twangster Posted May 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 10 hours ago, PrincipalTinker said: On the Anthem my traditional dining was 8:15. The 7:00 headliner/production shows are all over by 8:00? I didn't attend all of the main theater shows but the cruise compass for all of them states "All shows in the theater are approximately 50 minutes" PrincipalTinker 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Day 5 - Afternoon I found the ice cream station on the pool deck, forward, port side: It had rained a good part of the day and the water was a little choppy but the ship handled it well. Late afternoon that changed. The water become calm and fog moved in. They added a few watch officers to the bridge wings and the fog horn sounded every two minutes. Our speed dropped to single digits. I attended another show in the main theater with the Royal Caribbean dancers but I missed the juggler. Since I had only a small carry on bag I didn't pack until morning which came awfully quickly. I awoke to a foggy NY harbor. Lady Liberty in the distance as we backed into the slip at Cape Liberty. accio7, cruiselife, Lovetocruise2002 and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Despite the fog we arrived on time. Shortly after 6am I headed downstairs to the theater and the self assist area. The theater upper level filled up and it was pretty crowded. Around 6:45am they started letting us off. I thought I was doing well and had only a brief wait for a customs officer. Unfortunately someone with my name apparently has a protection order against them and it 'won' me a trip into secondary screening. After 10 minutes they cleared me and let me exit. By this time the ride sharing waiting area was pretty busy with a lot of people hailing rides. I had to wait just under 20 minutes for my Lyft to show up. Both Uber and Lyft were showing ~$21 to Newark airport. At 8am I was in the security line at EWR where they had one agent checking ID and one screening lane open for all passengers - so much for Pre. 35 minutes later I was in the Sky Club eating breakfast. cruiselife, Matt, JLMoran and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Safe travels home @twangster. Thank you for blogging and scoping. Thoroughly enjoyed it this week! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 That fog is gloomy, but sure makes for some beautiful photographs! Glad y'all made it home safely. Thanks for the great (as usual) blog! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Safe travels home and thank you for another wonderful live blog! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Oh, and most of all, thank you for coming out of hiding Floski, Matt and twangster 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 It was the most enjoyable cruise I'd ever NOT been on ...... Thanks to You. twangster and Matt 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accio7 Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Thanks for another terrific live blog, @twangster, safe travels home! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Awesome blog as always, @twangster. Looks like the Moment lenses worked out pretty well for you, a lot of those shots were spectacular! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Thanks for sharing your trip with us and answering all my questions!! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Gadwa Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Thanks for the info & great pictures!!! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 3 hours ago, twangster said: Unfortunately someone with my name apparently has a protection order against them and it 'won' me a trip into secondary screening. This could ONLY happen to you... twangster and Deedeelynn 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Safe travels... twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 4 hours ago, twangster said: Unfortunately someone with my name apparently has a protection order against them and it 'won' me a trip into secondary screening. Someone else's name is twangster? Lovetocruise2002, WAAAYTOOO, JLMoran and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Bayonne tip: Other people in the FB group reported Uber/Lyft prices in the $50-58 range to EWR. Those 1st off snagged it for $12. My brief delay caused me to pay $21 but that's a lot better than those 30 minutes or an hour after me. It pays (or saves) to get off early. iluvwineandtravel, Deedeelynn, PrincipalTinker and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said: This could ONLY happen to you... Actually I just got finished with another dude with the same name who was wanted (arrest warrant). For a couple years every time I crossed a border they would start to look me over with interest until I pointed out he was African-American and I'm not, something one agent let slip early on. Maybe it's the same guy but now he has a protection order filed on him. Minor inconvenience that only takes a few minutes to research. Not a lot I can do about it. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 4 hours ago, JLMoran said: Awesome blog as always, @twangster. Looks like the Moment lenses worked out pretty well for you, a lot of those shots were spectacular! I missed my Nikon. The Moment lenses are fine but a phone camera struggles in low light. I didn't post a lot of photos that were just too grainy. The filter holder works well too but I found it hard to use a CPL because the phone screen is hard to see in daylight. You can see well enough to frame a shot but it's too hard to see detail to judge the CPL adjustment required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 5 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Oh, and most of all, thank you for coming out of hiding Your turn next Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Thank you for @twangster for the wonderful blog. I promised I am going to submit pictures in June from my cruise to Bermuda. I hope I can do justice. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 21 minutes ago, twangster said: Your turn next Group cruises never happen when I can actually go so more favourable to staying hidden. You guys are welcome to come find me. You know where I'll be until March 2020 I already told @Floski and @Skid that it would make for a very interesting live blog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 12 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Group cruises never happen when I can actually go so more favourable to staying hidden. You guys are welcome to come find me. You know where I'll be until March 2020 I already told @Floski and @Skid that it would make for a very interesting live blog. I know where I will be in March of 2020, 11 night South Pacific cruise. Where will you be? Boston Babe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 1 minute ago, tiny260 said: I know where I will be in March of 2020, 11 night South Pacific cruise. Where will you be? I'll be home eating beans and ramen noodles. My next Star Class cruise is in Feb. 2020 so I will be broke for a while after that.... JLMoran, tiny260 and Lovetocruise2002 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Just now, WAAAYTOOO said: I'll be home eating beans and ramen noodles. My next Star Class cruise is in Feb. 2020 so I will be broke for a while after that.... Understand that, I have three lined up in a row that are all about the same price... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 25 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: You know where I'll be until March 2020 I'm not planning on sailing MSC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 45 minutes ago, tiny260 said: I know where I will be in March of 2020, 11 night South Pacific cruise. Where will you be? The newly revitalized Oasis tiny260 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 1 hour ago, tiny260 said: Understand that, I have three lined up in a row that are all about the same price... You have 3 Star Class cruises booked?? 1 hour ago, twangster said: I'm not planning on sailing MSC. Haha...told you already, one time deal...for research purposes...while I wait for Symphony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted May 11, 2018 Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 15 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: You have 3 Star Class cruises booked?? No, but they are all relatively the same price, Star class Allure 7 day, Sky class Anthem 9 day, Grand Suite Voyager 11 day. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamblingRandie Posted May 11, 2018 Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 Thank you for the awesome review and photos. Looks like you had a great trip. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted May 11, 2018 Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 Thank you for your fab review My first cruise was on Adventure and your pictures brought back happy memories twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpoole3 Posted May 11, 2018 Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 Outstanding review!! You sure did get a lot more ship pictures than I did this cruise. It's funny, in all the cruises I've never had "people" in my shots. But this cruise I have more of those than the ship! Special thanks to taking all the quest shots on my camera too. And no, I didn't know I had the bra upside down! hahahah!! It was so great meeting you, until next time! Matt, WAAAYTOOO and twangster 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincipalTinker Posted May 11, 2018 Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 Thank you for this blog and answering my questions. I learn so much from your posts! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Keeble Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 On 5/7/2018 at 5:15 PM, twangster said: You can see where they placed the new deck 12 cabins in the panoramic ocean view cabins. The jogging track was re-routed around the solarium open ceiling and you can see the color difference where the new jogging track meets the old jogging track. The view of the solarium from St Tropez. personally I think the st tropez is a waste of space, I'm very surprised they haven't put another speciality restaurant on the front like a hooked maybe???? lots of chairs for sunbathing though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 3 minutes ago, J_Keeble said: personally I think the st tropez is a waste of space, I'm very surprised they haven't put another speciality restaurant on the front like a hooked maybe???? lots of chairs for sunbathing though It's a nice quiet place to get sun. Around the pool area you had better like what ever music they are playing, or the belly flop contest, etc. St. Tropez is a great place to take a nap in the sun if that's your thing or just enjoy the sun absent of thump thump thump music. Each specialty restaurant needs its own support kitchen so it's a fair amount of work to place a restaurant anywhere on the ship. ellcee and J_Keeble 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 1 hour ago, J_Keeble said: personally I think the st tropez is a waste of space, I'm very surprised they haven't put another speciality restaurant on the front like a hooked maybe???? lots of chairs for sunbathing though 1 hour ago, twangster said: It's a nice quiet place to get sun. Around the pool area you had better like what ever music they are playing, or the belly flop contest, etc. St. Tropez is a great place to take a nap in the sun if that's your thing or just enjoy the sun absent of thump thump thump music. Each specialty restaurant needs its own support kitchen so it's a fair amount of work to place a restaurant anywhere on the ship. This is my wife's and my favorite spot if the Solarium is completely booked solid. My wife can get shade and I can lay in the sun and read my book. I agree with @twangster, just a nice quite area to escape to. On Liberty they moved the miniature golf course up to this level so there is a little bit more activity. J_Keeble 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 On 5/9/2018 at 2:31 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said: That "thing" is even more disturbing up close! It reminds me of Chucky! and Chucky is not a nice doll! Where's the knife?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 Just now, Boston Babe said: It reminds me of Chucky! and Chucky is not a nice doll! Where's the knife?? I know right?! Did you see the Chucky pic I posted after? lol Dolls give me the creeps. Thank goodness my kids were never into them. I think Chucky scarred me for life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I think Chucky scarred me for life. I know!! Me too! and for @twangster to wake up to that every morning would creep me out! I hate clowns too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted May 25, 2018 Report Share Posted May 25, 2018 @twangster, meant to ask once this was over -- How did you find the experience of using just your iPhone and the Moment lenses for all your photography? I know you like to take a lot of night shots and photos in more dimly lit areas, but the ones you posted here still seemed pretty good for being on the phone. Do you think that going forward you'll just stick with the phone and leave the big camera behind, or is there still too much of a gap with the kind of photos you like to take for that to be reasonable? Lord knows phone cameras have come a long way in the last 10 years. But I can totally see where having the larger camera bodies with much bigger sensors and support for a variety of lenses is still going to be a necessity for quite some time, especially for those gorgeous night shots and photos of performers on stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2018 2 hours ago, JLMoran said: @twangster, meant to ask once this was over -- How did you find the experience of using just your iPhone and the Moment lenses for all your photography? I know you like to take a lot of night shots and photos in more dimly lit areas, but the ones you posted here still seemed pretty good for being on the phone. Do you think that going forward you'll just stick with the phone and leave the big camera behind, or is there still too much of a gap with the kind of photos you like to take for that to be reasonable? Lord knows phone cameras have come a long way in the last 10 years. But I can totally see where having the larger camera bodies with much bigger sensors and support for a variety of lenses is still going to be a necessity for quite some time, especially for those gorgeous night shots and photos of performers on stage. While I enjoyed traveling light I missed the quality that comes with a better camera. I felt very limited and "threw away" a lot of pictures I wouldn't post on the blog. Even some that I did post were marginally acceptable and as i look at them I find myself saying "that would be such a better photo with my real camera". I'm keeping the Moment lenses and I'll take them on excursions or to places I can't or won't bring my Nikon but I won't cruise again without it. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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