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Project Liberty Ship S.S. JOHN W. BROWN Pier 13, 4601 Newgate Ave Baltimore, Maryland 21224 Office 410-558-0646 email: [email protected] ******************* 2024 UPCOMING EVENTS

October- ghost ship — haunted house tickets are on sale. nov 15 - 17 - steam school aboard the john w. brown. last chance to get a spot, only one left., click the “tickets (button to the left) to purchase your spot. **********************, the john w brown arrived back to baltimore on 25 august. she was in the shipyard for 6 weeks. our expenses went well above an additional $500,000. we will need to fundraise soon., **************** ghost ship - shipwrecked.

TIME: opens at 7:30pm - last tickets sold at 10PM

TICKET pricing will be $25, $30 & $35 depending on the weekend you choose. Tickets are only good for the date on the ticket.

·         Tickets $25 for October 4 & 5, 11, 12 & 13

·         Tickets $30 for October 18, 19 & 20

·         Tickets $35 for October 25, 26, 27, 31 & November 1 & 2 NOTES:

·         This event is open for children 12 years or above and must be supervised at all times. ·   Visitors must be able to walk up a 38 step gangway to board the ship.   Tickets are not refundable. If you cannot come, we will consider your ticket a donation to the event.

************* Tour the JOHN W. BROWN

We are open for tours on most wednesdays & saturdays at pier 13, 4601 newgate ave. the tour start at 9am. use the ticket button on the left to purchase your tour and to check for available dates., no tours are available on these dates in 2024: jul 3 to aug 31 nov 9 & nov 16 large groups, please email us at [email protected], ************ ” double the impact” of your donation , by giving a charitable gift in 2024..

We are launching our Shipyard 2024 campaign to raise funds for the drydock repairs, maintenance, inspection, and seaworthy improvements of our beloved vessel. And we have some great news for you!

For every dollar you donate, our generous partner, Save America's Treasures , will match it with one more, doubling the impact of your gift . That's right, your $125 donation will turn into a $250 contribution towards our $500K goal. In addition, if your company matches donations it will Triple the Impact to $375 propelling us even further to half-million.

Donate now and let's set sail together!  

************** 2024 steam school november 15-17 experience what it’s like to be an engineer, oiler and fireman, click here for addtional information to reserve your place in the steam school , click the tickets button on this page., **************, living history cruise, check back for 2025 cruises dates for more information about our cruises - click here, *****************************, for questions , email us at [email protected] or call our reservation service and leave a message:  410-558-0164. *********************, at this time, masks are not required on board the ship, please bring one in case that changes. for the safety and health of all, we will continue to update here and on other social media. ************************************** check out the gallery also to see pictures from past cruises. .

*********************************************************************************************

Please click here to read our recent press release(s) concerning our need to find a permanent berth .

What is the s.s. john w. brown.

Welcome aboard S.S. JOHN W. BROWN, one of only two remaining, fully operational Liberty ships that participated in World War II. This wonderful piece of history provides an educational and historical opportunity for the public to experience 1944 all over again, without the dangers of being sunk by a submarine or a torpedo bomber!

Through the efforts of talented and dedicated volunteers, coupled with the generous financial support of members and friends, S.S. JOHN W. BROWN continues to educate by operating as a historic museum ship, furnishing visitors with a unique opportunity to experience "living history" of the World War II merchant marine.

2022 is our 80th Anniversary; pretty amazing for a ship that was built quickly and was considered 'paid for' if it made one voyage (across the ocean and back).   To read more about the history of the ship, click here or the ABOUT tab above. 

Thank you, Sponsors!

Thank you to the organizations and individuals who have sponsored us over the year, and if interested, read more here .

CREW MEMBERS

Recent Blog Posts

Read this week’s blog on our popular and sold out second Steam School aboard the SS JOHN W BROWN

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Carnival Liberty

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About Carnival Liberty

Bring the whole family, because the 110,000-ton, 2,978-guest Carnival Liberty offers a fabulous cruise vacation for everyone. Upgrades to this Conquest Class ship in 2011 included a top-to-bottom makeover, with such new features as an assortment of unique bars with diverse offerings, chic lounges and dining venues — including a poolside burger joint. One of her highlights is a stunning nine-deck-high atrium that is crowned by a huge chandelier with octopus-like arms with lights that continuously change color.

Super amenities add to a fabulous vacation experience where you can be as active as you like or simply relax and soak up the sun at the four swimming pools. Thrill-seekers will love the 214-foot, three deck high waterslide and drencher, sure to delight the kids and those young at heart. Catch some rays and melt your cares away at the seven whirlpools.

The ship offers a host of supervised activities for kids designed according to their age group — like a summer camp at sea. Teens also have their own area where they can listen to music, dance and play games at the video arcade.

Carnival Liberty boasts plenty of places to enjoy conversation with new-found friends. She features 22 bars, including one for wine enthusiasts, and several comfy lounges, some with an elegant ambiance. Designed for pure pampering, the immense spa offers an extensive menu of relaxing treatments and the fitness center has state-of-the art equipment. Escape from the daily routine as you melt your cares away at the blissful adults-only retreat where you can watch the passing views from a comfortable lounger as you sip on a refreshing cocktail.

Savor a variety of dining options that include a pair of two-level main dining rooms, an intimate steakhouse and a two-story Lido buffet boasting a variety of food stations for American, Italian and Asian dishes as well as pizza, burgers, New York-style deli sandwiches, plus more. Specialty restaurants include a New York-style supper club and another for Mexican cuisine. Delicious hot pizza is available 24/7 as well as room service.

Make yourself at home in a variety of accommodations, all with comfortable furniture with light wood and generous storage space. The ship features a high percentage of oceanview staterooms and some with private balconies. Watch first-run movies on the TV from your super comfy bed.

Exciting entertainment includes a huge disco, a fun piano bar where you can join in on singalongs, a game show that the family can enjoy together and watch movies, concerts and sports events on a jumbo 270-square-foot LED screen for an incredible experience. Try your luck at the slots and other exciting games at the exciting casino, share the laughs at the comedy club and chill-out at the jazz club.

Feel the freedom as you experience the cruise of a lifetime on the fabulous Carnival Liberty.

Cruise on the Carnival Liberty to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Captain's Suite

This is the best room you can get… without bunking up with the guy himself. A Captain’s Suite aboard Carnival Liberty features tons of indoor space, and a huge balcony when you need a little more. Back inside you’ll find a king-size bed, two full bathrooms (one with whirlpool tub), plus a separate living room that sleeps another three. And VIP check-in? Naturally.

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Liberty features even more space than the standard suite — plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Ocean Suite

A Carnival Liberty suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub.

Junior Suite

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Liberty, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into full-size luxury, just in a smaller package. In a Carnival Liberty Junior Suite you'll find everything there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet, a full-size balcony... and even a whirlpool tub for relaxing.

Premium Vista Balcony

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Liberty, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea — and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Premium Balcony

Step into a Premium Balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Liberty and it’s easy to see exactly what you’re getting: one seriously spacious stateroom. It’s about more than just the room itself, you’ll find… step onto your oversized balcony and you’ll find that when there’s a sea breeze in your hair, there’s no limit to the relaxation you can have.

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space… not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Liberty's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony Staterooms

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you’re looking to cruise aboard Carnival Liberty. Any time you’re in your room, you’re just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Oceanview Stateroom

A picture window gives you views of scenery you won’t find anywhere on land, all from the comfort of your stateroom.Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control.

Interior with Picture Window (walkway view)

Your picture window gives you a view beyond your stateroom, to the observation deck outside, including a great sky view. (Note: view will be partially obstructed.)Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control.

Inside Stateroom

This is an affordable way to cruise without leaving out the comfort or convenience! Great for curling up after a long day of fun.Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control.

Inside Porthole

A pair of round windows in your room give you the classic seafarer’s view times two, a view of the ocean without breaking the budget.Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television Stateroom climate control.

Upper/Lower Inside Stateroom

These staterooms are great for a pair of cruisers on a budget, creatively maximizing space with a different layout — featuring one Twin bed, and either an upper Pullman or sofa bed.

View Deck Plan

Emile's Lido Restaurant

Deck: 9 Lido

Emile's Lido Restaurant.

Golden Olympian Restaurant

Decks: 3 Lobby 4 Atlantic

Golden Olympian Restaurant.

Silver Olympian Restaurant

Decks: 4 Atlantic 3 Lobby

Silver Olympian Restaurant.

Jardin Cafe

Deck: 5 Promenade

Jardin Cafe.

Dining Room Annex

Deck: 3 Lobby

which side does the fork go on?” is a question you’ll never have to ask at a dining room dinner aboard a Carnival cruise… we set the table for you. We also bring to the table a full three courses in an experience that’s filling, but never stuffy — after all, you’re just as likely to catch waiters table-dancing as you are to order dessert.

Seafood Shack

A good seafood dish is quite the catch. However you like yours served — whether it’s on a roll or a platter — Seafood Shack’s the place to cast your net. Imagine a New-England-style seaside spot where you can take it all in, enjoying a great meal complete with a side of ocean view. On a Carnival cruise is where you’ll find this shack by the sea, wherever in the world you happen to be

Grand buffet

Grand buffet.

Mongolian Wok

Chow down on some delicious Asian goodness. First, select your noodles and veggies. Then tell one of our chefs which sauce and meat you want in the wok. Will it be mussels and Szechuan? Beef and Thai barbecue? Chicken and black bean? Don’t worry, the decision doesn’t have to be final — you can come back to Mongolian Wok and try all the combos your heart desires!

Guy's Burger Joint

We went looking for someone to help us grill up the best burgers at sea, and we found just the guy. Carnival has teamed up with best-selling author, restaurateur and Food Network personality Guy Fieri to bring all the authentic appeal of a roadside burger shack to Guy’s Burger Joint, the cool poolside spot for hot burgers and hand-cut fries. Try a fresh-off-the-grill burger Guy’s way, or take it off-road to our toppings bar and truly make it your own.

Blue Iguana Cantina

Nobody knows Mexican dining like a blue iguana. Well, our blue iguana, at least. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the BlueIguana Cantina features freshly made tacos and burritos stuffed specially for your enjoyment. Throw our homemade tortillas and salsa into the mix, and you have a casual dining experience that will make you say “mmmm” (which is actually Iguanese for “more, please”).Nobody knows Mexican dining like a blue iguana. Well, our blue iguana, at least. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the BlueIguana Cantina features freshly made tacos and burritos stuffed specially for your enjoyment. Throw our homemade tortillas and salsa into the mix, and you have a casual dining experience that will make you say “mmmm” (which is actually Iguanese for “more, please”).

Diamonds Steakhouse

Deck: 10 Panorama

Turn your special vacation in the direction of delicious — book a table for an unforgettably delectable evening at the Steakhouse. Our menu features mouthwatering premium cuts of beef cooked to your exact specifications, as well as a fantastic selection of seafood, entrées, gourmet appetizers and an extensive wine list. The atmosphere pairs remarkably well with — and perhaps even enhances — the culinary creations of our gourmet chefs.

Ol'Fashioned BBQ

Ol'Fashioned BBQ.

Venetian Palace Main Lounge

Decks: 4 Atlantic 3 Lobby 5 Promenade

Venetian Palace Main Lounge.

Czars Palace Casino

Play cards like a pro at Carnival Liberty's Czar's Palace Casino. Poker's not your game? There's craps, blackjack, roulette, slots and more.

Antiquarian Library

Deck: 4 Atlantic

Antiquarian Library.

Art Gallery

Tapestry Conference Room

Tapestry Conference Room.

Hot & Cool Nightclub

Hot & Cool Nightclub.

Coney Island Pool

Coney Island Pool.

Tivoli Pool

Tivoli Pool.

Versailles Pool

Versailles Pool.

The Promenade

The Promenade.

Video Arcade

If you love to play video games we've got just the spot for you - no matter your age. Enjoy our video arcade which is equipped with the latest high-tech video and arcade games.

Photo Gallery

Our photo gallery is located on the Atlantic deck and loaded with some of your best Carnival Liberty moments. Pick your favorites; then take home your fondest and funnest memories.

Club O2. Hang out doing stuff like watching movies, listening to music from this decade, playing sports and video games, joining karaoke jam sessions… maybe even attending Carnival’s version of prom, all with other high schoolers ages 15 to 17.

Shore Excursions

Shore Excursions.

The Fun Shops

The Fun Shops.

Decks: 9 Lido 10 Panorama 11 Spa

When it comes to complete relaxation from the inside out, nothing beats a trip to the spa. From the minute you step inside, the soothing ambiance begins to work its magic. Renew yourself with premium beauty and wellness therapies, like hot stone massages, aromatherapy or full-body wraps. This is your time to be spoiled, indulged and even beautified. Lie back, close your eyes, and feel the stress sail away as your body and mind experience total tranquility. (Oh yeah, and this feel-good stuff isn’t just for the ladies — dudes, there are plenty of treatments on our menu for you too.)

Flowers Lobby

Flowers Lobby.

Piano Man Bar

Piano Man Bar.

Promenade Bar

Promenade Bar.

The Cabinet Bar

The Cabinet Bar.

Decks: 3 Lobby 5 Promenade

Victoria Aft Lounge

Victoria Aft Lounge.

The Garden Atrium

Decks: 4 Atlantic 5 Promenade

First impressions are important — everyone knows that. We’ll let you in on a little secret: that’s why it’s so important to us that the atrium, your first taste of your Carnival cruise, tastes like ‘wow.’ From the moment you step aboard, the atrium — the heart of the ship — simply screams “welcome aboard!” It screams it with hustle, with bustle,

What does the “C” in Circle “C” stand for? Well, “chill,” “connect” and “cool,” just to name a few. It’s where young teens ages 12 to 14 go to hang out, meet new friends, and enjoy some pretty awesome activities like dance parties, games, outdoor movies and more, in the special Circle “C” area or around the ship. It’s all supervised by friendly and fun-loving counselors who want your young teens to have the best vacation ever.

Conservatory Aft Atrium

Decks: 4 Atlantic 5 Promenade 3 Lobby

Conservatory Aft Atrium.

The Stage Bar

The Stage Bar.

Sky Box Sports Bar

Sky Box Sports Bar.

Cherry on Top

A cruise is the perfect time to treat yourself to something sweet, and Cherry On Top™ happens to be the perfect place. You'll find this well-stocked candy-and-more-store not only great for enjoying some of your confectionery favorites, but the place to pick up food and apparel gifts for that special someone, even if — admit it — that someone happens to be you.

Decks: 6 Upper 7 Empress 8 Verandah 9 Lido 10 Panorama

The Garden.

Red Frog Rum Bar

Guests have told us we hit on something special with the cool Caribbean chill of the RedFrog Pub. We've taken the best parts and brought them poolside with the RedFrog Rum Bar, where the frog keeps the fun hopping day and night with all the island flava you know and love. Join the party at this poolside bar featuring a great selection of frog-approved Caribbean rum-based concoctions available by the glass or pitcher, plus plenty of Carnival’s signature private-label draft beer, ThirstyFrog Red.

Carnival Seaside Theater

Carnival Seaside Theater.

Sliding Sky Dome

Sliding Sky Dome.

Deck: 11 Spa

Jogging Track

Jogging may not immediately come to mind when you think of things to do at sea, but it probably should. You don’t have to walk on water, you just have to get on a Carnival cruise. After all, if you’re going to jog, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place to do it with a more scenic view, or a more refreshing breeze — both of these are available in abundance when you go for an open-air jog on the upper-deck. Jogging tracks are available on all Carnival ships, and are even padded for long-distance comfort.

Sports Deck

Sports Deck.

Fitness Center

We have some bad news for you — your ship has a gym. In other words, there’s no excuse for leaving your fitness routine back on land. That’s great news, however, for your body, which will definitely benefit from all the extra energy that vacationing pumps directly into you. And let’s not forget the extra time you’ll have, since you won’t be waking up and spending most of the day at the office or anything like that.

Massage Room

Cruising always feels good, but it doesn’t usually — ooh, right there. Right where? Sorry, we’re at the onboard spa, where they do these amazing massages by hand. But they don’t just stop there — they’ve got tools to enhance the benefits too. Select from different hands-on experiences featuring seaweed for detox, herbal poultice for energy, bamboo for deep tissue penetration and hot stones for — ahhh — for perfection. We know you’re all about feeling good, and so are these massages.

Fitness Studio

Fitness Studio.

Beauty Salon

A trip to the salon is an opportunity to relax, to chat with others, to focus on yourself. It’s about more than just getting your hair or nails done… but it’s definitely about getting your hair or nails done! Even though you’re on vacation, you won’t have to settle for anything less than the salon style you’re used to back on land. And these good looks go beyond the usual — we even offer services like teeth whitening… great for taking those ‘I’m on vacation and I’m looking great!’ smiles to the next level.

Deck: 12 Sun

When families cruise Carnival, even the smallest fish in the pond have a big, awesome time. Okay, so it’s actually way more than just a pond — it’s Camp Ocean. At Camp Ocean, 2–11 year-olds stay busy, keep active and have fun as they enjoy all new ocean-themed activities and entertainment made for kids.

Ah, imagine a perfect day out on the links, the golfer's zen of the ball, the hole and nothing in between but well-manicured fairway... plus one cactus, a treasure chest... and wait, is that a windmill in the way? Just who designed this course anyway? Whoever it was, they had one thing in mind — maximum fun for mini-golfers, big and small! That's precisely why you'll find a course on every Carnival ship, where you can hit the holes and take in everything you’d expect, like the sights and the sounds... plus the seagulls.

Decks: 12 Sun 14 Sky

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

BlueIguana Tequila Bar is the onboard spot to chill and enjoy a slushy tequila drink or an ice-cold Mexican cerveza. The menu offers up Mexican favorites, including several brands of tequila and a slew of Mexican brews. There’s a lineup of frozen concoctions, cocktails and margaritas served by the glass or by the pitcher, and even a special Mexican beer cocktail (yes, really). Where can you find this little slice of Mexican paradise? Next to the pool, of course. So stay cool and take in the bar’s vacation vibe while you kick back on your cruise – that’s what official bar mascot Blue the Iguana would tell you.

