Freedom of the Seas in Port Canaveral, Florida

Good morning,

Here's a different shot of Freedom than I have shown you before.  This is how she looks from the highway when you are approaching the port in Port Canaveral.

She is a spectacular sight!

Enjoy,
Lois

Rare Squid Species Transfer to Smithsonian

Good morning,

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas provided transportation of a rare squid species from Grand Cayman to the United States for the Smithsonian Institution.  These images were taken October, 2013, just a few days before we left Freedom for vacation. 

The images you see here are both mine and from others.

Look carefully to see the freezer being transferred from the tender to Freedom of the Seas.

 Paperwork transferred.

 The images below were shared with us by Cayman Island personnel who transferred the squid to Freedom of the Seas.

 Loading that freezer containing the rare squid on the tender.

 Reception committee on board.

 The lady on the right in the white coveralls is Freedom's Environmental Officer.

And, this is the precious cargo.

 Historic transfer!

All the best,
Lois

Sunset At Sea

Good morning,

Today's images were taken from our living room window as we were leaving Jamaica.

They are all so pretty, I'm showing you all of them.

 Enjoy!

Lois

Sea Day Events

Good morning,

I took this picture on the Royal Promenade, Deck 5 of Freedom of the Seas.   I'm looking up at the ceiling where the design features artwork that appears to be the underside of an old ship and a lady diving into water.  I'll surely get a better shot of this when I have my Canon mirror-less camera with me.  I only happened to have my Canon Powershot this time, but still like what I got here.

When I shot the Royal Promenade showing the floor, too, it is easier to get the ceiling art into perspective.

 What I was there to really photograph was the Question and Answer session with the Executive Team.  This is always very informative and fun!  The Team not only has all the answers, their presentation is entertaining and funny.

Enjoy,
Lois

Twin Exhaust System - A really big one!

Good morning,

There are always different things to see when I take walks around the ship.

See those huge pipes at the top of this image?  Those are part of the twin exhaust system for Freedom of the Seas, the second largest cruise ship in the world.  The people standing in the image put the exhaust system in perspective.

Tied to the rail are folded carts used for handling luggage.  These are usually stored below deck, but today there are other things being stored there.   

All the best,
Lois

Leaving St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies

Good morning,

I took today's images while taking my afternoon walk around the deck of Freedom of the Seas.

We were leaving St. Maarten on a gloriously beautiful day.  I love the way the sea continues into the dining room of the ship by way of the reflection on the windows.

Goodbye St. Maarten...

...we will see you again in two weeks.

All the best,
Lois

St. Maarten Tug

Good morning,

This little tug is in St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies.

It is just so cute!  It reminds me of a story book about a little tug boat that I read to my son many years ago.  :) 

My brain is in design mode.  I've sketched this image to possibly use as an intarsia pattern on the front of a knit sweater for a little boy. 

All the best,
Lois