If you’re thinking about booking a cruise on Liberty of the Seas, or you already have one booked, these Liberty of the Seas tips will help you understand what to expect before you sail. Liberty of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship with plenty going on, especially if you like activities, entertainment, casual dining and that classic big-ship Royal Caribbean feel. But she’s also not a brand-new ship.
Liberty of the Seas originally launched in 2007 and has had updates over the years, including a major 2026 amplification. That means some areas now feel much fresher, especially around the pool deck, while other parts of the ship still reflect her age.
This guide covers the main things to know before you cruise on Liberty of the Seas, including what type of ship she is, what changed in the 2026 refit, what’s included, what costs extra, how dining works, cabin choices, WiFi, embarkation, disembarkation and what to pack.
Liberty of the Seas Video
For some more libert of the Seas Tips – here’s my 10 Things you Need to Know about Liberty of the Seas Video for you to watch.
What Type of Ship Is Liberty of the Seas?
Liberty of the Seas is a Freedom Class Royal Caribbean ship, which means she has that classic Royal Caribbean big-ship layout. If you’re used to smaller cruise ships, Liberty of the Seas can feel very impressive when you first step onboard.
The Royal Promenade runs through the middle of the ship and gives it a real sense of scale. This is the indoor street-style area with bars, shops, Sorrento’s Pizza, Café Promenade, Guest Services and entertainment at different times of the day.
Around the ship, you’ll also find a large pool deck, the FlowRider surf simulator, waterslides, mini golf, a climbing wall, Studio B ice rink, the Royal Theater, a large Windjammer buffet, multiple bars and several different places to eat and drink.
So while Liberty of the Seas isn’t one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, she still has a lot of the features people associate with a Royal Caribbean cruise.
What Changed in the 2026 Liberty of the Seas Amplification?
One of the biggest things to understand is that Liberty of the Seas has had a major 2026 amplification, but the whole ship hasn’t been made new. Some areas changed quite a lot, while others still feel more like an older ship.
The biggest changes are around the pool deck. The Lime and Coconut has replaced the old pool bar area, giving Deck 11 and Deck 12 a much brighter, fresher and more Caribbean-style feel.
El Loco Fresh has also been added on the pool deck. This is a really good included casual food option if you want something quick without going into the Windjammer.
Cantina Fresca has been added beside it for drinks, and there are now resort-style seating areas and casitas around the pool area.
There have also been changes inside the ship. Izumi Teppanyaki has replaced Sabor on Deck 4, Starbucks has been added opposite Boleros, Casino Royale has been expanded, and the Royal Escape Room has replaced the old Connoisseur Club on Deck 5.
New cabins have also been added in several parts of the ship, including areas on Deck 2, Deck 4, Deck 11 and Deck 12.
So the refit has made a noticeable difference, especially in key public areas, but it’s still important to go onboard with realistic expectations. Liberty of the Seas isn’t going to feel like one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships throughout.
What’s Included on Liberty of the Seas?
Your cruise fare on Liberty of the Seas includes more than just your cabin. Included dining options include the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, Sorrento’s Pizza, Café Promenade, El Loco Fresh and Sprinkles by the pool.
You’ll also have access to most of the main entertainment, including theatre shows, live music, the ice show in Studio B, quizzes, game shows, parties and daytime activities around the ship.
Facilities such as the pools, hot tubs, FlowRider, climbing wall, mini golf and sports areas are also included, although some activities may still require booking or have set opening times.
If you’re travelling as a family, you’ll also find Splashaway Bay, Adventure Ocean kids’ club areas, casual dining and plenty of activities that work well for children and teenagers.
What Costs Extra on Liberty of the Seas?
Although there’s a lot included, Liberty of the Seas is still a Royal Caribbean ship, and there are plenty of extras that can add to your final bill. Speciality restaurants cost extra. This includes Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Izumi Teppanyaki and Johnny Rockets.
Drinks packages, WiFi, spa treatments, casino spending, shore excursions, arcade games, The Key, private casitas, Starbucks and some bookable activities also cost extra.