Alchemy Bar

No magic spells are required to enjoy a cocktail creation at Alchemy Bar, our unique vintage-themed cocktail "pharmacy" — all you need is a willingness to be surprised, to try something new. We’ve flipped through dusty old texts to uncover enticing combinations: select spirits, fresh juices, infused syrups, spices… and other tantalizing secrets performed before your very eyes by the true mix-masters: our bartenders. Choose a remedy from the menu, or let us prescribe you a custom elixir just for you, with or without alcohol.

Spa Carnival

Spa Carnival.

Guest Services

Guest Services.

Slide Entrance

Deck: 14 Sky

Slide Entrance.

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Carnival Liberty Overview

Break free from your routine and board the Carnival Liberty where every day is a celebration. This ship has all of the Fun Ship features including the two most popular bars at sea: the BlueIguana Tequila Bar, which serves a fiesta with every drink (make sure to try their margaritas), and the Alchemy Bar, which allows you to get creative and make your own signature cocktail. Be daring, and try, try again until you find your perfect mix. The Carnival Liberty also features amazing dance parties with DJ IRIE pumping out the jams. 

• Passenger Capacity: 2,974 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2005
• Last Refurbished: 2021

Carnival Liberty Cruise Destinations

Spanning 6 continents and countless countries ranging from Croatia to the Bahamas, Carnival Cruise Lines' list of destinations below is nothing short of inspiring. There's somewhere for the culinary enthusiast, the history buff, the beachside lounger and the rugged explorer. Destinations include, but are not limited to: the Bahamas, Northern Europe, Canada and New England, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera, just to name a few. You can follow the links to learn more about each particular destination.

Cruise to the Caribbean for tropical weather and splendid beach-side excursions.

Panama Canal

Mankind’s finest accomplishment sits among intriguing culture and natural splendor—cruise to the Panama Canal.

Carnival Liberty Departure Ports

Carnival has ships home ported in cities across the U.S. making sure you’re never more than a car ride away from embarking on an unforgettable vacation. You can find Carnival ships in Charleston, New York, Long Beach and New Orleans. Ready to sail, call The Cruise Web to start your trip today!

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Big Easy is one of the world’s most fascinating cities and a melting pot of culture, food and music.

Carnival Liberty Deck Plans

Riviera deck, atlantic deck, promenade deck, empress deck, verandah deck, panorama deck, carnival liberty staterooms.

Balcony (8M)

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space... not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Liberty's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony (8N)

Balcony (BL)

Any balcony stateroom, or better, depending on availability.

Balcony (8A)

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Liberty. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Balcony (8B)

Balcony (8c), balcony (8d), balcony (8e), balcony (8f).

Balcony (9C)

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Liberty, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea - and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Balcony (9B)

Step into a Premium Balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Liberty and it's easy to see exactly what you're getting: one seriously spacious stateroom. It's about more than just the room itself, you'll find... step onto your oversized balcony and you'll find that when there's a sea breeze in your hair, there's no limit to the relaxation you can have.

Inside (1A)

A Carnival Liberty Interior Upper/Lower stateroom creatively maximizes space for a pair of cruisers. These staterooms feature all the same amenities as other Interior staterooms, with a different layout — including one Twin bed, and either an upper Pullman or sofa bed. They also feature linens from the Carnival Comfort Collection, a full private bathroom and more.

Inside (4A)

An Interior stateroom is the most affordable way to cruise, and Carnival Liberty's interiors are not just cozy, but are full of things youÂ’d expect from any Carnival stateroom: a full private bathroom, Carnival Comfort Collection linens and just-a-call-away 24-hour room service.

Inside (4B)

Inside (4c), inside (4d), inside (4e), inside (4f), inside (4g), inside (4h).

Inside (4J)

An Interior with Picture Window stateroom on Carnival Liberty gives you a view beyond your stateroom, out to the observation deck outside including a great sky view. (Note that the view will be partially obstructed.)

Inside (IS)

Any inside stateroom, or better, dependng on availability.

Inside (PT)

Carnival Liberty's Porthole staterooms give you the classic seafarer’s view times two — a pair of round windows providing an affordable view of the ocean. If you tire of ocean-gazing, there's plenty more to do onboard, but 24-hour room service is one amenity you can enjoy as you continue to take in the view.

Oceanview (6A)

Catch a glimpse of what's going by from your Ocean View stateroom aboard Carnival Liberty, where you'll get views you won't find anywhere on land. Don't miss sunrise and sunset at sea - your comfy stateroom is the best way to experience these!

Oceanview (6B)

Oceanview (6c), oceanview (ov).

A Carnival Liberty suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool.

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Liberty features even more space than the standard suite - plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Any suite, depending on availability.

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Liberty, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into full-size luxury, just in a smaller package. In a Carnival Liberty Junior Suite you'll find everything there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet, a full-size balcony... and even a whirlpool tub for relaxing.

This is the best room you can get... without bunking up with the guy himself. A Captain's Suite aboard Carnival Liberty features tons of indoor space, and a huge balcony when you need a little more. Back inside you'll find a king-size bed, two full bathrooms (one with whirlpool tub), plus a separate living room that sleeps another three. And VIP check-in? Naturally.

Photo Gallery for Carnival Liberty Cruise Ship

Imagine the fun that’s waiting for you on a Carnival Cruise. The drinks, the games, the sights and the sun! Take a look at this photo gallery to help you envision your perfect vacation.

Blue Iguana Bar

Carnival Liberty

Golden Olympic Restaurant

Guys Burger Joint

Top 10 Carnival Liberty Cruises

• Carnival Liberty 6-day Western Caribbean Departing From New Orleans, Louisiana (May 2025 - Dec 2025)
• Carnival Liberty 8-day Eastern Caribbean Departing From New Orleans, Louisiana (Nov 2025 - Dec 2025)
• Carnival Liberty Journeys - 14-day Panama Canal Departing From New Orleans, Louisiana (Nov 2025)

Learn More About Carnival Cruise Line

Accessibility

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Savor dining aboard Carnival cruises, including Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Cucina del Capitano, Bonsai Sushi, the Asian Kitchen, Main Dining Room, Steakhouse, Pizzeria, Coffee Bar, Seadogs, Shake Spot and more.

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Onboard Activities

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Liberty ships and victory ships, america's lifeline in war (teaching with historic places).

The officers and men of the Merchant Marine, by their devotion to duty in the face of enemy action, as well as natural dangers of the sea, have brought us the tools to finish the job. Their contribution to final victory will be long remembered.

--General Dwight D. Eisenhower on National Maritime Day, 1945¹

In the nearly 20 years following the end of the World War I, America's merchant fleet, including its cargo and passenger ships, was becoming obsolete and declining in numbers. A shipbuilding program began with the passage of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. However, World War II provided the impetus to intensify those efforts eventually leading to a ship-building program that produced 5,500 vessels. Among them were 2,710 mass-produced ships known as Liberty ships. While reviewing blueprints of the Liberty ships at the White House, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who loved naval vessels and had an eye for design, mused aloud to Maritime Commission administrator Admiral Emory S. Land, "I think this ship will do us very well. She'll carry a good load. She isn't much to look at, though, is she? A real ugly duckling."² Thus, the Liberty ships received their second nickname, "the ugly ducklings."

When the United States entered World War II at the end of 1941, it had the beginnings of a great merchant fleet. But the lethal U-Boats, submarines of the German Navy, prowled the shipping lanes hunting American merchant ships. The Liberty ships proved to be too slow and too small to carry the tons of supplies the United States and her Allies would need to win the war. In 1943, the United States began a new ship-building program. These new ships would be faster, larger, and able to carry cargo long after the war was finished. These were the Victory ships. The Liberty and Victory ships fulfilled President Roosevelt's prophetic words, serving the nation well in war and peace. Today, of the thousands of Liberty ships and Victory ships built during World War II, only a handful remain. ¹ War Shipping Administration, Press Release 2277(W), Maritime Day 1945--Military Leaders Praise Merchant Marine (18 May 1945). ² John G. Bunker, Liberty Ships: The Ugly Ducklings of World War II (Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1972) p. 6.

About This Lesson

This lesson is based on the National Register of Historic Places registration files for the SS John W. Brown, the SS Jeremiah O'Brien (with photographs ), the SS American Victory, and the SS Red Oak Victory, the National Historic Landmark nomination file for the SS Lane Victory (with photographs ), and other sources. Jay Michalsky, a historical researcher, wrote this lesson. Jean West, education consultant, and the Teaching with Historic Places staff edited the lesson. This lesson is one in a series that brings important stories of historic places into classrooms across the country.

Where it fits into the curriculum

Topics: This lesson can be used in U.S. history, world history, social studies, and geography courses on World War II. Time period: World War II

United States History Standards for Grades 5-12

Liberty Ships and Victory Ships, America's Lifeline in War relates to the following National Standards for History:

Era 8: The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945)

Standard 3A- The student understands the international background of World War II.

Standard 3B- The student understands World War II and how the Allies prevailed.

Standard 3C- The student understands the effects of World War II at home.

Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

National Council for the Social Studies

Liberty Ships and Victory Ships, America's Lifeline in War relates to the following Social Studies Standards : Theme II: Time, Continuity and Change

Standard B - The student identifies and uses key concepts such as chronology, causality, change, conflict, and complexity to explain, analyze, and show connections among patterns of historical change and continuity.

Standard C - The student identifies and describes selected historical periods and patterns of change within and across cultures, such as the rise of civilizations, the development of transportation systems, the growth and breakdown of colonial systems, and others.

Theme III: People, Places and Environments

Standard A - The student elaborates mental maps of locales, regions, and the world that demonstrate understanding of relative location, direction, size, and shape.

Theme V: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions

Standard A - The student demonstrates an understanding of concepts such as role, status, and social class in describing the interactions of individuals and social groups.

Standard B - The student analyzes group and institutional influences on people, events, and elements of culture.

Standard G - The student applies knowledge of how groups and institutions work to meet individual needs and promote the common good.

Theme VI: Power, Authority and Governance

Standard C - The student analyzes and explains ideas and governmental mechanisms to meet wants and needs of citizens, regulate territory, manage conflict, and establish order and security.

Standard G - The student describes and analyzes the role of technology in communications, transportation, information-processing, weapons development, and other areas as it contributes to or helps resolves issues.

Theme VII: Production, Distribution and Consumption

Standard A - The student gives and explain examples of ways that economic systems structure choices about how goods and services are to be produced and distributed.

Standard D - The student describes a range of examples of the various institutions that make up economic systems such as households, business firms, banks, government agencies, labor unions, and corporations.

Objectives for students

1) To outline the reasons behind the massive merchant-ship building program the United States undertook in the years before its entry in World War II. 2) To examine how changing technology affected the conduct of warfare. 3) To compare and contrast the Liberty ships and the Victory ships. 4) To conduct oral histories with local people involved in supporting the war effort.

Materials for students

The materials listed below either can be used directly on the computer or can be printed out, photocopied, and distributed to students. The maps and images appear twice: in a smaller, low-resolution version with associated questions and alone in a larger version. 1) two maps showing selected shipyards in the United States and the North Atlantic Ocean; 2) three readings about Liberty ships and Victory ships; 3) four photos of Liberty ships, Victory ships, and convoys; 4) one stamp showing a Liberty ship.

Visiting the site

The Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O'Brien is located at Pier 45 on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California. The ship is open to the public and cruises are available. The ship is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. There is an admission charge. For more information, contact the National Liberty Ship Memorial, Pier 23, San Francisco, CA 94111, or visit the ship's website . The Liberty Ship SS John W. Brown is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The ship is open to the public and cruises are available. The ship is open Sundays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., except on Christmas. From I-95 take the Keith Avenue exit. Follow Keith Avenue west to Clinton Street. Turn right on Clinton Street and proceed to 2000 S. Clinton Street, Pier 1. For more information, contact Project Liberty Ship, P.O. Box 25846, Highlandtown Station, Baltimore, MD 21224, or visit the ship's website . The Victory Ship SS American Victory is located near the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Florida at Berth 271. The ship is open to the public and cruises are available. The ship is open Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is an admission charge. From I-275 take the Downtown East exit to Jefferson Street. Continue south on Jefferson Street to Twiggs Street. Turn left on Twiggs Street to Channelside Drive. Turn right on Channelside Drive to York Street. Turn left on York Street to the Florida Aquarium parking lot. For more information, contact American Victory Ship, 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, or visit the ship's website . The Victory Ship SS Lane Victory is located at the Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro, California. The ship is open to the public and cruises are available. The ship is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is an admission charge. From the Harbor Freeway (I-110) take the Harbor Boulevard exit. Stay to the right and follow the signs to Harbor Boulevard. Once off the freeway, stay in the center lane and go into the Catalina Terminal. Follow the signs to the SS Lane Victory at Berth 94. For more information, contact the United States Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II, P.O. Box 629, San Pedro, CA 90733.

The Victory Ship SS Red Oak Victory is located in Richmond, California and is part of the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. The ship is administered by the Richmond Museum of History and is open to the public. The ship is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except when there is severe weather. Donations are requested. From either I-80 or I-580 take the Cutting Boulevard exit. Continue west on Cutting Blvd. to a four-way stop sign. Take a left on Dornan Drive through the Ferry Point tunnel to Terminal One, 1500 Dornan Drive. Please note the ship is scheduled to be relocated in early 2005. For more information, contact the SS Red Oak Victory, Terminal 1, 1500 Dornan Drive, Richmond, CA 94801, or visit the ship's website .

Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, located in Richmond, California, preserves and interprets the history of the men and women who worked in the factories and shipyards in Richmond during World War II. It is a partnership between the National Park Service, the City of Richmond, the Rosie the Riveter Trust, and the Richmond Museum of History, and is made up of noncontiguous units near the Richmond waterfront. Many of the units are owned by the City of Richmond while others are privately owned. The park was created in 2000 and is still in development; therefore, certain sites are not yet open to the public. Several units are open to the public, including the Rosie the Riveter Memorial, which is open from dawn to dusk every day, the John J. Sheridan Observation Point, and the Victory Ship SS Red Oak Victory. For more information about the park, contact the Superintendent, Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, 1401 Marina Way South, Richmond, CA 94804 or visit the park's website or the park's partner, the Rosie the Riveter Trust .

Getting Started

Inquiry question.

Why do you think the U.S. Post Office issued this stamp?

Setting the Stage

In 1936, Congress passed the Merchant Marine Act, creating the U.S. Maritime Commission to oversee "... that the United States shall have a merchant marine…to provide shipping service essential for maintaining the flow of such domestic and foreign waterborne commerce at all times, capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency, owned and operated under the United States flag…, composed of the best-equipped, safest, and most suitable types of vessels…, and supplemented by efficient facilities for shipbuilding and ship repair."¹ The fleet of ships responsible for this mission is called the U.S. Merchant Marine. At the time the act was passed, the majority of the ships in the merchant fleet were over 20 years old. The original plan was to build 50 ships per year for 10 years. However, World War II began in 1939, when Hitler's Germany invaded Poland. The United States realized that the existing construction program was not adequate to meet the changing world situation. During World War II the Merchant Marine was nationalized, that is, the U.S. government controlled the cargo and the destinations, contracted with private companies to operate the ships, and put guns and Navy personnel (Armed Guard) on board. The government trained civilian men to operate the ships and assist in manning the guns through the U.S. Maritime Service. With Hitler's attack on Great Britain in 1940, the need for the United States to increase ship production became critical. The British could no longer produce ships in great numbers and also needed food and supplies. The United States knew that if Great Britain fell it would have no allies in Western Europe. Under the Lend-Lease program (which enabled the president to transfer arms and equipment to any nation deemed vital to the defense of the United States), the U.S. agreed to build commercial ships for Great Britain. American ship builders began to construct these ships using an old, but reliable, English design. In 1939 the German Navy launched submarine warfare in the North Atlantic Ocean to enforce a naval blockade against Great Britain. Their submarines, called Unterseebooten or U-Boats, sank great numbers of merchant ships approaching the British Isles. Under these pressures, the United States greatly increased the production of its own merchant fleet. Cargo ships were needed to ferry supplies to allies if the United States entered the war. The United States decided to modify the English design being used for the Lend-Lease ships. The new emergency cargo ships came to be known as the Liberty ships. Yet, between 1939 and 1940, only 82 vessels were constructed. In 1941, Congress passed the Ship Warrants Act, giving the Maritime Commission power to allot ship construction priorities. Since existing shipyards were working full capacity on naval contracts, the Maritime Commission established 18 new shipyards to work on these identical merchant ships. They were built on a common design in assembly-line fashion along the West, East, and Gulf coasts of the United States. Parts were manufactured in every state in the country. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and U.S. entry into World War II, ships were being sunk by German U-Boats almost as fast as they were being built. The Maritime Commission called for 2,000 ships to be constructed by the end of 1943. (The Japanese also inflicted a toll on supply ships in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea, but following their naval and air losses at Coral Sea and Midway, in mid-1942, they were less of a problem to merchant shipping than the Germans.) The ship building effort was a success. Finally, the United States had enough ships to keep pace with the losses caused by the U-Boats. However, the Liberty ships were slow and small. Their design had a weakness in the hull that caused ships to sometimes break in two. In 1943, the United States started a new emergency cargo ship program to replace the Liberty ships. The newer ships were bigger and faster with better engines. These ships were designated Victory ships. While the Liberty ships were designed to be the workhorse of the war, Victory ships could continue to be used after the war as part of the regular merchant fleet. The Liberty and Victory ships were adapted to suit the operational needs of each branch of the military service. Many carried cargo, while others were fitted out as troop carriers. Some were used as tankers carrying fuel for ships, vehicles and aircraft. Still others were fitted out as hospital ships or used to transport enemy prisoners of war. Ultimately, both the Liberty ships and Victory ships served with distinction in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during World War II.

Locating the Site

Map 1: selected shipyards in the united states..

All of the shipyards built Liberty ships. The shipyards marked with a (V) also built Victory ships.

