I recognized that pink as soon as I stepped on board the ship. Barbie dreamhouse pink. No doubt about it. I have to say, I liked it more than a little. Welcome to the Anthem of the Seas, one of the ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet. Let's go on a cruise this week! Just hop on, this cruise is on me today!
Cruising has come a long way from when my parents were doing it. It is an alternative to going on a traditional vacation, it is just a floating holiday. Sometimes it works and sometimes it is too much travel for the time I have. Once in a while, it feels good to get pampered and waited on. A little anyway...I know, another different #MarketFriday, but, who doesn't love to be a little bit different? I love being practical too. So there is no right or wrong here, just what drives you that week. I love to share and be shared with! I have always and forever liked to see products that are being sold, places that you are going to. s! I would love to see yours! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be - the grocery store, the local marketplace or even an art gallery. Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! Don't forget to use the hashtag #MarketFriday and @dswigle.
There were five pools, plus the kiddie pool. That is a lot of pool. I will be honest with you, they don't make them too big, but nice enough that you can have an enjoyable time.
Nobody is allowed to suffer here.
The Quantum-class ships have what is referred to as "The North Star" which is a glass-enclosed little pod that holds people, it would remind you of a small London Eye. The picture of the pool was taken from the North Star. It really gives you quite the view. I did it in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the pod hanging over the side of the ship. I have gotten stuck up there, for about ten minutes on two separate occasions. I heard somewhere that the third time is the charm. Want to see the different class ships? See here.
Today is #MarketFriday initiated by @dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) Join me as we share our markets across the globe. I always look forward to seeing what you send me! It is amazing to see the different markets and cultures of our friends here on Hive.
Bumper Cars. I remember when this became the first ship to have them. I was enamoured and of course, I had to try it out. See the pink car? That would be me. You just cannot trust those older people in those cars. Grannie kept hitting my backside, while grandpa hit my side... A geriatric tag-team! Who knew?
The iFly! You know I did it! Proof! You take a 15 minute class and they let you pop in the tube and try your luck at it! They are there to help you stay face down and not flail all over the place. Such an amazing piece of equipment. It uses a machine to simulate the experience of skydiving without the fear. If you get the opportunity, you have to try it! They have them all over now and they are pretty commonplace, but, when this was first put on the ship, it was wonderous. It still is to me. The things they pack on to these ships is quite amazing. They even have bumper cars and a trapeze class. You too can fly through the air with the greatesst of ease!
I like showing off some of the different things they have on board. I have to say I enjoy going to is their art gallery. Not so much to buy, but I do love to look. Sometimes there is someone new for you to discover and there are always a variety of artists they choose to support who are being introduced and shown off. In the course of the cruise, several art auctions are held, usually on sea days when they have a captive audience. A sea day is a day where you sail, but do not stop at any port, so you are on board all day. I am okay with taking a few moments of sun and shine, by the pool and drinking something with a little paper umbrella. So, grab a bid card, find a chair and let's peruse this auction, to see what we can see. Signal the waiter with your hand and he will bring us some champagne. Can you really bid properly without a little bit of bubbly? Follow me and we will walk through to check out what they will be showing today. What ever you do, don't hold up that card unless you want to buy it.
While these auctions are a fun way to spend time while on the ship, it should be pointed out that art is one of those things that make a poor investment, so always make sure that you love what you are buying. It could make a good investment, but, you should never count on it.
Wave technology is used in the Flow Rider. It looks so easy, yes? I cannot tell you how many times I have bitten the dust (or water) trying to stand up. I have made it, perhaps 1/3 of the time. Perhaps not even that high. But, if you can stand on a surfboard, you should be able to manage this. Lies! Lies! I stood up on a surfboard at least three times.Maybe less.
Then they stop at such beautiful ports. Such a blended culture of history it owns. Nestled along the wall of the city, the tower offers a brilliant view as the sun dips low on the horizon, natural canvas with breathtaking interplays of color. The old Fort surrounds the city, protecting her.
She was so beautiful, with her blended cultures and historical buildings. The towers have the most incredible views.I really love the charm of this city. Look how the reflection of the cobblestone streets takes possession of the city at night. They just seem to breathe new life into the old blue pavers that are characteristic of this beautiful old city.
A stroll through any one of their ally's is a memorable experience. Old San Juan is vibrant and a busy area with foot traffic in the city. The cobblestone streets remind you of the important history of the area. San Juan, Puerto Rico was one of the first cities established by Spanish colonizers in the "New World." The streets were paved with blue cobblestones starting in 1784. The original cobblestones were made using iron slag, the waste from smelting iron, and were used as ballast in ships that came from Europe in the 1700s. Most of the blue cobblestones have been replaced in an effort to make streets more evenly paved, but you can still see originals on Calle Cristo. Calle del Cristo is a steep cobblestone street in Old San Juan that is best known for being the Shopping District of Old San Juan. A stroll through any one of their ally's is a memorable experience. Old San Juan is vibrant and a busy area with foot traffic in the city.
It goes without saying that this cruise line is a gastronomic event. Food is so very subjective in my opinion and if you ask a hundred people about their food on board, you will always get a different answer. I have to say that I think the food differs a bit from ship to ship, but, I can say that the smaller ships always get my vote for the best food. Usually, the service too. I have to wonder if it is because there are fewer people to contend with?
The food is always served so elegantly. The courses are many and varied. Spoiled? A little. The service is the best. Absolutely. Who could ask for anything more? Thank you for taking the short tour through some of the ship.
There are cooking classes. You can learn to make sushi, decorate cakes and many other delectable delicacies. If you are lucky, you get selected from the audience and get an up-close and personal demonstration. It's fun and you can learn a lot. French classes, seminars, organized gambling gaming. Something for everyone.
This is the end of the line for me. Walk down the gangplank and you can disembark here. I want to thank you for coming along and supporting #MarketFriday! Have an amazing day!
Please leave the link to your post here so it can easily be found by others. It helps you and me to have them in one place. Where else can you take such a quick trip around the globe? Thank you so much for joining us!! ❤
And just like that, this post is done. I hope you had a good time and learned a little something new. As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit, and just remember, #MarketFriday loves you! Thank you for supporting the challenge! Cheers!!Always and always, there must be flowers to color my world. #alwaysaflower
The view from The Faro Blanco Restaurant in Aruba, is amazing at lunch and a wonderfully romantic place to steal away the night. I was taken with the scenery, and the sumptuous menu stole me away. Take a peek at it here.
I will say that traveling to different places all in the same vacation can be fun, but, if you don't like moving from place to place on vacation, you need to look at the itinerary a little more carefully.The truth is that you have usually a day, sometimes two in beween ports, especially on the longer cruises that exceed 14 days.
Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:
Rules of the Road to Join #MarketFriday!
- Go to the market, or anywhere that you pay money for a service.
Take pictures! Be creative!
- Tell us a little bit about the market or the event. What brought you there? What did you buy? How much did it cost?
- Post the picture(s) Of course, you should tell a little bit about the ones you post
- Use the MarketFriday Community Platform to post #hive-196308 (this is not required, but appreciated)
5. Drop the link into the MarketFriday comment section so I can find it
- Following me and reblogging the post so more see it would be appreciated !! Not a rule, just appreciated, more vision for more views on your posts!
7. You must put #MarketFriday by @dswigle somewhere on your post.
As always, please remember! #MarketFriday loves you!
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