Traveler

We all know Norovirus incidents can happen from time to time on a cruise ship.
Although such outbreak can happen (and happen) many time on land in offices, schools , summer camps, army bases and many other crowded places ,  when it happens on a cruise ship it seems to get much more attention.
As I was disembark lately from Independence Of The Seas which suffered from such Norovirus outbreak (330 people were reported suffered from it) I can tell you the reality is much different from what is reported in the media, in fact if we would not been told the outbreak happened we might even not notice it (beside mostly the buffet that went to hand serving).
I think RC were doing very good job handing it without impacting dramatically the cruise experience.
Nevertheless I thought it will be a good idea to give some easy to use rules/tips to avoid such cases
I am sure people have more advises so feel free to add them here.
 
Before an outbreak:
1.       Use the sanitize gel whenever you can, not just the one near the food outlets , if you can wash your hands its better.
2.       Use the gel not just for your hands but also from time to time to on your sea pass card (think how many people are touching it …) and even on your shoe laces.
3.       If it is available, use the Wow band, it will reduce the risk which is describe in number 2.
4.       When order drink from the bar , avoid eating the fruit  decorations which, too many times they are prepared very early in the morning  and are not being refrigerated , some time they are handled by the bartender with the same hands he is handling the sea pass cards …
5.       At the WJ , even if you use the gel and washed your hand before avoid touching the food from your plate using your hands. Although your hands might be cleaned it might be that a  other person  standing before you did not clean his hands and you are using the same tong he touched a minute before.
6.       In the buffet try avoid children food station, such has the French fries, I saw many times child  taking food with his hands and even worse, put it back to the tray.
If you want to take such food , try to take it from the far side of the tray …
7.       Elevator buttons are problematic … use your knuckle to push the buttons (you will not touch your face with you knuckle so its better).
8.       Bring your own gel and use it on the remote control/light switch/door handle and the phone at the first day. Yes most of the chance it was disinfected before but it takes 5 minutes and can help in the rare cases someone forgot to do it.
9.       Be very careful around the ice cream machine , if it is not handled by a crew member make sure you are using napkin to take the waffle and do not touch it with the same hand you use for the ice cream handle.
10.   When you are at shore (in a non US/W Europe) avoid drinks with ice from vendors you do not know, many times the ice can be made out of regular not treated water.
11.   If you fill your water bottle use a cup to fill it , never fill it directly from the water dispenser/tank/fountain.
 
After the outbreak:
 
1.       Avoid the WJ/any buffet style restaurant – go to the MDR or special restaurant were only who should touch the food touch it.
2.       Avoid water fountain, although it might cost more use bottle waters.
3.       In the elevator do not press the infirmary button  floor (usually 1) , if you need , use a napkin or something else.
4.       Try to avoid elevator for short rides, use the stairs.
5.       Avoid touching your face with your hands.
6.       Try to avoid public bathrooms.
 

Totally agree , 
100% can not be prevented but few things can help dramatically without compromising the fun of a cruise.  

Totally agree , 
100% can not be prevented but few things can help dramatically without compromising the fun of a cruise.  

We took the 5 days due to work issues (we wanted to be back on Monday at the office).
Before that cruise we done  a 10 days cruise and it felt just perfect .
On the 5 days cruise it felt from day one like its going to end too soon 
Not that we are sorry that we took this cruise , it was , as always a wonderful experience. 

Day 5 sea day.
The last day arrived, as always too soon, I need to re think about this 5 days cruises, not sure it’s enough but then how many days are enough?
The day started early for such a sea day , around 7:30 am (half an hour after the 2 hours curfew we had so the crew can treat the corridors against the Norovirus.)
We went to the WJ to eat breakfast, all food and plates were handled by the crew as another steps against  the Noro , people were forced to use the jell (finally) and no direct contract between people and food.
I convince my partner to go and drink the morning coffee on the open deck as it was becoming a very nice day from weather perspective. When we started the coffee I told her I need to go down to the room and she can stay and join me later.
I needed an excuse so I can decorate the room for her birthday (and no ,  I did not wanted to pay 45 $ for RC poor  decoration as I could buy more decorations in 8 $ from the local store).
So I quickly inflate some balloons to hang and put outside the happy birthday sign chain just at time before she came back down  to the room and I could give her the present I smuggled in without she will notice it.

