Cozumel, Mexico

Good morning,

Here we are in Cozumel, Mexico, a beautiful port of call where you can find a wide variety of shore excursions or do your own thing shopping and sight seeing.  Or, you can find a beach to soak up the Mexican sun.

These views were taken from the deck of Freedom of the Seas.

There is shopping here near the port or you can take a taxi "downtown" for even more shopping.

Standing here on the deck I can see reflections of Cozumel in the large windows of the dining room.

 It feels the ship and the views beyond merge in these windows.  Beautiful.

All the best,
Lois

Desserts at Chops

Good morning,

It has been awhile since I have taken pictures of FOOD!  ;) 

Above is the Red Velvet Cake served in Chops Restaurant on board Freedom of the Seas.  *sigh*

This is my real favorite, though. It's the Creme Brulee and provides its own light show at the table. 

'nuf said!

Yum,
Lois

Cleaning All Those Windows

Good morning,

I'm back on the Royal Promenade with my camera again today.  It is a port day so most guests have gone ashore.

Can you see that orange high lift equipment in the center of the above image?

That is the piece of equipment that is used to clean the inside of the ship and the windows of the staterooms overlooking the Royal Promenade.

It's quite a process to keep this ship so clean, shiny, and ship shape all the time. 

It's a constant process and so fascinating to see.

Best,
Lois

Glass Elevators - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

Last month I published a picture taken inside one of these glass elevators.  The picture was what I could see when I looked up - click here to take a look.

There are two elevator shafts in this image:  the black "columns" on the right and left sides of the image.

In this image, you can see one of the elevators that has moved into view.

A ride in one of these glass elevators provides a dramatic view of the ship. 

What a beautiful place!

All the best,
Lois

Freedom's God Mother

Good morning,

As each new ship is launched, her God Mother is present to name her and break a perfectly good bottle of champagne over her bow.  ;)

Freedom of the Seas was launched in 2006 and her God Mother is Katherine Louise Calder.  I understand she still visits the ship once each year.

More about Freedom and images of her to come....

Best,
Lois

Royal Promenade Bridge - Above and Below

Good morning,

Above is the bridge on Deck 5 in the Royal Promenade of Freedom of the Seas located at the aft end of the ship. 

At the top of this image is the same bridge as seen from Deck 4.  As you can see, it is built to look like the bottom of a boat. 

The design of this ship is incredibly beautiful.  Every time I walk through her I see something new and beautiful to photograph and appreciate.

All the best,
Lois

Need a New Camera?

Good morning,

I've been taking plenty of pictures of Freedom of the Seas and sharing them here.  I have both a Canon PowerShot SX 260 HS and a Canon 50D.  I rarely leave our stateroom without the PowerShot in my pocket because it is so easy to carry.  In fact, I had it with me when I passed through the camera department and took this picture with it.  ;)

You can purchase professional pictures taken by the photography staff on board or buy your own new camera.  The photo staff can also demonstrate and teach how to use the cameras.  Friends of ours were recently on board who had purchased a camera here.  They knew what camera they wanted before they came and found the price of that camera to be excellent compared to what they could get back home.  That sounds like a win-win to me!

All the best,
Lois

Casino Royale - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

Today's images are of the Casino Royale on board Freedom of the Seas.

The Casino was closed when I took these images, but when the ship is at sea and the Casino is open, the lights are flashing, and there are people everywhere.

Of course, there is a bar in the Casino.  Toward the center behind the bar you can see a staircase.  That staircase leads to the Royal Promenade one deck above. 

More ship pictures to come!

:),
Lois

Schooner Bar - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

I'm still taking pictures as I walk around Freedom of the Seas every day.  This picture is of the Schooner Bar, one of the original venues on Royal Caribbean ships.  What I love about it is that it is a "walk through" area where, as foot traffic passes through, you can people watch.  It's also the area where various events are held such as trivia games.

So much to do!

All the best,
Lois

Antique Figure Head

Good morning,

The lovely antique figure head above graces the walls of Freedom of the Seas on Deck 4.

The artwork on board Freedom of the Seas is truly incredible.  During a one week cruise it is easy to get involved in the many activities offered and ports to visit, but taking the time to explore the art work found all over the ship is truly worthwhile.

Enjoy!

Lois

Crew Practice Drill - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

I'm on a walk around the outside of the ship again and this time came upon a crew drill. 

That's the rescue boat out there.

On board are crew members who will be involved with a drill where people are in the water.

This is a life raft that has been launched from deck 4 over the side of the ship.  It doesn't look like a classic life raft, does it.  This one is quite large and is covered.

Crew members are already in the water...

...as a swimmer "comes to their aid."

 As the practice drill plays out...

 ...you can see the crew members take the exercise quite seriously.

 As the drill drew to a close, all was well with the "rescued" people in the water...

 ...as they waited to be picked up to go back to the ship.  Sometimes work can be fun!

Enjoy,
Lois

Jet Skis at Labadee

Good morning,

Another fun activity at Labadee is riding the jet skis. Before you start you receive safety training.

This is an organized event...

...where you ride the jet skis at the same time as a few others and a leader. 

Such fun!

Enjoy,
Lois

All Tied Up In Labadee

Good morning,

I stayed aboard this day when we stopped at the Port of Labadee.

I take at least two walks around the ship every day and each walk is very different. I especially like walking on deck 4 to enjoy the outside air and the scenery.

Today when I looked over the side I spotted the ship's Executive Committee out on the pier with a video team.  No, they are not walking the plank or preparing for a keel hauling.

They picked a good spot with a gorgeous background to make a video for the crew.

There is always something interesting going on. :)

All the best,
Lois

PS:  A few of you have made comments and I realize I had better add some more information here!  If you look at the first image, you'll see where the guests can walk when they get off the ship to go ashore.  The part of the pier where the officers were standing to take the pictures in the last two images is ONLY for crew and people handling the ship's lines when the ship is coming and going.  Guests are NOT allowed out there. 

Royal Promenade and Restaurant

Good morning,

I'm wandering around Freedom of the Seas with my camera again.  The beautiful staircase above is in the forward part of the ship.

After a stroll all the way to the aft part of the ship, you'll arrive at the main dining room on three levels.

Isn't this elegant!

The chandelier is just gorgeous, isn't it!

Enjoy,
Lois