Give me Liberty annnd an $18 DX Package? I'll Take it! Liberty of the Seas Feb 16-23 Western Caribbean

[jcackler]

Thanks for sharing - enjoyed following along!

[Johnstewarth]

So enjoyed your blog, and appreciate the effort that went into posting it! My family is sailing on Rhapsody Thanksgiving week, and Roatan is one of our ports. My daughter (8) would be over-the-moon to hold one of those adorable sloths. I've read that there are risks to humans getting too close to sloths. Am I correct in assuming that the sloths at the sanctuary you visited have been "tamed" and are not dangerous?

[GregD]

13 hours ago, Johnstewarth said:

So enjoyed your blog, and appreciate the effort that went into posting it! My family is sailing on Rhapsody Thanksgiving week, and Roatan is one of our ports. My daughter (8) would be over-the-moon to hold one of those adorable sloths. I've read that there are risks to humans getting too close to sloths. Am I correct in assuming that the sloths at the sanctuary you visited have been "tamed" and are not dangerous?

Yes, I suppose you could say the sloths have been tamed. That being said, they are still wild animals and can be unpredictable, so as long as you are nice to them, they will be nice back. I think some of the "risks" refer to the long claws that they have that can be sharp, so just be mindful of them.

[GregD]

Funny story to add here, because its one of those situations where all you can do is just laugh.  So of course, we had that LOOOOOONNG travel day home. We arrived back to Albany at around midnight. We collected our luggage and headed to the car only to discover that something got left on and of course..................we had a dead battery......The three of us adults just looked at each other and laughed. The kids thought we lost our minds. Thankfully, a phone call later to the fleet company (Heather has a fleet car for work that we get to use for personal use as well) a tow company is dispatched and we eventually made it home. Now I'm wishing for those ship laundry machines as I slowly make my way through that mountain.

[GregD]

Some stats that we learned about the ship for all those facts nerds out there like me

The ship makes its own fresh water at a rate of 712,800 gallons a day. 65,000 lbs of ice cubes are made a day

125,000 meals are made in a week. 60,000 apps, 84,000 mains, 90,000 desserts, 69,000 steaks

Consumed in an average week, 13,000 lbs of beef, 8,000 lbs of chicken, 5,000 lbs of pork, 1,400 lbs of lobster (15,000 lobster tails) 11,000 lbs of seafood, 2,500 lbs of salmon, 90,000 dozen eggs, 25,000 lbs of flour, 4,300 lbs of sugar, 1,500 lbs of coffee, 64,000 lbs of fresh fruits, 65,000 lbs of fresh vegetables, 600 lbs of fresh berries, 18,000 lbs of potatoes, 8,000 gallons of ice cream, 8,000 gallons of milk, 5,800 lbs of fresh cheese, 10,700 bottles of beer, 8,500 cans of beer, 11,500 cans of soda, 2,900 bottles of wine, 200 bottles of whiskey, 18,000 slices of pizza.

The ship itself is made of 3,700,000 sq/ft of steel plate with 350,000 individual pieces of steel used in the hull. There are 1,013 MILES of welded seams, 111,000 gallons of paint, 2,200 miles of electric wires/cables, 100 miles of piping, 62,430 sq/ft of windows, 139,920 gallons of fresh water in the pools.

At 154,000 gross tons, Liberty is equal in displacement to the total of Royal Caribbean's first FOUR ships put together.

I just love facts like these. I cant wait to find out these numbers when I sail on Oasis.

 

[Dogmom]

31 minutes ago, emsff02 said:

Funny story to add here, because its one of those situations where all you can do is just laugh.  So of course, we had that LOOOOOONNG travel day home. We arrived back to Albany at around midnight. We collected our luggage and headed to the car only to discover that something got left on and of course..................we had a dead battery......The three of us adults just looked at each other and laughed. The kids thought we lost our minds. Thankfully, a phone call later to the fleet company (Heather has a fleet car for work that we get to use for personal use as well) a tow company is dispatched and we eventually made it home. Now I'm wishing for those ship laundry machines as I slowly make my way through that mountain.

I left our car running at Port Canaveral when we cruised on Oasis. We found out about 30 minutes after departure so there was nothing we could do but my husband did panic. RC quickly escorted us to a specialty restaurant and said they would take care of it. By the time we were done with dinner they had made phone calls and got the local sheriff to oversee a locksmith unlock, turn off and re lock the car. All at no charge! We tipped everyone involved and made a donation to the sheriffs department. Not my best moment but like you said, I could only laugh.

