orchid4me2003

It's all fun and games until it is luggage night. ;);) Why must there be a last night??? Where is my lottery winnings so I could live permanently on a cruise ship???

Sounds like you had a great cruise overall and thanks for sharing with us.

I am really enjoying your review. Having quite the chuckles along the way. :D:D:D:D

We will be doing a B2B on the Freedom next February and your itinerary will be our second week. Apart from St. Maarten, the rest of the ports are all new to us so we are so excited!

Thanks for sharing your fun!

Muriel

I also recommend Kayaking Puerto Rico as a company. They do have back supports in the kayaks. I know the bioluminescent bay is still repopulating after the hurricane last year. When I went 3 years ago it was one of the most magical nights of my life. I hope to go again this December.

I am hoping to bring my husband to the bioluminescent bay. I had went to one in Grand Cayman last November and I agree that it is so magical.

232 days until our Southern Caribbean cruise on the Freedom of the Seas!

I agree with those who posted and said its fun to watch Newbies go Wow at the ship. I am happy for first time cruisers as I always remember my first cruise and that sense of wonder and awe at seeing the atrium. I kept thinking how huge the ship was and felt like I was in a fancy hotel instead of a ship. I say let them have all their experiences whether good or not. It is their first cruise after all. Don't deprive them.

lol, didn't want to say anything when Trainman showed us the black pudding but now you know what it is made of. My mom, a french Acadian, used to make this lots when we were growing up right from scratch. I too found it smelled horrible and wasn't a huge fan. Would only eat a wee bit and that was it. In french we call that Boudin. In english we referred to it as blood sausage.

Muriel

Your story on the black pudding brought back to me memmories of my father.

Here in Ohio it was called "blood ring", or blood pudding. (In those little corner meat stores).

My father used to place it in a frying pan on the stove and the whole house would stink for hours.

 

When my dad was still alive and we traveled to Frankemouth Mi. I brought back to him this dish.

The store we bought it in they called it black pudding.

He was thrilled to get it.

He said it wasn't as good as Ohio though.

Thanks for reminding me of one of my childhood memories.

Lionesss

Safe travels

OMG what amazing photos Trainman! Absolutely beautiful.

I am so glad you had a good day yesterday. Way to go on changing your walking route to a more 'scenic' one.

Muriel

Trainman,

How wonderful that you have gone on this cruise to honor Carol. You are such Sweetheart to do this for her. I am enjoying reconnecting with your live posts.

What blessings for you to be put into the path of others who have done through what you are experiencing right now. I am sure you will be life-long friends with them from now on. I believe Carol is over-seeing these encounters with new friends for you. She knows you need these people in your life.

Yes, do be careful and don't over do it. Take it easy and savour the journey as difficult as it may be for you. You have given such a gift to Carol by giving her a burial at sea.

Muriel

Hey Nancy,

We are making sure we book Chops as soon as we can. This place has been top on our list from the beginning. We weren't sure about 150 place but after reading lots of great reviews, think we are in on that one too.

Muriel

Brian--Thank you. We are booked for Feb.2011 Our 50th ann. will absolutly try

150-Chef`s,Giovanni`s,and if we must Chops!!Can`t wait it all sounds sooo...

wonderful--Nancy

Hey Nancy,

We are making sure we book Chops as soon as we can. This place has been top on our list from the beginning. We weren't sure about 150 place but after reading lots of great reviews, think we are in on that one too.

Muriel

Brian--Thank you. We are booked for Feb.2011 Our 50th ann. will absolutly try

150-Chef`s,Giovanni`s,and if we must Chops!!Can`t wait it all sounds sooo...

wonderful--Nancy

Sorry to hear about those unwelcomed comments. If people can not say anything nice, they should keep their mouth shut tight. No one has the right to so put themselves above others.

Traveling on the Holland America's Zaandam was like sailing on a floating nursing home.

 

On the Holland America's Zaandam in April of 2009, my Partner and I

were subjected to unwelcome comments. On day in the buffet restaurant

as one of us walked by a table of several women who were looking directly

at one of us, one woman said: "those boys make me sick".

Well said. Anytime on a cruise ship is definitely better than everyday routines back home.

I just wonder how miserable their lives are when not onboard the ship...

 

I wonder why they would want to pay to have such a terrible time..maybe even if they are having a miserable time, the life they have at home is worse?

 

I guess some people just live to complain..

I figure no matter what goes wrong I would rather be on a Cruise ship!

 

Great photo, Headshot! I have been trying to see an upclose photo of the decks at the back to figure out where these famous viewing decks are. Awesome!

Muriel

Thanks for that head's up. Putting that on my list of secret spots!

There are public areas aft on deck 7 and 14 too. We sat on Deck 7, one deck up from the theater for the Aqua Theater show. Great views from here. Don't sit in the first three rows at this show unless you are ok with getting a little wet. ;)

lol, I honestly can't remember his name. Why do you know this fellow?

Muriel

Was his name George?

A few come to mind. Once we had just boarded the ship and a lady was already complaining at guest services that her cabin balcony was 'too small' and she wanted a bigger cabin. Poor employee had to break it to her that the ship was booked up solid.

Another time we were having lunch in the main dining room and sat with some folks from the states (can't remember which one). Things were going pretty good until the fellow raised such a stink because he had broccoli on plate! My God! There was broccoli on his plate touching his food and he 'hated' broccoli. He had the waiter take the plate away and bring him a new one without the horrid broccoli. He could have just moved the thing over, but then that wouldn't make for such a huge production.

OMG! What will they think of next? that just about does it. Was reading that their popularity is spreading like a pandemic. Cute.

OK, Petri dish fans, here's something else you might like:

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthpicturegalleries/6605911/Giant-Microbes-Soft-toy-versions-of-bacteria-and-viruses-such-as-HIV-Herpes-Swine-Flu-and-Ebola.html