"LIVE" From the FREEDOM of the SEAS, 8-15 May 2011 (Eastern)

[K1200S]

Trainman, I've thoroughly enjoyed your "live" reports. My husband and I are traveling on Freedom next February. It will be our second cruise. I was actually thrilled to see that both you and Judith smoke. Both my husband and I are smokers. (I know I've already alienated at least 90% of your readers/fans by announcing that.) We paid close attention to the areas where we were allowed to smoke on our first cruise (The Jewel) and stuck to those areas only when we wanted to have a relaxing "drink of the day" and a smoke. We were absolutely appalled at the flack we got from people passing by making rude comments towards us. We were told to go smoke in the water, called "ugly smoker", and other gestures that were really uncalled for. :eek: Both my husband and I, who are in our 60's, were really shocked that our fellow cruisers could be so mean. We made every attempt when we were smoking to sit near a window or balcony area where smoking was allowed. We would not smoke in the Casino, even though you were allowed to because it appeared that most of the people that were in there while we were there were non-smokers. We really try to be aware of those around us and how our smoking could affect them. I guess my question is - have you encountered this type of reaction to your smoking on board, and if so, how do you handle it?

 

Again, thanks for posting all your beautiful photos and thank you so much for your years of service to our country. Best wishes to you and Judith for many years of happy cruising!

If I still smoked I just might have had to tell them to stay out of the smoking area if they don't like the smell.

[Trainman-2]

Trainman, is Judith permitted to accompany u into the conceirge lounge for a cocktail or coke since u are a diamond plus member???

 

 

I think the "official Answer" is NO!

 

However, she has been in the Concierge and Diamond Lounges with me and nobody asked or commented about it. My Sea-Pass card gets us in and that seems to be the main thing.

[Trainman-2]

Is it me or is the weather kind of dreary? Looks very grey and cloudy...I'm a sun-lover **don't bother giving me heck...I don't go without protection** and the sun is vital for me. What has it been like overall? The pictures are so gorgeous but most of them are of food :) and the outside ones look grey. Is it my lousy eyes? LOL...

 

 

We have been lucky on this trip. Our cabin is on the Starboard side and we have pretty much been in the shade every day.

 

Yesterday in St. Maarten is was cloudy and hazy all day. Late in the afternoon the sun tried to peek through the clouds and it would have been full on our balcony but the clouds pushed it back out of sight.

 

This morning it was cloudy but it cleared up late morning, The sun is now on the other side of the ship so our balcony is in the shade.

[LisaT91403]

Really enjoying your voyage, Trainman!

 

Do you think it would be possible to post all of the MDR menus in one place (maybe a PhotoBucket link)? Your seem to be a little different from what I thought were the most recent...especially the one for the night you said wasn't very good.

 

Thanks!

[Trainman-2]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

 

I am getting the "Sniffles"

 

Time for a long nap...

[will773]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

 

I am getting the "sniffles"

 

time for a long nap...

 

boo! I hate the sniffles!!!!!!!!!! :(

[Scoobydobe7]

What dress code is being enforced in the Diamond Lounge -- I am on Freedom next week.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[cr8z4cruzn]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

 

I am getting the "Sniffles"

 

Time for a long nap...

 

Awwwhh...Is that due to the fact that your vacation is almost complete, or are you coming down with a cold?

[LBumb]

enjoy the rest of your cruise and thanks again for the awesome week.

[akcruz]

Sorry, meant to say hello in my first post and that I am enjoying your posts and thank you for letting us tag along. Have cruised RCI before and its becoming our favorite. About this machine, does this mean you don't have to pay for soda!!!???

 

There is a chip in the bottom of the cup you get when you purchase the soda card. It turns on the fountain soda. So if you don't have the cup you can't use the machine. There are timers as well as to how often you can fill the same cup. So, no its not free

 

To trainman, I can't believe I missed this thread earlier in the week. Just took a whirlwind cruise, thanks. So happy for you that you have found someone to share your trip with. Sounds like she'll be up for another one soon????

[crusinmama06]

Amazing LIVE as always! I had no idea about the soda machine. Had did I miss that one? :eek: I am so excited! :D Thanks!

 

And I hope that you at least took your Chops desserts "to go".

 

Enjoying every minute of your report!

[Havana Daydreamin]

- Since this is her first cruise and since we are not married and have different names, my Sea Pass says "Diamond Plus" and Judith's says nothing. I guess that makes her a Peon of sorts.

 

* Highlight in quote is mine *

 

Better to be a Peon of sorts than a Peon without anything!!???:D It just caught me as a humorous note!

 

God bless! Thanks Trainman for the great cruise and for taking us along!

[QTMichele]

Just found your post today, Trainman! SO EXCITED!!! Great comment and pictures, as always. We're going on the Liberty for Thanksgiving 2012 and bringing about 20 first time cruisers. I'm going to send them the link to your review so they can increase their anticipation. :)

 

THANKS AGAIN!

