Room on Deck 3, and the service was excellent throughout the week. The menus will be familiar to regular Royal Caribbean cruisers because they haven’t changed significantly, but the food was generally well prepared and there was enough choice each evening.
The Windjammer also offered a good selection at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The main drawback was that the opening hours felt more restricted than I’ve experienced on some other cruise lines. There were times when I expected the buffet to be open and found that it had already closed or hadn’t reopened yet. This made the additional poolside options more important.
El Loco Fresh is a particularly valuable addition because it gives passengers another included place to eat at lunchtime. It’s quick, informal and well located for anyone spending the day around the pool.
The speciality restaurants were good overall. Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi were the strongest venues I tried. They provided a noticeable step up from the included restaurants and made the Unlimited Dining Package worthwhile on the shorter cruise.
Johnny Rockets was the exception. The service felt disorganised, the restaurant was chaotic, and the food didn’t match the quality of the other speciality venues. It was the weakest paid meal I had onboard.
Liberty of the Seas has a good range of dining options, and food was one of the main reasons I still enjoyed the cruise despite the problems elsewhere.
For a full breakdown of every included and speciality restaurant, see my Liberty of the Seas Dining Options guide. It includes the main venues, opening times, food examples and downloadable menus.
Is the Entertainment Good on Liberty of the Seas?
Entertainment was the biggest disappointment for me. Royal Caribbean has a strong reputation for entertainment, and my previous cruise on Independence of the Seas had set a high standard.
On Liberty, the ice show Boots and Blades was the standout. The skating was excellent, the costumes worked well, and it’s still impressive to see a full ice production performed on a cruise ship. Studio B is one of the features that makes Royal Caribbean ships different from many other cruise lines.
Saturday Night Fever was also a good production. It’s a full-length musical rather than a short theatre show, and the cast worked hard throughout. The staging and performances were good, although the length may not appeal to everyone.
Beyond those two main productions, the entertainment programme felt limited across the back-to-back cruises. The Wild Boys were excellent, but they performed on both the two-night and seven-night sailings. Because I was staying onboard, I ended up seeing the same guest act repeated.
There was also a juggler and one variety-style show, but guest acts weren’t scheduled every evening. That left some nights feeling quieter than I expected from Royal Caribbean.
There was live music in venues including Boleros and the Star Lounge, along with quizzes, game shows and activities during the day. However, after several nights, parts of the programme began to feel repetitive.
The size of the evening venues created another problem. Boleros and the Hoof & Claw filled up quickly. Unless you arrived early, it could be difficult to find somewhere to sit. That made it harder to wander between venues and decide what you wanted to watch. On some evenings, you had to choose a bar early and stay there rather than moving around the ship.
I’ve had better entertainment recently on both P&O Iona and Sky Princess, which surprised me because Royal Caribbean is normally praised so highly in this area.
Based on my own cruises, the entertainment on Independence of the Seas was also better than the programme offered on Liberty. The main production shows were good, but the overall evening entertainment needed more variety.
Is There Enough to Do During the Day?
Although the evening entertainment was weaker than expected, there was still plenty to do during the day. Liberty of the Seas has waterslides, the FlowRider surf simulator, an ice rink, mini golf, swimming pools, hot tubs and Splashaway Bay for younger children. There are also organised activities, quizzes, fitness sessions and events taking place throughout the day.
What surprised me was that the ship rarely felt too crowded. Even on sea days, I could normally find a sunbed. It might not have been directly beside the main pool, but there was usually availability on one of the higher decks. This made a noticeable difference to the experience. On some large ships, finding outdoor seating can become frustrating, but that wasn’t a major problem on Liberty during my cruise.
Olive or Twist was one of my favourite quieter places during the day. It has excellent views and a much calmer atmosphere than the Royal Promenade. It was a good place to sit with a drink, work or simply watch the sea when other parts of the ship were busier.
I also spent a lot of time in the Solarium hot tubs, particularly during the poor weather. The adults-only Solarium is a real advantage on a family ship because it gives adults somewhere calmer to relax without being completely separated from the rest of the ship.
The gym was also well equipped, and there was enough variety onboard to keep the sea days interesting.
What Is the Atmosphere Like on Liberty of the Seas?
The atmosphere is one of the reasons Royal Caribbean works well for me. Liberty feels relaxed, lively and informal. You can join in with formal night, themed events and parties without feeling that you have to.
The two cruises had noticeably different atmospheres. The two-night sailing to Le Havre had more of a party feel. There were lots of groups onboard, the pool bars were busy on embarkation day, and the ship felt livelier from the start. Even then, it never became too much. There were still quieter areas available if you wanted to move away from the busiest bars and activities.
The seven-night cruise was calmer. There were fewer queues, the bars felt less crowded, and the overall pace was more relaxed. It felt more like a traditional week-long holiday rather than a short break.
Service was excellent on both cruises. The restaurant staff, bar staff and cabin stewards were consistently friendly and helpful. Even when the ship was busy or problems were being reported, the crew remained professional.
The atmosphere can change depending on the length of the sailing and who is onboard, but both cruises still had the relaxed Royal Caribbean feel I enjoy.
