FREEDOM OF THE SEAS: BEHIND THE LENS. September 8-15, 2024

[perfect match]

Sue, that 3 day countdown to our Wonder cruise as well as yours is beautiful!

[boontj2003]

On 9/1/2024 at 6:47 PM, Lionesss said:

 

 

I followed this recipe and was very pleased with results. 

 

 

The traditional way was a PIA. 

 

They are $10 a dozen, probably because they are a PIA to make. 
 

Cheaper to make.
 

Good luck.  

 

I make these all the time. Use soft butter, not melted and then they will easily roll. When dipping chocolate, i use choc and crisco. that leaves a sheen… Enjoy!

[Lionesss]

1 hour ago, boontj2003 said:

I make these all the time. Use soft butter, not melted and then they will easily roll. When dipping chocolate, i use choc and crisco. that leaves a sheen… Enjoy!

Thank you. 
 

I also found patting them

in the pan on parchment paper makes it easier to cut and put in paper cupcake cups. 
 

Take care. 

[Lionesss]

Since this will be the very first time  in our 23 years of cruising the Caribbean

(going to Bahamas)  I actually have no clue in what to do in the Bahamas. 
 

Do we go over to Atlantis?

Do we just shop the port area?

Do we go to a beach?

Do we do we do we……….. 

 

So many Do we’s. 
 

I have no clue. 

But the Bahamas are under a Level 2 US safety travel advisory. 
And the alert covers both land and sea travels. 
I guess it could be a pool day on board. 

We were supposed to be at Labadee. 
But, for safety reasons I am glad we are not. 
But, maybe another port would have been a better option. 
When we booked this cruise in February of 2023 it was a “double dip”. Both private islands. Labadee and CocoCay. 

Sadly not happening. 
 

And Jamaica is a Level 3 US travel advisory. 

But it is definitely not the island destination you would travel outside the port area on your own. 
 

I guess Usaim Bolt the Olympic gold medalists from Jamaica attaining his record speed by running for safety. 
(lol).

JUST KIDDING. 

HE HAD A GIFT. A TALENT. AND HE PROUDLY REPRESENTED HIS COUNTRY. 
 

So, gotta think of some options of what to do when we get off the ship. 
 

Ok

Time to do a Walmart run. 
I wonder if they have a “level” safety advisory???

 

Later. 

[Sea Dog]

45 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

I actually have no clue in what to do in the Bahamas. 
 

Do we go over to Atlantis?

Do we just shop the port area?

Do we go to a beach?

Do we do we do we……….. 

 

So many Do we’s. 
 

I have no clue. 

But the Bahamas are under a Level 2 US safety travel advisory. 
And the alert covers both land and sea travels. 
I guess it could be a pool day on board. 

When we go on Bella 2.5 we are just going to hang out in the port area which has been redone. Lots of videos on YT. 

[crusnbee]

I am with you. Not sure we will get off the ship anywhere except CoCoCay.

 

Definitely staying aboard for Jamaica. Didn't see any ship excursions we had to do, and the vendor hawking is just awful.

[Lionesss]

10 minutes ago, crusnbee said:

I am with you. Not sure we will get off the ship anywhere except CoCoCay.

 

Definitely staying aboard for Jamaica. Didn't see any ship excursions we had to do, and the vendor hawking is just awful.

 

VENDOR HAWKING!!!

 

We have denied access to 7 Jamaican vendors this week alone wanting to post. 
 

Take care. 
 

 

[Lionesss]

Looking at the deck plans on FREEDOM of THE SEAS, something caught my attention—— and I need a clarification. 
 

So on my RCI APP the following states:

 

 

Now. It says. “Deck 4 Portside” 

 

The casino is on Deck 4. 
Being an ex smoker (14 year, quit cold turkey, never ever touched another cigarette) and now avoid all smoke, could it mean casino is half side smoking????

 

But it doesn’t say casino is smoking on port side. Or does it infer that. 
 

When I hear “port side” I know your cabin is either port  or starboard. So does it mean that side of casino is smoking??

 

Curious minds want to know. 
 

Now I do not want to start a smoking debate. 
So please only respond to;

 

Does  the casino have a smoking section port side? 

 

a.  Yes

b.  No

 

Everyone does their own thing. 

And I respect what you do. 
And in no way do I want to infringe on your space. 
 

Thank you for understanding my unanswered question. 
 

Be safe. 

 

 

Edited September 5 by Lionesss

[mo&fran]

Portside refers to the outside Promenade deck.  

[Lionesss]

3 minutes ago, mo&fran said:

Portside refers to the outside Promenade deck.  

Thank you. 
I kinda thought that. 
But. 
If there is no smoking in casino. 
When did this happen???

We sailed Symphony in April and there was a smoking section in casino. 
 

Is this just a Freedom rule. 
 

Just wondering. 
 

Thanks again for taking time to respond 

 

Be safe. 

[mo&fran]

I know that some of the other ships have been adding an area where is a no smoking casino . As far as I know, freedom has not.  One side of the casino is called no smoking, That just  means there are no ash trays on that side on the casino. There is smoke smell in the casino, even when empty. 

[Lionesss]

1 hour ago, mo&fran said:

I know that some of the other ships have been adding an area where is a no smoking casino . As far as I know, freedom has not.  One side of the casino is called no smoking, That just  means there are no ash trays on that side on the casino. There is smoke smell in the casino, even when empty. 

 

Thanks. 
 

I know Symphony has a no smoking room. 
Main casino split smoking/non smoking. 
 

Be safe. 

 

 

[cruiselover04]

On the Freedom right now and remembered you asked one questions several pages back, I’ll try and answer. 
- casino does have a smoking section, but it seems to be an undefined area. It’s not too bad though compared with other ships. 
-water slides at back of ship past Johnny Rockets. 
-haven’t been to Lime & Coconut so can’t answer that

-has Splashaway Bay for the kids 

-Playmarkers has taken the area that has to be the photo gallery. It’s after Boleros and before the casino on deck 4 from one side to the other. I’ve been watching the tennis. 
-cigar lounge on deck 5 is now the library & card room. Does have a business centre computer and printer. 
- yes been allowed on helipad for sailway from San Juan

-suite section on pool deck is still there but haven’t seen it used much at all. No shade. 
 

Hope that helps. 
Jenni

[Lionesss]

15 minutes ago, cruiselover04 said:

On the Freedom right now and remembered you asked one questions several pages back, I’ll try and answer. 
- casino does have a smoking section, but it seems to be an undefined area. It’s not too bad though compared with other ships. 
-water slides at back of ship past Johnny Rockets. 
-haven’t been to Lime & Coconut so can’t answer that

-has Splashaway Bay for the kids 

-Playmarkers has taken the area that has to be the photo gallery. It’s after Boleros and before the casino on deck 4 from one side to the other. I’ve been watching the tennis. 
-cigar lounge on deck 5 is now the library & card room. Does have a business centre computer and printer. 
- yes been allowed on helipad for sailway from San Juan

-suite section on pool deck is still there but haven’t seen it used much at all. No shade. 
 

Hope that helps. 
Jenni

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to share. 
 

Enjoy your cruise!!!!

 

Sue

[Biker19]

4 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Does  the casino have a smoking section port side? 

The RCI IT folks try to generalize so they don't have to keep up with all the details of every ship in the app. Don't read too much into what the app says on this topic - the reality on the ship could be different.

[Lionesss]

4 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

The RCI IT folks try to generalize so they don't have to keep up with all the details of every ship in the app. Don't read too much into what the app says on this topic - the reality on the ship could be different.

Never thought of it that way. 
 

You would think (lol) they could make postings ship specific. 

But in a real world guess not. 
 

Be safe. 

 

[Biker19]

Just now, Lionesss said:

You would think (lol) they could make postings ship specific. 

Too much work. Like ships going to Australia every season the casino usually becomes non-smoking and then smoking again when they leave - the RCI app developers probably can't be bothered to make that change with every ship move.

[dbancroft]

There are some slot machines in Playmakers right at the entrance to the casino. So there is no smoking in that area. As you enter the casino the no smoking section is to the left and right but I did not smell smoke that much on our b2b. Enjoy the Freedom all 6 of us did. Want to see some pictures of you playing mini golf and shuffleboard. Maybe rock wall.(lol)

[Ocean Boy]

25 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Never thought of it that way. 
 

You would think (lol) they could make postings ship specific. 

But in a real world guess not. 
 

Be safe. 

 

You do understand that we are talking about RCI IT?

[Lionesss]

40 minutes ago, dbancroft said:

There are some slot machines in Playmakers right at the entrance to the casino. So there is no smoking in that area. As you enter the casino the no smoking section is to the left and right but I did not smell smoke that much on our b2b. Enjoy the Freedom all 6 of us did. Want to see some pictures of you playing mini golf and shuffleboard. Maybe rock wall.(lol)

 

Pictures. 
 