Questions for Map 1

1. Compare Map 1 with an atlas or a map of the United States map. Make a list of the states where the shipyards were located. On what bodies of water were the shipyards located?

2. What effect do you think climate might have on producing ships? Would having a large population nearby be important? If so, why? Why do you think most of the shipyards that built Victory ships were located on the West Coast, and especially in California? Which shipyard on the East Coast built Victory Ships?

3. Why do you think it would be important to have shipyards along the East, West, and Gulf coasts, and not just in one area?

Map 2: North Atlantic Ocean.

Questions for Map 2

1. Using an atlas, world map or globe, locate the Atlantic Ocean, North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Greenland, Iceland, Germany and Great Britain. Mark them on Map 2.

2. Using an atlas or a United States map, locate New York City. Mark it on Map 2.

3. On Map 2, draw a line between New York City and Great Britain. This would be the most direct route between the two and a logical shipping lane. However, German submarines patrolled these shipping lanes. Try to determine other routes to get the supplies from New York City to Great Britain and chart them on Map 2. What might be the difficulties of traveling to the north to reach Great Britain? What might be the difficulties of traveling to the south?

Determining the Facts Reading 1: Liberty Ships

When war broke out Europe in September 1939, the merchant fleet was caught unprepared to handle a massive sealift of war material. With continental Europe under German control, and Great Britain under devastating air attack, President Franklin Roosevelt decided to increase the pace of production to provide ships to America's British allies. The result was the emergency fleet program, which introduced the assembly-line production of standardized ships--the Liberty ships--in 1941. The Liberty ship represented the design solution that would fill the need for an emergency type of simple, standardized cargo steamer. Based on a British design, it could be mass-produced cheaply and quickly using assembly-line methods and could easily be converted to individual military service needs. The United States designated this new type of ship the EC2 (E for emergency, C for cargo and 2 for a medium-sized ship between 400 and 450 feet at the waterline.) Production speed grew more important as German submarines sank ships trying to break Hitler's naval blockade of Great Britain. The Allies needed ships by the hundreds to replace these losses and to increase the flow of supplies to England and, later, the Soviet Union. The first of these new ships was launched on September 27, 1941. It was named the SS Patrick Henry after the American Revolutionary War patriot who had famously declared, "Give me liberty, or give me death." Consequently, all the EC2 type of emergency cargo ships came to be known as Liberty ships. Naming nearly 3,000 ships turned out to be harder than people thought. Unlike the later Victory ships, there was no plan for how the Liberty ships would be named. In the end, the Liberties were named for people from all walks of life. Ships were named after patriots and heroes of the Revolutionary War. They were named after famous politicians (Abraham Lincoln to Simon Bolivar), scientists (George Washington Carver to Alexander Graham Bell), artists (Gilbert Stuart to Gutzon Borglum who sculpted Mt. Rushmore) and explorers (Daniel Boone to Robert E. Peary). One ship was named the SS Stage Door Canteen after the famous U.S.O. club for military service members while another was named the SS U.S.O. in honor of the United Service Organization itself. The Liberty ships were slightly over 441 feet long and 57 feet wide. They used a 2,500 horsepower steam engine to push them through the water at 11 knots (approximately 12.5 miles per hour). The ships had a range of 17,000 miles. Liberty ships had five cargo holds, three forward of the engine room and two aft (in the rear portion of the ship). Each could carry 10,800 deadweight tons (the weight of cargo a ship can carry) or 4,380 net tons (the amount of space available for cargo and passengers). The crew quarters were located amidships (the middle portion of the ship). Many technological advances were made during the Liberty shipbuilding program. A steel cold-rolling process was developed to save steel in the making of lightweight cargo booms. Welding techniques also advanced sufficiently to produce the first all-welded ships. Prefabrication was perfected, with complete deckhouses, double-bottom sections, stern-frame assemblies and bow units speeding production of the ships. By 1944, the average time to build a ship was 42 days. In all, 2,751 Liberties were built between 1941 and 1945, making them the largest class of ships built worldwide. Each Liberty ship carried a crew of between 38 and 62 civilian merchant sailors, and 21 to 40 naval personnel to operate defensive guns and communications equipment. The Merchant Marine served in World War II as a Military Auxiliary. Of the nearly quarter million volunteer merchant mariners who served during World War II, over 9,000 died. Merchant sailors suffered a greater percentage of fatalities (3.9%) than any branch of the armed forces. The Liberty ship was considered a "five-year vessel" (an expendable, if necessary, material of war) because it was not able to compete with non-emergency vessels in speed, equipment and general serviceability. However, Liberties ended up doing well, plodding the seas for nearly 20 years after the end of World War II. Many Liberties were placed in the reserve fleet and several supported the Korean War. Other Liberties were sold off to shipping companies, where they formed the backbone of postwar merchant fleets whose commerce generated income to build the new ships of the 1950s and 1960s. However, age took its toll and by the mid-1960s the Liberties became too expensive to operate and were sold for scrap, their metal recycled. The first Liberty built, the Patrick Henry, was sent to the ship breakers (scrap yard) in October 1958. Of the nearly 3,000 Liberty ships built, 200 were lost during World War II to enemy action, weather and accidents. Only two are still operational today, the SS Jeremiah O'Brien and the SS John W. Brown. Questions for Reading 1 1. What is the U.S. Merchant Marine? What was the 1936 Merchant Marine Act? If needed, refer to Setting the Stage. 2. Why did the United States want to build merchant ships? 3. How many total ships did the Merchant Marine Act call for? 4. Why were the ships known as Liberty ships? How were the individual ships named? 5. Why were so many Liberty ships built? 6. What purpose did the ships serve during the war? What purpose did they serve after the war? Reading 1 was compiled from John Gorley Bunker, Liberty Ships: The Ugly Ducklings of World War II (Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1972); Harry Butowsky, "SS Jeremiah O'Brien " (San Francisco County, California) National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1985); James P. Delgado, "Lane Victory" (Los Angeles County, California) National Historic Landmark Nomination Form (Washington D.C.: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1990); Curtis P. Junker, revised by Peter E. Kurtze, "SS John W. Brown " (Baltimore City, Maryland) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1996); Samuel Eliot Morison, History of the United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. 1, The Battle of the Atlantic, September 1939-May 1943 (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1950); and L.W. Sawyer and W.H. Mitchell, The Liberty Ships: The History of the 'Emergency' Type Cargo Ships Constructed in the United States During World War II (Cambridge, Maryland: Cornell Maritime Press, 1970).

Determining the Facts Reading 2: Victory Ships

In 1943, the U.S. Maritime Commission embarked on a program to design new types of emergency fleet ships, most importantly fast cargo vessels, to replace the slower Liberty ships. The standardized design adopted by the Commission called for a ship 445 feet long by 63 feet wide and made of steel. On April 28, 1943, the new ships were given the name "Victory" and designated the VC2 type (V for Victory type, C for cargo, and 2 for a medium sized ship between 400 and 450 feet long at the waterline). The Victory ships ultimately were slightly over 455 feet long and 62 feet wide. Like the Liberty ships, each had five cargo holds, three forward and two aft. The Victories could carry 10,850 deadweight tons (the weight of cargo a ship can carry) or 4,555 net tons (the amount of space available for cargo and passengers), a larger load than the Liberties could manage. Victory ships typically carried a crew of 62 civilian merchant sailors and 28 naval personnel to operate defensive guns and communications equipment. The crew quarters were located amidships. The Victory ships were different from the Liberty ships primarily in propulsion, the steam engine of the Liberty giving way to the more modern, faster steam turbine. The Victory ships had engines producing between 5,500 to 8,500 horsepower. Their cruising speed was 15-17 knots (approximately 18.5 miles per hour). The ship profile and the construction techniques of the Victories were also different from the Liberties. One important feature of the Victory ship was in the internal design of the hull, the ship's framework. The Liberty ships had the frames inside the hull set 30 inches apart. This made the hull very rigid. This rigidity caused the hull to fracture in some of the ships. The Victory ships had their hull frames set 36 inches apart. Because the hull could flex, there was less danger of fracture. The first Victory ship completed was the SS United Victory (built at Oregon Shipbuilding, Portland, OR), launched on January 12, 1944 and delivered February 28. The next 33 ships were named after member countries of the United Nations (e.g., SS Brazil Victory and SS U.S.S.R. Victory [both built by California Shipbuilding Corporation, Los Angeles, CA], and SS Haiti Victory [built by Permanente Metals Corporation, yard 1, Richmond, CA]). The ships that followed were named for cities and towns in the United States (e.g., SS Ames Victory [built by Oregon Shipbuilding], SS Las Vegas Victory [built by Permanente Metals Corporation, yard 1] and SS Zanesville Victory [built by Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyards, Inc., Baltimore, MD]) and for American colleges and universities (e.g., SS Adelphi Victory and SS Yale Victory [both built by Permanente Metals Corporation, yard 2]). All of the ships' names ended with the suffix "Victory" with the exception of the 117 Victory Attack Transports that were named after state counties. The Maritime Commission built 414 Victory cargo ships and 117 Victory attack transports for a total of 531 vessels during the course of the war. Victory ships formed a critical maritime link to the theaters of war. These fast, large capacity carriers served honorably in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of war. Ninety-seven of the Victories were fitted out as troop carriers; the others carried food, fuel, ammunition, material and supplies. At the war's end a number of Victory ships were offered for sale by the Maritime Commission. One hundred and seventy were sold, 20 were loaned to the U.S. Army and the rest were stored as part of the reserve fleet. When the Navy no longer needs to use a ship but wishes to reserve it for a future emergency, it tows the ship to storage harbors, empties it of all fuel and cargo, and seals its windows and doors. The ship is protected from salt-water corrosion by a cathodic protection system and the interior spaces are dehumidified. This technique is called "mothballing," because it echoes how people preserve a wool sweater that is put away for the summer. Some vessels were reactivated to serve during times of national crisis, including the Korean War, the Suez Canal closure of 1956 and the Vietnam War. Other vessels were retained as logistic support ships as part of the Military Sealift Command, which in 1970 became the single managing agency for the Department of Defense's ocean transportation needs. The command assumed responsibility for providing sealift and ocean transportation for all military services as well as for other government agencies. In 1959, eight Victory ships were reclassified and refitted as instrumentation, telemetry, and recovery ships for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in support of America's space program. On August 11, 1960, the former SS Haiti Victory (renamed the USNS Haiti Victory (T-AK-238)) recovered the nose cone of the satellite Discoverer XIII, the first man-made object recovered from space. Over the years, many ships in the reserve fleet have been sold for scrap, their metal to be recycled. Of the thousands of Liberty ships and Victory ships produced only a small number remain. Questions for Reading 2 1. When and why did the Maritime Commission start a new program to replace the Liberty ships? 2. How were the Victory ships different from Liberty ships? 3. How were the Victory ships named? 4. What is "mothballing"? 5. Describe the ways the Victory ships were used after World War II. 6. Why are there so few Liberty and Victory ships today?

Determining the Facts Reading 3: Selected Ships' Histories

As the years went by, age took its toll on the Liberty and Victory ships. Many ships became too expensive to operate; insurance companies did not want to cover these old merchant ships. In most cases, they were sold for scrap. The reserve fleet was also being sold for scrap. What was once a proud fleet was now down to a precious few vessels. Some historic preservation and veterans organizations became interested in these ships and a handful were saved from the ship breakers. The following are the histories of five of these ships that have been preserved as floating museums to honor their service to the United States and to honor the mariners who sailed upon them. The Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O'Brien The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is a World War II cargo ship and the product of a standardized design. The ship was named for Jeremiah O'Brien, a Revolutionary War hero who lived in Machias, Maine. In 1775, O'Brien led other residents of Machias in the capture of two British merchant ships. Using these captured ships, O'Brien captured the British armed schooner HMS Margaretta. This was the first naval action of the American Revolution. The keel (the bottom beam or plate juncture that runs the length of a ship) for the SS Jeremiah O'Brien was laid at the New England Shipbuilding Corporation, in South Portland, Maine on May 6, 1943. She was launched on June 19, 1943. The ship was owned by the federal government and operated by Grace Line, Inc. For the next year, the ship carried ammunition and grain, as well as other dry cargo. In June 1944, the Jeremiah O'Brien supported the D-Day invasions by ferrying supplies between Great Britain and Normandy, France 11 times. After the war, plans were made to transfer the ship to the U.S. Army for conversion to a hospital ship. The conversion never occurred and the ship was "mothballed" at the reserve fleet near San Francisco. In 1966, the U.S. Maritime Administration wanted to preserve a Liberty ship and chose the Jeremiah O'Brien. The ship was designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1986. NHLs are nationally significant historic places designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they illustrate the heritage of the United States. Over the years, the ship was restored and is now a museum in San Francisco, CA. She is only one of two Liberty ships still operational. The ship participated in the 50th anniversary of the D-day landings in 1994. The Liberty Ship SS John W. Brown The SS John W. Brown is a World War II cargo ship built by the U.S. Maritime Commission. In 1942, she was built in 41 days at the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore, Maryland. She was launched on Labor Day, September 7, 1942. The ship was named after an American labor leader who organized workers in shipyards. After being launched, the ship sailed to New York and departed on its maiden voyage on September 29, 1942 carrying supplies to the Middle East. In 1943, the ship was converted to carry troops as well as cargo. Later, the John W. Brown supported combat operations in the Mediterranean Sea. The ship was involved in the Allied landings at Sicily and Anzio in Italy, and southern France. After the war ended in Europe, the John W. Brown carried U.S. military personnel home. In 1947, the Maritime Commission loaned the ship to New York City to use as a training vessel for high school students interested in maritime jobs. However, it became too expensive to run the school, and the ship was returned to the Maritime Commission and put into storage with the reserve fleet on the James River in Virginia. Historic preservation groups, including Project Liberty Ship and the Baltimore Museum of History (MD), wanted to protect the ship and it was transferred to them to turn into a museum in Baltimore, MD. She is one of only two Liberty ships still operational. The Victory Ship SS American Victory The SS American Victory was launched on June 20, 1945 at the California Shipbuilding Corporation yards in Los Angeles, California. The ship was named after American University in Washington, D.C. in honor of the school's contribution to war training and weapons research in both World War I and World War II. The ship's first voyage was in July 1945 carrying military supplies to Manila, Philippines. After the war, the ship was used by the American Export Lines carrying cargo in support of the Marshall Plan, a U.S. economic diplomacy plan to help rebuild Western Europe after the war. On one of its many voyages, the American Victory was caught by ice in Odessa, Russia. Rather than wait for an ice breaker to clear the shipping lanes, the captain of the American Victory used her to break the ice! In 1947, the American Victory was put into the reserve fleet. In 1952, the ship was brought out of "mothballs" to carry military supplies in support of the Korean conflict. After the Korean War, she was again sent to the reserve fleet. In 1963, the Navy planned to convert 15 Victory ships, among them the American Victory, as forward depot ships. These ships would be loaded with supplies and ammunition and placed around the world to support American troops if needed. However, the Navy canceled the plan in 1966 and that same year, the American Victory was again brought out of "mothballs" to support the Vietnam War. She carried military vehicles, telephone poles, explosives, and bombs. In 1969, she was again put in the reserve fleet. In 1999, the American Victory was acquired by a preservation group and turned into a museum in Tampa, FL. The Victory Ship SS Lane Victory The SS Lane Victory was built by the California Shipbuilding Corporation in Los Angeles. She was launched on May 31, 1945. The ship was named for Lane College, which was established as a high school for black youths in 1882 by Isaac Lane, a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Jackson, Tennessee. The school grew into a prominent liberal arts college. On her first voyage, June 27, 1945, the ship carried supplies in the Pacific. She was operated by American President Lines. In 1950, the Lane Victory was used to evacuate Korean civilians and U.N. personnel at Wonsan, South Korea during the Korean War. The ship also saw duty during the Vietnam War. In 1970, the ship was placed in the reserve fleet. Because of her excellent condition, the Maritime Administration decided to set aside the Lane Victory for preservation. In 1988, the Lane Victory was acquired by the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II and turned into a museum in San Pedro, CA. In 1990, the ship was designated a National Historic Landmark. The Victory Ship SS Red Oak Victory The SS Red Oak Victory was built by the Permanente Metals Corporation, Shipbuilding Division Yard 1 in Richmond, California, across the bay from San Francisco. Her keel was laid August 15, 1944 and she was launched November 9, 1944. She is one of the last ships built by the Richmond Shipyard during World War II. The ship was named after the community of Red Oak, Iowa, which suffered the highest per capita casualty rate of any American community during World War II. On December 5, 1944, she was commissioned as the USS Red Oak Victory (AK-235) for the the U.S. Navy to be used as an ammunition carrier. In January 1945, after sea trials, she loaded over 10,000 tons of ammunition from the Port Chicago Ammunition Depot, Concord, California and departed for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In February 1945, she steamed to a remote area of the South Pacific called Ulithi Atoll where the worlds largest formation of Allied forces had amassed for the invasion of Japan. From March to May 1945, the USS Red Oak Victory (AK-235) replenished numerous vessels of the Pacific fleet. From June to October 1945, she supported the liberation of the Philippine Islands. In November 1945, she headed home to Seattle, Washington were she was decommissioned on May 21, 1946 and returned back to the U.S. Maritime Commission. In May 1947, she was leased to the Luckenbach Gulf Steamship Company, Seattle, Washington. She made several voyages, most notably supporting the UN forces engaged in the Korean War with military cargo. From 1957 to 1965 she was in storage by the U.S. Maritime Commission. In December 1965, she was leased to the American Mail Lines and until December 1968, supported U.S. forces engaged in the Vietnam War. She was placed back into storage until September 1998, where she was obtained by the Richmond Museum Association to be restored back to her original operational launch condition. Today, the Red Oak Victory is an integral part of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. Questions for Reading 3 1. What was some of the cargo these ships carried? 2. Looking at a world map or atlas, locate some of the places to which each of these ships carried cargo. Does this give you a better appreciation for the mission of the seamen who served in the Merchant Marine? Why or why not? 3. Unlike the Liberty ships, which were built to be expendable, the Victory ships were designed to last for at least 20 years after being built. What examples can you find in the reading to support this? 4. Of the thousands of Liberty and Victory ships built, only a few remain. Why do you think it is important to preserve these ships? Reading 3 was compiled from John Gorley Bunker, Liberty Ships: The Ugly Ducklings of World War II (Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1972); Harry Butowsky, "SS Jeremiah O'Brien " (San Francisco County, California) National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form (Washington, DC: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1985); James P. Delgado, "Lane Victory" (Los Angeles County, California) National Historic Landmark Nomination Form (Washington DC: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1990); Curtis P. Junker, revised by Peter E. Kurtze, "SS John W. Brown " (Baltimore City, Maryland) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Washington, DC: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1996); Shelby Sampson, "SS Red Oak Victory " (Contra Costa County, California) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Washington, DC: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 2000); L.A. Sawyer and W.H. Mitchell, Victory Ships and Tankers (Newton Abbot, England: David and Charles Publishers, 1974); and Timothy J. Teahan and Barbara E. Mattick, "SS American Victory " (Hillsborough County, Florida) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Washington, DC: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 2001).