[WAAAYTOOO]

1 hour ago, emsff02 said:

Funny story to add here, because its one of those situations where all you can do is just laugh.  So of course, we had that LOOOOOONNG travel day home. We arrived back to Albany at around midnight. We collected our luggage and headed to the car only to discover that something got left on and of course..................we had a dead battery......The three of us adults just looked at each other and laughed. The kids thought we lost our minds. Thankfully, a phone call later to the fleet company (Heather has a fleet car for work that we get to use for personal use as well) a tow company is dispatched and we eventually made it home. Now I'm wishing for those ship laundry machines as I slowly make my way through that mountain.

What a gut kikka !  I guess it was the perfect way to end an already stressful travel day.  UGH

[WAAAYTOOO]

34 minutes ago, Dogmom said:

I left our car running at Port Canaveral when we cruised on Oasis. We found out about 30 minutes after departure so there was nothing we could do but my husband did panic. RC quickly escorted us to a specialty restaurant and said they would take care of it. By the time we were done with dinner they had made phone calls and got the local sheriff to oversee a locksmith unlock, turn off and re lock the car. All at no charge! We tipped everyone involved and made a donation to the sheriffs department. Not my best moment but like you said, I could only laugh.

How did you even remember that it was on ?  I wouldn't have even though of it.

[GregD]

51 minutes ago, Dogmom said:

I left our car running at Port Canaveral when we cruised on Oasis. We found out about 30 minutes after departure so there was nothing we could do but my husband did panic. RC quickly escorted us to a specialty restaurant and said they would take care of it. By the time we were done with dinner they had made phone calls and got the local sheriff to oversee a locksmith unlock, turn off and re lock the car. All at no charge! We tipped everyone involved and made a donation to the sheriffs department. Not my best moment but like you said, I could only laugh.

Now that is funny. Like @WAAAYTOOO said, how did you know, and what did they do with your keys? Or is that how you knew when you suddenly did the why aren’t my keys in my pocket dance.

[WAAAYTOOO]

35 minutes ago, emsff02 said:

Or is that how you knew when you suddenly did the why aren’t my keys in my pocket dance.

This just happened to me recently.  I am having surgery TOMORROW (replacing my much-beleaguered left knee...none-too-soon, I might add) !!!!!  ...and when I went to the hospital to have my pre-op interview, I, as is my long-time habit, looked for my keys before I left the nurse's office, so that I would have them in my hand and NOT be searching the bottomless abyss that is my pocketbook, when I was ready to get in the car.  Nothing...nada...nope.  No keys.  Anywhere.  I pawed, unzipped and finally, panicked.  The nurse became alarmed.  She said, "let me look.  Sometimes it takes a second pair of eyes....".  Then I saw...the valet parking ticket that had been given to me when I pulled up to the parking valet....and I realized that my keys were at the valet station.  I felt like such a crotchety, forgetful, manic old lady...oh wait....

...which reminds me of ANOTHER funny story ("I'll be here all week, folks"...).  A couple of days ago when the Corona Virus first exploded, Dan and I were discussing it and I said, completely straight-faced, "oh, don't worry...it is only killing the old people".  I thought Dan was going to roll off the bed, he was laughing so hard.  The really sad part is that I didn't get why he was laughing at first.  Then it occurred to me....

[twangster]

18 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

This just happened to me recently.  I am having surgery TOMORROW (replacing my much-beleaguered left knee...none-too-soon, I might add) !!!!!  ...and when I went to the hospital to have my pre-op interview, I, as is my long-time habit, looked for my keys before I left the nurse's office, so that I would have them in my hand and NOT be searching the bottomless abyss that is my pocketbook, when I was ready to get in the car.  Nothing...nada...nope.  No keys.  Anywhere.  I pawed, unzipped and finally, panicked.  The nurse became alarmed.  She said, "let me look.  Sometimes it takes a second pair of eyes....".  Then I saw...the valet parking ticket that had been given to me when I pulled up to the parking valet....and I realized that my keys were at the valet station.  I felt like such a crotchety, forgetful, manic old lady...oh wait....

...which reminds me of ANOTHER funny story ("I'll be here all week, folks"...).  A couple of days ago when the Corona Virus first exploded, Dan and I were discussing it and I said, completely straight-faced, "oh, don't worry...it is only killing the old people".  I thought Dan was going to roll off the bed, he was laughing so hard.  The really sad part is that I didn't get why he was laughing at first.  Then it occurred to me....