Was the Bilbao, Lisbon and Vigo Itinerary Good?
The ports were the main highlight of the seven-night cruise. The itinerary included Bilbao, Lisbon and Vigo. The earlier two-night sailing also visited Le Havre, although I had been there before.
Bilbao was easy to explore independently. The ship docked outside the city, but transport made it straightforward to reach the centre and spend the day exploring.
Lisbon is one of my favourite cruise ports because ships can dock close to the centre. It’s easy to walk into the city, use public transport or plan your own day without relying on a cruise excursion.
Vigo is also easy to explore independently, with the ship docking close to the centre and many of the main areas within walking distance.
The weather was the main problem. The Bay of Biscay was rough in both directions, and there was a lot of movement. Outdoor decks weren’t always comfortable to use, and some passengers were clearly affected by the conditions.
The indoor Solarium and hot tubs still gave me somewhere to relax when the weather was poor, and the sea days gave me time to switch off between ports.
I personally prefer longer itineraries, and the seven-night cruise gave me enough time to settle in, enjoy the ship and visit several good destinations.
What Is a Back-to-Back Cruise Like on Royal Caribbean?
This was my first back-to-back cruise, and the changeover process was much easier than I expected. Because I had booked two separate cruises, I had to change cabins between the sailings.
My cabin steward moved my cases to the new room, so I didn’t have to take them off the ship or carry them around during the day.
After breakfast, back-to-back passengers met in the Star Lounge. We signed out of the first cruise, completed the required formalities and received our new cruise cards. The process was organised and didn’t take long.
For a short period, the back-to-back passengers had much of the ship to themselves before the next group began boarding.
Because I was changing cabins, my new room wasn’t ready until after lunch. Back-to-back guests were offered lunch in the Main Dining Room, although I used The Key lunch instead. Royal Caribbean made the process simple, but changing cabins was still inconvenient.
Packing again, waiting for the new room and having to settle into a different cabin made the day feel less relaxing than it would have been if I had stayed in the same room.
Personally, I would rather Royal Caribbean offered more longer itineraries from the UK than having to combine two shorter cruises.
Is Liberty of the Seas Good for Solo Travellers?
Liberty of the Seas wasn’t the most sociable cruise I’ve experienced as a solo traveller. Solo meet-ups were advertised in the daily programme, but when I went to one in Vintages, I didn’t see anyone else there.
I also had a fixed dining table in the Main Dining Room, but nobody else assigned to the table turned up during the week. That wasn’t a problem for me because I’m comfortable eating alone and wanted a relaxing cruise. The restaurant staff looked after me well, and I never felt uncomfortable dining by myself.
However, passengers who book a solo cruise mainly because they want to meet other people may find Liberty more difficult than some other ships.
There are plenty of bars, activities and organised events, but the solo programme didn’t create much of a social atmosphere during my cruise.
The price is another consideration. Royal Caribbean can be expensive for solo passengers because many cabins are priced based on double occupancy. Once drinks, dining packages, WiFi and other extras are added, the total cost can rise quickly.
Liberty can still work well for an independent solo traveller, but it may not be the best choice for someone looking for a highly organised solo experience.
Is Liberty of the Seas Good Value for Money?
Royal Caribbean isn’t the cheapest cruise line, particularly for solo travellers. The base fare is only part of the cost. Drinks packages, speciality dining, WiFi, shore excursions, The Key and other extras can quickly increase the final price.
I had the Unlimited Dining Package on the first cruise and The Key, so this wasn’t the cheapest sailing I’ve taken recently. However, the food, service, itinerary and relaxed atmosphere helped justify the overall cost.
The main warning is not to pay a large premium because you believe the refit has turned Liberty into a new ship. It hasn’t. The pool deck is brighter, El Loco Fresh is a very good addition, and certain parts of the ship feel fresher. But most cabins, restaurants and public areas are still recognisably part of an older Royal Caribbean ship.
If you want a completely modern cruise ship with new cabins, the latest Royal Caribbean design and a large number of new venues, Liberty probably isn’t the right choice.
If good food, friendly service, a relaxed atmosphere and a more traditional Royal Caribbean ship matter more, Liberty can still provide a very good cruise.
Value will depend heavily on the price you pay. At the right fare, Liberty offers plenty to enjoy. At a price close to one of Royal Caribbean’s newer ships, I would compare the options carefully before booking.
What Are the Main Downsides of Liberty of the Seas?
The biggest issue during my cruises was that the ship didn’t feel completely ready after the refit. The plumbing problems, unfinished areas, broken seats and ongoing work created a poor impression, particularly because passengers had been told the ship had completed a major update.
The existing cabins are another downside. They are practical and comfortable enough, but many still look dated. The newer cabins may feel fresher, but they don’t make the rest of the accommodation feel modern.
Entertainment also needed more variety. The main production shows were good, but the guest entertainment was limited and repeated across the back-to-back cruises. The smaller venues also filled quickly, making it harder to find seats in the evening.
The ship wasn’t especially sociable for solo travellers during my cruise, and Royal Caribbean’s pricing can make the overall cost high once extras are added.