Later on someone decided to rip off the sign , why I do not know.
The rest of the morning we spent mostly on the upper decks, as I said it was a perfect sea day weather for few hours.
By the way, the promenade coffee shop stopped the self-service coffee and water, a crew member was assign to distribute the coffee and other hot drinks.
For lunch we went to Johnny rocket, nothing really to write home about but it’s better than the lines for the WJ that became restricted buffet.

Spent some time at the casino (I thought they might put a crew member near each machine wearing  a glove and press the buttons for you)
Later we went to rest for an hour or two before heading to see Grease, I saw it already on the Harmony but my partner skipped it last time.
It was nice although the sound was not that good, it was missing this wow effect that you expect from such production, such sound that will feel live and surrounds you and not something that sound like a so/so playback from a nice high school   production.

Once the show was done we headed to eat dinner in Giovanni, the restaurant was quite empty for a sea day and the service was very quick, we got everything very fast. For the main dish I took the filet , which once again was one of the best filet I was eating, highly recommended. We order the dessert and waiters came to sing happy birthday to my spouse.

After the restaurant we went to do what most of us do not like to do, pack for disembark.
We packed what need to packed and were ready just on time to go and see the quest.
The game itself was highly impacted from the Noro situation as they cancel all the missions which involved contact or other things which can further contributed to the Noro spreading.
So they came up with new missions that were not as funny as the regular once. The fact that it took place in the Pyramid room and not in studio B did not helped.
Just for perspective, comparing to the news I was reading about the Noro break like “people were waiting to run away from the ship” or “the ship became a ghost ship”  the reality was much different , I rarely saw any activities that was canceled or any facilities that were closed.
I am sure it was not fun for people who got it but for me it was well another cruise with some extra line in the WJ for serving food.

No, but you can watch them later when you get home.  There is a quite a library of them you can replay later.  

Thanks, Traveler!!!
 
That was a great blog!

If you're live blogging, I'm still following!  Sadly, Indy is far for me.  But I wanted to wait until after re-furb for the slides.

Thanks for another great live blog, @Traveler! You and @twangster, and your live blogs, are the only things keeping from going nuts and jumping up and down shouting "I want it NOW!!" as I'm only 3 days away from starting the double-digit dance for my March cruise on Freedom. Not sure I can hold until your next cruises for another bit of "therapy blog reading"! 

Thanks for the great blog!

Thanks for taking the time to do this live blog @Traveler.  I have enjoyed reading and following!  Love the surprise you did for your partner's birthday!

We all know Norovirus incidents can happen from time to time on a cruise ship.
Although such outbreak can happen (and happen) many time on land in offices, schools , summer camps, army bases and many other crowded places ,  when it happens on a cruise ship it seems to get much more attention.
As I was disembark lately from Independence Of The Seas which suffered from such Norovirus outbreak (330 people were reported suffered from it) I can tell you the reality is much different from what is reported in the media, in fact if we would not been told the outbreak happened we might even not notice it (beside mostly the buffet that went to hand serving).
I think RC were doing very good job handing it without impacting dramatically the cruise experience.
Nevertheless I thought it will be a good idea to give some easy to use rules/tips to avoid such cases
I am sure people have more advises so feel free to add them here.
 
Before an outbreak:
1.       Use the sanitize gel whenever you can, not just the one near the food outlets , if you can wash your hands its better.
2.       Use the gel not just for your hands but also from time to time to on your sea pass card (think how many people are touching it …) and even on your shoe laces.
3.       If it is available, use the Wow band, it will reduce the risk which is describe in number 2.
4.       When order drink from the bar , avoid eating the fruit  decorations which, too many times they are prepared very early in the morning  and are not being refrigerated , some time they are handled by the bartender with the same hands he is handling the sea pass cards …
5.       At the WJ , even if you use the gel and washed your hand before avoid touching the food from your plate using your hands. Although your hands might be cleaned it might be that a  other person  standing before you did not clean his hands and you are using the same tong he touched a minute before.
6.       In the buffet try avoid children food station, such has the French fries, I saw many times child  taking food with his hands and even worse, put it back to the tray.
If you want to take such food , try to take it from the far side of the tray …
7.       Elevator buttons are problematic … use your knuckle to push the buttons (you will not touch your face with you knuckle so its better).
8.       Bring your own gel and use it on the remote control/light switch/door handle and the phone at the first day. Yes most of the chance it was disinfected before but it takes 5 minutes and can help in the rare cases someone forgot to do it.
9.       Be very careful around the ice cream machine , if it is not handled by a crew member make sure you are using napkin to take the waffle and do not touch it with the same hand you use for the ice cream handle.
10.   When you are at shore (in a non US/W Europe) avoid drinks with ice from vendors you do not know, many times the ice can be made out of regular not treated water.
11.   If you fill your water bottle use a cup to fill it , never fill it directly from the water dispenser/tank/fountain.
 
After the outbreak:
 
1.       Avoid the WJ/any buffet style restaurant – go to the MDR or special restaurant were only who should touch the food touch it.
2.       Avoid water fountain, although it might cost more use bottle waters.
3.       In the elevator do not press the infirmary button  floor (usually 1) , if you need , use a napkin or something else.
4.       Try to avoid elevator for short rides, use the stairs.
5.       Avoid touching your face with your hands.
6.       Try to avoid public bathrooms.
 

Keep in mind most alcohol based gels and disinfectant wipes don't kill viruses.  There are "stronger" things that hospitals and clinics use.  Many are not available to the general public but there are two that are that I know of: Clorox Healthcare Hydrogen Peroxide wipes and Oxivir TB wipes.  We wiped down everything with Oxivir and always wash before using the gels.
Totally agree!  And rails too in the hallways and stairs.  We don't ever touch those and if we need to we make a fist first so you are touching it with the tips of your fingers.

Great advice. 
When it comes to the buffet, I always wash my hands before entering and then again after serving but before eating for the reasons you've started. I also carry disposable gloves with me, but I will only wear them while serving at the buffet if there isn't an easy way to wash my hands after serving myself. 

We all know Norovirus incidents can happen from time to time on a cruise ship.
Although such outbreak can happen (and happen) many time on land in offices, schools , summer camps, army bases and many other crowded places ,  when it happens on a cruise ship it seems to get much more attention.
As I was disembark lately from Independence Of The Seas which suffered from such Norovirus outbreak (330 people were reported suffered from it) I can tell you the reality is much different from what is reported in the media, in fact if we would not been told the outbreak happened we might even not notice it (beside mostly the buffet that went to hand serving).
I think RC were doing very good job handing it without impacting dramatically the cruise experience.
Nevertheless I thought it will be a good idea to give some easy to use rules/tips to avoid such cases
I am sure people have more advises so feel free to add them here.
 
Before an outbreak:
1.       Use the sanitize gel whenever you can, not just the one near the food outlets , if you can wash your hands its better.
2.       Use the gel not just for your hands but also from time to time to on your sea pass card (think how many people are touching it …) and even on your shoe laces.
3.       If it is available, use the Wow band, it will reduce the risk which is describe in number 2.
4.       When order drink from the bar , avoid eating the fruit  decorations which, too many times they are prepared very early in the morning  and are not being refrigerated , some time they are handled by the bartender with the same hands he is handling the sea pass cards …
5.       At the WJ , even if you use the gel and washed your hand before avoid touching the food from your plate using your hands. Although your hands might be cleaned it might be that a  other person  standing before you did not clean his hands and you are using the same tong he touched a minute before.
6.       In the buffet try avoid children food station, such has the French fries, I saw many times child  taking food with his hands and even worse, put it back to the tray.
If you want to take such food , try to take it from the far side of the tray …
7.       Elevator buttons are problematic … use your knuckle to push the buttons (you will not touch your face with you knuckle so its better).
8.       Bring your own gel and use it on the remote control/light switch/door handle and the phone at the first day. Yes most of the chance it was disinfected before but it takes 5 minutes and can help in the rare cases someone forgot to do it.
9.       Be very careful around the ice cream machine , if it is not handled by a crew member make sure you are using napkin to take the waffle and do not touch it with the same hand you use for the ice cream handle.
10.   When you are at shore (in a non US/W Europe) avoid drinks with ice from vendors you do not know, many times the ice can be made out of regular not treated water.
11.   If you fill your water bottle use a cup to fill it , never fill it directly from the water dispenser/tank/fountain.
 
