The ODYSSEY and the ECSTASY Live Oct 23-31

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, mo&fran said:

Next time you are there and docked, look to the south. Tell me how a ship is going to get past the sand bar.

All I inferred is the pier sticks out into the water and there is no bay or harbor. I didn't say I studied the charts to approach the pier. Save the snark.

[h20skibum]

I mentioned earlier about Royal canceling our afternoon snorkeling excursion, and getting us on a different one early this morning.  We ended up on the Beach hop and turtle snorkeling excursion.  

 

It was about a 40 minute drive from the pier, but it was a beautiful morning for snorkeling.  We both brought our own snorkeling equipment, because I don’t really trust getting clean, sterile equipment. 

 

Time to get in the water and get up close. 
 

Snuck up on this guy

 

 

Lots of turtles

 

 

Closer please

 

 

Closer

 

 

Come on.   Ready for your close up. 
 

 

[Wink87]

42 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

I mentioned earlier about Royal canceling our afternoon snorkeling excursion, and getting us on a different one early this morning.  We ended up on the Beach hop and turtle snorkeling excursion.  

 

It was about a 40 minute drive from the pier, but it was a beautiful morning for snorkeling.  We both brought our own snorkeling equipment, because I don’t really trust getting clean, sterile equipment. 

 

Time to get in the water and get up close. 
 

Snuck up on this guy

 

 

Lots of turtles

 

 

Closer please

 

 

Closer

 

 

Come on.   Ready for your close up. 
 

 

Fabulous!!!

[Sea Dog]

1 hour ago, h20skibum said:

Time to get in the water and get up close. 

Great shots. What camera were you using? How was the water temp?

[h20skibum]

49 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Great shots. What camera were you using? How was the water temp?

The water temperature was really warm.  It felt almost as warm as the air temperature in the 80’s. 
 

I was using a GoPro 7.  Those shots were extracts of some of the videos I took.  I brought along a full face snorkel mask that has a mount for the GoPro. 

 

Since this was the first time filming with the GoPro mounted, I wasn’t sure if it was properly aligned. After a while, I popped it off and used it as a hand held, because it was easier to see what was being filmed. For me, that was better for filming underwater. 
 

I really like this mask, but they are not for everyone.  Susan had ordered one, but could not get a proper seal.  She had to return it for a regular mask. 

[h20skibum]

After snorkeling with the turtles, it was off to a beach break where you could also do some more snorkeling.  Snorkeling was not as good as with the turtles, but there were some colorful fish and a little coral. 
 

The beach was beautiful. 

 

A nice place to kick back with a drink. 
 

 

 

 

 

[PhoenixCruiser]

Great pictures ❣

[h20skibum]

It was just starting to rain as we left the beach, so we lucked out with the time.  

 

Our plan was to come back to the ship, drop our snorkeling gear, and walk into town.  But then it started raining here.   Hard!   You would have thought we were leaving port, because there were a lot of pier runners. 

 

So change of plan for us, and we spent the rest of the afternoon in the Solarium.  By this time, it was raining so hard you couldn’t see the town from there. 

 

This was the one time the ship felt crowded, because everyone decided that was the place to be. 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

Choice for dinner tonight was BBQ Baby Back Ribs. 

 

Sorry, no food porn because I had already taken the meat off the bone before I remembered.  

 

They were good, but not the best I have ever had.  That is because I make the best ones on the planet, and I have yet to find any that measure up. 

 

I was going to ask the wait staff send the chef out so I could give him some pointers, but Susan thought he might take offense. 🤣🤣

 

Speaking of wait staff, we have a great one.  Frederick, Robert, and head waiter Jason have all been very attentive and eager to please.  I can’t say enough good about them. 

[h20skibum]

We stopped at Schooner Bar after dinner to play 90’s music name that tune.  We found out we know next to nothing about 90’s music.  Probably because 90’s music is generally bad. 

 

I think the only tune we knew was Cotton Eye Joe.  And probably the only reason that was familiar was because they play it for the crazy dance competition between periods at the Pen’s games. 

[h20skibum]

Then it was on to the theatre for the world premiere of the Effectors.  

 

I really enjoyed this show, and given the reaction of the crowd, I think everyone else did too.  This is one show you don’t want to miss, and the part with the drones was especially nice. 

