Liberty of the Seas Review: Our Royal Caribbean Cruise Experience
We first sailed aboard Liberty of the Seas during a Canada and New England itinerary and were impressed by its spacious design, easy-to-navigate layout, and wide variety of onboard activities. As one of Royal Caribbean's popular Freedom-class ships, it shared many of the features we had enjoyed on Freedom of the Seas, making for a fun and relaxing cruise experience.
In Spring 2026, Liberty of the Seas underwent a significant refurbishment, adding refreshed venues, updated public spaces, and new experiences as part of its amplification. We had the opportunity to sail aboard the newly updated ship during a European itinerary shortly after the refurbishment was completed, giving us the chance to experience these enhancements firsthand.
Following the amplification, we found Liberty of the Seas to be refreshed while still maintaining everything we originally loved about the ship. The updated venues blended seamlessly with the ship's classic layout, creating a familiar yet modern Royal Caribbean experience. Throughout this review, we've included our impressions of the ship after its refurbishment so you can see how the latest enhancements have elevated the overall vacation experience.
Dining
Dining aboard Liberty of the Seas offers an excellent balance of complimentary and specialty restaurants, providing plenty of choices throughout your Royal Caribbean cruise experience. During our sailing, we enjoyed several meals in the Main Dining Room, where the service was consistently outstanding and the food was well prepared. The Windjammer Café was another favorite, offering a wide variety of options for breakfast and lunch that made it easy to find something for everyone.
One of the most exciting enhancements introduced during the Spring 2026 amplification was the addition of Izumi Hibachi & Sushi. We had the opportunity to experience the new Izumi Hibachi, and it was a terrific addition to the ship. The talented chefs delivered an entertaining cooking performance, and the food was excellent, making it one of the standout specialty dining experiences of our cruise. It's a fantastic upgrade that brings Liberty of the Seas in line with many of Royal Caribbean's newer ships.
As part of the refurbishment, the former Sabor Modern Mexican restaurant was removed to make way for the expanded dining offerings. We think the addition of Izumi was a great change and one that enhances the overall dining experience aboard the ship.
Whether you're enjoying complimentary favorites or treating yourself to specialty restaurants, Liberty of the Seas offers a diverse lineup of dining options that adds even more value to an already memorable Royal Caribbean vacation.
Cabins
We stayed in a balcony stateroom aboard Liberty of the Seas and found it to be spacious, comfortable, and well designed for a relaxing Royal Caribbean cruise experience. The cabin offered plenty of storage for clothing, luggage, and other cruise essentials, making it easy to unpack and stay organized throughout our sailing.
Our stateroom was quiet and featured everything we needed to feel at home during the voyage. The private balcony was a favorite spot to enjoy morning coffee, take in the ocean views, and unwind after a day of exploring or enjoying the ship's activities.
One thing to note is that the Spring 2026 refurbishment did not include updates to the staterooms. The cabins remain the same as they were prior to the amplification, so guests shouldn't expect redesigned accommodations or new cabin features. While the décor isn't as modern as what's found on Royal Caribbean's newest ships, the cabins are well maintained, functional, and continue to provide a comfortable place to relax.
Overall, we found the balcony stateroom to be an excellent home base for our Royal Caribbean vacation. Although the public spaces received exciting enhancements during the refurbishment, the existing staterooms still deliver the comfort, storage, and functionality needed for an enjoyable Liberty of the Seas cruise experience.
Entertainment
Liberty of the Seas offers an outstanding variety of entertainment, making every evening of your Royal Caribbean cruise experience memorable. From Broadway-style productions and spectacular ice skating shows to live music, comedy performances, and interactive game shows, there's something for guests of every age and interest.
One of our favorite forms of entertainment onboard is the live music found throughout the ship's bars and lounges. The ship's refreshed public venues provide an even better setting for enjoying the entertainment lineup after the 2026 amplification. While many of the classic shows and experiences remain, the updated spaces help create an even more enjoyable atmosphere throughout the ship.
Whether you're watching an ice skating spectacular, laughing through a comedy show, enjoying a theater production, or singing along with live musicians, Liberty of the Seas offers a well-rounded entertainment program that's one of the highlights of the overall Royal Caribbean cruise experience.
Juan "the Piano Hitman" Jade (pictured here) is our all-time favorite!
Pools
The outdoor spaces aboard Liberty of the Seas offer something for everyone, whether you're looking to relax in the sun or spend the day enjoying exciting activities. Multiple pools, whirlpools, and the adults-only Solarium make it easy to find the perfect place to unwind during your Royal Caribbean cruise experience.