One important thing to know about Royal Caribbean is that prices can change before you sail. Drinks packages, dining packages, VOOM internet and The Key often use dynamic pricing, so the price you see one week may not be the same price you see another week.
It’s worth checking the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Planner regularly before your cruise. If you book something and the price drops later, you can usually cancel and rebook it at the lower price before sailing. That can make a real difference, especially with drinks packages and WiFi.
How Dining Works on Liberty of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas has a good mix of included and extra-charge dining options, but it helps to understand how they work before you sail.
The Main Dining Room is spread across three decks. This is where you’ll usually have waiter-service dining in the evening. The dining room on Deck 3 is also usually open for breakfast every day and lunch on sea days.
For dinner, Royal Caribbean normally offers either fixed dining or My Time Dining. Fixed dining means you’re given a set dining time, table and dining room each evening. My Time Dining gives you more flexibility, but it’s still worth reserving times in the app, especially on busy sailings. Once your cabin is ready, check your SeaPass card because it will usually show your dining arrangements.
The Windjammer buffet is at the aft of Deck 11 and is the main buffet onboard. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it’s likely to be one of the busiest dining venues, especially on embarkation day, sea days and after excursions.
On the Royal Promenade, Sorrento’s serves pizza and Café Promenade offers snacks, cakes, sandwiches and drinks.
After the 2026 refit, Liberty of the Seas also has El Loco Fresh on Deck 11. This is complimentary, casual and especially handy if you’re by the pool and don’t want to go inside to the Windjammer.
Sprinkles is the soft-serve ice cream station by the pool. It’s a small thing, but on a warm sea day, it’s one of those places you’ll probably use more than you expect.
For paid dining, you’ve got Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Izumi Teppanyaki, Johnny Rockets and Starbucks.
Royal Caribbean Embarkation Is Very App-Led
Royal Caribbean’s embarkation process is very app-led, so it’s worth getting organised before you sail. Before your cruise, download the Royal Caribbean app and log in. You’ll use it for online check-in, your arrival time, boarding pass, health questionnaire, daily planner, dining information, activity times and some reservations once onboard.
If you want an earlier boarding time, check in as soon as it opens. A good tip is to choose your arrival time first, then go back later to complete the rest of the details, such as passport information, your security photo and payment card.
On embarkation day, you’ll usually drop your main luggage at the terminal before boarding, so make sure your luggage tags are attached. Keep anything important with you in your hand luggage. This includes your passport, boarding pass, medication, valuables, chargers and anything you may need before your suitcase arrives later in the day.
Once onboard, I’d recommend doing your muster check-in early. Royal Caribbean uses an e-muster system, so you’ll normally watch the safety video through the app or on your cabin TV, then check in at your muster station.
Don’t panic if your cabin isn’t ready straight away. On Royal Caribbean, you may not get your SeaPass card until your cabin is open, but the crew can usually look up your account using your cabin number or boarding pass.
For lunch, many passengers head straight to the Windjammer, which is why it can feel very busy on embarkation day. On Liberty of the Seas, you also have El Loco Fresh, Sorrento’s Pizza and Café Promenade, so you don’t have to follow everyone else if you just want something quick.
How Disembarkation Works on Liberty of the Seas
Disembarkation is another part of the cruise where it helps to understand the process before the final morning. Royal Caribbean will usually give you luggage tags with a departure group. If you put your suitcase outside your cabin the night before, you’ll collect it in the terminal after you leave the ship.
If you want to get off earlier, self-assist disembarkation may be available. This means you carry your own bags off the ship, but you need to be able to manage them yourself.
The main thing is not to leave everything until the final morning. Check your departure information, settle your onboard account, keep your passport and essentials with you, and make sure you haven’t packed away anything you’ll need before travelling home.
Liberty of the Seas Has Lots of Activities and Entertainment
Liberty of the Seas is a good choice if you like a ship with lots going on. This is where Royal Caribbean usually does very well.
You’ve got the FlowRider surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, mini golf, sports court, waterslides, pools, hot tubs, Splashaway Bay for children and the Solarium for adults.
