Boston Babe Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 15 hours ago, Sweety said: I will be with @Boston Babe on Adventure. We can do a live blog to get everyone psyched for the 2020 NE/CA Group cruise that @Matt will be doing! LOL ellcee, Lovetocruise2002, SpeedNoodles and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 7 minutes ago, Boston Babe said: We can do a live blog to get everyone psyched for the 2020 NE/CA Group cruise that @Matt will be doing! LOL We can do that!!!! It would be awesome. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Day 3 - Hairspray Let me start by saying I'm not into musicals. In the past if I were asked to go to a musical I would rank it right there with "Go to the hair salon with me" or "Help me pick out a dress". When Hairspray was first announced for Symphony of the Seas I paid it little attention because I had somewhat already decided to pass. Since that time I have be able to go on a number of back stage entertainment tours on various Royal ships. On those I learned a lot of technical details and the level of effort that Royal Caribbean puts into its shows. When Symphony first started sailing earlier this, Hairspray was getting pretty great reviews. Consequently I settled on taking in this show, after all, we have 12 nights on this sailing so why not? I'll let the pictures tell the story. The music was good, the vocals were strong and the cast did a great job. I never found it dragging or felt the need to come up with an excuse to leave. It was a great performance and I highly recommend it, even for the non-musical types. If you've sailed Harmony and you couldn't find an excuse to book Symphony this just may be it. Guy Gadwa, Lovetocruise2002, Skigoofy and 8 others 9 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Quick note for anyone viewing on a mobile device. If you find the pictures are stretched and look odd, you can view them in this parallel blog on some other forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 It really looks like a broadway production! Fabulous pics! Might have to rethink Symphony GC!! LOL Loving this blog! Sweety 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 What lens did you use for the Hairspray photos? I always struggle with show photos in terms of getting not fuzzy photos and especially lighting. Marc Van Niekerk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 8 minutes ago, Matt said: What lens did you use for the Hairspray photos? I always struggle with show photos in terms of getting not fuzzy photos and especially lighting. Wide angle shots from my RX100M6 combined with a 70-300mm zoom on my A7III. The trick is setting a high enough shutter speed while not pushing the ISO too far. With it's low noise profile the A7III does at great job for this use case. Matt, JLMoran, Marc Van Niekerk and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Van Niekerk Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Thanks @Matt for asking that question and @twangster for the answer. I have been wondering the same with the fabulous photos of both the ice show and musical. Can you go any further into the deep dark proprietary details on what ISO / Shutter combo you used on some of the shots? Also a quick thanks for the live blog in general. Wonderful work as always! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinUngs Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Holy smokes those Hairspray pics. I know people have said this before but these are more than marketing worthy for RCCL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 8 minutes ago, mvannie said: Thanks @Matt for asking that question and @twangster for the answer. I have been wondering the same with the fabulous photos of both the ice show and musical. Can you go any further into the deep dark proprietary details on what ISO / Shutter combo you used on some of the shots? Also a quick thanks for the live blog in general. Wonderful work as always! A shutter speed of 1/250th for a show like Hairspray minimize blur as the cast moves. I leave my ISO on auto so depending on lighting it will vary shot to shot. A film concept, ISO values increase with sensitivity. The problem is so does grain and noise. In full outdoor lighting 100 ISO yields very little grain or noise. In the dark, at 6,400 ISO there is more noise with a digital camera. Since I shoot in RAW I have to remove that noise in Lightroom. Newer cameras have a better ISO noise profile so you can push the limits well past where you could with older digital cameras and the result is the photos you see. A number are shot at ISO 6,400 the cap I have set for my camera. It can go higher but I find 6,400 provides good results that are easy to fix in post. I also shoot in burst mode, taking many pictures very quickly. Later I can step through them like frames in a video and find the best facial expressions. To be even better full manual would work best but given that I am on a cruise there is often some drinking involved so partial automation usually gets me in the right neighborhood so I can fix it later which is the main benefit of shooting in RAW. rjweber3, Marc Van Niekerk, accio7 and 3 others 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I had a 6pm My Time