Visual Evidence

Photo 1: "your merchant marine has grown.".

(Courtesy U.S. Maritime Administration) Press release from the War Shipping Administration, May 20, 1945.

War Shipping Administration Washington, D.C.

News Foto Release No. 76, (#2 of 5). For Release May 20, 1945.

Your Merchant Marine Has Grown

American merchant shipyards have built four ships for every prewar ship we had. Our fleet of Liberty, Victory, C-type and other vessels reached an all-time high of more than 3,500 dry cargo vessels, and more than 900 high-speed tankers. This huge fleet, in 1944, moved out of the United States more than 72 percent of 78,500,000 tons of cargo shipped. Three percent were carried by the U.S. armed forces and 24 percent by the combined tonnage of other United Nations. Transfer of troops and supplies from Europe to the far Pacific, over sea lanes ranging from 12,000 to 18,000 miles, will demand maximum efficiency in the use of our huge fleet under control of the War Shipping Administration and the United Nation's pool. --WSA photo 4235 (Courtesy U.S. Maritime Administration) Questions for Photo 1 1. A press release is a statement or an article that the government and other organizations give to newspapers to announce news and information. Why would the War Shipping Administration think it was important for newspapers to print this article and photograph? 2. Look at the chart in the above photograph. What statistical information does this chart present? By how much has the amount of cargo carried grown between 1942 and 1945? 3. How does this photograph of the shipyard help you in answering Question 2? Explain. 4. Photo 1 shows both Victory ships and Liberty ships under construction. Can you find the Liberty ship in Photo 1? What clues did you use to determine the difference between the Victory ships and Liberty ships?

Photo 2: "Salute Your Merchant Marine on Maritime Day--May

U.S. Maritime Commission Washington, D.C. News Foto Release No. 74, (#2 of 12) Watch Your Release Date - Not before May 13, 1945.

Salute Your Merchant Marine on Maritime Day--May 22

Not done with mirrors: Victory ships almost as far as the eye can reach line up at a West Coast shipyard for final outfitting before joining our vast merchant fleet. On Maritime Day, May 22, we shall have nearly 300 of these crack cargo type in service, and 300 more will be delivered before the year is out. --Maritime Commission photo 4236 (Courtesy U.S. Maritime Administration) Questions for Photo 2 1. This photo and caption was sent to local newspapers by the Maritime Commission to announce the upcoming Maritime Day. What do you think Maritime Day was about? Would Maritime Day be something worth celebrating? Explain. 2. What artistic elements did the photographer include in this Photo 2? 3. On the docks in front of the ships are lengths of chain. How might the chain be used on these ships?

Photo 3: North Atlantic Convoy, 1941.

Photo 3 shows a convoy of ships in the North Atlantic. Some of the ships in the convoy are Liberty ships. In 1941, The United States established the forward military base in Argentia, Newfoundland to support convoy escorts and patrol aircraft. The photograph was taken from an airplane assigned to the USS Albemarle (AV-5), a seaplane tender (a ship built to house and support seaplanes), in October 1941. At the time the photo was made, the Albemarle was based at Argentia. In the early years of World War II, German submarines, also known as U-Boats, threatened ships traveling across the Atlantic Ocean. Many cargo ships were sunk by the U-Boats. The United States and the Allies developed many ways to protect ships carrying supplies to Great Britain and the Soviet Union. Some of the many innovations that came out of World War II to locate submarines include radar, sonar, and high frequency direction finding. Because ships traveling alone were almost certain targets for submarines, the U.S. and her Allies grouped the ships together in huge convoys. The Navy and Coast Guard escorted the convoys with destroyers. Unlike modern submarines, which can stay submerged for months at a time, the submarines in World War II spent most of their time on the surface and submerged only when attacking ships or evading detection. In areas that were close to land, airplanes were used to scout for submarines. Many of these scouting planes also carried bombs so they could attack detected enemy submarines. Questions for Photo 3 1. Using an atlas, locate Newfoundland, Canada. Look at Map 2. Where is Newfoundland located, in relationship to the line between New York and Great Britain? Why did it make sense to base convoy escorts and patrol aircraft, such as the seaplanes from the USS Albemarle, in Newfoundland? 2. Why would grouping ships together in convoys help protect ships from submarines? 3. Photo 3 shows part of the wing of the patrol aircraft. In what ways did the patrol aircraft help protect ships carrying supplies?

Illustration 1: U.S. Merchant Marine Commemorative Stamp.

This stamp was issued by the U.S. Post Office Department on February 26, 1946 to honor the achievement of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. The stamp depicts a Liberty ship unloading cargo. Questions for Illustration 1 1. Look up the word "commemorate" in the dictionary. What does it mean? 2. What is a "merchant marine"? Why do you think it was important to honor the Merchant Marine with a postage stamp? 3. The words "Peace and War" are placed at the top of the stamp. Why do you think these words were put on the stamp? Why is the word "peace" placed first?

Photo 4: Liberty Ship, 1941.

(Library of Congress) Photo 4 shows the first Liberty ship, SS Patrick Henry, shortly after its launch in September 1941. Questions for Photo 4 1. The ship was launched September 27, 1941. Considering the year it was built, what might be one reason why this Liberty ship doesn't have any weapons? If needed, refer to Setting the Stage. 2. Note the faint white markings on the bow of the ship. Those are numbers. What do you think the numbers are for? Based on your answer, can you determine if this ship is loaded or unloaded? How did you come to your conclusion? 3. The ship has three masts. What could they be used for? If needed, compare Photo 4 with Illustration 1.

Putting It All Together

The Liberty ships and Victory ships were built in order to move troops and supplies during World War II. They were built in great numbers to counter the threat from submarines and to ensure that the flow of men and material was unhindered. The following activities will help students discover more about Liberty and Victory ships and the role their community and its residents played during World War II. Activity 1: Pay Tribute to Local History Have students design a postage stamp depicting an important event that happened in your community. Encourage students to be creative with designs and color. Students should share their "stamps" in class and hold a class discussion on why they chose to commemorate that particular event. Activity 2: Serving the War Effort By using simple designs, perfecting mass-production techniques and building the necessary shipyards, the U.S. was able to produce the massive fleet of merchant ships needed to win World War II. However, there were not enough workers for all the new shipyards. Many men who could have built ships were serving in the armed forces. As a result of this labor shortage, many factories and shipyards hired women, minorities, and men unable to go to war to work on the assembly lines and in the shipyards to manufacture the products needed to prosecute the war. The women were given the nickname "Rosie the Riveter" after a worker in a popular song. Ask students to locate persons in the community or their families who worked in the farms, factories and shipyards during World War II. Students may find that local organizations that serve veterans and senior citizens are a good resource for locating these individuals in their communities. Organize a class project to participate in the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress by interviewing these persons and donating the interviews to the Library of Congress. See the Library of Congress Veterans History Project website at [http://www.loc.gov/folklife/vets/], or write to The Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20540 for more information. The project website offers sample interview questions for civilians who worked in support of the United States during the war. A free "Field Kit" is also available with tips for interviewing. You can download the kit for free on the project's website [http://www.loc.gov/vets/kitmenu.html]. Activity 3: Carrying the Supplies The Liberty ships and Victory ships carried many different types of important supplies in support of the war including food, fuel, vehicles, ammunition, and spare parts. Ask students to locate farms or factories in your community that supplied the war effort. Have them research how they supported the war. The local historical society or library's local history section is a good place for students to start their research. Students may need to look at old phone books, city directories, or newspapers to determine which businesses were active in their community during the war and whether they were involved in war production. Students should share the information they have discovered in the form of papers, project boards, computer slideshows, skits, or oral presentations.

Liberty Ships and Victory Ships, America's Lifeline in War-- Supplementary Resources

Liberty Ships and Victory Ships, America's Lifeline in War will help students in understanding how the United States mobilized a massive construction effort to build a large merchant fleet to serve in war and peace. Of the thousands of ships built during World War II, only a small number remain. Those interested in learning more will find that the Internet offers a variety of materials about the people, vessels, and organizations associated with this great accomplishment.

Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park is operated as a partnership between the National Park Service, the City of Richmond, the Rosie the Riveter Trust and the Richmond Museum of History. The park opened in 2000 and is still in development. The park preserves and interprets the history of the men and women who worked at the factories and shipyards in and around Richmond, California in support of World War II. Among the many units of the park is the site of the Richmond Shipyard (which built many of the Liberty and Victory ships), the automotive plant (which produced military vehicles), the Rosie the Riveter Memorial, the Liberty Ship Memorial and the SS Red Oak Victory (a World War II era Victory ship). The SS Red Oak Victory is currently undergoing restoration, please check the website for updates.

United States Maritime Administration This agency under the Department of Transportation oversees the merchant marine of the United States. Visit their website , for more information on the merchant marine, including an Education page.

United States Merchant Marine Academy Visit the website of the school in Kings Point, New York, that trains future officers of the merchant marine. The site also contains links to the Maritime Museum, which includes artifacts and historic pictures.

Naval Historical Foundation A non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Navy's proud heritage. The Foundation supports the activities of the Naval Historical Center. Their website has information on primary sources including oral histories, memoirs and personal paper collections.

U.S. Maritime Service Veterans Veterans of the merchant marine and U.S. Naval Armed Guard operate this extensive website . This is a comprehensive site about the history and traditions of the merchant marine. There are extensive histories of the merchant marine in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

American Rosie the Riveter Association This is a national organization made up of the women who worked in the factories and shipyards during World War II. The website includes a newsletter and links to related sites.

Historic Naval Ship Visitors Guide This website , maintained by the Historic Naval Ships Association, is a worldwide listing of historic ships that are open to the public, including ships' histories and contact information.

NOVA: Hitler's Lost Sub The PBS series NOVA aired an episode on the discovery of a sunken German submarine off the coast of New Jersey. The website includes a history of this U-Boat, a virtual tour and a transcript of the show that includes a detailed account of the Battle of the Atlantic during the early years of World War II, when the submarine threat to shipping was at its height. The website also has a Teacher Resources page.

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Liberty Of The Seas

Cruise line Royal Caribbean

• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
• Cape Liberty Bayonne (New Jersey)

Liberty Of The Seas current position

Liberty Of The Seas current location is at US East Coast (coordinates 39.99526 N / -73.35610 W) cruising at speed of 17.7 kn (33 km/h | 20 mph) en route to Kings Wharf. The AIS position was reported 19 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Liberty Of The Seas

Liberty Of The Seas current cruise is 5 days, round-trip Bermuda Cruise . Prices start from USD 727 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 07 Sep, 2024 and ends on 12 Sep, 2024 .

Specifications of Liberty Of The Seas

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Liberty Of The Seas Itineraries

Liberty of the seas review, review of liberty of the seas.

The 2007-built Liberty of the Seas cruise ship is the second Freedom-class Royal Caribbean liner, with sisterships Freedom OTS and Independence OTS .

The vessel (IMO number 9330032) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 309436000) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US passenger shipping company, trademarked travel brand, and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCG's largest fleet by both vessel number and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities).

All RCI liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

The 4000-passenger ship Liberty OTS' first drydock was in 2011. During the refit, the boat gained new features (introduced on Oasis OTS ) including a large stage shows, Royal Nursery, an outdoor movie screen, a cupcake bakery. New technology know-how was placed in the form of interactive HDTVs and digital deck plan systems, located throughout the Liberty to help guests navigate by using LCD touch-screens for customized directions, ship factoids and real-time updates.

Liberty OTS also boasts all the Freedom-class favorites, including popular onshore brands like Johnny Rockets and Ben and Jerry's, cruising's only ice rink, a rock-climbing wall, the novel "Promenade" concept and Boleros Latin lounge.

At the beginning of 2016 Royal Caribbean's cruise ship, Liberty of the Seas has undergone an extensive drydock revitalization. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the new features to be constructed, such as the Splashaway Bay waterpark, The Perfect Storm water slides, new restaurants and bar dining options.

Decks and Cabins

Liberty Of The Seas staterooms (1839 total) include 122 Suites, 724 Balcony, 262 Oceanviews, 168 Promenade View, 563 Inside. Most cabins are sized 150-190 ft2 (14-18 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 65 ft2 (6 m2). The largest is Vista Suite (1210 ft2 / 112 m2 plus 805 ft2 / 75 m2 terrace). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 32.

The boat has 15 decks , of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The 3-deck-high Dining Room has full seating capacity. Passengers can choose between assigned dining and Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining program, in which guests pick a preferred mealtime between 6 pm and 9:30 pm, but can change reservations daily. Those who opt for My Time Dining have to prepay gratuities. Each floor of the MDR is named after a Renaissance master - Rembrandt, Michelangelo and Botticelli - and a huge crystal chandelier towers over the restaurant. Meals are satisfactory and there is always "Chef's Signature Selection". The separate Vitality menu is offered for the calorie-conscious and equals the rest of the menu in size and taste (vegetarian options are sprinkled throughout). Standards like salmon, sirloin steak and chicken are also available.

Follows the complete list of Liberty of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• Rembrandt Restaurant (652-seat aft Dining Room, level 1; features DreamWorks characters theme breakfast)
• Michelangelo Restaurant (500-seat aft Dining Room, level 2)
• Botticelli Restaurant (883-seat aft Dining Room)
• Windjammer Cafe Lido buffet restaurant (774-seat, offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 am, Breakfast between 7-11:30 am, Lunch 11.30-3:30 pm and Dinner 6.30-9 pm)
• Chops Grille (104-seat specialty restaurant; reservations recommended)
• Portofino Restaurant (100-seat Italian specialty restaurant)
• Johnny Rockets Restaurant (84-seat burger bar)
• Sorrento’s Pizzeria (79-seat complimentary restaurant)
• WipeOut Bar (20-seat complimentary burger bar).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Beyond the industry's standard offerings like R-rated comedians, mind-numbing amounts of karaoke and bingo, as well as the Love and Marriage Game Show, Freedom- and Voyager-class ships feature cruising's only ice rinks, Studio B. Ice show tickets are free but have to be obtained in advance. The Platinum Theater features nightly production spectacles, such as "In the Air" Cirque de Soleil-style offering. The West End production "Saturday Night Fever", debuted in the theatre in early 2011.

During the day, passengers have any number of usual activity options - trivia, sexy legs contests, family pool games, wine-tasting and seminars, the majority of which are based around the pool areas, the spa and the aft sports area on Deck 13, which houses the FlowRider, rock-climbing wall, mini-golf course and sports court.

Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Youth program, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Liberty of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Platinum Theatre (features grand production shows with dance, acrobatics, comedy and games)
• Studio B Lounge (indoor ice-skating rink; also serves as a spot for ice shows, cooking demos, game parties)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; BRITTO Art Gallery
• The Catacombs Disco and Nightclub; On Air Club (140-seat karaoke and sports bar); The Sphynx Lounge; The Centrum (7-deck social hub, offers aerial acrobatics entertainment); Next Cruise Lounge; Concierge Club (suite and past guests only); Seven Hearts (33-seat card room); Crown Lounge (fka Diamond Club Lounge & Bar for past guests only); Viking Crown Lounge and Bar
• Schooner Bar (112-seat piano bar); Boleros Lounge and Bar (77-seat Latin bar); Connoisseur Cigar Club and Bar; Hoof and Claw English Pub; Vintages Bar (wine bar); Ben and Jerry's Bar (ice cream parlor); Cupcake Cupboard Shop (bakery); Cafe Promenade (24-hour; serves snacks and drinks, as well as Starbucks specialty coffee); Vintages Bar; Champagne Bar; R Bar; Squeeze Bar; Sprinkles (complimentary ice cream bar); Sky Bar; The Plaza Bar; Olive or Twist Lounge and Martini Bar; Cloud 9 (24-seat sports bar)
• Casino Royale (447-seat)
• Royal Caribbean Online Centre (Internet computers room; 24-hour)
• Royal Promenade Boutiques (perfumes, jewelry, duty-free alcohol, general store, logo/souvenirs); SeaTrek (shop for diving equipment)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 7 jacuzzis (2 cantilevered); 3 pools
• Solarium lounge (includes Cafe Bar, pool bar and adults-only pool area)
• Outdoor movie screen; Screening Room (60-seat cinema)
• Challengers Video Games Arcade; Fuel Teen Disco club; The Living Room; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery
• H2O Zone Water Park; Adventure Beach; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area
• Sports Court (golf simulator, table tennis, basketball court); Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall; Liberty Dunes Mini Golf Course; FlowRider (surf simulator, complimentary)
• Skylight Wedding Chapel (40-seat, used for religious services).

Itineraries

Liberty of the Seas itinerary program is based on 7-day Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston , Texas. During summer, Liberty sails to Canada and Bermuda from Bayonne, New Jersey. Feature port destinations include Belize , Jamaica, Roatan , Grand Cayman and Cozumel Mexico.

