Sea Dog is Live with Life on Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness in the MDR. 10-16.

[Sea Dog]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Cha Ching !

Yep you got that right! 
 

 

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

Your pictures are looking great!  I've still got 2 months left before my iPhone 12 Pro Max is fully paid off.  Not sure I can wait that long.  The more I look at your posts, the more I want to get it now.

 

 

I have been extremely impressed. Especially with vibrant colors and in low light. May not replace  DSLR cameras just yet but getting so much better.

 

 

1 hour ago, Momof3gurlz said:

Greg quick question about this drink. Do you just order a Kracken Lava Flow and they automatically add the floater? Or do you have to ask for the floater?

Loved the stingray excursion photos and video. That water is amazing.  
Your Jamaica beach day looked very nice. Even with a few annoyances, it still beats a day at work!  
 

 

 

Order it as  Kraken Lava Flow with a Kraken Floater. They will not do the floater unless you ask for it.

 

23 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

I wasn't a rum fan either until I tried Kraken two cruises ago after reading so many recommendations. Now I don't go a day without having at least one drink that includes it while cruising.

Welcome to the kraken klub!

[Sea Dog]

21 minutes ago, George C said:

Ok what’s a good simple drink for me to try when I open my kraken? As I said we did Sting Ray city a few times , once was on a Italian line either MSc or Costa , there were two large Italian groups on this excursion, one guy had taken some coral which is not allowed, so one guy from the other group told the captain and this huge loud argument started , I only know a few curse words in Italian and they were repeated several times , one of the crew from Jamaica was on the floor laughing at this . 

If you don’t mind making a frozen drink a Kraken Colada is real easy.

Kraken colada recipe 

16oz ice

5oz colada mix

2 oz Kraken Dark Spiced Rum

Mix in blender

Pour 1 ox Kraken on top as a floater

or go to Kraken’s website where they have a ton of recipes.

https://www.krakenrum.com/cocktails/#

 

[Sea Dog]

Here is the unedited version of the Star Trails from Liberty of the Seas, Aft Balcony recording for about 10 hours.

 

 

[Ocean Boy]

27 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Here is the unedited version of the Star Trails from Liberty of the Seas, Aft Balcony recording for about 10 hours.

 

 

Really cool.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, George C said:

Ok what’s a good simple drink for me to try when I open my kraken? 

So I use Kraken, vodka, and Ocean Spray diet cranberry/mango juice combo. I don't measure things, sorry.

 

Take a rock glass. I put in three cubes, pour in vodka just short of a quarter full. Then pour in kraken to a bout 1/3 full. Then fill with juice and stir.

 

Very simple to make and nothing to clean up except an empty glass.

[Sea Dog]

Let’s clear up some confusion. A lot of people get confused when dining in the MDR to what line they need to be in . Basically there are two lines with My Time Dining,  One line is with people with reservations and the second line is for people without reservations.

 

But here is the way to bypass all that. Make a reservation for the first night and tell the manager at the podium that if you like your table and waiters you would like to stick with them all week.

 

In our case we got a two top table by the window and our wait staff was excellent. We expressed desire to have the same reservation every night, same time and same table. They book it for you and told us to bypass both lines and go past the two front podiums to the second set inside the dining room. We check in and then we escort ourselves to our table. Easy peasy. This is the way to dine in the MDR.

[HicksRA]

27 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Let’s clear up some confusion. A lot of people get confused when dining in the MDR to what line they need to be in . Basically there are two lines with My Time Dining,  One line is with people with reservations and the second line is for people without reservations.

 

But here is the way to bypass all that. Make a reservation for the first night and tell the manager at the podium that if you like your table and waiters you would like to stick with them all week.

 

In our case we got a two top table by the window and our wait staff was excellent. We expressed desire to have the same reservation every night, same time and same table. They book it for you and told us to bypass both lines and go past the two front podiums to the second set inside the dining room. We check in and then we escort ourselves to our table. Easy peasy. This is the way to dine in the MDR.

That’s what we always do, although we sometimes hear a snide remark or two as we bypass the line. 

[Luckynana]

2 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

When we were doing this they handed Sharon a squid.  She was trying to get out a ways so she was holding it above her head.  A bird dived down and grabbed it.  Scared her.

Oh no!  Poor Sharon!

I see people at our Florida beaches unaware of the Seagulls just waiting to fly by and grab food right out of their hand!!

[Coralc]

3 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

The guide asked if I wanted a massage. I said no because of a broken collarbone. I did ask how much. She said $20 for 15 minutes. I told her I got one in Costa Maya for $20 for an hour. She seemed annoyed at my reply.

Jamaica is kind of like that. I'm glad you found something nice to do. ☺️

Edited October 21, 2022 by Coralc

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

Let’s clear up some confusion. A lot of people get confused when dining in the MDR to what line they need to be in . Basically there are two lines with My Time Dining,  One line is with people with reservations and the second line is for people without reservations.

 

But here is the way to bypass all that. Make a reservation for the first night and tell the manager at the podium that if you like your table and waiters you would like to stick with them all week.

