Quantum of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas Inaugural Cruise 11/14-11/16

O M G               

The day has arrived- two years in the making… we are finally on our way to Port Liberty to embark on our journey to nowhere!  Thank you Rachel Ray and also to the person who nominated Friends of Freeport to be part of the first ever Thanks for Giving show. 

As we approach the port the excitement is huge within the car- four of us, joining the others… check in is really quick in spite of the fact that two of our party do not have the requisite “Set Sail” pass…

Find your cabin, unpack and start this journey!

Wrist band on, phone/camera charged and off we go…

Find IFLY so we can learn how to do s simulated sky dive…  no sign up but wait here and maybe you can give it a go- so, wait we do, and fly we do!  Watch a short video and learn the hand signals you will need to communicate with the instructor inside the tube… chin up, legs straight legs, bent, relax…. Sure- easy for you to say…suit up in your flight suit, ear plugs, helmet and goggles… walk up the stairs   and…fly I do and it was quite fun

Then back through the legs of Priscilla- or is her name Felicia (still don’t know… oops!) the huge and kind of creepy pink sculptured bear that sits on the outside upper deck of the ship…

See Alison and Kurt’s state room- that’s one big state… lol

Wander the ship, meet and eat, and DRINK!

Devinly Delicious – restaurant and bar with “light” cuisine… some real yum!

Windjammer buffet- miles of food- all sort of things at each meal time.

American Icon Restaurant- a five star restaurant on board.   There are many others including Rocco DiSpirito, Johnny Rocket, Chic, Silk, Izumi, numerous little spots to get innovative and awesome food!  And many many bars where we can sample many amazing drinks- all free on this inaugural cruise!

Then on to the inaugural ceremony- in attendance are a family from Make a wish foundation, all the captains of ships on the line, the COO of the line, Kristin Chenowith, drummers on the wall, an earth harp…

It’s almost time to depart- it’s dark and the sky line of NYC is sparkling…  we cruise past Lady Liberty.. a toot of the horn in memoriam in front of the Freedom Tower and away we go…we’re underway and it is magical!

Dinner and the comic, then a Journey cover band and the piano bar with an awesome keyboard player… and then it’s lights for Shari.

Up before dawn and to the gym- odd to ride a bicycle on a ship that is rolling with the waves, feels like I have to balance a stationary bike and that’s quite difficult… the elliptical calls as the sun begins to rise… coffee and a shower and then the day can begin for me!

Wandering the ship once again- let me find out about the “Northstar” something of a gondola that rises three hundred feet above the sea water, and moves in a 180 degree arc above the ship- glass walls and not a problem for this woman with fear of heights- I promise fellow passengers that I will not scream and keep my promise- chatting quietly to myself and video-recording the entire journey.

Breakfast/lunch with Patti and more shipboard wandering with a brief stop at the stores to shop and peruse the bounty available to passengers.

A drink at the pool-side bar and off to Mama Mia- Broadway on board… Very well done!

Then a return to the Northstar with the group.

Quick- change your clothes it’s 6 pm and dinner starts at 630 in the American Icon Restaurant where Baldwin serves Freeport@! (Baldwin is the name of our waiter…) Food is fantastic..

Next to the music hall so we can listen to some music, sing and dance and have a libation or two…

Time’s up, bedtime for Shari

Awake to try to see us go under the Verranzano Narrows Bridge- oops, missed that, but I watch as the ship is expertly parallel parked by the captain.

Journey over and it’s been wonderful but WAY to short!!!

Home again!