After the outbreak:
 
1.       Avoid the WJ/any buffet style restaurant – go to the MDR or special restaurant were only who should touch the food touch it.
2.       Avoid water fountain, although it might cost more use bottle waters.
3.       In the elevator do not press the infirmary button  floor (usually 1) , if you need , use a napkin or something else.
4.       Try to avoid elevator for short rides, use the stairs.
5.       Avoid touching your face with your hands.
6.       Try to avoid public bathrooms.
 

We all know Norovirus incidents can happen from time to time on a cruise ship.
Although such outbreak can happen (and happen) many time on land in offices, schools , summer camps, army bases and many other crowded places ,  when it happens on a cruise ship it seems to get much more attention.
As I was disembark lately from Independence Of The Seas which suffered from such Norovirus outbreak (330 people were reported suffered from it) I can tell you the reality is much different from what is reported in the media, in fact if we would not been told the outbreak happened we might even not notice it (beside mostly the buffet that went to hand serving).
I think RC were doing very good job handing it without impacting dramatically the cruise experience.
Nevertheless I thought it will be a good idea to give some easy to use rules/tips to avoid such cases
I am sure people have more advises so feel free to add them here.
 
Before an outbreak:
1.       Use the sanitize gel whenever you can, not just the one near the food outlets , if you can wash your hands its better.
2.       Use the gel not just for your hands but also from time to time to on your sea pass card (think how many people are touching it …) and even on your shoe laces.
3.       If it is available, use the Wow band, it will reduce the risk which is describe in number 2.
4.       When order drink from the bar , avoid eating the fruit  decorations which, too many times they are prepared very early in the morning  and are not being refrigerated , some time they are handled by the bartender with the same hands he is handling the sea pass cards …
5.       At the WJ , even if you use the gel and washed your hand before avoid touching the food from your plate using your hands. Although your hands might be cleaned it might be that a  other person  standing before you did not clean his hands and you are using the same tong he touched a minute before.
6.       In the buffet try avoid children food station, such has the French fries, I saw many times child  taking food with his hands and even worse, put it back to the tray.
If you want to take such food , try to take it from the far side of the tray …
7.       Elevator buttons are problematic … use your knuckle to push the buttons (you will not touch your face with you knuckle so its better).
8.       Bring your own gel and use it on the remote control/light switch/door handle and the phone at the first day. Yes most of the chance it was disinfected before but it takes 5 minutes and can help in the rare cases someone forgot to do it.
9.       Be very careful around the ice cream machine , if it is not handled by a crew member make sure you are using napkin to take the waffle and do not touch it with the same hand you use for the ice cream handle.
10.   When you are at shore (in a non US/W Europe) avoid drinks with ice from vendors you do not know, many times the ice can be made out of regular not treated water.
11.   If you fill your water bottle use a cup to fill it , never fill it directly from the water dispenser/tank/fountain.
 
After the outbreak:
 
1.       Avoid the WJ/any buffet style restaurant – go to the MDR or special restaurant were only who should touch the food touch it.
2.       Avoid water fountain, although it might cost more use bottle waters.
3.       In the elevator do not press the infirmary button  floor (usually 1) , if you need , use a napkin or something else.
4.       Try to avoid elevator for short rides, use the stairs.
5.       Avoid touching your face with your hands.
6.       Try to avoid public bathrooms.
 

Haha! When I read the bit from @Traveler about 5 days being too short I thought to myself right away that even 7 days is too short too!  If I could have my way it would be always a 10-14 night cruise.  Unfortunately 7 days is about it for now. 

We all know Norovirus incidents can happen from time to time on a cruise ship.
Although such outbreak can happen (and happen) many time on land in offices, schools , summer camps, army bases and many other crowded places ,  when it happens on a cruise ship it seems to get much more attention.
As I was disembark lately from Independence Of The Seas which suffered from such Norovirus outbreak (330 people were reported suffered from it) I can tell you the reality is much different from what is reported in the media, in fact if we would not been told the outbreak happened we might even not notice it (beside mostly the buffet that went to hand serving).
I think RC were doing very good job handing it without impacting dramatically the cruise experience.
Nevertheless I thought it will be a good idea to give some easy to use rules/tips to avoid such cases
I am sure people have more advises so feel free to add them here.
 