Photos of Liberty Of The Seas

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• Wonder Of The Seas

Liberty Of The Seas Wiki

Liberty OTS is fleet's 2nd Freedom-Class liner, with sisterships Freedom  and  Independence . Liberty was built in 2007 by Aker Finnyards Shipyard (Turku, Finland). This shipyard was later acquired by STX Europe (a subsidiary of the South Korean multinational STX Corporation). Ship's godmother was Donnalea Madeley. She was elected from about 2500 female travel agents, who had shown fondness of social causes. Donnalea Madeley is from Ontario, and the first travel agent to win such a position (usually given to VIPs). The christening ceremony was held at PortMiami  on May 18, 2007.

The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) was a 7-day Caribbean itinerary starting on May 19. Liberty OTS had some special pre-inaugural cruises before the liner arrived in Miami. The first was the Transatlantic crossing ( Southampton  to  NYC New ), the second - repositioning from NYC to Miami (visiting several US East Coast ports).

Like all newly refurbished RCI ships, Liberty offered the DreamWorks Experience (2011-2018). Liberty OTS is an "Art Nouveau'" decorated modern cruise liner. Passengers will be amazed by the mixing coloured light projections on broken or hanging canvasses created by the unique digital art celebrity Miguel Chevalier. All the rest is totally Royal Caribbean - the feature entertainment options with great shows, grand Vegas-style productions, the "ice-skating and rock-climbing", numerous themed bars and lounges, modern facilities to spend quality time on board.

Liberty OTS refurbishment 2016 review

During ship’s drydock 2016 refurbishment (January 10 - February 6), Royal Caribbean added a group of 3 waterslides on Deck 13 aft (near the Flowrider simulator). The Aqua Park (lido deck 11) has a new kids-only water playground area called “Splashaway Bay”.

Liberty OTS is the first Freedom-class RCI ship with waterslides. The first ever Royal Caribbean ship originally built with slides is  Harmony of the Seas  (launched 2016) with a total of 4 water slides.

The list of deck plan changes after the 2016 drydock refurbishment includes:

• (On deck 2) 3 inside cabins were removed (numbers 2405, 2403, 2401).
• (On deck 3) the Catacombs (218-seats Disco Nightclub, level 1) was replaced with 19 new interior cabins. Also here, 4 new interior cabins were added near the Art Gallery (starboard). Both lounges Bernini (portside) and Velasquez (starboard) were replaced with 10 new oceanview staterooms. Dining Room restaurant was renamed from Rembrandt to “Main Dining Room” (level 1).
• (On deck 4) the Catacombs disco (level 2) was replaced by the Sabor Modern Mexican (restaurant). Also here, Dining Room restaurant was renamed from Michelangelo to “Main Dining Room” (level 2).
• (On Promenade deck 5) the show lounge was renamed from “The Sphynx” to “Star Lounge”. Also here, the Champagne Bar (wine bar) was replaced by R-Bar. Dining Room restaurant was renamed from Botticelli to “Main Dining Room” (level 3). Cupcake Cupboard (bakery) was added.
• (On deck 6) a new inside cabin was added forward (number 6137).
• (On deck 7) 5 new inside cabins were added, 4 of which in the place of the Library (removed to deck 9).
• (On deck 9) a new inside cabin was added forward (number 9237). Also here were added Library and Card Room, while the Concierge Club was removed.
• (On Lido deck 11) the H2O Zone was replaced by the new Splashaway Bay (water park with slides). Also here, the Portofino restaurant was replaced by “Giovanni’s Table” (Italian restaurant).
• (On Spa deck 12 forward) around the ShipShape Spa, new cabins were added in categories Q-Inside, Panoramic Oceanview (PF-Family Panoramic, P1-Larger, P2-Panoramic) and E2-Spa Balcony.
• (On deck 13) Liberty Dunes (9-hole mini golf course with Golf Simulator) was replaced with the Perfect Storm waterslides (Cyclone, Typhoon). Also here, the Wipe Out! (20-seats burger bar) was replaced with the “Tidal Wave” slide (Boomerang-type). While the waterslide structure was ready after the ship’s refurbishment, its opening was re-scheduled for June 2016 due to some initial design flaws discovered after the slide’s installation. The design was altered by adding padding for the impact areas of the slide.
• (On deck 14) both portside multipurpose rooms – Cloud Nine (24-seats) and Seven Hearts (33-seats) were replaced with Suite Lounge.
• Internet speed was upgraded (to Voom).

During drydock 2016, a total of 89 new cruise cabins were added. Among those, 26 are Panoramic ocean views (with floor-ceiling windows facing forward) on deck 12.

Liberty Of The Seas refurbishment 2011 review

The list of deckplan changes after drydock 2011 included:

• All cruise accommodations were renovated.
• “DreamWorks Experience” (Walt Disney themed entertainment program) was implemented.
• The Royal Caribbean’s signature Nursery was added on deck 12.
• On Lido Deck 11 (in the main pool area) a huge movie screen (outdoor theatre) was installed.
• Vintages (wine bar) was upgraded.
• BRITTO Art Gallery was added on deck 3.

The Theatre Lounge's programming was upgraded with complimentary DreamWorks 3D movies and a new Broadway musical production (“Saturday Night Fever”).

Watch CBS News

Famed World War II liberty ship in San Francisco needs financial aid to stay afloat

By John Ramos

Updated on: September 1, 2024 / 7:52 AM PDT / CBS San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco treasures its naval military history and is home to the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, one of the last remaining liberty ships that sailed into harm's way to help win World War II.  Now it is facing another threat -- a financial one -- and they're putting out a desperate call to the public to keep the ship sailing.

When the Jeremiah O'Brien was launched in 1943, it became one of 2,700 liberty ships that transported soldiers and materiel to the war in Europe. The crew of 56 was constantly under threat from swarms of German U-boats trying to sink them and the O'Brien was front and center delivering troops to Omaha Beach on D-Day.

"This ship was right between the Texas and the Augusta, a cruiser and it was shelling the beach, the emplacements on the beach.  So, they were right in the thick of it," said Jon Eaton, the ship's chief engineer.

He pointed to a 4-inch hole from a shell in the steel starboard railing and to dents in the hull from landing boats slamming into the sides on that fateful day.  Eaton said you can feel the history as you roam the narrow passageways.

"Everywhere you walk here, you walk in the footsteps of people who have lived it for real," he said.  "So, if you think you're having a bad day, just think about going to sea when they're shooting at you."

There is something very special about this floating museum. It can still sail -- one of only two liberty ships in the entire country that can make that claim.  Its mighty steam engines still work, taking visitors out onto the bay during Fleet Week cruises.  

"I like to tell people, you're on one of America's most historic vessels," said ship captain, Cevan LeSieur. "This is the only ship operating that was part of the D-Day invasion in 1944.  So, as operating ships, I think this is the most historic operating ship in the United States."

Sailing this vessel requires a lot of maintenance and safety regulations and, as a result, money.  That's where the problem lies.

"We've never recovered, in terms of visitors, like we had prior to the pandemic.  We're basically getting about 35 percent of the visitor numbers that we had prior to 2020," said Capt. LeSieur.  "The reality is, to keep this ship as an operating memorial to World War II veterans, we need that money.  There's just no way around it."

The ship's keepers have put out an urgent appeal to the community.  They're asking for donations and for more people to visit. They say it didn't help that, in the midst of the pandemic, a massive fire at the port caused the ship to be moved to Pier 35. It's not far -- just the other side of Pier 39 -- but many visitors simply don't see it as they pass by.  As a result, the loss of revenue and rising costs of Coast Guard mandates have all but dried up the non-profit's savings. Within a few months, they will be out of money.

"To think that it would stop operating, especially considering everything it represents -- the history, our World War II veterans -- it's unimaginable that the ship might shut down," Capt. LeSieur said.  "Our hearts and hands are open.  We need help.  We need to preserve this piece of American history."

Most of the old liberty ships were cut up and scrapped for steel.  No one thinks that would happen to the Jeremiah O'Brien.  More likely, some other city would take it as a fixed, floating museum.  But it would be hard for those who have worked so hard to keep the old girl sailing, to see her engines silenced, tied up to a dock, never to move again.

For more information or to donate, go to the  SS Jeremiah O'Brien website

• World War II
• San Francisco

John Ramos accidentally launched a lifelong career in journalism when he began drawing editorial cartoons and writing smart-alecky satire pieces for the Bakersfield High School newspaper.

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THINGS TO DO LIBERTY OF THE SEAS ®

BRING ON THE BOLD

GO BIG ON BITES

OR LAID BACK BREWS

SHAKEN, STIRRED, OR DECANTED?

At R Bar, the cocktails aren’t the only thing that’s classic. From the décor to the service, you’re in for a double shot of sophistication and nostalgia that gets stronger with every sip of your Manhattan. And if it’s wine you’re pining for, head to Vintages where you can sip your way around the world one glass at a time.

HOPPINESS BY THE PINT

Looking to enjoy a no-fuss night out? Stop by the English Pub and tap into an epic list of beers, spirits and cocktails that will transport you to the lively taverns of London. Or grab a seat by the grand piano at the nautical-themed Schooner Bar and raise a glass as you sing along to your favorites.

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activities & shows

Spa & Fitness Center

Discover a full menu of five-sense fulfillment at Vitality℠ Spa

Retail’s in reach with boutiques and your favorite name brands

Guest Entertainers

Special guest performers of all walks join our onboard talent.

Live Orchestra

You'll never hear a playback in the Main Theater — a live orchestra accompanies every performance.

Broadway at Sea

You've got a seat for the best of Broadway

Saturday Night Fever

Head to the 2001 Odyssey Club with Tony Manero and get lost in boogie wonderland.

Ice Skating Shows

Go from a day at the beach to a night on the ice rink.

Original Productions

When the curtain goes up, the talent takes over

Take off on a wild ride into the history of flight with In the Air.

Fitness Classes

Cutting edge equipment, the latest classes, and an ocean view

Tidal Wave℠

Go airborne on the only boomerang slide at sea

FlowRider ®

Score prime waves all day every day on the FlowRider® surf simulator.

Got game? Prove it on one of our interactive Game Shows

Pool Parties

Stay up late for this top deck party

Outdoor Movie Nights

The poolside screen is huge - and so is the fun

Sports Court

Play 3-on-3 with an ocean view at the Sports Court

From jazz trios to rock bands, club hop without leaving the ship

Play the classics and modern faves at the Royal Caribbean® Arcade

The Perfect Storm℠

Soak up the thrills on all The Perfect Storm℠, the boldest waterslides at sea.

Enjoy adults-only ambiance a the Solarium

With onboard pools, you've got plenty of chances to make a splash

Enjoy mini golf with maximum fun

Art Collection

Browse and buy original art from our curated collection

Wine Tasting

Our well-stocked wine bar is the setting for a world of discovery

Rock Climbing Wall

Rock out on the Rock Climbing Wall for full-scale adventure

Splashaway Bay℠

An aqua park that's cool, colorful and all kinds of crazy

The Royal Promenade fills with dancing, confetti and junkanoo drums

Ice Skating

Lace up your skates and take a spin on the only rinks at sea

Mystery Dinner Theater

Be the detective at Mystery Dinner Theater, an evening of intrigue

From hot spots to multimedia lounges that transform

Salsa Dancing

Salsa, merengue and cha cha all night.

Theme Nights

Go all out and step into another era

Teen Lounge

The Teen Lounge is the spot for teens to hang out.

Dance Classes

Show off new moves during Dance Classes with the pros

There are endless ways to satisfy kids' curiosity in the Adventure Ocean® Aquanauts group.

Pub Performances

Sip and sing along during live musical performances at the pub

All Access Tour

You’re the VIP (Very Important Passenger) behind the scenes

Scrapbooking

Turn scraps into treasures during a scrapbooking session

Table Tennis

Serve up stiff competition during a table tennis face off

Soak up the relaxation and the horizon

Babies and Tots Programs

Littles have big-time fun in the Babies and Tots programs at Adventure Ocean®.

Adventure Ocean ®

Adventure Ocean® has fun for for the youngest members of your family.

Folding Artistry

Tout the new towel animal skills you’ll learn during this class

Learn a Language

Talk the talk with onboard language courses

On Air Club

Cast off for karaoke stardom at our On Air Club

Jewelry Making

March to the bead of your own drum during a Jewelry Making class

When the lights go down, celebrity guest DJs turn the party up.

The Adventure Ocean® Voyagers group gets active with games, competitions and educational activities.

Piano Sing-Alongs

Sing along to a chorus of ivory tickling classics at Schooner Bar nightly.

Latin Dance Classes

By the end of this class, you’ll be dancing like the stars.

Cupcake Class

Sprinkle on the memories.

Sushi Making Class

Turn lunch into a hands-on adventure.

Get hooked on pickleball, the new trendy sport for everyone.

SHUSH! Silent Party

Put your headphones on and dance like no one’s listening. Literally.

Latin Fiesta

Get ready to shake your hips and find your Latin rhythm.

70s Disco Party

You’ve scored a one-way ticket to funky-town.

Art Auctions

Bid on bold masterpieces at an action-packed onboard art auction.

Delve into your favorite card and board games at the Card Room

Sip, Tour, Brunch

The best days begin with brunch and bubbles.

Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠

Grab a friend and race down The Perfect Storm℠ twin waterslides Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠.

Captain’s Welcome Aboard Reception

The Captain invites all guests to a formal night reception held in their honor. It’s a great photo op, so don’t forget your camera.

Chef's Table

This is the ultimate specialty dining experience for culinary connoisseurs.

Dive into a world of delicious at the Windjammer.

Fresh flavors take center stage at Sabor Modern Mexican.

Chops Grille℠

A classic American steakhouse where every dish is prime perfection.

Room Service

Dial up delicious in-room dining day or night to enjoy paired with comfort and privacy.

Café Promenade

Satisfy your cravings all day — and night — at this round-the-clock fleet favorite.

Giovanni's Table

Old World flavor in every bite.

Sorrento's Pizza

Enjoy a slice of perfection at Sorrento’s.

Johnny Rockets®

Jitterbug over to Johnny Rockets for shakes, burgers and fries

Cupcake Cupboard

Enjoy colorful treats with old fashioned flair at Cupcake Cupboard

Main Dining Room

In the Main Dining Room, every course is craveworthy.

bars & lounges

Vintages wine bar is where wine lists and to-do lists overlap.

Viking Crown Lounge ®

Come for the cocktails, stay for the views.

Schooner Bar

Come for a cocktail, stay for a song at this lively late-night spot.

Pair your mojito with some live merengue at Boleros.

Solarium Bar

Savor all your favorite cocktails at this tranquil poolside retreat.

Suite Lounge

This lounge serves up serenity with a twist of lime.

English Pub

Laughs, libations, and live music served here.

Toast to vintage vibe with classic cocktails at R Bar.

Enjoy all your favorite drinks at one poolside spot.

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Cruise Routes (Interactive Map)

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Russian River Cruises

• Find your cruise
• Moscow — St. Petersburg
• Moscow — Astrakhan
• Astrakhan — St. Petersburg
• St. Petersburg
• Cruise Highlights
• News & Travel Tips

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Moscow to Saint Petersburg

13 days – 12 nights

Collapse Full Itinerary

Gold, Platinum  Airport transfer / Check-in at centrally located Marriott Aurora***** or Ararat Park Hyatt*****

Imperial : Private airport transfer / Check-in at the luxurious Four Seasons Moscow***** only a minute from the Kremlin and Red Square

Volga dream experience:

Gold: City Tour / Novodevichy Cemetery Imperial, Platinum:  City tour / Lunch in a Moscow City Skyscraper / Novodevichy Cemetery / Sparrow Hills

Meals: Breakfast

Platinum / Imperial

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Gold:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / GUM Department Store

Platinum:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / St. Basil’s Cathedral / GUM Department Store / Park Zaryadye

Gold:  Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Platinum:  Leo Tolstoy House-Museum in Hamovniki / Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gold, Platinum:  Town of Uglich / Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood

Volga dream experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony & Russian Cooking Class

Gold, Platinum:  Yaroslavl City Tour / Governor’s house 

Volga dream experience: Sun Deck Barbeque

Gold:  Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery  

Platinum:  Ferapontov Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting

Gold, Platinum: Kizhi Island / Lake Onega

Volga dream experience: Piano Concert – Compositions by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov

Gold, Platinum:  Svirstroy village / Local resident’s home / Local primary school

Volga dream experience: Farewell Dinner, Captain’s cocktail

Gold:  City Tour / Peter and Paul Fortress

Platinum:  City Tour / St. Isaac’s Cathedral / Canal boat / Yusupov Palace

Gold:  The State Hermitage Museum / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Platinum:  The State Hermitage Museum (Early Entrance!) / Gold Room / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Gold:  Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Platinum:  Faberge Museum / Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Meals: Breakfast / Imperial

Gold, Platinum, Imperial: Check-out / Airport transfer

Volga dream experience: -

The rates are set for a cruising season. The price is not dependent on the month within a selected year

Choose a date

View all months

Choose Staterooms

All prices are per person based on double occupancy.

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy. Actual size of cabins can slightly differ within one category.

Request a quote

Journey: Volga Dream

Price per person: not specified

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• Moscow - St. Petersburg 5-star cruise by Vodohod

8 days and 7 nights

• Moscow - St. Petersburg Cruise
• Route Moscow - Uglich - Goritsy - Kizhi - Mandrogui - St. Petersburg
• Languages English-speaking guide is guaranteed. Other languages are on request.
• Cruise Ship 5-star cruise ship MS Rostropovich
• Group Tour This is a group tour. There will be other people in your group.
• Prices and Dates

Moscow : Welcome on board! Check in begins at 14:00 (2.00 PM), but you may board earlier or later depending on you arrival in Moscow. If you order a transfer, you will be met at the airport or train station by one of our drivers and taken by comfortable car to the river port where you will board your cruise ship (transfer is optional).

Over the next few days, you will get the chance to explore Moscow and learn about its riveting history. You will be taken on a city tour and see Moscow's most interesting sights and learn about this amazing city's past and present. You will also have a chance to do some light shopping and there will be time to relax aboard the ship in the evenings. One of the highlights of your time in Moscow is a visit to  Red Square  and the  Kremlin . You will also visit one of the Kremlin's famous cathedrals. The Kremlin as we know it today was rebuilt as a stone structure during the beginning of the 14th century but the actual site has been inhabited and used as a fortified city wall for centuries before this period. The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure - at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city's former military fortification, a palace and the workplace of the Russian President. The Kremlin is the center of Russia's political life and State power and has been home to Tsars, General Secretaries of the Soviet Union and Russian Presidents.