Studio B is the ice rink, and this is one of the things that makes Royal Caribbean feel different from many other cruise lines. The ice shows are usually very popular, and even if you don’t normally go to cruise ship shows, I’d still recommend seeing one. It’s impressive to have that kind of production at sea.
The Royal Theater hosts main shows, guest entertainers, comedians, singers and other performances depending on the sailing.
Around the ship, there are quizzes, live music, game shows, karaoke, parties, events on the Royal Promenade and activities throughout the day.
After the 2026 amplification, Liberty of the Seas also has the Royal Escape Room on Deck 5. This replaced the old Connoisseur Club and adds another bookable activity onboard.
One thing I’d definitely recommend is using the app properly. Don’t just wander around hoping to bump into things, because on a ship this size, it’s easy to miss activities if you don’t check what’s happening.
Every evening, have a quick look at the next day in the app and save anything that interests you. That way, you’re not trying to work everything out at the last minute.
Is Liberty of the Seas Good for Families?
Liberty of the Seas is very family friendly, but it’s not only a family ship. If you’re travelling with children, there’s a lot here. You’ve got Splashaway Bay, pools, waterslides, mini golf, the sports court, FlowRider, ice skating, kids’ activities, the arcade, casual dining, pizza and plenty of entertainment.
Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean’s kids’ club area, and this has been refreshed as part of the 2026 amplification. One thing worth knowing is that the space is now smaller than it used to be, because some of the surrounding Deck 12 area has been used for new cabins.
For adults, there are still plenty of spaces that don’t feel child-focused. The Solarium is the adults-only pool area, and there are lots of bars, lounges, theatre shows, live music venues, the casino and quieter areas around the ship. So while Liberty of the Seas works well for families, you don’t need to be travelling with children to enjoy the ship.
Cabins on Liberty of the Seas Vary, So Choose Carefully
Cabins on Liberty of the Seas can vary, so it’s worth choosing carefully. This is especially important because the ship has had cabins added at different times, including new cabins as part of the 2026 amplification.
On Liberty of the Seas, you’ll find inside cabins, ocean view cabins, balcony cabins, suites and some cabins that feel newer than others depending on where they are.
I did 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 balcony cabin was perfectly fine. It had everything I needed, and I wouldn’t say there was anything wrong with it, but it did feel more dated in style.
The Deck 12 balcony cabin felt fresher, because some cabins in that area had already been added or updated around earlier changes before the 2026 amplification.
So when people ask whether the cabins on Liberty of the Seas are modern, the honest answer is that it depends which cabin you’re in.
Location also matters. If you want to be near the pool deck and Windjammer, higher decks can be convenient. If you want to be closer to the Royal Promenade, theatre, dining rooms and bars, a mid-level deck can work well.
If you’re worried about movement, midship and lower down is usually a safer choice. Also think about noise. Cabins near lifts can be convenient, but they may have more foot traffic. Cabins under busy public areas can sometimes be noisier.
If you book a guarantee cabin, you may save money, but you won’t have the same control over location.
WiFi and the Royal Caribbean App
One thing that catches people out is the difference between using the Royal Caribbean app and buying WiFi. You don’t need to buy WiFi just to use the Royal Caribbean app onboard.
Before you leave home, download the Royal Caribbean app and make sure you’re logged in. Don’t wait until you’re at the terminal or already on the ship, because you’ll use the app for your boarding pass, safety information, daily planner, dining times, activity schedules and some bookings.
Once you’re onboard, put your phone into airplane mode first, then turn WiFi back on and connect to the ship’s WiFi network. The app works through the ship’s WiFi, but that doesn’t mean you’ve bought an internet package.
If you want to browse online, use social media, check emails, use WhatsApp properly or message outside the app, then you’ll need to pay for VOOM internet.
It’s usually cheaper to buy VOOM before you travel rather than waiting until you’re onboard. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, so keep checking the price before your cruise. If you buy it and the price drops later, you can usually cancel and rebook at the lower price.
What to Pack for Liberty of the Seas
It’s worth packing for a mixed cruise experience on Liberty of the Seas. You’ll want swimwear for the pools, hot tubs, waterslides and FlowRider. I’d put swimwear in your hand luggage on embarkation day, so you’re not waiting for your suitcase before you can use the pool deck.
