​⛴️​ LIVE from Allure ​🎠​ out of Galveston - Ozark_Kid and brillohead team up for a duo-thread: Jan 22, 2023

[Ozark_Kid]

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

Let's talk about important things... When are you seeing Mamma Mia this week? 😁😁😁

I am still hearing Mamma Mia songs in my head and sometimes humming them. 😂 

[brillohead]

6 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I am still hearing Mamma Mia songs in my head and sometimes humming them. 😂 

Same.... I go through the casino and my brain goes:

Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich man's world
Money, money, money
Always sunny
In the rich man's world
Aha
All the things I could do
If I had a little money
It's a rich man's world
It's a rich man's world

[Fontaid]

3 hours ago, brillohead said:

 

It is!  I literally spent five hour snorkeling there last week. 

It's so funny, it seems like each week a different species of fish is the designated welcome wagon -- that week, it was the Sergeant Major fish (the striped ones in the second video).  They would come up to me and hang out, literally six inches away.  And it wasn't always this group -- I'd go to a different part of the reef, and the same type of fish would kinda swarm me.

@brillohead Since you said you don't get a day pass from one of the resorts and you're by yourself, where do you put your stuff, ie. towel, Seapass, $$$, etc.,  while you're snorkeling for 5 hours? Also, how do you protect yourself from sunburn for that long?

 

My wife attracts the tropical fish too. But then she's feeding them saltwater fish food in the shallows. Always draws a crowd... 🤣 ... of fish, that is.

[jbrinkm]

43 minutes ago, Fontaid said:

@brillohead Since you said you don't get a day pass from one of the resorts and you're by yourself, where do you put your stuff, ie. towel, Seapass, $$$, etc.,  while you're snorkeling for 5 hours? Also, how do you protect yourself from sunburn for that long?

 

You're not asking me, but I have suggestions 😂 I have a few long-sleeved rashguards with UPF protection that I use whenever I'm going to be in bright sun & water for a while (I also have UPF swim leggings). I'm very fair skinned and burn very easily, so sunscreen would just not cut it for me. I don't worry as much about my face because my head is pointed down into the water (although I will do one layer of reef friendly sunscreen before leaving the ship AND a UPF hat so I'm protected getting to and from my snorkeling destination. The rashguards I have are cute (from Coolibar usually) and match a swim skirt or whatever bathing suit I'm wearing. 

 

ALSO, we were recommended this product years ago and just bought our second one last year (once both of our teens got phones) and really love using it for trips where we'll be in the water: 

https://a.co/bAp8A3f (SAFEGO Portable Indoor/Outdoor Lock Box Safe with Key and Combination Access). It is not perfectly safe as I'm sure someone could clip the cable and take off with the whole thing, and you need to be able to attach it to something, but if you just need a deterrent rather than leaving stuff on a chair or on the ground, this works great!

 

[brillohead]

1 hour ago, Fontaid said:

@brillohead Since you said you don't get a day pass from one of the resorts and you're by yourself, where do you put your stuff, ie. towel, Seapass, $$$, etc.,  while you're snorkeling for 5 hours? Also, how do you protect yourself from sunburn for that long?

As a pale-skinned redhead, I just cover up completely.  I wear swim leggings that go all the way to my ankles, and I've advanced from "rashguard" swimshirts to now using "fishing shirts" which have longer sleeves with a thumbhole to provide coverage to the back of the hands, plus they include a hood so the back of my neck and my ears are protected as well. 

I wash them out in the bathroom sink, roll them in a towel and walk on it, then hang them up to dry overnight using magnetic hooks on the ceiling to suspend the hangers.  

And I've never had a problem just plopping my bag on the sand in the public part of the beach down by the Grand Roatan -- nobody has messed with my stuff.  I'm assuming the locals know that tourism is their only income and they don't put up with people stealing from tourists' bags, as a bad reputation would kill their business. 

[Fontaid]

45 minutes ago, jbrinkm said:

 

You're not asking me, but I have suggestions 😂 I have a few long-sleeved rashguards with UPF protection that I use whenever I'm going to be in bright sun & water for a while (I also have UPF swim leggings). I'm very fair skinned and burn very easily, so sunscreen would just not cut it for me. I don't worry as much about my face because my head is pointed down into the water (although I will do one layer of reef friendly sunscreen before leaving the ship AND a UPF hat so I'm protected getting to and from my snorkeling destination. The rashguards I have are cute (from Coolibar usually) and match a swim skirt or whatever bathing suit I'm wearing. 