Before an outbreak:
1.       Use the sanitize gel whenever you can, not just the one near the food outlets , if you can wash your hands its better.
2.       Use the gel not just for your hands but also from time to time to on your sea pass card (think how many people are touching it …) and even on your shoe laces.
3.       If it is available, use the Wow band, it will reduce the risk which is describe in number 2.
4.       When order drink from the bar , avoid eating the fruit  decorations which, too many times they are prepared very early in the morning  and are not being refrigerated , some time they are handled by the bartender with the same hands he is handling the sea pass cards …
5.       At the WJ , even if you use the gel and washed your hand before avoid touching the food from your plate using your hands. Although your hands might be cleaned it might be that a  other person  standing before you did not clean his hands and you are using the same tong he touched a minute before.
6.       In the buffet try avoid children food station, such has the French fries, I saw many times child  taking food with his hands and even worse, put it back to the tray.
If you want to take such food , try to take it from the far side of the tray …
7.       Elevator buttons are problematic … use your knuckle to push the buttons (you will not touch your face with you knuckle so its better).
8.       Bring your own gel and use it on the remote control/light switch/door handle and the phone at the first day. Yes most of the chance it was disinfected before but it takes 5 minutes and can help in the rare cases someone forgot to do it.
9.       Be very careful around the ice cream machine , if it is not handled by a crew member make sure you are using napkin to take the waffle and do not touch it with the same hand you use for the ice cream handle.
10.   When you are at shore (in a non US/W Europe) avoid drinks with ice from vendors you do not know, many times the ice can be made out of regular not treated water.
11.   If you fill your water bottle use a cup to fill it , never fill it directly from the water dispenser/tank/fountain.
 
After the outbreak:
 
1.       Avoid the WJ/any buffet style restaurant – go to the MDR or special restaurant were only who should touch the food touch it.
2.       Avoid water fountain, although it might cost more use bottle waters.
3.       In the elevator do not press the infirmary button  floor (usually 1) , if you need , use a napkin or something else.
4.       Try to avoid elevator for short rides, use the stairs.
5.       Avoid touching your face with your hands.
6.       Try to avoid public bathrooms.
 

We all know Norovirus incidents can happen from time to time on a cruise ship.
Although such outbreak can happen (and happen) many time on land in offices, schools , summer camps, army bases and many other crowded places ,  when it happens on a cruise ship it seems to get much more attention.
As I was disembark lately from Independence Of The Seas which suffered from such Norovirus outbreak (330 people were reported suffered from it) I can tell you the reality is much different from what is reported in the media, in fact if we would not been told the outbreak happened we might even not notice it (beside mostly the buffet that went to hand serving).
I think RC were doing very good job handing it without impacting dramatically the cruise experience.
Nevertheless I thought it will be a good idea to give some easy to use rules/tips to avoid such cases
I am sure people have more advises so feel free to add them here.
 
Before an outbreak:
1.       Use the sanitize gel whenever you can, not just the one near the food outlets , if you can wash your hands its better.
2.       Use the gel not just for your hands but also from time to time to on your sea pass card (think how many people are touching it …) and even on your shoe laces.
3.       If it is available, use the Wow band, it will reduce the risk which is describe in number 2.
4.       When order drink from the bar , avoid eating the fruit  decorations which, too many times they are prepared very early in the morning  and are not being refrigerated , some time they are handled by the bartender with the same hands he is handling the sea pass cards …
5.       At the WJ , even if you use the gel and washed your hand before avoid touching the food from your plate using your hands. Although your hands might be cleaned it might be that a  other person  standing before you did not clean his hands and you are using the same tong he touched a minute before.
6.       In the buffet try avoid children food station, such has the French fries, I saw many times child  taking food with his hands and even worse, put it back to the tray.
If you want to take such food , try to take it from the far side of the tray …
7.       Elevator buttons are problematic … use your knuckle to push the buttons (you will not touch your face with you knuckle so its better).
8.       Bring your own gel and use it on the remote control/light switch/door handle and the phone at the first day. Yes most of the chance it was disinfected before but it takes 5 minutes and can help in the rare cases someone forgot to do it.
9.       Be very careful around the ice cream machine , if it is not handled by a crew member make sure you are using napkin to take the waffle and do not touch it with the same hand you use for the ice cream handle.
10.   When you are at shore (in a non US/W Europe) avoid drinks with ice from vendors you do not know, many times the ice can be made out of regular not treated water.
11.   If you fill your water bottle use a cup to fill it , never fill it directly from the water dispenser/tank/fountain.
 
