"LIVE" (hopefully?) from Allure of the Seas, November 10th, 2013

[niksmom630]

Only two movies for the whole week? What will we be able to do the rest of the time?

 

Just kidding. First time on Oasis class for us. I think we will find plenty to do. Who knows, we might not even make the movies.

 

Thanks for the information.

 

Gordon

 

Star Trek, Into Darkness scheduled today.

[niksmom630]

Please relay any info gotten from the baretenders on how they are going to fix the pod at Grand Bahama.

 

Interestingly enough, I heard a "rumor" on Wednesday about repairs being done in February. We were seriously thinking of moving our independence sailing in February to this ship, however, the dates did not work for our traveling companions, and now I see on CC that the sailing is cancelled. I'll see what more I can learn today.

[niksmom630]

From St. Maarten...

 

 

 

 

We took a water taxi over the the shopping are, round trip $7 pp.

 

Along the beach area you can rent chairs with umbrellas.

[niksmom630]

Three ships in port yesterday...

 

 

 

 

 

[Eng23]

Thank you! My Nikon is doing all the work!

 

Your camera may do the work but it is the picture taker that is responsible for recognizing a great opportunity.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[ansadler]

Thank you! My Nikon is doing all the work!

 

What type of Nikon are you using? You're pictures are amazing... My husband wants to rely on cell phone camera for pics so don't have to lug a camera, but I really want good pics!!! We board Brilliance next Saturday..

[niksmom630]

We returned from our shopping expedition and went to the Park Cafe for lunch. Had the infamous roast beef sandwich, and the headed to the Solarium with my book. DD decided she wanted to do the zip line. All I can say is Hell to the No! My fear of heights makes me lightheaded on the escalator at Macy's, so dangling from a rope multiple stories above Central Park was not on my agenda. Thankfully, DD inherited her adventurous side from DH.

 

[niksmom630]

Leaving St. Maarten last night.....

 

 

 

 

After dinner, we headed to the Ice Games show. Which brings me to mini-rant number two. How many times do they announce no flash photography for the safety of the performers, and no videotaping? I think I counted 3 times. Lady in front of me proceeds to hold up her iPad and completely blocks my view. Grrrrrrrrr.......luckily, she was quickly reprimanded by a crew member, and I was able to enjoy the rest of the show. I found this ice show performance superior to other ice shows on Freedom/voyager class ships. There seemed to be more technical difficulty to the lifts and jumps.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

We returned from our shopping expedition and went to the Park Cafe for lunch. Had the infamous roast beef sandwich, and the headed to the Solarium with my book. DD decided she wanted to do the zip line. All I can say is Hell to the No! My fear of heights makes me lightheaded on the escalator at Macy's, so dangling from a rope multiple stories above Central Park was not on my agenda. Thankfully, DD inherited her adventurous side from DH.

Awwww cummon.....I did the flowrider and zipline myself (no spring chicken) and it was fantastic. You're missing great experiences. ;):)

 

Your photos are bringing back deja vu from our Oasis tour last year. St. Maarten is indeed a fantastic place. Obviously you're having a great time - enjoy.

[niksmom630]

What type of Nikon are you using? You're pictures are amazing... My husband wants to rely on cell phone camera for pics so don't have to lug a camera, but I really want good pics!!! We board Brilliance next Saturday..

 

It is a Nikon Coolpix S8200. Simple point and shoot-although I've been trying to experiment with some manual settings, sometimes successfully!

[niksmom630]

This mornings sunrise......

 

 

 

[MrFunInTheSun]

Wow! What a beautiful sunrise! Looks like the start of another great day!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - Please excuse any errors.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

After dinner, we headed to the Ice Games show. Which brings me to mini-rant number two. How many times do they announce no flash photography for the safety of the performers, and no videotaping? I think I counted 3 times. Lady in front of me proceeds to hold up her iPad and completely blocks my view.

 

Agree with your observations and comments.

 

That's yet another good reason to have a better camera on a cruise - one with a good light sensor...I was able to take both pictures and video during the ice show without any need for a flash...

[LBumb]

awesome photos

[Pebbles468]

Great pictures ...even without flash!

 

Have there been towel animals this week??

[niksmom630]

Awwww cummon.....I did the flowrider and zipline myself (no spring chicken) and it was fantastic. You're missing great experiences. ;):)

 

Your photos are bringing back deja vu from our Oasis tour last year. St. Maarten is indeed a fantastic place. Obviously you're having a great time - enjoy.