 

ALSO, we were recommended this product years ago and just bought our second one last year (once both of our teens got phones) and really love using it for trips where we'll be in the water: 

https://a.co/bAp8A3f (SAFEGO Portable Indoor/Outdoor Lock Box Safe with Key and Combination Access). It is not perfectly safe as I'm sure someone could clip the cable and take off with the whole thing, and you need to be able to attach it to something, but if you just need a deterrent rather than leaving stuff on a chair or on the ground, this works great!

 

Thanks for the info. With what my wife brings, I'd need a lock box the size of a small trunk 🤣

[Fontaid]

20 minutes ago, brillohead said:

As a pale-skinned redhead, I just cover up completely.  I wear swim leggings that go all the way to my ankles, and I've advanced from "rashguard" swimshirts to now using "fishing shirts" which have longer sleeves with a thumbhole to provide coverage to the back of the hands, plus they include a hood so the back of my neck and my ears are protected as well. 

I wash them out in the bathroom sink, roll them in a towel and walk on it, then hang them up to dry overnight using magnetic hooks on the ceiling to suspend the hangers.  

And I've never had a problem just plopping my bag on the sand in the public part of the beach down by the Grand Roatan -- nobody has messed with my stuff.  I'm assuming the locals know that tourism is their only income and they don't put up with people stealing from tourists' bags, as a bad reputation would kill their business. 

I recently had a skin cancer removed from my arm, so I'm looking to cover up this year. Specifically I'm concerned about my neck, ears, and the back of my hands because I like to snorkel for long periods of time (but not 5 hours!). I'll be looking to buy a hooded rash guard with thumbholes. I've already got swim leggings to my ankles. A big thanks for the advice.  Just a thought... if I get a white hooded rash guard and white leggings, I'm ready for White Night! Either that or doing my best "Casper, the Friendly Ghost" impersonation... for those who are old enough to remember Casper.

[Ocean Boy]

32 minutes ago, brillohead said:

As a pale-skinned redhead, I just cover up completely.  I wear swim leggings that go all the way to my ankles, and I've advanced from "rashguard" swimshirts to now using "fishing shirts" which have longer sleeves with a thumbhole to provide coverage to the back of the hands, plus they include a hood so the back of my neck and my ears are protected as well. 
 

You and I are about as different as can be when it comes to the sun. When I bike ride in summer it is socks, sneakers, shorts, and a helmet. 

[BonTexasNY]

3 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I am still hearing Mamma Mia songs in my head and sometimes humming them. 😂 

Yes, me too!

[brillohead]

52 minutes ago, Fontaid said:

I recently had a skin cancer removed from my arm, so I'm looking to cover up this year. Specifically I'm concerned about my neck, ears, and the back of my hands because I like to snorkel for long periods of time (but not 5 hours!). I'll be looking to buy a hooded rash guard with thumbholes. I've already got swim leggings to my ankles. A big thanks for the advice.  Just a thought... if I get a white hooded rash guard and white leggings, I'm ready for White Night! Either that or doing my best "Casper, the Friendly Ghost" impersonation... for those who are old enough to remember Casper.

This is my first trip with the hooded shirt with thumbholes instead of just the long-sleeved shirt, and I'm a big fan!

FYI, learn from my fail -- when jumping off the water taxi at Klein Bonaire to do the drift snorkel around the island, I didn't realize that my impact with the water caused one leg to scrunch up on one side, and I ended up with a bit of a burn on the back of my ankle... basically an Achilles Sunburn!  (fortunately just an itchy/uncomfortable burn, not a "blisters and chills" burn)  So now I always double-check my ankles if I jump into the water instead of walking in.  

[brillohead]

49 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

You and I are about as different as can be when it comes to the sun. When I bike ride in summer it is socks, sneakers, shorts, and a helmet. 

I have two skin tones -- white and red.  There is nothing in-between, unless you count the freckles.  If I get to the red stage, it ends up peeling and healing and I'm ghost-colored again.