 

In our case we got a two top table by the window and our wait staff was excellent. We expressed desire to have the same reservation every night, same time and same table. They book it for you and told us to bypass both lines and go past the two front podiums to the second set inside the dining room. We check in and then we escort ourselves to our table. Easy peasy. This is the way to dine in the MDR.

 

Glad that has worked for you this time and on this ship. I am not sure I would be confident enough to suggest this as a general rule. 

 

We have done MTD for years, almost since its inception and agree in the past the system worked very well, in general.  I do not have as much confidence as you, especially on the ships we have sailed, that the system is working that well post-Covid.  I would not be comfortable walking in expecting our table to be available. 
 

We have generally been able to secure A table in the same AREA, with the same waiters, at a set time but I would not like the embarrassment to people already dining, or the inconvenience of the waitstaff  to just walk in and assume a particular table would be vacant and prepared. 
 

Sounds like you have been fortunate. The Liberty must be more organized than the multiple sailings we have taken out of Galveston recently.

[Sea Dog]

19 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

 

Glad that has worked for you this time and on this ship. I am not sure I would be confident enough to suggest this as a general rule. 

 

We have done MTD for years, almost since its inception and agree in the past the system worked very well, in general.  I do not have as much confidence as you, especially on the ships we have sailed, that the system is working that well post-Covid.  I would not be comfortable walking in expecting our table to be available. 
 

We have generally been able to secure A table in the same AREA, with the same waiters, at a set time but I would not like the embarrassment to people already dining, or the inconvenience of the waitstaff  to just walk in and assume a particular table would be vacant and prepared. 
 

Sounds like you have been fortunate. The Liberty must be more organized than the multiple sailings we have taken out of Galveston recently.

I agree with you and should maybe qualified my statement in that it may not work on every ship because each ship runs independently. But so far on 3 different ships this strategy works well. Thank you for your comments.

[c-leg5]

9 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

I agree with you and should maybe qualified my statement in that it may not work on every ship because each ship runs independently. But so far on 3 different ships this strategy works well. Thank you for your comments.

 

If these have all been since cruising resumed, I would say you have been extremely lucky. 

 

There have been numerous reports discussing the new policies and problems for MTD.  Can I ask what time you book your table for?  We will be trying again next month.

[Sea Dog]

1 hour ago, c-leg5 said:

 

 

There have been numerous reports discussing the new policies and problems for MTD.  Can I ask what time you book your table for?  We will be trying again next month.

We were booked MTD originally at 7pm but we were able to make reservations at 6:45. It has worked out very well. I am quite happy with it

[Sea Dog]

Struggling to get a good night time star picture. I haven’t quite figured out how to get the iPhone to do a 30 second exposure. I also tried a 30 second exposure on the go pro. I’ll keep experimenting but here is what I have so far.

 

 

I will say the naked eye does it best. Tonight’s celestial gaze was incredible. I was tempted to hit all the bars but found myself chilling with Linda on her balcony gazing off into the stars and wondering…why didn’t I take my blood pressure medicine?????😢

 

 

Another Star Trails try. Goodnight sea day tomorrow. Looks like they are going to have a big Icon of the Seas unveiling in the Platinum Theater at 3:30pm. I’ll check it out for you.

[Sea Dog]

Screeeeech! Backup!! Totally forgot to post about dinner in the MDR.

 

 

Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned is the staple this week.

 

 

I only ordered two appetizers but because I’ve done escargot every night Eka brought me one anyway.

 

 

Seafood Cake. Like a crab cake but different seafood in it. Very yummy.

 

 

Shrimp Ceviche. Top layer good but too much lettuce underneath.

 

 

Decided to go with Chicken Parmesan which I’ve never had. It was just ok. Probably the only uninspiring dish I’ve had all week.

 

 

Mushroom Risotto with Mascarpone and cream. Very nice dish. I wish there was some black truffle added to the top.

 

 

For dessert Mississippi Mud pie. Yeah mon… there I did it again after a day in Jamaica.

 

 

with ice cream.

 

So as you have been following. Yes you can order multiple courses in the main dining room. It’s encouraged. Now I haven’t ordered multiple desserts but I have routinely ordered two appetizers and two entrees every night. I can’t wait to get back to the diet. The things one must do for research.

[perfect match]

Thanks for the report on the Bamboo Beach excursion. I don’t think that it would DQ good fit for us,so I think we’ll find something different to do. Your input was very helpful. 

[rudeney]

5 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Let’s clear up some confusion. A lot of people get confused when dining in the MDR to what line they need to be in . Basically there are two lines with My Time Dining,  One line is with people with reservations and the second line is for people without reservations.

 

But here is the way to bypass all that. Make a reservation for the first night and tell the manager at the podium that if you like your table and waiters you would like to stick with them all week.

 

In our case we got a two top table by the window and our wait staff was excellent. We expressed desire to have the same reservation every night, same time and same table. They book it for you and told us to bypass both lines and go past the two front podiums to the second set inside the dining room. We check in and then we escort ourselves to our table. Easy peasy. This is the way to dine in the MDR.

