Back To Abyss-ness! Live from Harmony - December 2, 2017

[JamesEM]

Thanks for the great photos.

[LincolnLog]

I’m traveling light this week. Just my iPhone X.

 

I thought this meant that you didn't bring any other cameras on this trip. Now I see that you must have just been referring to while you were on St. Thomas.

[CruiseLifeRick]

I thought this meant that you didn't bring any other cameras on this trip. Now I see that you must have just been referring to while you were on St. Thomas.

 

I was just making a joke with the iPhone comment. Sorry if that wasn’t more obvious.

 

 

See...just an iPhone. Ignore the contraption on the bottom right.

[buzzard05]

Might there be any more pictures of Rachel on said-iPhone?

 

....asking for a friend.

[Chasep17]

I was just making a joke with the iPhone comment. Sorry if that wasn’t more obvious.

 

 

See...just an iPhone. Ignore the contraption on the bottom right.

 

 

 

Is that a 70-200 or are you just happy to see Me?

[CruiseLifeRick]

Is that a 70-200 or are you just happy to see Me?

 

 

You’ll have to check under the hood! Heyo

[CruiseLifeRick]

Might there be any more pictures of Rachel on said-iPhone?

 

 

 

....asking for a friend.

 

 

 

Just so happens...

Would you look at those lines. I’m referring to the docklines of course.

[ruatha65]

Just so happens...

Would you look at those lines. I’m referring to the docklines of course.

 

She really is a fantastic guide. :o

[CruiseLifeRick]

Back to the story. So after spending way too many hours here...

 

Side note: Love Antoniu! I will sail with him again for sure.

 

I started to get hate texts from my friends because apparently I was holding up the Escape the Rubicon group from starting the mission. So I stumbled my way down to Adventure Ocean on Deck 13 (that’s right, hide your kids). Upon my arrival I was welcomed with a lot of death stares, but nothing I haven’t become accustomed too. The group thought it would be funny to have the drunk guy commence the mission of finding and pressing the blue “start” button.

 

 

As you can see, in addition to the libation issue, my stunted growth (otherwise known as being Italian), came into play here and provided for a good laugh that seemed to settle the tempers in the room.

 

I won’t give anything away, but the challenge is a lot of fun and I surprisingly really enjoyed myself. We were able to complete the mission with about 5 minutes to spare and it definitely was a great way to start the evening, which would be comprised of dinner at 150 CP and the Red Party.

 

The group was ready to paint the ship red. One guy looks a little happier than the rest.

 

 

I actually left my camera in the cabin for the night one: because I was afraid I would drop it or, let’s be honest, just fall down with it around my neck; and two: I planned to dance my arse off at the Red Party. So all the following are crappy photos I took LIIT Up.

 

Now anyone who has been to 150 Central Park knows that you must try the Cucumber Martini and given that it was the rest of my group’s first time we had them made for the entire table.

 

 

We also had about every single appetizer on the menu and shared amongst the table, which was pretty consistent all week long. All were very delicious, as usual, and solidified that this is definitely my favorite speciality restaurant on the ship, in both service and food quality. Standout appetizers were tuna tartare and lobster gnocchi.

 

For my main, I steered clear of the beef tenderloin for two, well because I was afraid I would eat the whole thing myself. Instead, I ordered the short rib, which I really enjoyed.

 

 

I passed on dessert, but I feel like Tim’s choice of the cheese cart made up for it. Doesn’t he look so happy!?

 

Edited December 13, 2017 by CruiseLifeRick

[A&L_Ont]

Standout appetizers were tuna tartare and lobster gnocchi.

 

Instead, I ordered the short rib, which I really enjoyed.

 

 

York didn’t eat the short rib without you seeing him? Total Ninja move.

 

I have to try the lobster gnocchi next time along with the tuna which was really nice.

[CruiseLifeRick]

The Red Party in Studio B.

 

While the Red Party was way more attended in September, the crowd this go around was so much more lively. I can’t tell you the number of dance circles that broke out throughout the night.

 

Say hello to Nick.

 

 

You may remember him as the winner of the Sexy Man contest. Well he is also a trained dancer, albeit I questioned if his training included giving ladies lap dances. In any case, he decided to take over for the Royal Caribbean male dancer, which was all fun and games at first. Then he made the poor decision to do some dirty dancing, like the actual dirty dancing air lift and dropped the Royal Caribbean female dancer.

 

 

Say goodbye to Nick.

 

We never saw him in the club again the rest of the week.

 

We shut down the party a little after two.

 

DJ Tony Scott and DJ Lingo were just amazing. I really enjoyed having two DJs spinning every night.

 

Edited December 14, 2017 by CruiseLifeRick

[#55worktoplay]

Your pictures are amazing from San Juan! Wow!!