Good luck with your surgery.  Have a friend who needs two new knees.  Getting old(er) sucks.  

[Sweety]

24 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

This just happened to me recently.  I am having surgery TOMORROW (replacing my much-beleaguered left knee...none-too-soon, I might add) !!!!!  ...and when I went to the hospital to have my pre-op interview, I, as is my long-time habit, looked for my keys before I left the nurse's office, so that I would have them in my hand and NOT be searching the bottomless abyss that is my pocketbook, when I was ready to get in the car.  Nothing...nada...nope.  No keys.  Anywhere.  I pawed, unzipped and finally, panicked.  The nurse became alarmed.  She said, "let me look.  Sometimes it takes a second pair of eyes....".  Then I saw...the valet parking ticket that had been given to me when I pulled up to the parking valet....and I realized that my keys were at the valet station.  I felt like such a crotchety, forgetful, manic old lady...oh wait....

...which reminds me of ANOTHER funny story ("I'll be here all week, folks"...).  A couple of days ago when the Corona Virus first exploded, Dan and I were discussing it and I said, completely straight-faced, "oh, don't worry...it is only killing the old people".  I thought Dan was going to roll off the bed, he was laughing so hard.  The really sad part is that I didn't get why he was laughing at first.  Then it occurred to me....

You are in my prayers.

[WAAAYTOOO]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

Good luck with your surgery.  Have a friend who needs two new knees.  Getting old(er) sucks.  

Thanks, T.  Of course, Dan is out of town (he did kiss my knee "goodbye" this morning before he left though !!)...so my daughter is coming to take me to the hospital and bring me home.  It's an outpatient procedure so I won't even be spending the night.  I'm sure I could use both knees as well...but the right one doesn't hurt - yet.

[WAAAYTOOO]

1 hour ago, Sweety said:

You are in my prayers.

Thanks, Sweety !!  I'm sure they will be well received.

[Baked Alaska]

@WAAAYTOOOPraying for a speedy recovery for you and a steady hand for your surgeon(s)!

[WAAAYTOOO]

Just now, Baked Alaska said:

@WAAAYTOOOPraying for a speedy recovery for you and a steady hand for your surgeon(s)!

Thank you !!!  Hopefully it is so routine that they will do it with their eyes closed.  Oh, wait..maybe not such a good idea ?

[GregD]

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

This just happened to me recently.  I am having surgery TOMORROW (replacing my much-beleaguered left knee...none-too-soon, I might add) !!!!!  ...and when I went to the hospital to have my pre-op interview, I, as is my long-time habit, looked for my keys before I left the nurse's office, so that I would have them in my hand and NOT be searching the bottomless abyss that is my pocketbook, when I was ready to get in the car.  Nothing...nada...nope.  No keys.  Anywhere.  I pawed, unzipped and finally, panicked.  The nurse became alarmed.  She said, "let me look.  Sometimes it takes a second pair of eyes....".  Then I saw...the valet parking ticket that had been given to me when I pulled up to the parking valet....and I realized that my keys were at the valet station.  I felt like such a crotchety, forgetful, manic old lady...oh wait....

...which reminds me of ANOTHER funny story ("I'll be here all week, folks"...).  A couple of days ago when the Corona Virus first exploded, Dan and I were discussing it and I said, completely straight-faced, "oh, don't worry...it is only killing the old people".  I thought Dan was going to roll off the bed, he was laughing so hard.  The really sad part is that I didn't get why he was laughing at first.  Then it occurred to me....

These stories made me laugh pretty hard. Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow. I hope for a speedy recovery. When you mentioned earlier how generous Heather was, here is a copy of her account from the cruise. Turns out she was more generous than we though!

Thas some serious cruising money there!

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 minutes ago, emsff02 said:

These stories made me laugh pretty hard. Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow. I hope for a speedy recovery. When you mentioned earlier how generous Heather was, here is a copy of her account from the cruise. Turns out she was more generous than we though!

Thas some serious cruising money there!

Thank you !  I’m sure the surgery will go swell.

Yes, I think that Heather is a kindred spirit !  Ha !

[ellcee]

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I am having surgery TOMORROW

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[WAAAYTOOO]

15 minutes ago, ellcee said:

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Thank you, Lisa !

[Ampurp85]

@WAAAYTOOO That joke was hilarious, as I've been telling my brother the same thing. I hope your surgery goes well and recovery is swift. I don't think it has anything to do with age, they just aren't making bodies the way they used to.. My friend is 32 and had to have knee and ACL surgery last week. She was up and at it 2 days later because it was outpatient.

