twangster

IIRC, Eventually to San Juan to replace Adventure who is heading to Bayonne to sail beside Anthem there.

Your photos from last night were terrific.  Really top notch job!

After looking at these photos has me looking at booking a cruise on Freedom OTS soon.

Thank you. You have inspire me to take pictures. Brilliance, Empress, Navigator, Anthem and Grandeur watch out.

Been on Freedom a three times, my favorite.  We were actually on the last cruise out of Port Canaveral.  Wish it stayed....

My fisheye is a 12mm and it takes some experimenting how and when to use it.  For example in the center the fisheye distortion is minimal while in the corners its more extreme.  Keeping the camera level pointing straight out while shooting at the ocean yields a level ocean while tilting up or down creates a bending ocean.  Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't.  I found a Photoshop filter called "Hemi Fisheye" that can 'de-fish' a photo which I've used in some shots.  I'm tempted to go for a full circular fisheye but for now I'm learning with my 12mm.
My 14mm is non-fisheye.  I wasn't going to bring it but glad I did.  I've gone back to it a couple times.  
I'm really digging these UWA lens.  You can get so much in the shot.
Humidity was pretty high in Cozumel and once again I've got condensation drops on my sensor.  I didn't bring my sensor cleaning kit so I'm having to manually cleanup my shots.  Kicking myself for being in a hurry.  Next time I'll bring my sensor cleaning kit with me.  This has happened on other cruises and I should have known better.  My fault.
 
The 16-35mm I purchased allows filters and one of those I carry is a CPL.  I used that in Cozumel to eliminate the reflection off the water and get the colors to pop.  16mm with 77mm filters is the widest lens I've seen that accepts conventional filters which is exactly why I acquired it.  I plan to use it in Northstar on Anthem - so many pictures I've seen have the reflection of the glass in them and I'm hoping to avoid that with my CPL (or at least minimize it).

Here are my sunset and golden hour photos from tonight.

















The three bars around the pool area (not including the solarium bar):

Here is the three level main dining room:


And some outdoor photos now that we are at sea and it was a great sunny day.
Ice cream anyone?

 







The adult only solarium pool is outdoor.  It has underwater seats by that bridge so you can sit with your drink and enjoy the water.

The really like the open access to the helipad on the bow.  I was scouting this for a sunset shot later tonight.

Deck 4 outdoors.  You can walk around the whole ship but there are stairs to get up to deck 5 and helipad access.  Mostly covered except for the helipad access area and bump out around the MDR.

The bump out around the MDR and great spot to watch pilot boats.

I'm loving this blog.   I sail in March on the 6 day freedom cruise!   I can't wait to get back on this ship I sailed in March 2016!  My husband hasn't been on  freedom so i can't wait to have him read this and see how much fun we are going to have!   Jane

Breakfast today was in the MDR on deck 3, Leonardo's Dining Room.

A Canadian couple from Vancouver told us a Cozumel story at breakfast.  They went scuba diving in Cozumel booked directly as it was full through RCI.  Coming back to the ship the waves were up and the dive boat couldn't dock.  After several attempts to dock, it was clear they couldn't without smashing into the pier, so as a result they were going to divert to the a downtown pier and were told they would need to take a taxi to the ship, but it was getting close to 'back on board time'. 
Plan B was to jump in and swim to the pier where Freedom was, so they did.  Port security freaked out and there was much shouting back & forth between the dive boat staff and port security but in the end they were allowed up a ladder and onto the pier.  Absent of towels they boarded Freedom dripping wet but just in time.
They had a one year old in the nursery so missing the ship was not an option.   I've heard of pier runners, but this was my 1st account of pier swimmers. 

Cruise Tip # 1307 - Take a photo on your phone of the ship contact information for each port found on the back of the Cruise Compass before leaving the ship.  It changes at each port and lists the closest US Embassy, local police, ship's local agent and the telephone number of the ship and RCI Miami. 
You just never know when you might need this, such as the story of the pier swimmers above.   For example, here is the info for Cozumel:

Royal Caribbean art: Fighter jets on Freedom of the Seas

More art from the aft elevator bank.  Very fitting for the Freedom of the Seas and since we sailed on 11/11.
Many thanks to all veterans and active service personnel including their families!  

And a shout out to a Periscoper @FloatMe I presume... I'm also on deck 10.

Lastly you never know what interesting aquatic life you'll see in the middle of the Caribbean Sea:

That's Harmony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world!  She was with us on day 1 in Port Everglades.   Now we are trading destinations as she heads to Cozumel and we head to Jamaica.  I sailed on her in September and she is a great ship!  

As an Air Force vet, the first time I saw this I was in awe.  We got to look at these F-16s and F-15 a lot, as our room was close to that elevator.
***I'm such an idiot.  The middle plane is obviously an F-18, not a 15.  I don't deserve to be in the Air Force...***
This blog is amazing; thank you for taking the time to post all of this!
 
Oh yeah - that blown glass art in and around Bolero is gorgeous!