After the outbreak:
 
1.       Avoid the WJ/any buffet style restaurant – go to the MDR or special restaurant were only who should touch the food touch it.
2.       Avoid water fountain, although it might cost more use bottle waters.
3.       In the elevator do not press the infirmary button  floor (usually 1) , if you need , use a napkin or something else.
4.       Try to avoid elevator for short rides, use the stairs.
5.       Avoid touching your face with your hands.
6.       Try to avoid public bathrooms.
 

That was awesome how you decorated for your spouse's birthday!
I agree on 5 day cruises, way too short.  Since I have to fly I usually go for longer ones.  Even 7 days is too short for me 
How was the disembarking process?
 

Day 3 Labadee  (or that at least what we planned).
We were waiting for day 3 at Labadee  as it is only our second time over there , at the first time we did not really had enough  time to try all the good facilities.
We booked two major activities – the Jet ski tour (both drivers) and the zip line , both of them taking advantage on one of the sells (20 %).
When we woke up I opened the curation just to see that plans are one thing and reality is different.
There was tons of liquid sun around and visibility was almost zero.


Although I knew that most of the chances our activities will be canceled I went down to check out just to see the long line of people thinking the same as me.
After a while I got official notice that both of the activities were canceled and we will get our money back to the CC we used to book it.
I just wished they will put a sign there telling everyone the activities canceled so we can all avoid the lines.  
Now we had two options, first, start to complain about our bad luck and why or why the weather is like that.
The second was to think, hey we just save some money let’s go and use it at the SPA, we choose the second one.
Before everyone else will understand the same, we run up to the SPA to book some treatment (with the port day offers).we took the hot stone massage, 50 minutes for 109$
After the SPA we said we must try to go down to the “Island” so we can at least drink one Labadoozie ,
We went out and it was nonstop raining so everyone were running between the ship and the closer shelter.
They still served the BBQ meal under the rain ,  all seen looked like something from as disaster movie (wet people with towels over there had)  , I was looking to see if FEMA agents will suddenly arrive .


We did eat something quick with a Labadoozie and run back to the ship.

On the way back we saw the dancers and singer that continued with there act under the heavy rain , the singer was using a portable megaphone as I guess it was not allowed to use electricity equipment under the rain,
 
The rest of the day we took it easy has we were both tired .
We did miss dinner (I was sleeping) so we took some sandwiches and  red bolls and went to see the Love and marriage game , it was very funny (first time for my partner to watch it live).

 
by the way ,  day 3 and still I do not know who is our cabin attended he never came to say hello or to present himself , not that I am complaining  as the room still clean and we are not missing anything , just strange.
Still trying to figure out what this creature is 

Tomorrow Jamaica    , Ya Man

Day 2 Sea day.
When I first started to cruise (4 years ago) I thought that a good itinerary is one that has  as many port days as possible, did not really understood the need for sea days, but from cruise to cruise I started to love those sea days were you do not run anywhere and you can try all the excellent facilities the ship has to offer.
The best for us now is a good mix of sea and port days such as this cruise with two port days and 2 sea days.
I started my day at 6:30 am , not because of the jet leg  but because I had a working conference call which I could not ditch as I am the one who leading it and I wanted to make sure some activities happens this week. My coworkers thought differently and decided not to join, after few nasty emails and whatsups I gathered them all and did the short CC from the empty, quite  solarium.

I used Skype for business to conduct the call, it went smoothly so the internet is good enough for Voice over IP.
Regarding the internet, we took one device plan (as part of my drinking package bundle) which we are sharing between us, sharing is caring no? Well its good relationship practice, until now no blood was spill over it.
The internet reception is quite good around the ship beside one exception, our cabin ,  its working 50% of the time , sometime we need to get out to connect and then back to the room to use it.
I might ask to check it out, but not sure what they can do , we are in the middle of the ship on deck 9.
After the call over  I went to meet my partner and went to the WJ for breakfast, they had nice pouched eggs and some smoke salmon which I love. We were looking for the OJ machine but could not find it so we asked if they have fresh squeezed OJ , they had something prepaid, so we took it , it was something very strange as it contain not just the pulp (which I do not mind) but also ALL the seeds. I believe the OJ machine was not working so someone took full oranges  put it in a blender and thought it will be a good idea , it was not , I had to use the fork to drink the OJ without getting all the seed , the OJ by itself was good.