[Dogmom]

4 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

How did you even remember that it was on ?  I wouldn't have even though of it.

I had my keys with me but I didn't know that it was still running. When we went into the suite lounge the concierge told us that someone walked by it and noticed it was on.

[WAAAYTOOO]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

 I hope your surgery goes well and recovery is swift. 

Thanks, Ali.  I really appreciate your positive thoughts.  They really matter !!!

[Fairlynew]

Not sure of your age and would never ask.  I seriously doubt that you are as old as my mom was when she had her knee replacement.  She was 84 and did beautifully!   We all thought she was crazy to do it at that age-we we’re wrong.  She is now 90 and her knee does not bother her.   She recovered well.  I hope that you also recover quickly and enjoy years of pain free walking on your new knee.   Thoughts and prayers are with you!

[Guy Gadwa]

5 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

 I am having surgery TOMORROW!!!!! 

Best wishes & a speedy recovery!

[WAAAYTOOO]

5 minutes ago, Guy Gadwa said:

Best wishes & a speedy recovery!

Thanks so much !!!!

[GregD]

Update!! Pictures from Belize!

So I forgot that Heather had one of my cameras and was snapping away while we were in Belize. Unfortunately the battery died as we were getting into the caves, so we have nothing after that, but you will get the idea. We do have plenty of pictures, sorry for the very long post.

After arriving in port, we were seated on old school buses for our ride to the caves.

Out on our journey, we could see our ships way off in the distance.

A lot of the housing looked like this. Many people had left years and years ago due to a hurricane, and many never returned, which has resulted in this run down look.

Once we arrived at our site we actually had to change buses, because the road to get to where we started, went over a hill that was too steep that the original bus would have gotten stuck.

All smiles before the trek.

Then the reality that we actually HAD TO WALK SOMEWHERE set in and the kids needed a pep talk.

This picture shows the route we took. We walked along the path all the way to the top, and then tubed back along the river.

While on the trek, the guide pointed out things to us. These palm trees are what they make thatched roofs out of. Once cut, they last for many years and are completely waterproof.

this tree had a termite nest in it. Another guide was trying to get people to eat the termites with him

Johnny was apparently discussing something here, but we don't remember what he was talking about. You can clearly see the type and condition of the trail we were walking on. Its not a difficult walk at all. The hardest part of the trail is right at the beginning, when you go down some steepish stairs and walk across the river. We saw another passenger doing this walk with a cane, so its very doable for people who may have some mobility issues.

Crisis over, and we carried on. He is a kid that HATES walks and even short ones turn into the Bataan Death March. All told the walk was about 20 minutes, and not fast paced.

Now he is happy, we have reached the mouth of the cave.

All saddled up and ready to go. Earlier I had mentioned that the guide referred to the temperature being "shockingly refreshing" Us from NY felt it was warm.

Here is an idea how open the cave feels. The caverns are grand and the ceilings are high. "Should" not be an issue if you are claustrophobic. 

Here is a look at some of the stalactites. There are not too many fancy formations of flow stone etc, but there are some

Looking back towards the mouth of the cave.

Our guide Leny. She was great, our group name was the drunken monkeys. Each bus got its own team name to keep everyone organized

 

 

 

 

[Ampurp85]

That looks so fun, I gotta say...you and your family take good pictures. You all look like beautiful human beings.  We always manage to have an eye closed or looking at something else, which is never a good angle. Which makes us look like weird potato people or aliens confused by human culture.

[GregD]

6 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

That looks so fun, I gotta say...you and your family take good pictures. You all look like beautiful human beings.  We always manage to have an eye closed or looking at something else, which is never a good angle. Which makes us look like weird potato people or aliens confused by human culture.

Thank you so much for the compliment. The funny thing is that we as a family (well, just us boys) are actually known for taking bad pictures. We are always getting instructions on our smiles etc...I have a well known saying in my family "this is my excited face" 

[GregD]

@Ampurp85, back to the photos, just found this gem

[Ampurp85]

They still look like human beings, your sister just looks like the person next to her just....isn't right

[EnJay]

Hi, We're first time cruisers and going on Liberty the end of March. I just read your blog and really appreciate all the great info and pictures! Looks like you guys had an amazing time and we're getting even more excited seeing the pix. I'm from Scotia and moved to the west coast last winter, this is my first full winter out of the Northeast and I can totally relate to that photo at the beginning of your post :).  Thanks again!