Breakfast today was in the MDR on deck 3, Leonardo's Dining Room.

A Canadian couple from Vancouver told us a Cozumel story at breakfast.  They went scuba diving in Cozumel booked directly as it was full through RCI.  Coming back to the ship the waves were up and the dive boat couldn't dock.  After several attempts to dock, it was clear they couldn't without smashing into the pier, so as a result they were going to divert to the a downtown pier and were told they would need to take a taxi to the ship, but it was getting close to 'back on board time'. 
Plan B was to jump in and swim to the pier where Freedom was, so they did.  Port security freaked out and there was much shouting back & forth between the dive boat staff and port security but in the end they were allowed up a ladder and onto the pier.  Absent of towels they boarded Freedom dripping wet but just in time.
They had a one year old in the nursery so missing the ship was not an option.   I've heard of pier runners, but this was my 1st account of pier swimmers. 

Cruise Tip # 1307 - Take a photo on your phone of the ship contact information for each port found on the back of the Cruise Compass before leaving the ship.  It changes at each port and lists the closest US Embassy, local police, ship's local agent and the telephone number of the ship and RCI Miami. 
You just never know when you might need this, such as the story of the pier swimmers above.   For example, here is the info for Cozumel:

Absolutely!  Keep an eye out for contact later today.
Here is our Cruise Director Abe Hughes hosting the Love and Marriage Show.  

Abe has been a great CD.  He told a joke during the welcome aboard show on day 1 which he credited to Johnny Carson, someone he admired growing up:
"If you're wearing a speedo but you can't look down and see the speedo, you're over the speedo-limit"
So true...

Cruise Tip # 1307 - Take a photo on your phone of the ship contact information for each port found on the back of the Cruise Compass before leaving the ship.  It changes at each port and lists the closest US Embassy, local police, ship's local agent and the telephone number of the ship and RCI Miami. 
You just never know when you might need this, such as the story of the pier swimmers above.   For example, here is the info for Cozumel:

Cruise Tip # 1307 - Take a photo on your phone of the ship contact information for each port found on the back of the Cruise Compass before leaving the ship.  It changes at each port and lists the closest US Embassy, local police, ship's local agent and the telephone number of the ship and RCI Miami. 
You just never know when you might need this, such as the story of the pier swimmers above.   For example, here is the info for Cozumel:

I hope @Matt has budget for more storage because I'm not done taking pictures!
I love this ship.  So many things, where do I start?
First off, you don't often get to see a cantilevered hot tub from the outside, but with Liberty still beside us, here is one:

When sisters hang out you've got to take pictures...

But all good things must come to an end. Alas Liberty of the Seas, Bon Voyage until we meet again...

Back to our ship, the Freedom of the Seas, I mentioned earlier lots of places to hide out and escape or sort of, yet stay tuned to the vibe of the ship.  Here are some of those:
The computer area:

The Library right below it (note the opening to the computer lab above)

The Crown and Anchor Loyalty area:

An observation area deck something overlooking the Royal Promenade (I can't remember right now, what deck am I on?).  

Speaking of Matt, he is a big Sabor fan, so here is Sabor on the Freedom, right across from the Schooner Bar (I was saving this for a Mexican port):

Speaking of the Schooner Bar...

Which leads us to the Casino ...

Changing gears for a moment, I really like Vintages.  So here is one of my favorite venues:




For those that prefer the pub, across the 'street'...

In case I'm losing the shopping crowd, here is a photo to re-focus your attention...


Here is the B&J menu:

One last shot of the end of the Promenade near the elevator bank:

And with that, it's time for the Love and Marriage Show.  Can't miss it...  

Absolutely!  Keep an eye out for contact later today.
Here is our Cruise Director Abe Hughes hosting the Love and Marriage Show.  

Abe has been a great CD.  He told a joke during the welcome aboard show on day 1 which he credited to Johnny Carson, someone he admired growing up:
"If you're wearing a speedo but you can't look down and see the speedo, you're over the speedo-limit"
So true...

Fantastic blog! I Love the pictures. I believe  I saw you taking the photos up on deck 12 yesterday as I was running on the track before sunrise. We should do quick RCblog meet up somewhere on the ship.
Mark A. Swisshelm on FB
@m_swisshelm on twitterTwitter
When people ask me how the cruise was, I'll just send them this link to look at your photos?

I love all these photos.  You're doing a fantastic job.  Please keep it up!

This is great!  Thanks!

As promised the Captain delivered us to Cozumel on time where we met up with the Liberty of the Seas.

The port area of Cozumel features a collection of shops and some bars.  Not far outside the port area are less expensive shops.

I've been to Cozumel several times and the color of the water amazes me every time.

Since we were not scheduled to arrive until 11am several people were out early in the adult only Solarium to get a head start on their tan.

When sisters meet...


I then headed up to Olive or Twist near the top of the ship aft.  Amazing views from up there.




Last stop was the Chapel.

Down to the pier...