Pictures of the Week 2010-17
Hello All,
It was great to be home and to kick back for a while. We took some time to tidy up our yard in preparation for winter. And we sorted through all the photos we had taken on our August-September road trip. Then one afternoon we started talking about what we were going to do for Thanksgiving. The previous Thanksgiving we enjoyed being in Alaska with family. That’s when we decided it would be fun to celebrate the upcoming holiday on a cruise ship in a tropical paradise. So we booked a 10-day southern Caribbean cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
In early November we packed our bags and headed for Florida. We crossed Alabama from northwest to southeast traveling into Georgia where we stopped for the night in Albany. The next day we followed I-75 into Florida and then followed the Florida Turnpike into Kissimmee where we laid over for a couple of days. Following a short visit with friends in central Florida we continued on the turnpike south to Fort Lauderdale, where we had a reservation for the night plus 14 days of parking for the car.
After lunch the next day we caught the shuttle to Port Everglades where we started the embarkation process. The Emerald Princess is a magnificent ship, one of the largest in the Princess fleet. Once onboard we checked out our stateroom and found it to be lovely and then proceeded to explore the ship. Wow, talk about getting lost! In all honesty it took us about three days to comfortably learn our way around.
Here are a couple shots of the Piazza-style atrium on the ship. Various entertainment groups gathered there throughout the cruise for the enjoyment of passengers.
It was great to be home and to kick back for a while. We took some time to tidy up our yard in preparation for winter. And we sorted through all the photos we had taken on our August-September road trip. Then one afternoon we started talking about what we were going to do for Thanksgiving. The previous Thanksgiving we enjoyed being in Alaska with family. That’s when we decided it would be fun to celebrate the upcoming holiday on a cruise ship in a tropical paradise. So we booked a 10-day southern Caribbean cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
In early November we packed our bags and headed for Florida. We crossed Alabama from northwest to southeast traveling into Georgia where we stopped for the night in Albany. The next day we followed I-75 into Florida and then followed the Florida Turnpike into Kissimmee where we laid over for a couple of days. Following a short visit with friends in central Florida we continued on the turnpike south to Fort Lauderdale, where we had a reservation for the night plus 14 days of parking for the car.
After lunch the next day we caught the shuttle to Port Everglades where we started the embarkation process. The Emerald Princess is a magnificent ship, one of the largest in the Princess fleet. Once onboard we checked out our stateroom and found it to be lovely and then proceeded to explore the ship. Wow, talk about getting lost! In all honesty it took us about three days to comfortably learn our way around.
Here are a couple shots of the Piazza-style atrium on the ship. Various entertainment groups gathered there throughout the cruise for the enjoyment of passengers.
Close by the atrium gathering
area are several boutiques, a piano bar, internet café and casino.
We took an elevator up to deck
sixteen (16) where the various swimming pools, hot tubs, ice cream, pizza and
burger bars are located. It was fun checking them all out. The pool area in the
following photo is where you can watch “movies under the stars” each evening
while stretched out in one of the lounge chairs. During daylight hours they
play various musical concerts on the screen such as Tina Turner and Stevie
Wonder.
Passengers were milling around
checking everything out while waiting for others to complete the boarding
process. Our ship wasn’t scheduled to depart until 5pm. There were low coastal
clouds in the sky. But, the temperature was in the low 80’s. So after an early
dinner we went out on deck to watch the ship drop lines and cast off. It is amazing
how they can maneuver these huge ships.
One of the first things you notice is that there are some high end properties and yachts at Port Everglades.
One of the first things you notice is that there are some high end properties and yachts at Port Everglades.
While the ship was casting off we were surprised
to see armed US Coast Guard boats move in and stop other vessels in the
channel. When we were underway they escorted us out past the 12-mile
limit--they had boats on each side of the ship. They forced other boats to the
side of the channel and then put their boat between them and the ship.
We didn’t observe anyone
arguing with the Coast Guard. They could really scream when they hit the
throttle. Once we were clear they wished us a happy holiday and a wonderful
cruise over their loud speakers--then did a couple “doughnuts” before returning
to the port.
After we caught the show in
the theatre we settled in for the evening. We will remain at sea for the next 2
days. Our first port of call will be Aruba, but more on that later.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns