Skylight Chapel - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

High atop Freedom of the Seas is the Skylight Chapel.

The Skylight Chapel is where you can arrange for your Royal Wedding, a wonderful service you can reserve.

No, the Captain does not perform the ceremony.  You may bring your own clergy or the appropriate official can be arranged for you. 

Generally, weddings take place on the first day of the cruise before sailing. 

This is the view of the staircase from the top looking down.  There is no elevator service to the small chapel, but there is a mechanical chair that is perfect for family members or guests who are unable to use the stairs.

 This is the view of the staircase from the bottom, looking up.

What a beautiful place for a wedding followed by a honeymoon cruise!

All the best,
Lois

Olive Or Twist - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

On early Royal Caribbean ships the trademark Viking Crown Lounge was a small lounge area high on the ship.  Now the Viking Crown includes several private meeting/party rooms as well as a large seating area and stage at the Olive or Twist Martini Bar.

I visited to take pictures on a port day so there weren't many people in the Viking Crown.

The stage area and dance floor turn the area into a very cozy lounge at night. Note the round globe in center front of the above image.

 There are quite a few of these glass globes throughout the lounge and each globe is a unique work of art.

 Beautiful!

 This is another view of the stage. 

 Wherever you are seated, you get a good view of the action.

We entertained friends here on New Year's Eve 2011-2012.  It is a beautiful place for an elegant party.

All the best,
Lois

Here, There, Everywhere - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

As many of you know, I carry my baby camera, a Canon Powershot SX210IS, in my pocket most of the time.  I had it with me when I took the elevator down to Deck 5 to pick up some pizza at Sorrento's one evening.  As I came off the elevator, Alex greeted me.  He was waiting in the wings for his appearance in the Dreamworks Parade.  What a guy!  He's always so happy!

This is the end of the long walk home down a ship corridor to our suite.

On an afternoon walk I stopped to get another picture of the H2O Zone on the pool deck, this time from the Viking Crown Lounge, 14 Decks above the ocean.

Back down closer to the sea on Deck 5 is the Champagne Bar.  This picture shows the detail in the back of the couches.  I love all the bubbly!

This little fellow is surely here while his people are in the Promenade Cafe.

This is the entrance to Pharaoh's Palace. 

This sweet little bonsai was delivered to our suite.  The ships have beautiful live plants on board and a full time horticulturalist and staff to keep them looking and feeling happy.

And, last, but not least...

...more gorgeous roses from the florist complete my collection of images taken recently aboard Freedom of the Seas.

 All the best,

Lois

Seafood at Portofino Italian Restaurant - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

Here I am taking pictures of food again.  Could that be because we spend a lot of time eating? 

This is the seafood skewer and the wonderful presentation at the table.

Shrimp, scallops, salmon, and lobster tail is served with veggies and potatoes.

Yes, this may look familiar, but it is a different meal on a different evening.   It is one of our favorite meals in our favorite restaurant on board.

Yum!

Lois

H2O Zone - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

It is so much fun to watch the action in the H2O Zone on the pool deck.

The water is very shallow so children and their parents can play in this water park of colorful figures.

There is water for splashing, running through, and watching as the giant figures spray and spill water onto those playing below.

Of course, there are standard pools for families and just for adults, too.

Enjoy,

Lois

Needlework Update - March 2012

Good morning,

It has been a busy month since my last needlework update.  Most of the things I have made are already spoken for, but some will go in my on line Etsy shop.  The sweater above will find a home in Cincinnati.

This baby blanket has already gone to a new grandchild of a friend.

This sweater will also go to Cincinnati.

This afghan in shades of brown was made for a retirement party gift.

 Here are two more patchwork sweaters in children's size 4 and 8 for the shop.  I haven't been able to keep these in stock.  These will be available for shipping on April 12.

I made three of these lap blankets:  two blue, one brown.  One blue is for a nursing home.  The other blue and the brown one will be in the shop.  I sold out of lap blankets last Christmas.

This is just a new little Easter Basket to hold candy that is fun to have.  We eat way too much candy, but, gee, it's Easter time!

And, of course, we can never have enough happy faces around.  ;)

So, it has been a busy month with the knitting needles and crochet hooks.  The ideas come faster than my hands can move. 

What are you making now?  I can always count on Ambar to have something flowing off of her crochet hook.  ;)

All the best,
Lois

PS -Thank you so much to those who have "liked" my Facebook Page by clicking on the "like" link in my Evensensproductions.com on line store.  I truly appreciate it!  If you haven't done it yet and are inclined to do so, I would love to have four more "likes" to be able to be listed in Facebook businesses.  Thank you sooooo much!

Afternoon Snack - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

It's a good thing we only have Norwegian Waffle Cakes and ice cream once a week! 

I didn't add the chocolate ice cream and strawberries this time.  Was I being careful with my diet?  Nah, just couldn't fit it all on the waffles. 

Yum!

Lois

Pools and Hot Tubs - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

I'm out strolling around Freedom of the Seas again with camera in hand. 

There are several pools and hot tubs available.  The best times to use them are when the ship is in port and most of the guests are ashore.  For experienced cruisers who have been to many ports many times, the whole purpose of cruising is to use and enjoy the ship facilities. 

Many groups cruise, too, for professional meetings, family and school reunions, hobby and music groups, etc.

Some of the hot tubs are big enough to for your whole group! 

Enjoy,
Lois

St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies - Last Shots of the Beach and Water Taxi Tri "Home"

Good morning,

Our time ashore in St. Maarten went much too quickly. 

We took a few more shots of the beach...

...as we went to the dock to board our water taxi back to our "mother ship."

Far across the bay we could see our ship, Freedom of the Seas, and another cruise ship.

 We passed an old wooden boat and soon found ourselves back at our "mother ship" home at sea, Freedom of the Seas.

We hope you've enjoyed our visit to St. Maarten as much as we have. 

All the best,
Lois

St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies - St. Martin of Tours, Roman Catholic Church

Good morning,

We walked over to the church we had seen from the water taxi as we approached old downtown St. Maarten.

The church is tucked between two larger buildings that surely were built long after the church was built.

These statues...

 ...are in the side courtyard.

 What a beautiful, peaceful place in this tropical paradise.

All the best,

Lois