Carnival Liberty

Carnival Liberty is the fourth of the Conquest class, delivered by Fincantieri at Monfalcone in July 2005 at 110,000 gross tons, carrying 2,970 guests at lower berths and 3,570 when full. Joe Farcus dressed her interiors around the trades and crafts, a conceit still visible in names such as the Cabinet Bar and in the stained glass of the Venetian Palace. The decision that defines her came six years later. Under Fun Ship 2.0 in 2011, Carnival chose Liberty to trial Guy's Burger Joint, a made to order burger counter in the open air beside the main pool, included in the fare rather than sold as an extra. It worked, and went fleetwide. Her deployment has followed the brand: Mediterranean, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral. Since May 2024 she has been based at New Orleans on seven night Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, which remains her homeport.
What she does well is feed a full ship without fuss. The Lido cluster of Guy's, BlueIguana Cantina and Pizza Pirate absorbs most casual demand, Emile's buffet takes the rest, and the Golden Olympian and Silver Olympian dining rooms split fixed and flexible seatings. Diamonds Steakhouse aft on Panorama is the one booking worth making, and Alchemy Bar, the Piano Man Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar give the evening shape. A 2025 drydock added the Heroes Tribute Bar and Lounge, rebuilt WaterWorks around the AquaTunnel and Twister slides, laid a mini golf course and reworked the spa. Serenity, on the upper aft decks, remains a real refuge.
Criticism is easy to find and mostly fair. Cruise Critic's editors rate her 4.5 out of 5, but member reviews beneath that figure are more mixed, with recurring complaints about inconsistent food, worn fittings, casino smoke reaching adjoining spaces and thin staffing on full sailings. She is twenty one years old, and it shows where refits do not reach: tight circulation on a few decks, shower only bathrooms outside the suites, balconies shallower than the cabin dimensions imply, and little destination enrichment.
She suits families watching the budget, drive market passengers from Louisiana and nearby states, first timers, and repeat Carnival cruisers who like a familiar layout. She suits far less anyone expecting Excel class hardware, a smoke free route through the ship, or a cruise chosen for lectures.
Cabin choice matters more here than on a newer hull. Verandah cabins on deck 8 sit beneath the Lido pool decks, where chairs are dragged early. Decks 9 and 10 carry cabins too, and those on Panorama share their deck with the waterslide. The aft extended balconies are the best value aboard for their depth, though expect wake noise, vibration and a long walk forward. Category 4J is the trap: an interior cabin with a window onto the outdoor walkway, so the curtains stay shut. It appears on decks 6, 7, 9 and 10.
Read the deck plan before you book. On Liberty it tells you more than the brochure.