None of these issues completely ruined the experience, but they are important to understand before booking.
Final Verdict: Is Liberty of the Seas Worth Booking After the Refit?
So, is Liberty of the Seas worth booking after the refit? Overall, yes, but with realistic expectations.
The food and service were excellent, the itinerary was one of the highlights, and I still enjoyed Royal Caribbean’s relaxed but lively atmosphere.
The pool deck looks better, Lime & Coconut has added more colour, and El Loco Fresh is a genuinely useful addition.
There was also plenty to do during the day, the ship rarely felt overcrowded, and quieter spaces such as Olive or Twist and the Solarium made it easy to get away from the busiest areas.
But the refit hasn’t turned Liberty into a new ship. Many cabins and public spaces still look dated, the entertainment was weaker than I expected, and there were too many maintenance and unfinished-work problems during the first two cruises.
Liberty is a good choice for passengers who enjoy the older Royal Caribbean ships, want good dining and service, and find a cruise at the right price.
It is less suitable for anyone expecting a completely modern ship simply because it has recently been refurbished.
Would I sail on Liberty of the Seas again?
Yes. The food, service and atmosphere were good enough that I’ve already booked Freedom of the Seas, Liberty’s sister ship, for next year. But I would book knowing that Liberty is still an older ship underneath the refit.
Useful Guides to Plan Your Liberty of the Seas Cruise
If you’re planning a Liberty of the Seas cruise, these guides may also help.
My Liberty of the Seas What’s On Board A full walkthrough of what’s onboard Liberty of the Seas, including the Royal Promenade, pool deck, cabins, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and areas changed during the refit.
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.
My Liberty of the Seas tips guide covers the key things to know before you sail, including dining, cabins, entertainment, the Royal Caribbean app and what changed after the refit.
My Liberty of the Seas Refit Guide explains what changed during the 2026 refit, including new venues, updated areas and what’s different if you’ve sailed on Liberty before.
My Liberty of the Seas Bars Guide covers the bars onboard, including The Lime and Coconut, Boleros, Schooner Bar, Vintages, R Bar, Playmakers and other places to get drinks around the ship.
And if you’re deciding which cabin to book Liberty of the Seas Cabins Guide covers cabins onboard Liberty of the Seas, including balcony cabins, ocean view cabins, inside cabins, suites, storage, bathrooms, plug sockets and cabin locations to think about before you book.
Taken together, these guides will give you a clearer picture of what Liberty of the Seas is really like and help you decide what to book before your cruise.
FAQs About Liberty of the Seas
Is Liberty of the Seas worth booking after the refit?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas is worth booking if you find the right price and understand that the refit only changed certain areas. The pool deck is brighter, El Loco Fresh is a good addition, and the food and service are strong. However, most cabins and public areas still feel like an older ship.
Does Liberty of the Seas feel old?
Some parts of Liberty of the Seas do feel old, particularly the existing cabins and some public areas. The ship entered service in 2007, and the recent refit didn’t replace everything onboard. The updated pool deck feels much fresher, but the ship hasn’t been completely modernised.
Were there problems after the Liberty of the Seas refit?
There were several problems on the first two cruises after the refit. These included intermittent toilet problems, reports of damp cabins, unfinished areas, broken seats and long queues at Guest Services. Some new cabins were also not ready. These early issues may have been resolved since my cruise.
Are the cabins on Liberty of the Seas refurbished?
Most existing cabins haven’t been completely refurbished. My Deck 8 balcony cabin felt dated, while my Deck 12 balcony cabin felt fresher but not brand new. Cabin condition can vary depending on the location and when that section of the ship was added or updated.
Is the food good on Liberty of the Seas?
Yes, the food was one of the best parts of my cruises. The Main Dining Room was reliable, the Windjammer had a good selection, and El Loco Fresh is a useful included lunch option. Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi were the best speciality restaurants I tried.
Is the entertainment good on Liberty of the Seas?
The ice show Boots and Blades and Saturday Night Fever were good, but the wider entertainment programme felt limited. Guest acts weren’t scheduled every night, and some performances repeated across the two cruises. I found the entertainment on Independence of the Seas, Iona and Sky Princess better overall.
Does Liberty of the Seas feel crowded?
Liberty rarely felt overcrowded during my cruises. Even on sea days, I could normally find a sunbed, although it wasn’t always beside the main pool. Some smaller bars filled quickly in the evening, but there were quieter places available around the ship.
Is Liberty of the Seas good for solo travellers?
Liberty can work well for independent solo travellers who are comfortable eating and spending time alone. However, it wasn’t especially sociable during my cruise. The solo meet-up I attended was empty, and the other passengers assigned to my dining table didn’t appear during the week.
Is Liberty of the Seas a good family ship?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas has plenty for families, including waterslides, Splashaway Bay, ice skating, mini golf, pools and organised activities. The adults-only Solarium also gives adults somewhere quieter to relax.
Is Liberty of the Seas the same class as Freedom of the Seas?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas are sister ships in Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class. They have similar layouts and many of the same main features, although the venues and condition of each ship can vary depending on later refurbishments.
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.
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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.