You’ll also want casual clothes for sea days and a light layer for the evenings, because indoor areas like the Royal Theater, Studio B and some bars can feel cool.
Liberty of the Seas usually has a formal night, a White Night and other themed nights, and these often show in the Royal Caribbean app before your cruise.
It’s worth checking the app before you pack, because then you can see which theme nights are planned and bring anything you actually want to wear.
You don’t have to dress up if you don’t want to, because Royal Caribbean is generally quite relaxed about dress codes, especially compared with some more traditional cruise lines.
What Most People Don’t Realise About Liberty of the Seas
The main thing people don’t always realise before sailing on Liberty of the Seas is that it’s both a refreshed ship and an older ship at the same time. The 2026 amplification has made a real difference in some areas, especially around the pool deck, casual dining and some onboard activities.
But Liberty of the Seas still isn’t a brand-new Royal Caribbean ship. That doesn’t make it a bad ship. It just means you’ll enjoy it more if you understand what you’re booking.
If you want a large, lively Royal Caribbean ship with a Royal Promenade, plenty of casual food, lots of activities, big entertainment venues and a fun pool deck, Liberty of the Seas has a lot to offer.
If you’re expecting every cabin, corridor and public space to feel like a brand-new ship, you may need to adjust your expectations.
For me, Liberty of the Seas works best when you treat it as a big, activity-packed Royal Caribbean ship with some fresh new additions, rather than as a completely new ship.
Useful Guides for Your Liberty of the Seas Cruise
If you’re planning a cruise on Liberty of the Seas, it helps to understand how the main parts of the ship work before you sail.
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 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.
My Liberty of the Seas Refit Guide is a detailed look at what changed during the Liberty of the Seas refit, including new venues, updated spaces and what hasn’t changed onboard.
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.
Liberty of the Seas FAQ
Is Liberty of the Seas a new ship?
No, Liberty of the Seas is not a new ship. She originally launched in 2007, but she has had several updates over the years, including a major 2026 amplification. Some areas, especially the pool deck, now feel much fresher, but the whole ship doesn’t feel brand new.
What changed on Liberty of the Seas in 2026?
The 2026 Liberty of the Seas amplification added and updated several areas, including The Lime and Coconut, El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca, Izumi Teppanyaki, Starbucks, an expanded Casino Royale, the Royal Escape Room and new cabins in several parts of the ship.
What food is included on Liberty of the Seas?
Included food on Liberty of the Seas includes the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, Sorrento’s Pizza, Café Promenade, El Loco Fresh and Sprinkles by the pool. Specialty dining venues such as Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Izumi Teppanyaki, Johnny Rockets and Starbucks cost extra.
Do you need WiFi to use the Royal Caribbean app?
No, you don’t need to buy a WiFi package just to use the Royal Caribbean app onboard. Once you’re on the ship, put your phone into airplane mode, turn WiFi back on and connect to the ship’s WiFi network. The app works through the ship’s WiFi, but you’ll need a paid VOOM internet package if you want to browse online, use social media, check emails or message outside the app.
Is Liberty of the Seas good for families?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas is a good ship for families. It has pools, waterslides, Splashaway Bay, mini golf, a sports court, FlowRider, ice skating, casual dining, kids’ clubs, the arcade and plenty of entertainment. It’s very family friendly, but it’s not only a family ship.
Are cabins on Liberty of the Seas modern?
Cabins on Liberty of the Seas vary. Some feel more updated than others, especially cabins in areas that have been added or refreshed more recently. Older cabins may feel more dated in style, so it’s worth checking the deck, location and cabin type carefully before booking.
Does Liberty of the Seas have formal nights?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas usually has a formal night, along with other themed evenings such as White Night. The exact schedule can vary by sailing, so check the Royal Caribbean app before you pack.
Is Liberty of the Seas worth booking?
Liberty of the Seas is worth considering if you want a large, lively Royal Caribbean ship with plenty of activities, casual dining, entertainment and a classic Royal Promenade layout. It’s best to go onboard knowing that some areas have been refreshed, but the ship is still older than Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.
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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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.