[Fontaid]

1 hour ago, brillohead said:

I have two skin tones -- white and red.  There is nothing in-between, unless you count the freckles.  If I get to the red stage, it ends up peeling and healing and I'm ghost-colored again.

You may have described yourself, but you also described my mom. She was a freckly, curly redhead. Her skin was pasty; she never had a tan. Fifteen minutes in the sun and she was burned. Ouch! 

[brillohead]

1 hour ago, Fontaid said:

You may have described yourself, but you also described my mom. She was a freckly, curly redhead. Her skin was pasty; she never had a tan. Fifteen minutes in the sun and she was burned. Ouch! 

And with the cost of sunscreen these days, it's cheaper to buy clothing to cover it up instead of bottles of sunscreen!

[udamom]

@Brillo, any chance you could post the Don't Miss The Show paper from this week? I printed out the one posted from last week earlier on the thread and just want to compare if all the shows are basically the same times each week. Have to plot to plan the shows and 3 night specialty meal times.

Hope you are having a wonderful 3rd week. I'm a nightshift nurse also (37 years! ) and also an avid snorkeler that will spend hours in the water.  Nice that you could get that much time off in a row! 

Thanks

Trish

[jbrinkm]

6 hours ago, Fontaid said:

 Just a thought... if I get a white hooded rash guard and white leggings, I'm ready for White Night! Either that or doing my best "Casper, the Friendly Ghost" impersonation... for those who are old enough to remember Casper.

 

Just add some zinc-based sunscreen to your exposed skin and it would be perfect!

[perfect match]

On 1/28/2023 at 6:00 AM, Donsyb said:

Is sky reef walking distance from the port?

It’s about a 10 minute taxi ride. You probably could walk it, but I don’t think it would be a very enjoyable walk. 
 

I’ve been having computer issues this week so I haven’t managed to get any pictures where I can post them. Hopefully I’ll manage to get that done now that the computer issues seem to be resolved. 

[Ozark_Kid]

BRILLO, This is the one I was converting.  I shortened it so I can load it here.  I will send the original length. 

 

[perfect match]

Here’s a few Sky Reef pictures. 
 

Walk out the dock to stairs to get in and out of the water. Entry and exit couldn’t be easier. Water shoes are a good idea to walk from your seats to and from the dock.

 

Tequila tasting bar. Massage area is right behind this.

 

The coral 🪸 is spectacular. Healthy and colorful. These were taken in September 2021 when we were on Allure. I haven’t been on a western Caribbean cruise since then, so I hope it is still as good as it was then. 

 

For those of you who are divers, I’m told that if you were to swim straight out, you would end up on Yucab reef. I haven’t tried that and am not about to. It would not be a good idea! 

 

That ship in the distance is Allure. The white buoys mark some of the edges of the reef. 

 

The reef is really shallow in many places, especially at low tide. It’s important to keep track of where your feet are so you don’t damage the beautiful fan coral. The rental fins at Sky Reef are the short ones which do help with that.

 

We did not make advance reservations or go really early, but it was September 2021 with about 2200 people on Allure. We had no trouble getting the table of our choice right by the water. Plus, we were the only ship in port that day. With cruising back in full swing, I think reservations might be a good idea.

Edited February 1, 2023 by perfect match

[LATTELOVE]

4 hours ago, perfect match said:

Here’s a few Sky Reef pictures. 
 

Walk out the dock to stairs to get in and out of the water. Entry and exit couldn’t be easier. Water shoes are a good idea to walk from your seats to and from the dock.

 

Tequila tasting bar. Massage area is right behind this.

 

The coral 🪸 is spectacular. Healthy and colorful. These were taken in September 2021 when we were on Allure. I haven’t been on a western Caribbean cruise since then, so I hope it is still as good as it was then. 

 

For those of you who are divers, I’m told that if you were to swim straight out, you would end up on Yucab reef. I haven’t tried that and am not about to. It would not be a good idea! 

 

That ship in the distance is Allure. The white buoys mark some of the edges of the reef. 

 

The reef is really shallow in many places, especially at low tide. It’s important to keep track of where your feet are so you don’t damage the beautiful fan coral. The rental fins at Sky Reef are the short ones which do help with that.

 

We did not make advance reservations or go really early, but it was September 2021 with about 2200 people on Allure. We had no trouble getting the table of our choice right by the water. Plus, we were the only ship in port that day. With cruising back in full swing, I think reservations might be a good idea.