Later we went to walk over the running track, not running, we are on vacation after all.

Weather was not that great for a sea day but it was not rainy and the sun came to visit from time to time. Not many chair hogs were visible so noting to get annoyed by.
We went down to tour the ship, took some pictures of the night club which I think, based on what happened  to other ships will be gone after the next dry dock , I just hope it will not be gone for extra cabins but to something nice like the laser tag.
The night club looked nice but had some strange smell or has I heard someone describing it “it has a smell of a Disney ride”
 
We took some alcoholic  coffee from the royal promenade and it was excellent, so we try three of them, we are not drunk its coffee!
As we did not felt that hungry (we had liquid food) we decided to skip lunch and to take something light,
We first went to Sorrento pizza to grab a slice , I must agree with Matt observations from his previous IOC cruise , there is something very strange about the “cheese”, let’s just say I might have a good idea what they are doing with all the recycle plastic bottles over the ship …
But, after half a bottle of Tabasco (from a very good vintage I must say) and some other spices it is eatable. Good that we still have the cafe sandwiches, which some of them are quite good.
We went to see the ice show, did not had the best seat has we arrive only 15 minutes before and it was the first show which usually everyone tries to get into.
The show started slow but it gain some momentum thru the middle of it and we thought it was good and enjoyable, we might consider to watch it  again from better seats (ones that does not have a pool in front of it).
We took some pineapples drinks which are always good for taking pictures with and get people envy at home.
Dinner (official night) was again at the dining room as we enjoyed the first evening over there. We got the same table which was nice as our wine order was already in the system J
We took for starters the coconut Thai soup, which was ok but really there is not any connection between it and Thai soup (well beside the name).
For main course my spouse took the prime rib which was excellent, I considered to take the pork ribs but decide on the sea food pasta.
The sea food part at the past was very good, the pasta itself was just over cooked, so I was eating the sea food and left most of the pasta. The waiter suggest to replace it but I was not that hungry so it was ok. The service so far is very good.
For dessert we took the carrot and cheese cake.  Al in all it took around one hour plus.

Later went to play at the casino, which is quite big and have verity of slots machines and tables, minimums were around 10 $ for the tables. I was not too successful but I still went back to the room with some money in the pockets so for me it’s a wining night, after all tomorrow is another day.
Before going to sleep, I went to check what is going on in the night club, it was midnight and was  quite full , seems that people had good time over there, so yes night clubs are still useful on the ship.

Tomorrow  labadee  (hint if I am written the post now, it’s not a good sign)
The night club , at the morning,

Day 4 – Jamaica
 
We woke up to another rainy day, it was funny since during this cruise the nights were dry while during the day allot of this liquid sun.
Breakfast in the WJ was hand served by the crew as the norovirus got worse (I guess,  not that they sharing too much information) which made it slower than usual but still ok.
Oh , and this is how real OJ should like : 

We arrive at Jamaica around 7 am, weather still was the same so I was not sure if our shore excursion still on or not, quick check in deck 5 acknowledge it was still on.
We sign up for the swimming with the horse activity, again using the 20% discount on one of the super sells.
I read some mixed reviews regarding it but we decide we should  give it a try.
After more than one hour drive (mostly due to the rain which cause some  floods  ) we arrived to the farm.

The first part of the activity was to ride the horse in the “jungle”, they started to per the horses to the riders, we were 48 people so you can guess it took time (and yes there were enough horses for everyone).
When it came my time to go on one of the horse which was paired to me (I guess mainly by high and weight) they replaced it at the last minute as it was “broken”, the new horse was taller than the “broken” one which did not help much J.
The all process took at least half an hour, I wish they would have split us to two groups somehow.
We were re grouping per the families/friends and start the tour, it was nice tour although it kept raining for most of the time but it added to the experience and atmosphere.
The tour was near the beach inside green lavish flora, from time to time we saw the sea  at the end we went into it, still not swimming but walking near the shore.
During the ride you could see many colorful butterflies, it was nice to watch them.
This part of the tour was around 45 minutes
The next part was with other group of  horses which are train to swim, this time we split for four group, we were on the last group so we took lunch (10 $ for jerk chicken, rice and salad) it was quite good.
The second part was around 10 minutes , you are getting on the horse and it takes you to swim in the sea, 10 minutes is more than enough as it was not easy for me to keep balanced on the horse while my feet were drugged in the water still I am happy we done it 
 