Moscow  is Russia's political and financial capital as well as a major world class cultural center. The city includes many must see attractions from the Kremlin and Red Square to the Assumption Cathedral. Moscow is the largest city in Europe. It is unique in that it blends the ancient with the modern. See medieval structures among modern office buildings, walk down crooked old city streets opening up to wide, busy boulevards. It is a fantastic city and truly a site that shouldn't be missed.

Uglich : You will be taken on a walking city tour with visit to the  Kremlin , the  Church of St. Demitrius on the Blood  and the  Transfiguration cathedral .

Uglich  was founded in 1148 as a small princedom bordering on Muscovy and is one of the most beloved towns in Old Russia. The view of the town as you approach it from the Volga River is breathtaking with the Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. John's Church rising on the horizon. The history of the town is fascinating; At the end of the 16th century, Maria Nagaya, seventh wife of Ivan the Terrible, lived in honorary exile at the Kremlin in Uglich. It was here in her garden that the 10 year old Prince Dmitry of the Rurik Dynasty, heir to the Russian throne was murdered by Boris Godunov who wanted to seize power for himself. On the spot of his death, the Church of St. Demitrius of the Blood was built and still stands today. The death of Prince Dmitri brought on the start of the Time of Troubles, a dynastic and political crises and one of the most tumultuous periods in Russian history which ended 15 years later after the election of a new Tsar, Mikhail Romanov (the first Tsar of the Romanov Dynasty). Inside the Kremlin the oldest building in Uglich, the Palace of Tsarevich Dmitry also stands. During your time in Uglich you will learn more about the town's past and walk along the paths of Russian history.

Arrival in the ancient village of  Goritsy . Tour of the  St. Cyril on the White Lake Monastery  and the  Museum of Icons .

Goritsy  is a tiny settlement 7 kilometers from the St. Cyril on the White Lake Monastery. The remains of the Nunnery of the Resurrection that sits on the banks of the Sheksna River can be visited and is within a quarter of a mile of where the ship stops. Goritsy is definitely a site to see for anyone with an interest in Russian history. St. Cyril on the White Lake was founded in 1397 by Kirill Belosersky on the shore of Lake Siverskoye. The monastery had wide trade in the 15th to 17th centuries and was used as a fortress to protect Russia's nobility during the Times of Troubles.

After the tour you will return to your ship and set sail in the direction of St. Petersburg along the Volga Baltic Canal. The Volga Baltic Canal is a series of canals and rivers that connect the Volga river to the Baltic Sea.

You'll cruise along Europe's second largest lake,  Lake Onega  and arrive on the island of  Kizhi . Here you will visit a fascinating open-air museum containing numerous examples of elaborate Russian, wooden architecture.

Kizhi Island : Via the Volga Baltic Canal, our cruise takes us to the tiny island of Kizhi, located at the northern end of Lake Onega. The island is renowned for its open-air  Museum of Architecture , which is assembled from over 80 monuments of wooden architecture from various areas of the country and restored to form a glimpse of the past. The most impressive site on the island is the  Church of the Transfiguration or Preobrazhenskaya  (the church of twenty-two wooden domes). This masterpiece of architecture, featuring five tiers of 22 domes, was built in 1714 without the use of a single nail, only an axe and pine trees. The church magically changes color as the day grows old, it is certainly one of the most interesting things you will see during your time in Russia.

A stop in the village of  Mandrogui . Enjoy walking around this traditional Russian village in its beautiful setting and spend a day of rest, relaxation and fun. We will have a fantastic barbeque picnic on the banks of the river featuring one of Russia's favorite specialties - shashlik (meat shish kebab prepared on an outdoor fire). You will love it!

Mandrogui  is really more of a living museum than a live-in village. It features a collection of old wooden houses and is geared towards showing visitors what a traditional Russian village resembled in the past. One of the features here is the Vodka Museum, which contains thousands of different brands and types of Russia's favorite pastime.

Arrival in the imperial capital of Russia -  St. Petersburg . Your time in St. Petersburg will begin with a  Panoramic City Tour . This tour is the best way to get acquainted with all of the city's major highlights. Our professional guide will take you down  Nevsky Prospect , St. Petersburg's most famous and vibrant thoroughfare. There you will see some of the city's most interesting architectural monuments including the Kazan Cathedral (exterior) and the Winter Palace. You will see the  Peter and Paul Fortress  (interior) - a symbol of St. Petersburg and also the oldest building in the city.

One of the highlights of your entire cruise will be a visit to the  Hermitage , Russia's premier museum containing one of the largest art collections in the world. The museum consists of five historical buildings including the Winter Palace - the residence of the Russian Tsars. The museum contains over 3 million pieces of art with dates ranging from high antiquity to the present day. Among the Hermitage's treasures are artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens and many others.

On the last day of your cruise you will say goodbye to Russia, your ship's crew and the many new friends we are sure you will have met during your time with us. We are sure that your memories of the trip will last a lifetime and we look forward to welcoming you to Russia sometime in the future. Our driver will meet you at the ship and take you to the airport to see you off (transfer is optional).

St. Petersburg  is Russia's second largest and second most important city - the Northern capital of the country, Russia's cultural center, and considered the world's 'Northern Venice' due to its extensive system of canals and islands. Walk along Nevsky Prospect and experience the grandeur of pre-revolutionary imperial Russia. Pass palaces from the past and gaze at the famous embankment of the Neva River with its numerous bridges and striking architecture. St. Petersburg is also home to Russia's largest and busiest port and with its many world class theaters and museums has a very high level of cultural life.

Prices and Terms

Prices are per person.

The surcharge for single occupancy in a double cabin is 75% of the total cruise price. Surcharge for single occupancy in Deluxe or Suite cabin is 100% of the cruise price.

Included meals:

• Full board, three meals per day (from dinner on arrival day to continental breakfast on departure day). In case of late arrival (after 23:00) or early departure (before 06:00) a boxed meal is provided instead of dinner/breakfast. Breakfast is buffet style, lunch and dinner are served at your table.
• Coffee station (tea, coffee, biscuits) available from 06:00 to 19:00;
• 1 bottle of mineral water (0.5 l) per person per day in cabin;
• Lunches in the city: water for your table;
• Dinners in the city: 1 bottle of mineral water (0.5 l) + 1 glass (150 ml) of red/white wine or 1 glass of juice (200 ml) per person;
• Lunches and Dinners on board:
• For lunch and dinner: white/red/sparkling wine/beer in glasses (with no limit), water with no limit
• For breakfast: water with no limit, Cappuccino or Espresso without extra charge 
• Welcome “bread and salt” ceremony;
• Welcome cocktail - 1 glass of sparkling wine or juice per person;
• Tea or coffee for all meals;
• Russian Tea Ceremony;
• Themed dinners;
• “Captain’s dinner” with a special menu
• In cool weather: hot tea upon returning on board after shore excursions;
• In hot weather: Cold iced tea or juice upon returning on board after shore excursions;

Included services in cabins

• Bathrobes in Suite cabins;
• Toiletries provided in all cabins - shampoo 30 ml., shower gel 30 ml., conditioner 30 ml., body lotion 30 ml. (refill as needed), shower cap, slippers;
• Safe in all cabins;
• Minibar in Suite cabins (for additional fee);
• TVs and phones in all cabins.

Included services on board

• Hot towels upon returning on board after shore excursions;
• Onboard guides speaking English / French / German / Spanish / Italian; service of onboard guides for other foreign languages can be provided upon request for an additional fee;
• Sightseeing programs in each port as per itinerary (optional tours are available on board)
• Daily entertainment including lessons of the Russian language and Russian songs, dance evenings, folklore concerts, and more.
• Headsets for shore excursions
• Luggage handling in river ports from the inspection point to the ship and from the ship to the bus, as well as on board.

Services available on board for an additional fee:

• Optional tours
• Culinary master class;
• Vodka tasting with traditional snacks;
• Sports equipment rental: bicycles, Nordic walking poles, folding chair canes;
• Bottled water during shore excursions
• Birthday greetings (cake, music)
• Hairdresser services

Other included services:

• Russian visa invitation  - the document necessary for obtaining a Russian visa when applying for a Russian visa at the local Russian Consulate in your country.  PLEASE NOTE:  your passport should be valid for no less than 6 months after the planned departure from Russia and it should have at least 2 blank pages. The process of applying for a visa may take a long time and we recommend that you start the process 3 months before your trip. In case you are booking the trip last minute, we recommend that you check with the Russian Consulate in your country whether you have enough time for the visa application process. In case you have to cancel your trip because of visa issues standard cancellation policy will be applied. 

Not included:

• Visa processing costs. For US, UK, Australian, Indian and Canadian citizens, our company offers  Full Visa Support . With Full Visa Support, you send us your passport and other documentation and we obtain the Russian visa for you. 
• International airfare.
• Arrival and departure transfers. We can arrange these for an extra fee.
• Additional drinks and water in ship restaurant and drinks from onboard bars
• Suggested gratuity for crew and staff (7€ or $10 per traveler per day)
• Forwarding of baggage/souvenirs
• Travel insurance.  We highly recommend to purchase travel insurance before embarking on your trip to Russia. It’s always good to have extra protection while traveling far from home.  Click here  to learn more.
• Items of a personal nature (laundry services, bar charges, beauty salon services, telephone and cable charges and medical services).

Please be informed that all pre/post cruise services (additional arr/dep transfers, hotel accommodations, additional excursions, etc.) can also be arranged by us.

BOOKING AND CANCELLATION POLICY IN 2022:

Conditions of payment:  To book your cruise, a 25% irrevocable deposit is required. The trip must be fully paid 75 days before the cruise starting date.

Cancellation terms:  75 or more days before the trip – a fee equal to 25% of the entire package will be charged. 74-65 days before the trip – a fee equal to 30% of the entire package will be charged. 64-41 days before the trip – a fee equal to 60% of the entire package will be charged. 40-35 days before the trip – a fee equal to 75% of the entire package will be charged. 34 days or less before the trip or in the event of a no-show - a fee equal to 100% of the package will be charged.

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MSC Meraviglia review: What it's like to cruise on MSC's 1st New York-based ship

For the first time, MSC Cruises has based a ship in New York. Given that the vessel, MSC Meraviglia, is the fifth-largest in the line's fleet of two dozen ships in terms of tonnage and the sixth-largest by passenger capacity, the ship's presence in the Big Apple is a big deal. As one colleague astutely pointed out, when it's docked there, it's the largest hotel in the city .

I recently sailed on MSC Meraviglia out of its Red Hook homeport in Brooklyn, and I have mixed feelings. Overall, the ship is lively and aesthetically beautiful. Its specialty restaurants and nightly shows are some of the most consistently superb on any vessel, and it offers one heck of a luxury product in its Yacht Club suite enclave .

However, passenger flow is an issue, with many public spaces so crowded they're uncomfortable, and service is painfully slow in some bars and restaurants. You'll likely end up paying a lot more than you originally planned because some of the most enticing things to do come with added fees. And, as my travel companion so succinctly put it, I've never been told "no" so many times on a cruise.

Here, I'll take you through some of the activities I tried, the places I ate and the experience I had so you can better determine if MSC Meraviglia is right for your next voyage.

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Overview of MSC Meraviglia

MSC Cruises' Meraviglia was the first in the line's Meraviglia Class of ships. When it debuted in 2017, it became the line's largest vessel, with space for up to 5,655 people at capacity (4,475 at double occupancy). It has since been overtaken, in terms of passenger capacity, by subsequent vessels in the Meraviglia Class, as well as those in the World Class.

The ship exudes the same glitz that's typical of other MSC vessels, despite its mass-market appeal and penchant for attracting budget travelers. Lavish artwork, chrome accents and bold jewel tones convey a sense of opulence throughout public spaces, and no ship in the fleet would be complete without an atrium staircase adorned with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

Like MSC's other modern ships, MSC Meraviglia has an extra-fee chocolate shop on board — this one through a partnership with chocolatier and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury — where you can purchase chocolate, macarons, candy and specialty coffees.

There's also a sizable water park on the top deck, a shopping mall-style promenade area and several decks of cabins that are part of the line's Yacht Club, which affords passengers exclusive access to a dedicated restaurant, lounge, bar and pool deck just for them, as well as butler service.

What I loved about MSC Meraviglia

Largely, my onboard experience was great. Crew members were friendly, my cabin was comfortable, and the daily activity options were plentiful, varied and fun. At night, most shows fell into the "excellent" category, and the food in every extra-fee restaurant and the Yacht Club was phenomenal.

Specialty dining

MSC's food consistently receives less-than-stellar reviews from passengers, particularly regarding the line's complimentary dining experiences. Much of the main dining room fare is indeed so-so — palatable but largely underseasoned and mass-produced, so that it often looks like it's been sitting under a heat lamp when it reaches you. Food in the buffet is varied and tasty, but it can also become repetitive after a week, and the space is frequently crowded and confusing to navigate.

So why am I including food under the "what I loved" category? I think that MSC's alternative, for-fee restaurants — including the ones on MSC Meraviglia — are some of the best. If you're willing to shell out the money, you can have a fantastic meal on this ship.

Of the ship's specialty restaurants, my favorites are Hola! Tacos & Cantina and Kaito Teppanyaki.

Even though Hola! levies extra charges, passengers have the option of paying a la carte for items individually priced as low as $2.95 or paying $17.99 for unlimited menu items. The salsa and guacamole are wonderful, the tortilla soup always hits the spot for me, and the tacos are small, so you'll be able to try several to find your favorite without feeling overstuffed.

If you know me, you know the fact that I'm recommending Kaito Teppanyaki is shocking. I'm notoriously not a fan of this type of cooking, particularly when it comes with a side of cringeworthy performances by the chefs. However, the food there on MSC Meraviglia was so great that I didn't mind the cook's jokes.

The MSC Yacht Club is a private section on select MSC ships that offers cabins across several categories, including suites. Passengers booked in those cabins have special keycard access to a dedicated guest services and concierge desk; an exclusive pool, sun deck, lounge and bar (with free drinks); and complimentary anytime dining at a special restaurant just for Yacht Club cruisers.

Cabins are outfitted with higher-quality materials and furnishings, and each comes with the services of a butler. Meri was mine, and she was the best. She was able to make dining and spa reservations for me, escort me to priority seating in the theater for nightly shows and have crackers and green apples delivered to my cabin when the second night's rough seas made me feel seasick.

I absolutely loved the special touches MSC provides to Yacht Club passengers, including a special afternoon tea service and a private, intimate final-night performance by Lorraine Crosby — the female vocalist from Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" — who sometimes makes guest appearances on board. (She also put on two larger shows for the entire ship earlier in the sailing.) Additionally, I had access to Yacht Club perks at private island Ocean Cay Marine Reserve , including dedicated trams, a shaded waiting area with cold water and access to a private beach and restaurant.

Although the Yacht Club comes at a premium — at the time of publication, rooms on MSC Meraviglia started at $1,199 per person for a Yacht Club inside cabin on a six-night Bermuda sailing — fares include drinks and tips, along with Venchi pillow chocolates, free room service and minibar selections, plus one round of in-cabin snacks and a choice of one bottle of vodka, gin or whiskey delivered to your room. (I normally drink rum, and they were able to substitute it for me, even though it's not one of the spirits normally offered.)

Above all, the most valuable component of the Yacht Club for me on this sailing was the ability to escape the general chaos that is the rest of the ship. Don't get me wrong: I immersed myself in the buzz outside of the Yacht Club as often as possible, but as an introvert who dislikes crowds and noise more and more the older she gets, I found it essential to have a separate area to which I could retreat.

Galleria Meraviglia

One of the most fun and flashy locations on MSC Meraviglia cruises is the Galleria Meraviglia, a central indoor walkway similar to the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean ships. It's a long space flanked by bars, restaurants and shops with a feel similar to a shopping mall. However, the highlight for me is the giant LED screen, which runs the length of the space and hosts what the line calls "dome shows."

During these shows, themed scenes — including deck plans for the muster drill, dinosaurs and volcanos during the "Jurassic" dome show and even famous ceilings — appear overhead. They're the metaphorical heartbeat of the ship, and you can't help but stop to watch.

The nearby chocolateria, Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Cafe, is an excellent place to grab a cuppa, and the adjacent Meraviglia Bar & Lounge is home to trivia, live music and more. Mix in a shore excursion desk; shops that sell high-end jewelry and purses; a counter serving for-fee gelato, crepes and smoothies; and Hola! Tacos & Cantina (one of the best Mexican restaurants at sea), and Galleria Meraviglia feels like the place to be.

There's little I enjoy more than a relaxing arcade day , and MSC delivers with its Sportplex gaming complex. It features a small traditional arcade with air hockey, alien shooter games and first-person driving games, as well as prize machines; several immersive virtual-reality pods (most of which were down for maintenance during my sailing); two Formula One racing simulators; a 4D cinema where several players attempt to take out zombies and killer clowns; and a sports court that hosts basketball, pickleball, dodgeball and other activities.

But my ultimate favorite was the bowling alley. My travel companion and I inexplicably wound up in Sportplex after dinner on formal night. We played for half an hour — enough time for two games if it's only two people and you move quickly — and were ultimately joined by the Yacht Club director, Craig (who won easily). It was a ton of fun, but I don't recommend bowling in a ballgown.

The drawback is that, like lots of other cool pastimes on MSC Meraviglia, it all costs extra (except for sports court use). The arcade charges per game with the tap of your keycard. The simulators can be purchased on a per-ride basis, and bowling is charged in chunks of either 30 or 60 minutes.

To save money, passengers can purchase packages where you get a certain dollar amount free. (For example, if you prepurchase $150 worth of gaming credits, your card will be loaded with $220.)