 

I will just live vicariously through DD's experiences! Great photos of the ice show, BTW!

[niksmom630]

Great pictures ...even without flash!

 

Have there been towel animals this week??

 

Two towel animals. Pretty basic ones. What our cabin steward lacks in creativity, she makes up for ten fold on service!

[CRUISEFAN0001]

I will just live vicariously through DD's experiences! Great photos of the ice show, BTW!

Thanks. It really sounds like you're enjoying your cruise...and your photos and reports are great to be following.

 

But ya really gotta think about trying the zipline and flowrider...both fun!

[niksmom630]

Off to start the day. We have some motion to the ocean this morning. I'm surprised we are even noticing it on deck 6 midship. Inside doors swaying to and fro. I didn't expect to feel any movement on this ship, but actually, I'm feeling it a bit more than on any other cruise thus far. Will pop a Bonine just in case. Have never been seasick in 14 cruises, don't intend to start now,

 

 

 

[balcony4u]

Agree with your observations and comments.

 

That's yet another good reason to have a better camera on a cruise - one with a good light sensor...I was able to take both pictures and video during the ice show without any need for a flash...

 

I have a Nikon D5100...when you took these pictures at the show were you in auto no flash or did you do it manually? The lens I currently have will only go to AP 5 so I am wondering how it will do under these conditions...

 

Sorry to hijack your thread! Please know how much it makes my day to wake up to your post! The sunrise with the storm was awesome and the colors of your last sunrise pictures were beautiful!

[melis74]

 

Thank you very, very much! Pretty funny that it is $20 cheaper on the ship.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

Off to start the day. We have some motion to the ocean this morning. I'm surprised we are even noticing it on deck 6 midship. Inside doors swaying to and fro. I didn't expect to feel any movement on this ship, but actually, I'm feeling it a bit more than on any other cruise thus far. Will pop a Bonine just in case. Have never been seasick in 14 cruises, don't intend to start now,

 

Great job on the photos! Fall cruises do seem to have windier days at times...resulting in some motion on a few days at sea...

 

I have a Nikon D5100...when you took these pictures at the show were you in auto no flash or did you do it manually? The lens I currently have will only go to AP 5 so I am wondering how it will do under these conditions...

 

Sorry to hijack your thread! Please know how much it makes my day to wake up to your post! The sunrise with the storm was awesome and the colors of your last sunrise pictures were beautiful!

They key is that many digital cameras simply are not designed (nor have the capabilities) to take good indoor/low light photos.

 

It requires a large light sensor, common to more expensive DSLR cameras and the higher end point-and-shoot models. A good glass lens also is key to capture clearer images, even in lower light. I specifically sought out those features in my previous and current Canon units....as only about 10% of today's cameras have both features....look for "good in low light" in the feature list.

 

To bring things full circle...you can see that niksmom seems to have a pretty good camera, and we're enjoying her journey live from Allure.

[cruzinlady1947]

Woke up at 430 am today...sheesh, for the love of God, why can't I sleep in!!!!!! I guess I'm afraid of missing something. I'm so glad I woke up when I did, because I got to see this....

 

 

 

And the second rainbow I have seen this week.....feeling pretty luck right now. Hope this translates into a profitable night in the casino!!

 

 

 

 

Just boarded this ship for your "Live" review. I usually don't like to repeat pictures, but these are worth repeating. These are possibly the best sunrise pictures I have seen in a long time. Rainbows are gorgeous. In fact all your pictures are great.

 

I am following along now, but sorry I missed this before. I am following a couple "live" threads right now, and I have a cruise to get ready for in a little over a week. Now, I will not get anything done. :p

 

Thanks for taking the time from your vacation to entertain us here at home.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

 

Gwen :)

[laedw]

Your pictures are awe inspiring! Thank you for sharing. Hope you are having fabulous cruise.

[ciocia]

If you get a chance next time you're at a bar getting a well deserved drink, could you ask the bartender if Glenroy is on board. We sail on December 1st, and he is my son's favorite bartender. :D

Enjoying your review your pictures are just breathtaking. Enjoy your last couple of days on the ship.

We're also from 630 Chicago in Lombard who knows we may be neighbors!!:)