reservation that I skipped so I could see Hairspray. I went to the My Time non-reservation line since it was well past my reservation at this point. At 8:15pm through 8:35pm I had moved about 20'. Still 20' from the hostess stand I gave up and went to the Windjammer for dinner. It too was busy but typical for an Oasis class Windjammer. The rock of Gibraltar and our pass through the Straits was approaching. I didn't want to be sitting in a dining room even if I could only see distant lights on shore. accio7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 While we were in Malagar the Captain had recorded a video which was placed on channel 14. This would provide an update on our course for the next few days. The audio is digitized in a few places, it was that way onboard. Here it is: Lovetocruise2002, Matt, GoodSmith and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Here is our position as we approached the Strait of Gibraltar: I tried to venture up top but found the upper decks closed due to high winds so I headed to deck 5, the running track. That pyramid looking object is the rock of Gibraltar. At this point we were in the Strait of Gibraltar and you could see lights on both sides. Africa on the port side: Spain and the rock of Gibraltar on the starboard side: Walking a few steps, Africa on the port side: Lovetocruise2002, Sweety, GoodSmith and 8 others 8 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Keeble Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 @twangsterare you using a different photo programme or domain? I cant seem to see the photos? I think my work pc is blocking them but normally with your other blogs I can see them ... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Just now, J_Keeble said: @twangsterare you using a different photo programme or domain? I cant seem to see the photos? I think my work pc is blocking them but normally with your other blogs I can see them ... Yes they are stored externally. Perhaps when you get home. J_Keeble 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Keeble Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Just now, twangster said: Yes they are stored externally. Perhaps when you get home. will it be like this going forward? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Just now, J_Keeble said: will it be like this going forward? I had to come up with something quick for this voyage due to changes on the blog and viewing photos from other sources. As I sat in Barcelona looking for a place I could store photos and have them available for access where ever I pick, the one I chose was an old default. Storing content is often a picky subject, I regret IMGUR is blocked by your work place. Not sure what I'll do going forward. J_Keeble 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 damn..none of these pics open for me......in Explorer or Chrome.....strange....all the other live blogs do and previous blogs by @twangster have for me....and I have tried on 2 different computers now..... Disappointed..I KNOW I am missing out on some great pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 3 hours ago, monctonguy said: damn..none of these pics open for me......in Explorer or Chrome.....strange....all the other live blogs do and previous blogs by @twangster have for me....and I have tried on 2 different computers now..... Disappointed..I KNOW I am missing out on some great pics! Weird. Photos load just fine for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodSmith Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Thanks alot for the video! I love captain Rob and love these presentations. I know uploading that video from the ship must have taken ages but very much appreciated sharing it with us. Also I had no problem viewing the photos and they are great as usual! Let us know how rough the sea is after you ventured into the Atlantic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Beautiful pics @twangster!!! I too am interested in knowing the motion now that you have sailed into the Atlantic. The scope I saw this morning from another periscoper looked like there was some motion.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Define "motion". Yes, there was some pitch (front to back) and some roll (left-right) associated with minor jostling like one would get riding a subway or train. I am all the way aft so if it is going to felt, you would feel it here. There is 'some' movement' but like a bartender said to me, it's better than what he has experienced on smaller ships. The Atlantic is rarely flat on any transatlantic. It happens occasionally where some transatlantic sailing is perfectly calm the entire way, but many times there is "motion in the ocean". If you are thinking about a transatlantic I would be ready for small to moderate seas. I sleep through this stuff without batting an eye but other's may not. accio7 and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 1 hour ago, twangster said: Define "motion". I knew you would start with that Do you think a TA is better in the fall or spring? Or does it not matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 8 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I knew you would start with that Do you think a TA is better