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Grand
Villa Garden Atrium |
Carnival
Liberty
November
10, 2005
Inaugural Caribbean Cruise - Part Two
Public
Areas
Carnival Liberty is
big and beautiful, with elegant and eclectic interiors designed by
Joe Farcus, Carnival's extraordinary ship architect. Crafts are an
integral part of the decor and as Farcus explains, "I thought
it would be interesting to explore a particular craft in each room
and tie it in to the overall design of the ship."
At the heart of Carnival Liberty is Grand Villa
Garden Atrium where a number of crafts harmoniously blend to
create an almost serene park-like setting. Beneath a 20-foot
diameter black iron chandelier, passengers can enjoy cocktails at
the Flowers lobby bar, take care of business at the
Reception Desk, or discuss tour options with the Shore Excursion
staff. The floral motif, ironwork grilles, and mini-chandeliers
repeat the theme throughout the indoor promenade, which flows into
other public spaces.
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Harlequin
Figures & Venice-style Striped Mooring Posts Flank the
Venetian Palace Stage |
Venetian Palace, the main show lounge,
anchors three decks forward. Design elements capture the artistic
variety of the romantic Italian city of canals and gondolas—Murano
glass tiles cover the walls, carnival masks highlight the ceiling
and tables, and harlequin figures appear to hold back the sparkly
curtain on both sides of the stage. Tiered seating provides good
seats on all three levels and views of the stage are obstructed by
few columns.
The main promenade on Deck 5 connects the entries
to a variety of lounges and public rooms, each with a distinctive
style reflected in the decor:
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Gloves Sports Bar, celebrates
leatherworking—think of boxing gloves and cushy leather
sofas in the form of catcher's mitts, with display cases
containing the actual gloves of sports heroes
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Czar's Palace Casino, trompe l'oile
paintings expand the interior to mimic the great halls and
gardens of famed Russian palaces
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Sushi Bar, displays traditional
Japanese flower arrangements
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Jardin Cafe, the promenade patisserie
spells out its purpose in thousands and thousands of tiny
glass beads overhead and beneath the serving counter
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Hot & Cool Dance Club, a rollicking
disco set amid giant arms and legs decorated with wild tattoo
patterns comes alive after dark when black illuminate the room
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Paparazzi Wine Bar, honors the modern
art of photography with a giant Speed-Graphic camera hovering
over the bar (complete with intermittent flash), a bar front
composed of a series of Leica M-3 camera bodies (watch your
stockings, ladies)
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Piano Man Bar, features ivory
work and evening sing-alongs when the piano man tickles the
ivories
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Stage Jazz Club, pays homage to
woodworking (even the curtains simulate carved wood)
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Victoria Show Lounge, is a
sophisticated cabaret lounge highlighted by English-style
majolica pottery
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Without Batteries, the expansive Teen
Dance Club and gaming center that recalls the days when toys
were powered by kids, displays giant antique toys that (what
else?) didn't need Duracell to make them fun
Deck 4 is where you'll find:
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Antiquarian Library with a modest
selection of books and board games
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Cyberspace to surf the Internet if you
didn't bring your own laptop to capture the ship-wide WiFi
signal
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The Cabinet, an inviting hideaway
decorated with cabinetry work in the Biedermeier style
(popular in mid-1800s Austria and Germany) has vast, yet cozy
seating spaces for after-dinner cigars and brandy accompanied
by the hot sounds a cool jazz trio.
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Liberty's
Lido with Big Screen Entertainment
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With so many stimulating areas to explore, don't
overlook my favorites among the multi-million dollar art
collection: the tropical themed murals by Virginia Ferrara that
grace the stair landings. Inspired by the artist's adopted home
state of Florida, they measure up to six feet high and fifteen
feet wide and are calming scenes filled with palm trees, beaches,
hammocks, and swimming pools.
And... I've saved the best for last. Hovering over
the mid-lido Tivoli Pool area is the Seaside Theater, a
huge light-emitting diode (LED) screen, the first featured on a
Carnival ship. While returning to my cabin that first night on
board, I passed through the lido and hundreds of passengers were
gathered on deck to watch a Tina Turner concert. No matter what
time of day or night, the screen never failed to capture my
attention. Programming includes not only music videos, but also
news broadcasts, movies, cartoons, and games—like movie trivia
led by the entertainment staff. If your dream is to be a singing
"Idol," you can even take part in karaoke, which is
projected on the big screen.
Will other Carnival ships get Seaside Theaters?
Well, the screens are gigantic and heavy, requiring beefed up deck
structures for support. Carnival Freedom, the next ship to launch,
has the hefty support in place, so it will also include a
screen. What about retrofitting other ships in the fleet? It's a
possibility.
For Active Lifestyles
Staffed by Steiner Leisure, the Spa on Deck
11 boasts a full menu of salon treatments and spa indulgences. For
those who can't miss a daily workout, the Gym sports
state-of-the art equipment and a wide range of exercise classes.
For sheer serenity, the spa's therapy-style Jacuzzi is a haven in
a tropical setting complete with waterfalls and tropical plants.
The entire gym has incredible sea views, but if your workout
includes nothing more strenuous than time in the sauna or steam
room, you won't be shortchanged—they each have glass walls and
endless vistas.
Joggers and walkers can complete laps on the
uninterrupted jogging track's cushioned surface aft on Deck 11
(nine times around equals a mile). If sunning is your thing, the Tivoli
Pool has ample deck chairs on terraced landings and there are
more surrounding the quieter Versailles Pool aft, as well
as one deck up overlooking the action. Nearby bars serve soft
drinks, beer, and cocktails in both pool locations. Grills for
burgers and ice cream serving stations are adjacent as well so you
won't lose sun tanning time if you get a case of the munchies.
For a quick thrill, try the 214 foot long
waterslide!
Camp
Carnival
With record numbers of families setting sail on cruise
vacations—Carnival expects at least 500,000 children to sail
with them in 2005—Carnival Liberty's Camp Carnival counselors
are prepared. The 4,200-square foot play area is dedicated to
delighting youngsters with structured activities tailored for
specific age groups. Toys, games, computers, a children's pool...
and, most importantly, the trained counselors—Camp Carnival
provides an entertaining, educational, and safe environment for
kid-fun.
Teenagers 15 to 18 years old can opt to
participate in a wide range of sports, dance parties, and
entertainment options offered in the Club O2 program or simply
hang out with new-found pals in Without Batteries, the
adult-free 1,800-square foot teen game room/dance club.
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Tiny
beads by the thousands spell CAFE
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The Carnival Liberty
Experience...
Should satisfy the tastes of even the pickiest
passenger—there's a little something to appeal to everyone. When
you're not ashore exploring the ports of call, if nothing appeals
to you, there's always your private balcony, a quiet corner to
read, or a deck chair from which to contemplate the sea.
What
You WILL Find:
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Activities to
suit a wide range of interests for all ages
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Tasty meals,
creatively presented
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Service by a
friendly staff
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Numerous triple
and quad staterooms suitable for families
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Attention to
accessibility for the physically challenged
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Well stocked
duty free shops
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A meeting room
for corporate functions, weddings, and religious celebrations
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A computer
center and ship-wide WiFi connectivity for laptop users
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Huge,
well-equipped areas for children and teenagers
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Some of the most
professional entertainment afloat, presented by the Carnival
Liberty production team and guest performers
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Self-service
passenger laundry rooms with ironing facilities
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Stroller rentals
and group babysitting services
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Fountain Fun
Cards for children and adults, which provide unlimited soft
drinks throughout the cruise for a one-time, flat fee
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Gratuities are
automatically added to all accounts, but can be adjusted as
deemed appropriate
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Fun, fun, fun!
What
You WON'T Find:
Fast
Stats
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110,000 tons
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952 feet long
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116 feet wide
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Speed 22.5 knots
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2,974 guests,
double occupancy
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3,700 total
guest capacity (including uppers)
The
Spirit of FUN Permeates Carnival Liberty
Carnival Liberty sails alternating 6- and 8-night
Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale during winter months and
will return to Europe for Mediterranean cruises in summer.
Back to --> Carnival
Liberty (Part 1)
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