What I didn't love about MSC Meraviglia

As with all things, in travel we take the bad with the good. While most experiences on this sailing fell in the latter category, it wouldn't be a fair review without calling attention to the things that I think the line needs to address.

The departure port

When MSC first announced that MSC Meraviglia would be sailing from New York, the ship's homeport was Manhattan. I groaned when I heard its docking spot had changed to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood.

Brooklyn's terminal is difficult to reach, particularly if you don't have a car. Anyone venturing to the port from Manhattan will need to take the subway, followed by a ferry — not an easy feat if you're toting luggage. Park-and-ride-style buses also seemed to be an option, according to several passengers on my sailing who arrived from outside of the city. If you're like me and decide to drive to the port, know that parking is at a premium, and fees are steep. (At $45 per night, I paid $360 to park there for eight nights.)

Waits on embarkation day are another concern. When I arrived, lines snaked outside the terminal and down the sidewalk in front of the building. I had multiple passengers throughout my voyage tell me that they waited between two and three hours in line to board the vessel.

It's unclear whether the terminal is ill-equipped to deal with passenger flow for such a large ship or if MSC hasn't quite brought its embarkation processes up to speed, but if you don't have priority boarding privileges, either through a high loyalty status tier or a Yacht Club booking, expect the process to take a while.

On the plus side, you'll have great views of the Statue of Liberty as you sail away, assuming the weather isn't rainy or foggy.

At 19 decks, MSC Meraviglia is huge. On my voyage, the ship was only sailing at about half capacity (about 3,000 passengers out of a possible 5,655, or 53%). However, a perfect storm of events converged to create a situation that was less than pleasant for anyone not booked in a Yacht Club cabin.

A large group booking of about 1,000 people overtook many of the public areas on a daily basis, which drew complaints from cruisers who weren't in the group. For example, trivia was standing-room-only on several days, and the buffet was so continuously crowded that I ate there only twice on the entire voyage.

Additionally, it rained during our first two days on board — embarkation day and the following sea day — meaning that the ship's outdoor spaces weren't utilized. Because everyone was stuck inside, the ship felt even more crowded. (I shudder to imagine what it would have been like if the ship had been sailing completely full.)

Although the weather certainly isn't the cruise line's fault, it seems that the ship should be better equipped to deal with situations where passengers are stuck inside. I also thought that, perhaps, the large group booking was a one-off and that it wouldn't be the norm on other sailings. However, I spoke with one of the officers on board who told me that the cruise line is actively recruiting similar large group bookings.

One of the biggest contributing factors was the ship's layout and flow. Some areas lead to dead ends, while others force you to enter busy areas — like the massive Marketplace Buffet — to find stairs to go up or down a deck. In several bars and lounges in the main atrium, tables and chairs are scattered so close to the main staircase that it's difficult for two-way passenger traffic to move through the space.

The feeling of overcrowding was exacerbated by service inconveniences like long waits for drinks, meals and elevators.

Confusing policies and procedures

Some of the things MSC does truly confuse me, and they began almost immediately after boarding.

When cruises first returned following the 18-month COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, many lines decided to go digital with their muster drills. Passengers watched videos on their mobile apps or on their cabin TVs before reporting, at their leisure (to maintain social distancing), to their muster stations for verification. MSC has chosen to institute a bizarre version where all passengers watch a video and then report to their muster stations at the same time.

If everyone is going to the same place at the same time, why not do the muster drill in person? On the flip side, if you're going to make people watch a video instead of doing a live demonstration, why make everyone go to their stations simultaneously? The process creates a chaotic environment where, in my case, people were required to walk into the theater, do a lap around it (for reasons nobody ever actually explained) and immediately exit again.

Speaking of the theater, no drinks are allowed in there, which is odd, given that all other cruise lines allow passengers to order drinks during shows or at least carry them in with them to enjoy while they watch. We saw several surprised cruisers being told they had to dump their beverages or drink them before they'd be allowed inside.

The drink situation gets worse when you try to order cocktails in the ship's restaurants. When I did so in one of the main dining rooms, I was told that only wine was available. When I visited the alternative eateries, I was told I could only order from what was on the menu, some of which wasn't included with the beverage package. What's the point of selling pricey beverage packages (which can cost more than $70 per person, per day, for the most expensive) if there are so many exclusions?

Specialty coffee from the onboard chocolate shop also isn't included with the packages, nor are coffees on private island Ocean Cay, which leads me to my next head-scratcher. I had the single best coffee drink of my life when we called on Ocean Cay. The Coco-Nilla Latte is espresso, vanilla flavoring and coconut milk, and I loved it so much that I tried to have it replicated on board.

I went to three of the ship's regular bars, each of which is equipped to make espresso that's included in the line's beverage packages, as well as the specialty coffee bar at the for-fee chocolate shop. At each location, I was given some sort of excuse:

"We don't have vanilla syrup at this bar."

"We don't have coconut milk here."

"Oh, those are only made at Ocean Cay."

It's likely if this happened on a ship in any other fleet, the response would have been, "We don't have the ingredients, but let me see if we can find them."

The crew culture on MSC Meraviglia seems to be one that either doesn't encourage them or doesn't allow them to go the extra mile. My request wasn't a lavish one; vanilla syrup and coconut milk are standard accouterments at most cafes on land. The ship has a passenger-to-crew ratio of 3:1, which is better than that of other cruise lines with fares at a similar price point, so I don't feel like I'm asking too much from an affordable cruise line.

I must also mention some weird food-related practices I saw on board. Both times I ate at the Marketplace Buffet, I witnessed crew members stopping adults from taking food from a particular section of kid-friendly foods. "No, those are for children only," a crew member behind the counter told a parent who was trying to grab dessert for his son, who was outside by the pool.

"You mean I can't take this out to my kid?" the guy asked in shock. The crew member told him he would have to go to the pool, get his son, bring him inside and have him pick out the dessert, which he grudgingly did. But talk about a disruptive experience.

On the other occasion, I saw a couple of adults eyeing the chicken nuggets that were on offer. They were forbidden by a crew member from taking any. I have never seen something so absurd on a sailing in my life. Children aren't the only ones who enjoy chicken nuggets, nor are they the ones who pay the cruise fares. Adults, whether they have kids on board or not, should be allowed to eat whatever they wish from the buffet that they paid for — even if it comes from the children's menu.

Another head-scratcher is you might still have to pay a supplement to eat in certain restaurants, even if you booked a dining package that includes a set number of specialty restaurants for a set fee. It depends on what you order.

For example, I had a dining package, but when I dined at Kaito Teppanyaki, the waiter informed me that there would be an extra $10 surcharge to order the Geisha and Samurai options and a $30 upcharge for the Emperor option. Again, what's the point of selling dining packages if they don't cover what they're supposed to?

Additionally, on a ship of 3,000 people, MSC Meraviglia had only one of four main dining rooms open for lunch on a rainy sea day when everyone was stuck inside. It was open for one measly hour, from noon to 1 p.m. I saw the hours posted as I was passing by the line that was quickly forming, so I decided to eat there to evaluate the situation. Spoiler alert: It wasn't great.

Finally, MSC Meraviglia's sports equipment is kept under actual lock and key. You have to sign out everything from pickleball paddles to basketballs for use on the indoor sports court and volleyballs for the pits on Ocean Cay. However, when I tried to sign out a basketball during posted rental hours, the person working told me no and offered no explanation. When I checked with guest services, they told me that shouldn't have happened. But it did. Twice.

On a separate occasion, when my travel companion and I showed up for scheduled volleyball time, the attendant cut the game off at 45 minutes because he said he had to leave. When we asked if we could keep the ball to continue playing, he refused. There seems to be no flexibility, and staff members are not empowered to deviate from protocol on the fly, even when it makes sense.

Most cruise lines' ships have unmonitored equipment available for passengers to use when the courts are open. It's often stored in unlocked chests that passengers can access at any time. Sign-out, which seems like an unnecessary step, is not required with most other cruise lines, which brings me to this: To quote one of my TPG colleagues when she referenced an MSC sailing on a different ship, "I have never said, 'No other cruise line does it like this,' as much as I did on [my cruise]. And it wasn't a good thing."

MSC Meraviglia cabins and suites

MSC bookings can be confusing for first-timers because, in addition to selecting a cabin type (inside, outside, balcony or suite), passengers must also choose from one of three experience packages. Dubbed Bella, Fantastica and Aurea, they all come with different perks and inclusions, as noted below.

Bella: This is the most basic, bare-bones package. It includes accommodations, free meals in the main dining rooms and buffet, and free daily activities and nightly entertainment. Passengers with this package will be assigned to set-seating dining times after they board. They also will be charged for any room service orders, as well as changes to their cruise booking reservations.

Fantastica: This package includes everything listed under the Bella package, plus the ability to change sailing date reservations one time for free, complimentary delivery of room service breakfast and the ability to choose a preferred set-seating dining time for dinner prior to embarkation.

Aurea: Aurea comes with everything in the Bella and Fantastica packages, as well as free access to the ship's top-deck Solarium area, a welcome package that includes prosecco and chocolates, anytime dining (go whenever you want with no set seating time), a 10% discount on spa treatments, priority boarding and free 24-hour room service (not just at breakfast).

MSC Meraviglia houses 2,244 rooms in various types with several configurations, some of which sleep more than two passengers. Of those staterooms, 55 are accessible for cruisers with mobility issues. In those cabins, passengers will find additional space for maneuvering things like wheelchairs and scooters, as well as zero-entry door thresholds and shower grab bars. (Theaters and most public areas are also accessible, but unfortunately, I didn't see a single lift at any of the ship's four pools.)

Cabin types are the standard ones found on just about all cruise ships: inside or interior (no windows or balcony), outside or ocean-view (a window or porthole that doesn't open), balcony or verandah (a sliding glass door that opens onto a small balcony, usually with chairs and a small table) and suite (cabins with balconies and more square footage and/or special perks like those afforded in the Yacht Club).

On my Meraviglia sailing, I was booked in an MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite — a balcony cabin in the Yacht Club suite area — on Deck 18. At about 280 square feet, plus an additional 54 square feet of balcony space, the room felt generously sized for two people. (Note: Yacht Club has all types of cabins, from insides all the way up through massive Royal Suites and two-deck duplexes.)

The room was furnished with a king-size bed that converts into two twins on request, a couch and a desk/vanity area. It featured a closet and cabinet space for storage and an en suite bathroom.

Standard amenities included a hair dryer and a TV (with a random smattering of TV channels, for-fee movies and ship-created programs like jewelry and port seminars and navigational information). My cabin had several electrical outlets, including three 110-volt North American outlets, three 220-volt European outlets and one USB port at the desk/vanity area. One USB port is not enough, and there were no outlets near the bed, which was frustrating.

Special for Yacht Club guests, the suite was equipped with a Nespresso machine, free minibar drinks restocked daily (including bottled water, San Pellegrino, juices, flavored iced teas, soda and beer), one complimentary round of snacks (Toblerone chocolate, Pringles and mixed nuts) and a choice of one complimentary bottle of spirits (whiskey, gin or vodka).

My cabin came with a pillow menu, which I only discovered after two nights of neck pain, thanks to mismatched pillows. The bed was topped with a memory foam mattress, which was like sleeping on a cloud.

Closets in my cabin were just the right size for two people. There were two, one with a bar to hang clothes and another with cubbies for shoes, intimates and the cabin safe. I did find the closets' location in a small enclave that led to the bathroom a bit awkward.

Underbed storage was perfect for hiding empty suitcases. Bathrobes and slippers were provided, and I made good use of both when I went for a massage at the spa.

Cabin bathrooms in the Yacht Club are stocked with MSC's own brand of toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, bar soap, a shower cap and sewing kit. Fluffy white towels and elevated fixtures like marble countertops and floors and showers with both standard and rainfall showerheads add to the air of elegance.

However, some of that was offset by the fact that the shower in my bathroom had no lip, so water leaked all over the first time I used it. Each time after, I put towels outside the door to sop up the mess. The toilet also often smelled like sewage, even when not in use.

The storage space for toiletries could also have been more generous. There were only two small metal shelves, which weren't enough for two people's things. The rest had to be stored inside cabinets where the garbage can was located.

Gratuities, room service and premium alcohol and Wi-Fi packages are included in all Yacht Club fares. You do not need to purchase add-ons or pay added fees like you would in cabins outside the Yacht Club.

A Yacht Club booking also entitles you to priority embarkation, disembarkation and tender access; 24-hour butler and concierge services; complimentary spa thermal suite access; luggage unpacking and repacking services; daily newspaper delivery and one free pre-cruise booking change.

I made good use of the free Wi-Fi inclusion (for two devices per person). The free room service was handy when I just had to order late-night pizza. Plus, the priority boarding perk meant we went from shore to ship in less than 10 minutes while other passengers waited two to three hours in rainy conditions to embark.

My butler, Meri, went above and beyond to help me make spa and specialty restaurant reservations, and she met us each evening to escort us to dinner and to the theater, where reserved Yacht Club seating was waiting. She did her job superbly, but I generally like to do things for myself. Having someone else handling the minutia felt frivolous and unnecessary; it took a few days for me to acclimate.

Concierge service was generally good. However, on the first day, when I had questions about dining, the person who assisted me waived me off in the face of a long line at the desk and told me to ask my butler. My interactions there improved markedly after the stress of the first day calmed down, and all of my subsequent questions were answered promptly and cheerfully.

The exclusive Top Sail Lounge was a great place to relax with a drink and view, read or get some work done. The Yacht Club sun deck was a lovely space, but it was often too hot for me, so I didn't spend much time up there. The area was home to a pool, a hot tub, tons of seating, solarium access and a daily outdoor buffet at the Yacht Club Grill. Although the food looked tasty, it was, unfortunately, often surrounded by flies.

The indoor Yacht Club Restaurant, however, was a dream. Everything I ordered was fantastic — flavorful, well prepared and cooked to order instead of looking like it had been sitting out for a while. I particularly enjoyed the breakfasts there and highly suggest the omelets and pancakes.

Overall, I found my Yacht Club experience to be a great way to escape when other areas of the ship felt overwhelming, which they often did.

MSC Meraviglia restaurants and bars

Included in the price of each sailing is free dining at the massive Marketplace Buffet, in one of four main dining rooms or in the Yacht Club Restaurant (depending on your booking). The four main dining rooms often felt crowded, and service was inconsistent. The buffet was even worse.

The quality of the complimentary food was unremarkable — not great but not terrible, either. Waiters in the dining rooms often seemed rushed and unwilling to fill drink orders. (I found out later it's because the galleys don't have bars, so waiters have to run all over the ship to fill drink orders, which often take an inordinate amount of time to arrive.)

Due to its size, MSC Meraviglia can offer lots of different cuisines. While the Marketplace Buffet has an "ethnic" section typically serving Asian and Indian fare, the largest variety and the highest quality come from the specialty restaurants. They include seafood, steak, Mexican, sushi and teppanyaki, and all cost extra.

MSC offers dining packages, which allow passengers to pre-purchase a set number of meals in alternative restaurants. When those meals are cashed in, cruisers can choose from a preselected list of menu items designated for package holders. Generally, if you're planning to eat at more than two or three specialty restaurants, booking a package will save you money.

There's at least one bar in every public space, so you won't have to go far to whet your whistle.

Restaurants

Free restaurants

Waves, Panorama, L'Olive Dorée and L'Olivo D'Oro are MSC Meraviglia's four main dining rooms, where passengers can eat dinner for free. (Specific restaurants will also be open on certain days for breakfast and lunch, depending on the day's schedule.) Menus, which change daily, are the same across all four.

Waves, on Deck 5, is the smallest. The largest — L'Olive Dorée and L'Olivo D'Oro, which are mirrors of one another — are found on Deck 6, across from one another and flanking the hallway that eventually leads to Panorama. All four dining rooms offer set seating, except Panorama, which also accommodates passengers with Aurea bookings who have anytime dining.

As mentioned above, I was booked in the Yacht Club and dined in either the Yacht Club Restaurant or one of the specialty restaurants for dinner each night.

However, I did try lunch in Waves twice, as it was the only main dining room open to the ship's 3,000 passengers for lunch. The first time, we were seated at a table for two that might as well have been a table for six; it was so close to the tables for two on either side of it that there were only about 2 or 3 inches separating them.

After we sat, it took 15 minutes for someone to bring us water. We never received bread. It was another 10 minutes until our waiter took our food order, and not once did anyone ask us if we'd like something other than water to drink. When my travel companion finally requested a beer, the waiter's response was, "Be patient, sir." My jaw dropped.

The pacing between courses was silly. Our appetizers arrived shortly after we ordered, which was great, but mine — spinach and artichoke dip — arrived looking dried out and crusty with five broken chips on the side. (The waiter obliged when I requested a few more.) After the starters were cleared, it was another 10 minutes until our mains were delivered. I thoroughly enjoyed my cobb salad, but my beef burrito was build-your-own style, and it was largely flavorless.

My companion never did see the beer he ordered. Eventually, we gave up and left, as did the man at the table next to us, who said he had been waiting half an hour for a dessert that didn't materialize.

The second experience was significantly better, with our waiter seating us at a table for two near a window and asking if we wanted drinks (which arrived quickly). The food was still just OK, and both experiences were crowded and exceptionally loud.

MSC Meraviglia's buffet, Marketplace, spans the entire aft of Deck 15. It has a decent variety of stations, but the food is often the same from day to day. The layout is confusing to navigate, too, with lots of nooks and crannies that can make it difficult to find what you're looking for. It was crowded beyond reason during mealtimes, so I avoided it whenever possible, only eating there twice during the voyage for research purposes.

Stations include bread; salad; soup and pasta; a rotisserie section with a carving station and sides like mashed potatoes, rice and baked beans; cold cuts and cheeses; an "ethnic" counter, which tended to serve Asian and Indian cuisine; and outposts for desserts and both hot and cold drinks.

The pizza was both a highlight and a pleasant surprise. It comes out hot and fresh, and it's available by the slice in several types from two separate counters in the buffet.

There are some other small complimentary food locations throughout the ship, too, including a poolside grill with burgers, fries and hot dogs and an ice cream counter with free soft-serve in cones or cups and optional toppings.