By the way the horses were looked as they are well treated, some of them were walking outside the stables minding their own business , I am sure they would have prefer the first stop of the ship would be in Jamaica and not  after four days of people enjoying all the food…
All in all it was a good activity but could be much better with smaller group.
The way back to the ship was much faster as roads were clear by that time , we even had some spare time to check the port shops (not that there is much to see).
The liberty of the Seas was docked next to us so we can took pictures of the sisters.  soon Indi , soon , you will not need to envy any more with your sister water slides.

4 PM we left a, we went to the  we We run to the shower and to change our cloth as for some unexplained reason we smelled like a horse.
As tonight was a lobster night we first went to the WJ ,on  some of our cruises we found out that during lobster night they serve them also in the WJ , usually in two or three  different way of preparation, but not this night so we went again to the MDR.
Again it was a very good prompt service, although we were using the my time dining ,  lucky for us we were assign all the time to the same table and waiter.
We got both tow lobster plates (we did not even need to asked he just brought us two) .
 
We went to tour some of the bars to see if we can try some more new drinks, soon we realized again our drinking limitations, the good thing we realized it before we had to be carried back to our room.
By the way , I just realized , no dream works characters  on Indi , not sure if it is always like that or only for this cruise , so if you are going to travel with small children better you check it before.
So sorry , I will not be able to share my picture with Alex and Gloria  
 
Tomorrow sea day – the last day.

Day 5 sea day.
The last day arrived, as always too soon, I need to re think about this 5 days cruises, not sure it’s enough but then how many days are enough?
The day started early for such a sea day , around 7:30 am (half an hour after the 2 hours curfew we had so the crew can treat the corridors against the Norovirus.)
We went to the WJ to eat breakfast, all food and plates were handled by the crew as another steps against  the Noro , people were forced to use the jell (finally) and no direct contract between people and food.
I convince my partner to go and drink the morning coffee on the open deck as it was becoming a very nice day from weather perspective. When we started the coffee I told her I need to go down to the room and she can stay and join me later.
I needed an excuse so I can decorate the room for her birthday (and no ,  I did not wanted to pay 45 $ for RC poor  decoration as I could buy more decorations in 8 $ from the local store).
So I quickly inflate some balloons to hang and put outside the happy birthday sign chain just at time before she came back down  to the room and I could give her the present I smuggled in without she will notice it.

Later on someone decided to rip off the sign , why I do not know.
The rest of the morning we spent mostly on the upper decks, as I said it was a perfect sea day weather for few hours.
By the way, the promenade coffee shop stopped the self-service coffee and water, a crew member was assign to distribute the coffee and other hot drinks.
For lunch we went to Johnny rocket, nothing really to write home about but it’s better than the lines for the WJ that became restricted buffet.

Spent some time at the casino (I thought they might put a crew member near each machine wearing  a glove and press the buttons for you)
Later we went to rest for an hour or two before heading to see Grease, I saw it already on the Harmony but my partner skipped it last time.
It was nice although the sound was not that good, it was missing this wow effect that you expect from such production, such sound that will feel live and surrounds you and not something that sound like a so/so playback from a nice high school   production.

Once the show was done we headed to eat dinner in Giovanni, the restaurant was quite empty for a sea day and the service was very quick, we got everything very fast. For the main dish I took the filet , which once again was one of the best filet I was eating, highly recommended. We order the dessert and waiters came to sing happy birthday to my spouse.

After the restaurant we went to do what most of us do not like to do, pack for disembark.
We packed what need to packed and were ready just on time to go and see the quest.
The game itself was highly impacted from the Noro situation as they cancel all the missions which involved contact or other things which can further contributed to the Noro spreading.
So they came up with new missions that were not as funny as the regular once. The fact that it took place in the Pyramid room and not in studio B did not helped.
Just for perspective, comparing to the news I was reading about the Noro break like “people were waiting to run away from the ship” or “the ship became a ghost ship”  the reality was much different , I rarely saw any activities that was canceled or any facilities that were closed.
I am sure it was not fun for people who got it but for me it was well another cruise with some extra line in the WJ for serving food.