We especially enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the Solarium, which provides a quiet retreat away from the busier family pool areas. It's the perfect place to read a book, soak in a whirlpool, or simply relax while taking in the ocean views. Families, on the other hand, will appreciate the lively main pool deck, where there's always something happening throughout the day.
For guests looking for more adventure, Liberty of the Seas features two of Royal Caribbean's signature attractions: The Perfect Storm waterslides and the FlowRider surf simulator. Whether you're racing down the waterslides or testing your surfing skills, these attractions add another level of excitement to the onboard experience and are popular with both kids and adults.
One of the things we appreciate most about Liberty of the Seas is the balance it offers. You can spend the morning relaxing by the pool, enjoy an afternoon of adventure, and still have plenty of time to experience the ship's dining and entertainment. It's that variety that makes this ship a fantastic choice for travelers seeking a well-rounded Royal Caribbean vacation.
Spa
The Vitality Spa aboard Liberty of the Seas is the perfect place to slow down and recharge during your Royal Caribbean cruise experience. Whether you're looking to relax after a busy day in port or treat yourself on a sea day, the spa offers a peaceful retreat away from the activity found throughout the rest of the ship.
Guests can choose from a wide range of services, including massages, facials, and salon treatments. The friendly, professional staff create a welcoming atmosphere, and the well-maintained facilities make it easy to unwind and enjoy a little extra pampering during your vacation.
While the Spring 2026 refurbishment focused primarily on public spaces and dining venues, the Vitality Spa continues to provide the same relaxing experience guests have come to expect aboard Liberty of the Seas.
If you're looking to add a little luxury to your Royal Caribbean vacation, the Vitality Spa is a great way to enhance your time onboard and enjoy a relaxing break during your Liberty of the Seas cruise.
Bars
Liberty of the Seas offers a fantastic variety of bars and lounges, giving guests plenty of places to relax, enjoy live entertainment, and unwind throughout their Royal Caribbean cruise experience. Whether you're in the mood for handcrafted cocktails, live music, or a quiet glass of wine, there's a venue to suit every taste.
Some of our favorite spots include Boleros, where Latin-inspired music and dancing create a lively evening atmosphere, and the Schooner Bar, a classic Royal Caribbean venue known for its talented piano entertainers and sing-along performances. We also enjoyed Vintages, the ship's wine bar, which offers a relaxing setting to sample wines from around the world, and The Lime & Coconut, the perfect place to sip a tropical drink while enjoying the sunshine by the pool.
One notable difference between Liberty of the Seas and its sister ship, Freedom of the Seas, is the absence of Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Since Playmakers is one of our favorite venues on newer Royal Caribbean ships, we definitely missed having it available on Liberty.
That said, the ship's impressive selection of bars and lounges more than makes up for it. From energetic music venues to laid-back cocktail lounges, Liberty of the Seas provides plenty of inviting places to spend the evening, making the onboard atmosphere one of the highlights of this enjoyable Royal Caribbean cruise experience.
Pros
- Classic Freedom-class layout that's easy to navigate from bow to stern.
- Spacious balcony staterooms with plenty of storage for a comfortable cruise.
- Excellent variety of complimentary and specialty dining, including the newly added Izumi Hibachi after the Spring 2026 refurbishment.
- Peaceful adults-only Solarium, perfect for relaxing on sea days.
- Great selection of entertainment, live music, and activities for all ages.
- Thoughtful ship enhancements from the 2026 amplification while preserving the features longtime Liberty fans love.
- Outstanding value for both couples and families looking for a memorable Royal Caribbean cruise experience.
Cons
- No Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, which may be a drawback for sports fans who enjoy this venue on other Royal Caribbean ships.
- While the Spring 2026 refurbishment added several exciting enhancements, some public areas still have a more traditional feel than those found on Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis and Icon Class ships.
- The onboard venue lineup differs slightly from other amplified Freedom-class ships, so returning Royal Caribbean cruisers may notice a few familiar favorites are not available.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
Would we sail aboard Liberty of the Seas again? Without hesitation. After experiencing the ship both before and after its Spring 2026 refurbishment, we can confidently say the enhancements have made an already enjoyable ship even better.
The refreshed dining venues, including the addition of Izumi Hibachi, along with updated public spaces and the ship's timeless Freedom-class layout, create a well-rounded Royal Caribbean cruise experience. At the same time, Liberty has retained the welcoming atmosphere, spacious design, and outstanding service that have made it a favorite among cruisers for years.
Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a longtime Royal Caribbean fan, Liberty of the Seas offers an excellent mix of relaxation, entertainment, dining, and value. It's a ship we'd gladly sail again, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable cruise vacation.