Restaurants that cost extra

Hola! Tacos & Cantina is the Mexican restaurant on MSC's newest vessels. It offers tapas-style small plates; I highly encourage you to order a few, as there's a lot on the menu that's delicious. My favorites are the guacamole, tortilla soup and cheese quesadillas. For tacos, I highly recommend the Chipotle Carnitas (pulled pork with chipotle, black bean salsa and cilantro), Barbacoa (ancho-chili beef, chipotle and red cabbage) and Ancho Tingo (shredded chicken, poblano peppers and pico de gallo).

You can pay a la carte if you're in the mood for something light or go with the all-you-can-eat option if you've worked up a serious appetite.

Margaritas are also a must if you're craving an adult beverage. Basic margs are included in the line's alcohol packages, but specialty ones — featuring frozen flavors like mango and strawberry and on-the-rocks selections with smoky salt or sweet berry sugar rims — cost extra, ranging from $11.99 for a single drink to $30 for a 1-liter pitcher. There's also a selection of Spanish beer, fresh fruit juices, spiked milkshakes and other fun concoctions. The service was so great there that I returned on a different night just to order drinks.

If you've done one teppanyaki restaurant, you've done them all. Or at least that's what I thought when I grudgingly made a reservation at Kaito Teppanyaki, another of MSC's extra-charge dining choices.

Yes, the cheesy jokes, singalongs, "catch this food in your mouth when I throw it" challenges and other performative cooking are standard, but the actual dishes are so much tastier than any of a similar variety I've had on land. Top-notch quality and expert seasoning make the dishes stand out. (For context, I usually skip meat when I order teppanyaki, but the sirloin steak looked so good that I ordered it. I'm glad I did.)

Every person who orders receives miso soup and a small salad as starters, along with sushi and sashimi with tempura vegetables. Then they choose from one of several prix fixe menu options: Geisha (sea bass fillet and chicken breast), Samurai (Scottish salmon, tiger prawns and sirloin), Emperor (yellowfin tuna tataki, scallops and half of a Maine lobster), vegetarian (egg wash roll and sesame tofu steak) and a kids menu (spring chicken teriyaki with vegetables).

I ordered the Samurai, and the salmon and sirloin were absolutely delicious. All options include egg fried rice and a dessert of caramelized pineapple, ginger ice cream and mint. The latter was underwhelming. Drinks are limited to what's on the Kaito-specific menu (Japanese beer, whisky and sake, plus a small selection of wine by the glass and Champagne by the bottle).

Kaito also has a separate sushi bar with an a la carte selection of sushi, sashimi, nigiri, tataki, yakitori and other items, including combo platters and desserts.

Butcher's Cut, MSC Meraviglia's a la carte steakhouse, is heaven for meat lovers, but vegetarians beware: As expected, there's not a lot on the menu for you to eat, with the exception of some of the starters.

When you arrive, your waiter will bring a breadbasket for the table. Ours included baguettes, raisin walnut bread and bacon cheese rolls, but what stood out to me were the smoked maple and paprika butters served alongside them. They were so good.

Appetizers include burrata and beet salad, Caesar and house salads, hearts of palm, a goat cheese tart, shrimp, crabcakes and oysters Rockefeller. Or, if you're feeling extra-spendy, try one of the featured starters, such as caviar, a shellfish platter, bone marrow, Kobe sliders and foie deviled eggs. For soups, choose between smoked tomato and lobster chowder.

Non-steak mains consist of roasted chicken, scallops Benedict, halibut and sockeye salmon. However, if steak is what you're after, you can choose from a 36-ounce dry-aged tomahawk for two, 24-ounce dry-aged T-bone, 12-ounce flat iron, 8-ounce filet mignon, 20-ounce rib-eye, 14-ounce New York sirloin, 16-ounce American bison and 13-ounce double lamb chops.

I ate there on one night of my sailing and decided to go big by adding jumbo lump crab to my filet mignon. However, I misread the menu and didn't realize it was actually jumbo lump crab Oscar, which meant it arrived mixed with hollandaise sauce. It looked like scrambled eggs, and I'm not a hollandaise fan, so I didn't eat it.

The steak, however, was phenomenal, particularly with the accompanying sauces (mushroom, peppercorn, chimichurri and bearnaise). Each steak comes with one side; additional sides cost extra. Choose from Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, French fries, asparagus, onion rings, macaroni and cheese, and more.

Among the dessert options, the best are the chocolate lava cake, the New York cheesecake and the peanut butter and milk chocolate cookie.

I'm not a huge seafood fan, so I avoided Ocean Cay, but I heard rave reviews from other passengers. This intimate restaurant, found on Seaside-class ships and MSC Meraviglia, offers a menu of fresh fish and seafood dishes, as well as a selection of wines for appropriate pairing.

For a between-meal treat or a caffeinated pick-me-up, snacks and coffee tied to chocolatier and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury are solid options. The cookies-and-cream gelato at the Jean-Philippe Crepes & Ice Cream counter is to die for, as is the Green Goddess smoothie, made with coconut juice, spinach, fresh mint, banana, passion fruit and lemon sorbet. They didn't have the lemon sorbet when I ordered, but I asked to substitute mango instead. It was exceptionally good.

At the cafe just across the way, you can buy chocolate replicas of the ship, chocolate bars with fun toppings like nuts and berries, macarons and candy by the pound, as well as gift boxes of sweets. It also sells coffee drinks that include espresso, cappuccino, Americano, lattes and spiked coffees.

If you're a coffee lover who's heading ashore at MSC's private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve , you won't want to miss the extra-fee Coco-Nilla Latte, found at The Smiling Fish. A combination of espresso, vanilla syrup and coconut milk, either hot or iced, it's far and away my favorite coffee drink anywhere, ever.

A more affordable option than most alternative restaurants is room service. My pick is the pizza, which will be delivered to your room hot and fresh, with a variety of options available, including Margherita, vegetable, pepperoni, four cheese, marinara, MSC style (tomato sauce, ham, arugula, mozzarella, Grana Padano cheese and olive oil) and supreme. It's free if you're staying in the Yacht Club. A la carte pricing and delivery fees will apply to other cabin types, depending on the experience package you book.

As with most cruise ships, you don't have to go far to find a stiff drink on MSC Meraviglia.

My go-to was the Brass Anchor Pub, reminiscent of an English local where you can snag a bottle or a pint and some extra-fee pub grub. TVs throughout the space broadcast a variety of sporting events (subject to satellite availability), and trivia and live music take place there throughout the sailing.

I also spent some time at the Casino Imperiale bar, which was open on my sailing longer than any of the other onboard watering holes. It serves a selection of beer and cocktails.

The centrally located Meraviglia Bar & Lounge, found along Galleria Meraviglia (the ship's promenade) next to Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Cafe, is also home to trivia competitions, live music and dancing throughout the day. It's the bar often frequented by passengers before and after shows in the nearby Broadway Theatre.

Sky Lounge is the place to be for sweeping views through floor-to-ceiling windows. It provides a comfy and often quiet space to read, work or gather with friends.

If you're seeking the oft-missed cigar lounge, look for the entrance on the starboard (right, when facing forward) side of the Sky Lounge entrance, or enter the lounge and follow it around to the starboard side.

Edge Cocktail Bar is another centrally located place to grab beer, wine and specialty cocktails — including the delicious Purple Rain, a combo of vodka, white rum, blue curacao, gin, peach schnapps, sweet and sour, and grenadine that turns a shade of purple when you mix it. One deck above it is the Champagne Bar, which sometimes also serves seafood. One deck below is the Infinity Bar, so named because it's found at the base of the Infinity Atrium.

The ship's TV Studio & Bar is where you can find the cruise director filming the ship's daily morning show the night before. It's also the site of trivia competitions, several of which were standing-room-only.

There's a Sports Bar in the ship's Sportplex, but I never saw it open, even when the area was crowded. Three bars (Atmosphere Bar North, Atmosphere Bar South and Bamboo Bar) by the main Atmosphere Pool serve up classic umbrella drinks, as well as beer and other libations. You'll also find bars in the Marketplace Buffet, on the Yacht Club sun deck and in the Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge.

MSC Meraviglia activities

MSC Meraviglia hosts a variety of activities to keep you busy when you're not ashore. You might start your day with a free guided morning stretch or aerobics, or pop into the gym for a self-led session or a for-fee class like yoga or spin.

The daytime schedule features plenty of options for those with a competitive spirit. They range from golf putting, foosball, Ping-Pong soccer and pickleball tournaments to giant darts and trivia (visual trivia like airline logos and "name that place," as well as "name that tune" and general knowledge trivia).

If you'd rather get your groove on, keep an eye out for dance lessons and themed parties hosted by the entertainment team. My favorite was the Snow Party, when the crew blasted fake snow (which appeared to be suds of some sort) as we danced on the blazing hot pool deck.

Napkin folding, bingo, movie screenings, arts and crafts, and passenger talent shows (yes, you have to audition) round out the list of pastimes.

As you pass back and forth between events, don't miss the regularly scheduled dome shows along the Galleria Meraviglia promenade. You'll see the LED projections on the ceiling, covering topics like famous ceilings, dinosaurs, space and the changing of the seasons.

Beware of seminars on jewelry, health and wellness, and other topics that are thinly veiled sales pitches.

Feeling like a day of swimming or sunbathing? Pull up a lounge chair by the main Atmosphere Pool. If you're looking for a more sauna-like experience, head to the Solarium's covered Bamboo Pool; check out the aft Horizon Pool for better views and more peace and quiet. There's also a small pool on the private Yacht Club sun deck.

Looking to relax in a hot tub instead? You can find two of them one deck up from the Atmosphere Pool, as well as two at the Bamboo Pool and one on Deck 18's aft sun deck (behind Sportplex). There's also one at the Yacht Club Pool.

The Polar Aquapark on Deck 19 aft offers plenty of wet fun for kids and adults. Attractions include three slides — a bowl slide, where riders awkwardly end in the bowl and then exit via a flight of steps, and two twisty slides that require rafts — and a splash area with sprayers and dump buckets. There's no fee to use the space, but you'll need to sign a waiver and obtain a wristband before riding the waterslides.

Speaking of children, the ship has a dedicated kids club, called Doremiland (named after the cruise line's mascot, Doremi, as in the first three notes of a musical scale). The club is divided into Baby Club (infants and toddlers up to 3 years), Mini Club (ages 3 to 6 years), Junior Club (7 to 11 years), Young Club (12 to 14 years) and Teen Club (15 to 17 years).

Each group has age-appropriate activities scheduled, and all — except the tweens and teens, who can come and go as they please — are heavily supervised by qualified staff. Sample activities might include storytime, arts and crafts, and Lego playtime for younger children, while tweens and teens enjoy less structured pastimes like video games and dance parties.

MSC Meraviglia shows

As with most MSC ships, MSC Meraviglia's entertainment is stellar. From free live music, theater shows and promenade dance parties to extra-fee Cirque du Soleil-style performances, the options are varied and feature talented singers, dancers, magicians, acrobats and more.

Each production show is offered once per sailing, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in the Broadway Theatre. Some are staples, while others rotate.

"Born to Rock," "One Day More," "Cool" and "Journey" are the ship's recurring shows, which each appear once per weeklong cruise. They focus on popular songs in the rock 'n' roll and pop genres, Broadway hits, music from the '70s and '80s, and cultural favorites from Spain, Italy, France and more.

As part of a rotating selection of limited-time performers, English duo The Conjurors performed two shows during my sailing, featuring numbers games, mindreading and pre-show predictions that impressively came true by the end. The duo is scheduled for more than a dozen sailings. Other limited-engagement performers include comedians and pianists.

Speaking of limited-time performances, on the second-to-last night of the voyage, I sat in the theater unsure of what to expect from the headliner, Lorraine Crosby. "You might be thinking, 'She sounds like the lady who sings that Meat Loaf song.' Well, that's because I am the lady who sings that Meat Loaf song," Crosby joked. Her biggest claim to fame is that she rocked the female vocals in Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything for Love, But I Won't Do That."

What followed was a vocal performance that gave me chills. Crosby's range and ability to adapt to different genres are astounding. She belted out favorites by Queen, Tina Turner and Celine Dion and arguably did a better job of it than they did.

On the final night on board, she held an intimate performance for Yacht Club passengers in the suite area's private lounge. Again, I shivered as she took on the likes of Adele, AC/DC and others.

Another free entertainment option worth mentioning is daytime street theater that includes contortionists, roving musicians, magic workshops and flash mob-style performances by the onboard singers and dancers. If you happen to be passing through the promenade area when a flash mob happens, you're likely to see a punk rock-themed song-and-dance routine or, perhaps, one where the cast is dressed up like flowers, insects and birds.

Shows for a fee

Carousel Productions, MSC's own brand of Cirque du Soleil-style shows, are offered six days a week on MSC Meraviglia, with each of two shows — "House of Houdini" and "Rock Circus" — running three nights, on alternating days, with two performances each night (8 p.m. and 10 p.m.). Originally designed to house dinner theater, the Carousel Lounge is set up as a theater in the round and no longer serves food. (That ended when the cruise line shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the line has no current plans to bring it back.)

The for-fee performances levy a nominal charge for attendance and include a welcome drink for each showgoer.

"Rock Circus" is a mix of acrobatics, aerial performances, and song and dance to some of rock's greatest hits, including songs by Guns N' Roses and AC/DC.

"House of Houdini," which follows a clearer storyline than "Rock Circus," loosely tells the tale of Houdini's great underwater escape from a straitjacket and chains. A group of singers, dancers, acrobats and aerialists dressed as circus performers show Houdini the ropes as he prepares for his greatest feat.

MSC Meraviglia itineraries and pricing

Through at least September 2024, MSC Meraviglia is sailing seven- and eight-night voyages to Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas from Brooklyn.

It also features six-night Bermuda cruises that spend three days docked at King's Wharf, as well as 10- and 11-night Canada and New England sailings that feature calls on Boston; Portland, Maine; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick. The 11-night itinerary also visits Newport, Rhode Island.

A couple of 11-night Western Caribbean voyages visit Port Canaveral (the port for Orlando) and Miami in Florida, Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico and Ocean Cay.

MSC Meraviglia offers some of the lowest prices in the industry. At the time of publication, inside cabin prices were starting from $299 per person ($43 per person per night) for a seven-night Bahamas cruise, $379 per person ($63 per person per night) for a six-night Bermuda sailing, $449 per person ($41 per person per night) for an 11-night Western Caribbean voyage and $619 per person ($56 per person per night) for an 11-night trip to Canada and New England.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

As with a sailing on any ship, there's certain paperwork you'll need to cruise on MSC Meraviglia. If you're a U.S. citizen sailing from and returning to a U.S. port, you can sail with either an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license (both are required) or a passport. I recommend the latter, and it must be valid for at least six months.

MSC Cruises adds an automatic service charge of $14.50 per person, per day, to final bills on all sailings. For children 2 and older, the daily charge is half, or $7.25.

Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars for cruisers who do not have a drinks package. If you have a drinks package, you'll pay a 15% service charge when you purchase the package, but not on individual drinks. A 15% service charge is also added to items in minibars, salons and spas.

MSC Cruises' Wi-Fi, available through the MSC for Me app, is fast enough to be competitive with all of the other major cruise lines. But pricing varies, based on the number of devices you use and whether you're OK with simply browsing the web and checking e-mail or would prefer to use Netflix or other streaming services.

Expect to pay about $72 for one device with unlimited data on a basic package. A two-device plan for the same runs about $109. There's also a four-device plan for about $223. If streaming video is what you're hoping to do, you'll need one of the more expensive plans, which range from about $100 to more than $300.

Be warned that plans are tied to specific devices, and you cannot switch between them. For example, if you buy a one-device package, you cannot use it for your cellphone, log out and then log back in with your tablet. In that case, you would need to purchase a two-device package.

MSC's MSC for Me app allows passengers on the same ship to chat with one another for free without purchasing a Wi-Fi package. The app also lets you make dining reservations, check the daily schedule and view your onboard bill.

Carry-on drinks policy

MSC does not allow passengers to bring any of their own alcohol on board.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is permitted in a few designated areas, including the port side of the main pool deck. It's also allowed on one side of the casino. Nonsmokers, beware: The separate sides do nothing to keep the smell from wafting. It was enough to keep me away from the area for the duration of my sailing. Smoking isn't allowed in cabins or on cabin balconies; violators will receive a $250 fine.

MSC Cruises does not offer self-service laundry facilities on any of its ships. However, passengers can send their clothing out to be washed, folded, pressed or dry-cleaned for a fee.

Electrical outlets

MSC Meraviglia's cabins all have a mix of 110-volt North American outlets, 220-volt European outlets and USB ports. In my Yacht Club balcony stateroom, I had three North American outlets, three European outlets and one USB port, all at the desk/vanity area — none near the bed.

The onboard currency for MSC Meraviglia when it sails from New York is the U.S. dollar.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on MSC Meraviglia's sailings from the U.S.

Passengers on MSC Meraviglia's warm-weather itineraries from Brooklyn can be found in T-shirts, shorts, bathing suits and cover-ups during the day, when there's no set dress code.

The line's American clientele tends to dress more casually at night, as well, but the line suggests "smart casual" attire for dinner. That might include khakis with button-down or polo-style collared shirts for men and sundresses or nice pants with a flowy top for women. Dark, unripped jeans are also acceptable for both men and women.

On "gala" evenings (usually one per weeklong sailing), the dress code is more refined. Passengers might choose to wear tuxedos, suits, khakis with button-downs and blazers, cocktail dresses or sparkly ball gowns.

On my sailing, the ship also had "tropical" and "white" listed on the daily schedule as suggested attire. Pack accordingly.

Bottom line

MSC Meraviglia is a beautiful ship with great food, shows and public spaces, but it has a few pain points.

In addition to feeling crowded, the vessel charges extra for many things that will make your overall cruise better. If you're on a strict budget, either resign yourself to doing only the free activities and eating in the main dining room and buffet, or plan to sail with a different cruise line.

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