[Trainman-2]

I think I am coming down with a cold or something. :eek:

 

Carol was always a believer in Benadryl For Children. There is still plenty of it at home. Anyway, I went to Deck 5 and bought some Benadryl Kapgels and took two and then a nap. The sniffles are reduced but not yet gone.

 

Tonight was the second formal night and the MOAA group was having a Formal Military Ball in Pharaoh's Palace. We decided to skip it since I am sneezing so much and went up to the Windjammer for dinner.

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

Here is a photo from this afternoon.

 

 

Sunny as the Eastern Caribbean should be!

[Trainman-2]

Tonight's Towel Animal is swinging back and forth as the ship moves.

 

 

 

 

 

I good bit of motion from the ship tonight. Judith belt a bit queasy earlier but is fine now. The young couple next to us is really uncomfortable. It is still mild as there are no Throw-Up Bags out.

 

 

I guess first time cruisers need to experience movement and then it becomes common for them on future cruises.

[Trainman-2]

That's It For Tonight CC'ers...

 

I am going to bed early and hope that I feel better tomorrow.

 

 

 

If response to an earlier post. I have saved all of the Cruise Compasses and lots of other stuff which Iwill scan and post early next week.

[maritar]

I have invited Judith to post here but she is having too much fun relaxing and reading on our balcony so she has not posted yet. I will encourage her again. :D

 

Oh, I understand that she's been busy enjoying for her first cruise. :D But as jmf123 said, she might provide us a post cruise review after you go back home. That would be really nice.

 

Perhaps Judith will provide us with a post-cruise review instead, that would be wonderful.

 

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

 

I am getting the "Sniffles"

 

Hope those sniffles are just temporary and Benadryl works so you'll be better by tomorrow.

 

 

Thank you for the evening report and the pictures!

[dwdwnurse]

Hi Jim & Judith!

 

Just finished catching up - so happy you found each other! I hope you will have many more cruises together :)

 

Enjoying your posts (as usual!) - we have 70 some days to go until we're on the FOS, same itinerary.

 

Can't wait to read/see more!

 

Debbie

[cr8z4cruzn]

Trainman I pray you feel better soon. If by chance the ship sells Emergen-C grab a couple of packets...it should stop the cold symptoms and help your immune. Nothing worst than feeling less than 100% on a cruise. Sleep well.

[bob123]

Yo Trainman,

 

Wondering if you saw any flying fish, dolphins, and other aquatic life? I'm taking my wife on her first Caribbean cruise and she's never seen flying fish.

 

I had some flying fish sandwiches on one of my cruises. Quite tasty, actually.

 

Hooah!

 

bob123

[MollyBasset]

Tonight's Towel Animal is swinging back and forth as the ship moves.

 

 

 

 

 

I good bit of motion from the ship tonight. Judith belt a bit queasy earlier but is fine now. The young couple next to us is really uncomfortable. It is still mild as there are no Throw-Up Bags out.

 

 

I guess first time cruisers need to experience movement and then it becomes common for them on future cruises.

 

I am enjoying reading your post sooo much, we are going on freedom Oct 9th, so sorry Judith was not feeling well, and I hope your cold gets better

[MollyBasset]

I am soo enjoying your post, so sorry to hear Judith was not feeling well, and you getting the sniffles, hope you feel better soon, enjoy the last couple of nights of your cruise.

 

My son is wanting me to ask a favor, he is a 15 year old concert pianist, very talented, hoping to making it to Julliard, but any way he is wanting to know if you could take a picture of the Grande piano, the one in like bar, I think it was called cloud nine on Mariner of the seas,so not even sure, if they have it on Freedom, but he loves playing it, so Im sure this is an odd reguest, but if you can that would be wonderful.

 

Thanks, Debbie

[MollyBasset]

I am soo enjoying your post, so sorry to hear Judith was not feeling well, and you getting the sniffles, hope you feel better soon, enjoy the last couple of nights of your cruise.

 

My son is wanting me to ask a favor, he is a 15 year old concert pianist, very talented, hoping to making it to Julliard, but any way he is wanting to know if you could take a picture of the Grande piano, the one in like bar, I think it was called cloud nine on Mariner of the seas,so not even sure, if they have it on Freedom, but he loves playing it, He just has so much passion for piano, that he wants to see every one, if you dont have time understandable, enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

Thanks, Debbie

[jmf123]

I think I am coming down with a cold or something. :eek:

 

Carol was always a believer in Benadryl For Children. There is still plenty of it at home. Anyway, I went to Deck 5 and bought some Benadryl Kapgels and took two and then a nap. The sniffles are reduced but not yet gone.

 

Tonight was the second formal night and the MOAA group was having a Formal Military Ball in Pharaoh's Palace. We decided to skip it since I am sneezing so much and went up to the Windjammer for dinner.

 

 

 

I hope the morning finds both of you feeling well rested and great! (A nice glass of freshly squeezed orange juice will help chase that cold away!). Thank you for these breathtakingly beautiful carvings, they are just amazing!

 

p.s. love that sunny E. Caribbean pic!