[GregD]

7 minutes ago, EnJay said:

Hi, We're first time cruisers and going on Liberty the end of March. I just read your blog and really appreciate all the great info and pictures! Looks like you guys had an amazing time and we're getting even more excited seeing the pix. I'm from Scotia and moved to the west coast last winter, this is my first full winter out of the Northeast and I can totally relate to that photo at the beginning of your post :).  Thanks again!

Small world!! It’s not often you find people from Scotia. Thanks for reading along. I’m glad you found it helpful! Enjoy the warm side of the country!!

[PRebecca]

On 2/25/2020 at 11:42 AM, emsff02 said:

Some stats that we learned about the ship for all those facts nerds out there like me

The ship makes its own fresh water at a rate of 712,800 gallons a day. 65,000 lbs of ice cubes are made a day

125,000 meals are made in a week. 60,000 apps, 84,000 mains, 90,000 desserts, 69,000 steaks

Consumed in an average week, 13,000 lbs of beef, 8,000 lbs of chicken, 5,000 lbs of pork, 1,400 lbs of lobster (15,000 lobster tails) 11,000 lbs of seafood, 2,500 lbs of salmon, 90,000 dozen eggs, 25,000 lbs of flour, 4,300 lbs of sugar, 1,500 lbs of coffee, 64,000 lbs of fresh fruits, 65,000 lbs of fresh vegetables, 600 lbs of fresh berries, 18,000 lbs of potatoes, 8,000 gallons of ice cream, 8,000 gallons of milk, 5,800 lbs of fresh cheese, 10,700 bottles of beer, 8,500 cans of beer, 11,500 cans of soda, 2,900 bottles of wine, 200 bottles of whiskey, 18,000 slices of pizza.

The ship itself is made of 3,700,000 sq/ft of steel plate with 350,000 individual pieces of steel used in the hull. There are 1,013 MILES of welded seams, 111,000 gallons of paint, 2,200 miles of electric wires/cables, 100 miles of piping, 62,430 sq/ft of windows, 139,920 gallons of fresh water in the pools.

At 154,000 gross tons, Liberty is equal in displacement to the total of Royal Caribbean's first FOUR ships put together.

I just love facts like these. I cant wait to find out these numbers when I sail on Oasis.

 

What a fun trip, thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! I hope to meet your obviously awesome family on a group cruise one day! I want to meet everyone here!!

 

The numbers are fun, and I can't remember them at all but love to hear them- especially about the crazy amount of food served on a ship.

 

But 90,000 dozen eggs, I wish they'd reword that (picky much?). 90,000 dozen. Ninety thousand dozen 

@WAAAYTOOO I hope you're recovering nicely!

 

[GregD]

1 hour ago, PRebecca said:

What a fun trip, thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! I hope to meet your obviously awesome family on a group cruise one day! I want to meet everyone here!!

 

The numbers are fun, and I can't remember them at all but love to hear them- especially about the crazy amount of food served on a ship.

 

But 90,000 dozen eggs, I wish they'd reword that (picky much?). 90,000 dozen. Ninety thousand dozen 

@WAAAYTOOO I hope you're recovering nicely!

 

Thanks for reading along! I'm on two upcoming group cruises. I'll be on Odyssey Inaugural and the Anthem group cruise to Norway. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 hours ago, PRebecca said:

@WAAAYTOOO I hope you're recovering nicely!

Wow.  How nice of you to think of me.  I'm doing GREAT.  Yesterday was a bitch....everything hurt.  But today, my range of motion is increasing quickly, the pain is subsiding andI'm eating again.  I wanted NOTHING to do with food on days 1 or 2.

Thank you for thinking of me !!!

[Lovetocruise2002]

3 hours ago, emsff02 said:

 I'm on two upcoming group cruises. I'll be on Odyssey Inaugural and the Anthem group cruise to Norway. 

+1, or +2 if you count Hubby!!  Can't wait to meet you and Heather!  It's joint Live Blog time! 

[GregD]

Got the email that our cruise photos are in, this is one of my favorites.

[GregD]

21 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

+1, or +2 if you count Hubby!!  Can't wait to meet you and Heather!  It's joint Live Blog time! 

I cant wait as well!!

 

[TheresaB]

On 2/22/2020 at 4:00 PM, jcackler said:

Our day in Cozumel a couple weeks ago and being parked next to HOS convinced us to book SOS for next year.    We wished they would have done ship tour excursions.

Did they take any photos of you feeding the manatee to purchase?