twangster Posted August 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2020 Let's wander forward for some forward views. Looking at these pictures I remember the smell of the ocean air. Closing my eyes brings me right back to this moment. Skigoofy, Ogilthorpe and JLMoran 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2020 It doesn't take long for today's sunset to arrive. Where better to take it in than the aft deck behind Boleros? Skigoofy, JLMoran, DDaley and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2020 It's always 5 o'clock on this cruise. That means it's happy hour! Balcony wine courtesy of the CAS. ellcee, JLMoran and Ogilthorpe 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2020 Some night views around the ship. I think I'll spend a few days on Empress. There are a couple of ports I want to visit while I'm in the Caribbean. Ogilthorpe, JLMoran and Skigoofy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2020 Since I'm staying, I might as well eat dinner in my favorite Chops in the fleet. Remember the bread? Yum. Who knew you could miss a wedge salad? The 16oz. bone in ribeye. Banana Sundae for dessert. Ogilthorpe, ellcee, Skigoofy and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2020 The MDR on Empress is also very nice with ample views to the sea. Ever wonder if a piano in the MDR is just a decoration? Not on this ship. Ogilthorpe, JLMoran and Skigoofy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2020 Sunset at sea is the best. I spotted a Celebrity. That's the Silhouette of the Equinox. I looked at my watch and it was 5 o'clock. Cheers! ellcee, JLMoran, Ogilthorpe and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2020 Some evening photos from around the ship. It's fitting to visit this next port of call while on Empress of the Seas so I'm staying put for the night. Time to give the Royal Transporter crew a break. parkyy2k, Skigoofy, JLMoran and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted August 5, 2020 Report Share Posted August 5, 2020 All the Empress photos remind me of something that has always boggled the mind - the public spaces on the smaller ships have so much more room to move around. In particular, the Schooner Bar has less chairs and tables in what appears to be MORE space than on some of the newer, bigger vessels. dr martini, Big Tule, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Day Four Sunrise as we approach today's destination. Skigoofy and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 The reason it's fitting to visit this next port of call while we sail on Empress of the Seas is because they were a package deal of sorts with the acquisition of Admiral Cruises. Both Empress and CocoCay have come a long way since then. The addition of the pier was a game changer and the introduction of Perfect Day at CocoCay was all that many times over. Sailing from Florida and on Empress of the Seas it was simply unavoidable for me to make this stop at CocoCay. Let's take a little look around... JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Everything about Perfect Day at CocoCay screams fun! We'll start at Thrill Waterpark. JLMoran and Skigoofy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 JLMoran and Skigoofy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Captain Jack's JLMoran and Skigoofy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Chill Island - aptly named. JLMoran and Skigoofy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Lot of loungers and umbrellas. JLMoran and Skigoofy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Having visited a number of time since Perfect Day at CocoCay was completed I can't imagine CocoCay without the Oasis lagoon. Skigoofy and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 JLMoran and Skigoofy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 The new food options are pretty great. Time for a second... JLMoran and Skigoofy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Time for my Perfect Day to begin to wind down. That process starts with our departure. I miss CocoCay, but i will be back. JLMoran and Skigoofy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 After leaving CocoCay we sail away into the sunset... literally directly into the sunset. Oh how I miss moments like this. JLMoran and parkyy2k 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Time for the second half of my CAS BOGO dinner. Goat Cheese Salad The Grilled 9 oz. Filet Mignon. Shortcake for dessert Skigoofy and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 The forward deck area is a great place to sail into the sunset but after dark it's also a great place to stargaze. On this occasion that included Milky Way gazing. I caught some lightning on the horizon from a distant storm in this next photo. Forget sailing into the sunset. Tonight we sail away into the Milky Way. WAAAYTOOO, Skigoofy, parkyy2k and 4 others 4 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Later as we approached Miami under the cover of darkness it was almost time to debark. I looked down to see the Captain on the bridge wing. Our eyes met and I gave him the nod. He understood. Warp drive engaged, we are heading back out to sea. When it's a made up cruise you can do things like this. I think I'll stay on Empress one more day, there's an island calling my name. Ogilthorpe, Skigoofy, ellcee and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted August 6, 2020 Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Loving it. Keep it coming. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skigoofy Posted August 6, 2020 Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Thank you for this! I can almost feel the sun on my face instead of the fluorescent work lights in my eyes. USCG Teacher, Ogilthorpe, parkyy2k and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted August 6, 2020 Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Those Milky Way photos are amazing! USCG Teacher and twangster 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 Day Five It's not often Royal Caribbean visits Tortola so while I'm on Empress let's do just that. The warp drive brought us here in no time. Skigoofy, JLMoran and ellcee 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 Whenever I get the chance I head over to Jost Van Dyke. So that's where we head today. JLMoran, Skigoofy and ellcee 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 Jost is a small island with a smaller population but this beach is world renowned. JLMoran, ellcee and Skigoofy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 Cruise relaxation mode engaged. I heard in a press briefing a Painkiller might prevent Coronavirus. I looked at my watch and it was 5 o'clock. Unsure of the recommended dose, I had several. DDaley, JLMoran, Skigoofy and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 With that it was time to head back to the ship. Skigoofy and JLMoran 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 After Happy Hour at the Schooner Bar I saw the Captain in the Centrum and asked if we might pop into San Juan while we are here. Since we are in the vicinity, he said sure! When it's a made up cruise, you can do things like this. DDaley and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 With our last minute and late arrival it didn't take long for the shadows to grow long. Skigoofy, ellcee and JLMoran 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 Visiting Old San Juan at night is always a treat. Skigoofy and JLMoran 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 Walking back to the ship... Skigoofy, The Cruise Junkie and JLMoran 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 With that it was time to depart OSJ. All good things must come to an end including my time on Empress of the Seas. It seems like Radiance should have reached Hubbard Glacier by now so I think it's time to beam back to where I started. Tomorrow is another cruise day and I look forward to the cooler Alaskan weather. JLMoran, Ogilthorpe and Skigoofy 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2020 I dropped by the Royal Transporter with bags packed but it seems my timing was off. Radiance was at Hubbard Glacier while I was drinking Painkillers, I mean medicating against the virus on Jost Van Dyke. I could beam over to Radiance where she was or pick another ship. I love the Caribbean but was really looking forward to cooler weather. The crew suggested New England. That's actually a pretty decent idea. Cruising with the Royal Transporter team opens up a whole new aspect of cruising. "Surprise me" I said. "Something on a New England cruise... but keep it on a Royal Caribbean ship" (I need my points to keep climbing the Crown and Anchor ladder). I'm not sure where I'm heading but I'll find out when I get there. ellcee, JLMoran, Skigoofy and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2020 Day Six I've landed back on Adventure of the Seas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in between ports. I need a sea day to slow down and relax so this is perfect. Let's take a look around the ship while we wait for our next port. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2020 How about some mini-golf? You don't see too many two level mini-golf courses at sea. WAAAYTOOO, RWDW1204 and JLMoran 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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