So  Beautiful.

Picture perfect.  The coral looks very healthy 

indeed!   Just wished I could go into the deep

and not be afraid  of the sharks or any other

large creatures. 

Love all those photos. 

[perfect match]

Too shallow for most of the big creatures. Baby ones, maybe, but they only take small bites 🦈😱😂!

 

The water at the bottom of the stairs where it is Sandy and no coral was only about waist deep. People were standing there easily. Overall, I’d call Sky Reef a very safe place for snorkeling. That said, before anyone gets into the ocean they should always be aware of the prevailing conditions of the day you’re there. Safety is always #1. 

[skiiergirl]

Is Johnny Rockets serving free breakfast? 

Was there a headliner show? 

 

(Sorry....I did a search in the thread and nothing came up.) 

 

Thanks so much!

[brillohead]

14 hours ago, perfect match said:

Here’s a few Sky Reef pictures. 

Thanks for sharing!  I was telling someone today that I'm going to check out Sky Reef in Cozumel this week!!!

[Sea Dog]

@brillohead I have downloaded your pictures and 10 of videos that John has uploaded. He says there are about 48 more videos. What are you wanting me to do? Is there something you envision? Do you want me to use all the videos or just choose the best footage. Are you thinking a video slideshow type with music and transitions? 

[brillohead]

15 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

BRILLO, This is the one I was converting.  I shortened it so I can load it here.  I will send the original length. 

 

 

 

That turned out great!  

I only snorkeled about 2.5 hours today.  I'm trying to remember everything that I saw, but I know I'm forgetting a lot (note that pics are generic online photos, no underwater camera today).

 

The Sergeant Major fish were out on patrol again this week :

 

 

I saw some absolutely HUGE Queen Angelfish:

 

 

And Four Eye Butterflyfish:

 

 

Huge schools of Blue Tangs:

 

 

A few Banded Butterflyfish:

 

 

Several Flat Needlefish:

 

 

Blue Hamlets:

 

Tons of Fairy Basslets:

 

 

What I think were French Grunts (several fish look like this, do this is my best guess):

 

 

Tons of Queen Parrotfish:

 

And Stoplight Parrotfish:

 

 

Lots of Blueheads:

 

What I think was Patch-Reef Goby (again, hard to tell for certain which type):

 

And what I think was a Smooth Trunkfish -- these have a weird triangle/pyramid shape which you really notice when they're facing you -- the bottom is much wider than the top:

 

 

 

There were bunches of others that I'm not sure what they were and can't figure it out easily (especially from memory), but if anyone was wondering if you see a lot of fish at West Bay Beach, Roatan, the answer is YES!!!

 

 

 

[brillohead]

15 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

@brillohead I have downloaded your pictures and 10 of videos that John has uploaded. He says there are about 48 more videos. What are you wanting me to do? Is there something you envision? Do you want me to use all the videos or just choose the best footage. Are you thinking a video slideshow type with music and transitions? 

This!  LOL

There is a LOT of duplication, and some down-time on all the videos, I'm sure. 

 

You'll notice that I had a bunch of videos of parrotfish, because I was TRYING to get a video of them head-on -- they look like they're wearing dentures! LOL  So I took lots of videos of them HOPING they would turn in the right direction, so there's a lot of duplication there. 

And I tried taking video of the three lobsters a few different times, but they're hard to see because of how they hide down in the coral.... plus I couldn't tell how they were showing up on the tiny GoPro screen under the water, so I just shot lots of footage and hoped for the best. 

Same for video of the area above the water -- I just kinda panned around to give an idea, but I don't have a clue what it looked like, or if it was too choppy because of me bouncing up and down treading water.  I just wanted to give an idea of what that area looked like from the water instead of just from shore.

I shot everything in short bursts of 5-30ish seconds, so transitions would be a huge plus instead of just a harsh change from one clip to the next.  And music would be SO much better than listening to me breathe underwater!  

I haven't seen you put out a video that wasn't amazing, so I'll just let you use your best judgment and go for it.  I'm going to send you my email address, too, so if you have any questions on anything, you can just ask me there instead of here.  

Thanks a ton for doing this, and to @Ozark_Kid as well for letting me use the GoPro and also for taking all the time to upload the videos for you!