 

Years ago, back when MTD was initially being introduced, this is exactly what we did.  It worked as it should - it was "my time", not "RCCL time".  Instead of choosing 5:30 or 8:00, we did 6:30 each night, same table, same wait staff. It worked quite well.  

[Sea Dog]

Good Morning! Day at sea today I have no idea what Tim going to do today. 
 

im sorry that I have not reported on any of the shows or entertainment.Frankly we haven’t gone to any of the shows. After seeing the fantastic production shows on Symphony 4 weeks ago, none of the shows on Liberty really interested us. That and the fact that after a day of activities my shoulder really hurts so we take it easy. We have really enjoyed the peace and quiet of Linda’s large aft balcony. I’ve tried to go to my favorite place the Schooner Bar but every night it’s packed or  people are watching the Astros play which does not interest me. The R-Bar has been my go to place. I talked the bartender into making my Sea Dog Old Fashioned minus the Melitti Amaro and taking them up to the room. It’s been a nice pace and will hopefully help me recover.

 

Time to get ready for Breakfast. Thank you all for following along on our adventures. Here is your morning Star Link Internet speed test.

 

[A&L_Ont]

9 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Here is your morning Star Link Internet speed test.

Love those numbers. On Mariner our download speed was probably 1/4 of your upload speed. Uploading a 30 second video to YouTube took around 30 minutes. 

[OCSC Mike]

13 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Here is your morning Star Link Internet speed test.

 

Great numbers! I'll be on Indy Monday, would be happy with a fraction of that compared to what I'm used to.

[Sea Dog]

9 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

Love those numbers. On Mariner our download speed was probably 1/4 of your upload speed. Uploading a 30 second video to YouTube took around 30 minutes. 

The only thing that had been a little wonky is that  sometimes the internet will just kick off and you will see you have no connection. Easily solved by reconnecting but I’m not sure what is causing it. At one point yesterday in the MDR, CC was not loading fast at all even when I had good internet speed. I’m not sure why.

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

At one point yesterday in the MDR, CC was not loading fast at all even when I had good internet speed. I’m not sure why.

 

I've had that happen a few times in the last few days at home, think it's a CC issue.

[bobmacliberty]

7 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Struggling to get a good night time star picture. I haven’t quite figured out how to get the iPhone to do a 30 second exposure. I also tried a 30 second exposure on the go pro. I’ll keep experimenting but here is what I have so far.

 

 

I will say the naked eye does it best. Tonight’s celestial gaze was incredible. I was tempted to hit all the bars but found myself chilling with Linda on her balcony gazing off into the stars and wondering…why didn’t I take my blood pressure medicine?????😢

 

IMG_9780.MOV 20.7 MB · 2 downloads  

Another Star Trails try. Goodnight sea day tomorrow. Looks like they are going to have a big Icon of the Seas unveiling in the Platinum Theater at 3:30pm. I’ll check it out for you.

 

If you have Lightroom Mobile, there's a technology preview that will enable long exposure mode.  As far as I can tell, it only allows up to a 5 second exposure.  I've heard about other apps that you can buy that are focused on long exposure, but I haven't tried any.

 

There's also a long exposure capability if you use the iPhone camera app and turn on the Live setting.  With Live turned on, you're essentially taking a 3 second long video, with the picture being a snap of one of the video frames.  If you look at the picture in the photos app, you'll see a Live dropdown arrow in the upper left corner.  Long exposure is one of the drop down selections.  It blends several frames from the video together.  I've found that it works well with flowing water, giving the cotton candy look while leaving the rest of the frame mostly crisp.  Not sure how it would work with a night sky shot, but worth a shot.

[Sea Dog]

21 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

If you have Lightroom Mobile, there's a technology preview that will enable long exposure mode.  As far as I can tell, it only allows up to a 5 second exposure.  I've heard about other apps that you can buy that are focused on long exposure, but I haven't tried any.

 

There's also a long exposure capability if you use the iPhone camera app and turn on the Live setting.  With Live turned on, you're essentially taking a 3 second long video, with the picture being a snap of one of the video frames.  If you look at the picture in the photos app, you'll see a Live dropdown arrow in the upper left corner.  Long exposure is one of the drop down selections.  It blends several frames from the video together.  I've found that it works well with flowing water, giving the cotton candy look while leaving the rest of the frame mostly crisp.  Not sure how it would work with a night sky shot, but worth a shot.

 I need to play with it. I see where it does the 3 second exposures. I tried a 30 second photo on the go pro and it turned out bad. I don’t know if it’s me or just the cameras can’t do a long enough exposure on a moving ship to capture anything worthwhile. I know Twangster with his cameras can get some incredible starscapes.

[broberts]

2 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

 I need to play with it. I see where it does the 3 second exposures. I tried a 30 second photo on the go pro and it turned out bad. I don’t know if it’s me or just the cameras can’t do a long enough exposure on a moving ship to capture anything worthwhile. I know Twangster with his cameras can get some incredible starscapes.

 

There is a lot of vibration and 3D movement on a ship at sea. Without some sort of stabilizing mount a very long exposure is likely going to push the limits of the camera's ability to stabilize the shot.

 

A video with post processing into a single still may be a workable approach.