 

Maybe not the clearest photos, because these were from the back of the theater. 
 

 

[h20skibum]

The Love and Marriage game show was in Two70 after the theatre let out. 

 

 

This is where I was BUSTED, or UNMASKED!!!

 

We were sitting, literally stage left when Cruise Director Mike walks over to fist bump ( or maybe it was to take a swing at me 😂😂) and he says “I have been enjoying reading your blog this week.”   Which, in other words means - write nice things about me. 

 

He said he recognized me from the one picture I posted of me at formal night.  Dang, I thought I was disguised very well with the mask and sunglasses.  

 

Maybe they put a team together to find out who I was.  You know, use the facial recognition to track down the guy with “that vest”

 

I was surprised that he reads these things, so I guess now I have to say nice things about him so I don’t get a cavity search when I leave the ship!

 

Anyway, you are the best cruise director, Mike.   You have my permission to show this to your bosses to get you a bonus. 😂😂

 

[h20skibum]

Now, to catch up on a couple outstanding items. 
 

@Lionesssasked if they had any old school slot machines onboard.  
 

These are about the oldest, old school machines they have. 
 

 

 

 

I think they removed all the ones, like the one you won big on.  
 

And I remember someone asked about the library.  I didn’t take any pictures of it, but maybe I should, because it is the first one I have seen that doesn’t have any books. I guess it makes sense they don’t want to sterilize books. 

 

[h20skibum]

I guess it must be Thursday, and we will be in Aruba

 

Time to get moving. 

 

[bobmacliberty]

I listen almost exclusively to the Classic Rewind and Classic Vinyl Channels on SiriusXM.  If it's 70s or 80s rock music, I'm your music trivia teammate.  90s music?  I'm out.

 

What are your Aruba plans?

[h20skibum]

Good morning Aruba.  
 

Here are my sunrise / big lake pictures of the day

 

We have company in port with us

 

 

Here is the sandbar on the port side of the ship, since they backed this baby down the channel

 

 

Looks like people are anxiously awaiting arrival on their balconies 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

8 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

What are your Aruba plans?

No specific plans.  We have been here before, so we will wing it today. 

[Ocean Boy]

Be careful crossing any off limit places on the pier to take pictures of the ship's mooring lines. This is where I had the whistle blown at me!😊

[mo&fran]

13 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

All I inferred is the pier sticks out into the water and there is no bay or harbor. I didn't say I studied the charts to approach the pier. Save the snark.

It looks like I got my ports mixed up.  I apologize if I offended you.  I have been to both ports several times, and I always remember the bush, guess  not so much with the name.

Edited October 28, 2021 by mo&fran

[Lionesss]

2 hours ago, h20skibum said:

Now, to catch up on a couple outstanding items. 
 

@Lionesssasked if they had any old school slot machines onboard.  
 

These are about the oldest, old school machines they have. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Being old or should I say older than ....................... I just do not like all the fancy computer machines.

 

I'm a girl that likes the "reels".  

 

Too bad you cannot still put your quarters in.

 

Take care.

[jonj]

Would you mind sharing which beach you were at in Curacao? We have this itinerary in January and our first visit to this island. 

[Sea Dog]

10 hours ago, h20skibum said:

 

I was using a GoPro 7.  Those shots were extracts of some of the videos I took.  I brought along a full face snorkel mask that has a mount for the GoPro. 
 

I really like this mask, but they are not for everyone.  Susan had ordered one, but could not get a proper seal.  She had to return it for a regular mask. 

 

The 7 looks great. I be anxious to try my new Hero 9 to see what it looks like.

 

My wife got us the full face masks. I have never snorkeled so I'm not sure if I would like it or not. I've heard the issue of proper seal and some say they can't breathe right. It's like they are suffocating. Need to test it out.

 

 

10 hours ago, h20skibum said:

 

The beach was beautiful. 

 

I too would like to know what beach that is. Looks lovely. Have a great day in Aruba.

[bobmacliberty]

5 hours ago, h20skibum said:

 

 

WOW.

[EllieinNJ]

Following.

[crewsweeper]

On 10/25/2021 at 12:25 PM, Sea Dog said:

Ooops Good catch Bob. Yes 1oz Bourbon and 1 oz Rye. My bad. I'm sorry everyone.

Now that I can go for.   And "Proof" Syrup is pretty decent.