FREEDOM SEA DAYS – TWO IN A ROW Anyone who has been following my blogs knows how much I enjoy sea days. On the Freedom it’s no different except there are so many more options and yet the ones that appeal to me are basically the same. Sea Day 1 Breakfast in the Windjammer included really good hash. No smoked salmon today but so many other choices are available. MaryLu and I had a two-top by the window and enjoyed a healthy start to the day. Next was a Q&A with the Captain. Rob Hempstead. He is from RI and his career included factory-fishing ships in the Bearing Sea and the west coast of Africa. He has a great sense of humor and was entertaining as well as informative. He explained for Azipods work and what ... read more

St. Thomas Woke early and headed to the Windjammer for breakfast, fruit and smoked salmon for me. Arrived at St. Thomas at 11:00 and watched as the Captain slid the Freedom in between the Norwegian Epic and a Carnival Ship. It’s really amazing how easy it seems to maneuver this vessel with it’s azipods. By 11:30 we were off the ship and on our way for a tour of the Island and some beach time. The weather was overcast but that didn’t affect the beautiful views. The island is very developed with many properties for sale or half built. We saw two more cruise ships moored at the other pier for a total of five ships in port. Charlotte Amalie must be a zoo today. I waved to Linda & Ed on St. Croix, somewhere off ... read more

Freedom of the Seas (It’s really big) We arrived at the port at 10:30 and were able to check in right away since Bill and Ann have Emerald status and we were able to tag along. We sat in the elite section for a short time and then proceeded to have our picture taken. Once that was done we boarded and made our way to the Windjammer for lunch. If it wasn’t for Bill and Ann we would still be trying to find our way. We were able to get a table by the window at the stern where the view of the port was great. This buffet venue is very attractive with lots of stations for various food options. We all opted for salads. We started to explore the ship. It’s really, really big! First ... read more

We are approaching Port Lauderdale and it's still dark. Waiting for my coffee and juice. At 7:30 I disembark and head to the airport and home. We have had wonderful weather. Except for the shower on Curacao it has been warm and sunny. It has been lovely to go on deck after supper and look at the stars or sit in a lounge chair in the shade and watch the passing scene. As we approached the east coast of Cuba the traffic increased. We passed close to another HAL ship, either the Neiuw Amsterdam or the Eurodam heading south. Off in the distance were other cruise ships, tankers, navy vessels and fishing boats. The Noordam is a great ship. Of the large HAL ships they really got this one right. The library is wonderful as are ... read more

Curacao Met Bill and Diana at the gangway and walked to the Avis office to pick up our car. Soon we were on our way. The roads were quite good and the signage excellent. Once we got off the main roads the pot holes got worse. We found a flock of flamingos and I stopped so I could take a picture. Caution, watch where you are stepping, always!! I managed to step on a red anthill feasting on goat dodo. They were not happy and soon I wasn’t either. But I got my pictures. Today’s plan was beach hopping and we were soon at Playa Marie and quickly picked out our spot in the shade. Bill was first in the clear calm water. The sandy bottom was littered with pieces of coral. This was not the ... read more