in the fall or spring? Or does it not matter? I think the open Atlantic can always have some minor motion at times. accio7 and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Day 4 - Sea Day Finally out of the rain (for the most part). A little bit of 'motion in the ocean' in approximately 14' seas. This is the first morning I didn't sleep in past 9:30am. Time for breakfast at Johnny Rockets. Included in the cruise fare for breakfast only, it's a great breakfast venue and since I can see it from my cabin, it was calling me this morning. Cooked to order Omelette Plus some french toast Yum. Noted some new screens on the cabin TV. Our progress up to this point: GoodSmith, Lovetocruise2002, cruiselife and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Walking around the ship I noticed the Halloween decorations are up including balloons for the party later tonight. In the afternoon hours I saw several people beginning to appear in costumes. At least I think they were costumes. Boston Babe, cruiselife, accio7 and 7 others 7 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Day 4 - Dinner My Time Dining Caesar Salad Moroccan Spiced Ahi Tuna Steak Baked Alaska I had the Moroccan Spiced Ahi Tuna Steak on another ship recently and it was much better both in presentation and in flavor. New section tonight but same great service. Skigoofy, cruiselife, accio7 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 With some time to kill before the Halloween party in the promenade I went to the Wonderland Bar. A lot people don't know you can visit the bar like any other bar on the ship. You don't have to eat at Wonderland to visit the bar. They have some unique concoctions in the Wonderland theme. They have a table in the bar area that serves as a waiting area. Like the restaurant the bar menu is also unique and backlit. Down the Rabbit Hole: The Smoke Rings cocktail is made with real smoke. Mmmm. Good. With a hint of oak wood smoke. ellcee, Lovetocruise2002, GoodSmith and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 40 minutes ago, twangster said: I had the Moroccan Spiced Ahi Tuna Steak on another ship recently and it was much better both in presentation and in flavor. Sorry, was the other ship's tuna steak the one that was better, or the one you just had on Symphony was better? Hopefully the latter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 I ran into some Royal Caribbean Blog readers including @cookingyo and @Big Dawg Ron in the Wonderland restaurant. accio7, Lovetocruise2002, Skigoofy and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 2 minutes ago, JLMoran said: Sorry, was the other ship's tuna steak the one that was better, or the one you just had on Symphony was better? Hopefully the latter! Symphony was a miss. It happens when preparing thousands of meals, not every one can be perfect. rjweber3 and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 1 hour ago, twangster said: Noted some new screens on the cabin TV. I really like the look of this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 In anticipation for the Halloween parade the Promenade became very popular. Earlier in the day nearly 200 groups registered for the parade. Each were assigned a number and given a card with their number to carry around. Voting was setup in "On Air" where you could vote on the best costume. Finally it was time for the balloon drop. It was quite the party and a lot people really got into the costume and makeup. After the party it was time for some music in the pub. Skigoofy, Lovetocruise2002, Neaxan and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Love the idea of the costume contest and impressed by how many groups participated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Awesome costumes those people came up with! I still think yours is best though... The Invisible Bot! And thank you for photographing as much as you did, because even if I had been there I never in a million years could I have watched that parade unless I was way into my drink package. I am utterly terrified of balloons, and being in a hallway full of them all over the floor, just waiting to be stepped on and popped by every random passer-by, would have been more than I could handle. mworkman, accio7, rjac and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Back to the cabin late I found a glass block waiting for me. Our progress so far... JLMoran, Skigoofy, Guy Gadwa and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 3 minutes ago, JLMoran said: I am utterly terrified of balloons, I feel like there is a story here...for a night on a future GC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 @twangsterI completely love that glass block!!! Looks like you found a way to make it happen on Symphony. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 7 minutes ago, JLMoran said: I am utterly terrified of ... I thought you were going to say clowns. accio7, Lovetocruise2002 and JLMoran 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 8 minutes ago, twangster said: I thought you were going to say clowns. No, that's my cousin's husband. At least he's got a normal phobia. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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