Goodbye Port Canaveral

Good morning,

There was a very special event at the beginning of the last sailing out of Port Canaveral for Freedom of the Seas.

This is our friend Al who is Superman (the boss) at the Port Canaveral Terminal where thousands of guests pass through each week to and from their cruises.  We first met Al when he worked aboard the ships, then he was offered the dockside job which he says his wife thought was the best thing since sliced bread.  Al works super wonders so I gave him a Superman T-shirt about a year ago.  It was very appropriate.  ;)

That's Freedom of the Seas' Hotel Director Xavier Matthias pouring the bubbly to share with the fabulous dockside team who do such a wonderful job each week.

Freedom's Executive Team was ashore to thank the Port Canaveral personnel.

I've sailed with my husband for nearly 20 years in and out of ports all over the world.  I can attest to the fact that Port Canaveral personnel are The Best!

Thank you, Port Canaveral. 

The following week, Freedom of the Seas re-positioned to her new home port in Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Lois

Farewell to Freedom

Good mroning,

The last evening at the end of the cruise the Ohio and Texas folks all got together with us to say goodbye. 

Left to right:   Aunt Carol, My Honey, Russell, Catherine, Martha, Dr. Chris, Patti, and that's me behind the camera.  ;)

Great memories!

Lois

Coffee with Captain Toni

Good morning,

I snapped this picture of Catherine with Captain Toni while they were enjoying coffee toward the end of Catherine's week on board Freedom of the Seas.

It was a fantastic week celebrating Kjell's (Catherine's Dad's) retirement and Catherine's birthday.

Enjoy,
Lois

Dinner with the Ohio and Texas Folks

Good morning,

The food just doesn't end on a cruise ship.

This was a dinner with the our friends from Cincinnati and Dallas who were helping us celebrate Kjell's retirement.

Left to right around the table:  Dr. Chris, Matt, Carol, Catherine, me, Kjell, Russell, Martha, Liz, and Patti.

Thank you, everyone, for being here to celebrate this week.

Hugs,
Lois

Happy Birthday (Again), Catherine!

Good morning,

We celebrated our daughter's birthday all week while she was on board Freedom of the Seas. 

This time Daddy (not pictured) hosted a table in the dining room and we had cake again.

I don't think I've ever eaten so much cake in one week. 

Seated at the table left to right:  Our friend Russell, Catherine, our friend Matt.

Happy birthday, again, Catherine!

Love you,
Mom

Knitting Project at Sea

Good morning,

This is the last project I worked on while on board Freedom of the Seas earlier this month. 

I just love the way the colors of the yarn for this sweater match the color of the sea. 

This was a custom order that is now complete and has been delivered to the customer.  She will look stunning in it!

:),
Lois

Retirement Fun - What a Send Off!

Good morning,

My Honey got a great Retirement send off from the entire crew of Freedom of the Seas.  The 1,400 member crew was assembled in the theater for an all crew meeting when the Captain surprised My Honey (Chief Engineer Kjell Evensen) with a good bye program.

Pictured above are My Honey's Engine Department personnel.  That's him in the "king" chair, and, between the mirror behind him is Captain.

In this image are left to right:  Captain Toni Calne wearing the "Keep Calm, I'm a Captian" shirt, My Honey wearing the "I'm retired.  Don't ask me to do a d..mn thing," me, Dr. Chirs Thielen, Aunt Carol, Patti Thielen, and our daughter, Catherine.  Both Captain's and Chief's shirts were gifts from guests, different guests who had no idea the other gift was being given.  Great minds!

 The two images above were taken by the ship's photographers.

Following are some pictures that friends took during this event.  Pinnacle Members (those guests with the most cruise nights) were invited to the event and took quite a few pictures.

 Captain Toni sure put together a great send-off for Kjell.

 Smile, honey!

 Here come the Engine Department personnel.  :)

 A gift!  Kjell was given a gorgeous watch as a retirement gift from the crew members.

Thank you, Captain Toni, and all the other crew of Freedom of the Seas for the wonderful send off!

Lois