You want to see pictures of me. 
 

Doing sports?
 

or

 

Whatever?

 

Golf and Shuffleboard. Ok 

 

In High school I was seeded #1 on the girls singles tennis team. It was the first year our school had a team. I was so proud to have graduated with 2 letters. 
But, I think then they did not have a way of recognizing how you got a letter. 
You see I never won a match. But I was the best player on the team and when we scrimmaged I always won. 
 Now days they have a name for it. 
“Participation” award. For me it was a school letter. 

I will share a picture of me on a cruise exercising my right arm to be prepared for the challenge at hand. 
 

 

But Rock climbing.  Nope.  Nada not now. 

I’ve passed the torch on to the next generation. 
 

 
But in my prime I was able to have a moment of stardom.

 

3 golds 

2 silvers. 
 

It’s not every 50 year oldish (circa 2004) weekend warrior that has that claim to fame. 
 

So I guess now you will want to know how I was able to get and then store these valuable medals in the kitchen junk drawer. 

OMG. 
 

And I said it would be more pictures than dialogue. 
 

Sorry. 
SHUT THE DOOR. 
Motor Mouth. 
 

Okay. 
 

Later. 

[Lionesss]

26 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

You do understand that we are talking about RCI IT?

Yes. 
 

Can you imagine what it would be on let’s just say a shabby competitors ship. 
 

Yup. 
 

Probably the same. 
 

 

[Lionesss]

So we are in the family room. Watching the Chiefs play the Ravens. 
 

And all of a sudden Lizzy goes goofy because there’s a tree frog on the screen. 
 

 

Okay. 
 

Time for 💤💤💤💤💤💤

 

Well. Not really. 
 

Just enough phone time for now. 
 

I was just looking for recipes ( hee hee). 
 

Oh. Gee whiz. The dishwasher is empty. 
Thank you spouse. 
I was busy. (😉)

You know. 
Looking up recipes. 
Takes time to check them out. 
But I would have helped.

Yes sir reeeeee ……recipes. 

 

Gonna get as much mileage out of this recipe seeking iPhone time as I can. 
 

So good night. 
 

You know. 
 

Time to call it a night. 
 

Be safe. 

 

 

 

 

[Lionesss]

So. 
 

As I was getting ready to go to bed

( I usually go up stairs about an hour after my husband especially  since he has to get up at 4:30), this way my restlessness won’t wake him. 
 

Lizzy is usually fast asleep by this time. 
 

Except tonight. 
 

She knows something is up. 
 

HMM 

Suitcases 

House cleaning 

Making guest room up

Stocking fridge 

 

So I guess she wants her kitty “treats”. 
 

Your command is my wish 

or 

Your wish is my command 

 

Sounds weird. 
 

Anyway. 
 

Here's your cat treats. 

 

Good night Lizzy. 
 

 

[perfect match]

😻Lizzy😻 I just want to scratch behind her cute little ears! 🐈‍⬛😻

[Lionesss]

 

Two days till we sail. 
 

This will be the first time we are not home on the anniversary of

September 11.  
 

I wonder if RCI. Will have a remembrance tribute.  
 

Today started on a different note. 
I walked in the laundry room and literally almost jumped out of my socks. 
 

Here is this HUGE creature on the floor!

EEEEEEEWWWWWWWWEEEEE

 

 

 

 

Now. I do not do bugs. 
I hate bugs. 

It is either him/her/it or me 
I was not going to let this become a cat toy and find it on my pillow. 
So I did what any entomophobic would do…

—-put a glass on it so the spouse will take care of it when he gets home from work. 
 

 

I also sent him a picture and asked if I should call the exterminator. 
 

I get the usual Rickism …..

 

”Now, now. We live on a wooded lot. 
Now you have conquered but not limited too; toads, frogs, snakes, yellow jackets, spiders, raccoons , wild turkeys to name a few-  you can handle a cricket.”

 

REALLY!!!!!!

 

I want to hear you scream

if Lizzy puts it on your pillow!

Okay enough about our infestation. 
 

Today 

Well

Finishing touches 

Suitcases to be topped off 

Travel to Cleveland. 
Dinner 

Try to sleep in hotel without Lizzy

Early flight. 
 

More updates to follow. 
Hopefully no more bugs 

 

 

Be safe 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 6 by Lionesss