[CruiseLifeRick]

Your pictures are amazing from San Juan! Wow!!

 

 

 

Appreciate it. [emoji1374]

[bobmacliberty]

Are we done Rick? Please say it ain't so. Your threads are the definition of living vicariously through others.

[CruiseLifeRick]

Are we done Rick? Please say it ain't so. Your threads are the definition of living vicariously through others.

 

 

 

I know Bob! Tax Reform has ruined my life! Someone tell my clients to stop calling me!

 

I will try to finish up with Labadee tonight. I also need to go Christmas shopping. Ugh. If there was a way to get to the mall without driving I would have started drinking already.

[Ocean Boy]

I know Bob! Tax Reform has ruined my life! Someone tell my clients to stop calling me!

 

I will try to finish up with Labadee tonight. I also need to go Christmas shopping. Ugh. If there was a way to get to the mall without driving I would have started drinking already.

I would get nervous if patients stopped calling me.

 

And... somehow I just know that I'm going to come out on the losing end of tax reform...:rolleyes:

[CruiseLifeRick]

I would get nervous if patients stopped calling me.

 

 

 

Oh they’re patients alright. #runningtheasylum

[CruizinCutieJulia]

I know Bob! Tax Reform has ruined my life! Someone tell my clients to stop calling me!

 

I will try to finish up with Labadee tonight. I also need to go Christmas shopping. Ugh. If there was a way to get to the mall without driving I would have started drinking already.

 

 

 

I had a client tell me yesterday and that e and his buddies always get together on December 23rd, drink all morning and uber to the mall and whatever they buy that’s Christmas for everyone.

 

Sounded like a good plan to me! [emoji482]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[A&L_Ont]

I also need to go Christmas shopping. Ugh.

 

Don’t worry Rick, Lisa and I are easy to buy for. Just book us your next cruise.

[CruiseLifeRick]

So about Labadee.

 

Despite my late night of dancing at the Red Party, sleeping fours a night had become the norm this sailing so I popped up early to ensure that I got shots of our sail-in to Labadee.

 

 

We had secured a cabana at Barefoot Beach (Hilltop #3 for those that are keeping track) so we got off the ship as soon as we were cleared to maximize our time.

 

The weather was absolutely amazing, very similar to our stop there in September. In fact, knock on wood, all three of my visits to Labadee this year have been picture perfect.

 

 

Raj (Concierge) had already briefed me the night before to make our way to the end of the pier to catch the golf cart to Barefoot Beach. To be honest the golf cart is a bit of overkill as the walk is very short, but when in Rome...

 

 

Can you tell I’m hungover...or perhaps still drunk?

 

We were greeted at Barefoot Beach by the infamous Roberto, who truly has an energy about him that is infectious.

 

 

He showed us to our cabana and we settled in for our beach day.

 

[CruiseLifeRick]

We spent most of the morning floating on the mats provided and drinking Labadoozies, which all came with the requested extra rum floaters. Thankfully, Antoniu was working the Barefoot Beach Bar. #Hairofthedog

 

Around noon we enjoyed the enhanced suite buffet, which was very good, but was lacking the lamp chops that we had enjoyed back in September.

 

 

The rest of the afternoon was much of the same, floating on mats and day drinking.

 

I did take a walk at one point and found a walking path at the far right end of Barefoot Beach. Just to the right of the area in this shot.

 

 

It led me to this cool lookout spot.

 

 

Fast forward 24 hours and I would notice I had a run-in with Poison Ivy. Oh well. I think the booze and salt water kept it from getting really bad.

 

A random picture of Adrenaline Beach from my walk.

 

 

All aboard wasn’t until 5:30, but I wanted to get back to the ship to shower and enjoy some more time at the Suite Sun Zone Bar. Antoniu bailed on me and headed back to the ship around 2. So around 4, we made our way back to the ship.

 

 

Edited December 17, 2017 by CruiseLifeRick

[CruiseLifeRick]

At 5:30, I headed down to the helipad for the Suite Sail-away Party. Much like the bridge tour, I don’t think I will ever get sick of attending this. It really is a treat to be on the helipad of the Oasis Class.

 

I might have been the first one out there! [emoji6]

 

15 minutes later.

 

 

 

Unlike September, the weather was exceptional for sail-away.

 

 

The event was kicked off by a speech from Dru and an introduction of some of the officers and operations crew.

 

 

Of course, Raj and Mohammad were also present to ensure we were all enjoying ourselves.

 

 

Raj will be moving to the Symphony in February for those of you that may be sailing on her for the European Season.

[CruiseLifeRick]

For those wondering, Captain Gus gave us a blow of the horn and a wave.

 

[CruiseLifeRick]

fours

 

Ricklish for four hours. Nobody has asked me to get on all fours in bed in quite some time.

[CruiseLifeRick]

#takeusbacktolabadee