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

[rudeney]

Oh my gosh!  What a very moving story!  ❤️

[TravelGirlinDallas]

15 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

on our anniversary which is today.

Happy anniversary, Greg & Linda!

[A&L_Ont]

14 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Again everything happens for a reason. Elaine and Linda and I were meant to be together. We laughed, we cried and we hugged each other. Sometimes a memory is better than a beach day. It’s the warm embrace of a stranger that can leave a more lasting memory. Cheers to the ones we loved and lost this day was for you!

 

Now you’re bringing a tear to my eye. Somethings were meant to be and only the fates know why.  Your fall, as painful as it was/is, is what aligned the universes for this to happen. 
 

Happy Anniversary as well to you both. 

[A&L_Ont]

18 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

I even had a Chocolate Daiquiri. Tasted like a good chocolate milkshake.

That looks tasty as well. 

[Sea Dog]

Here is an example of my new iPhone 14 Max Pro with 48mp camera. Now these pics are converted since CC will not accept Apple Pro Raw format 

 

 

Wide shot and here is the zoomed in crop version.

 

 

I think the detail and colors look fantastic. I need @twangster opinion because he is the real pro.

[Sea Dog]

9 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

Happy anniversary, Greg & Linda!

 

6 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

Now you’re bringing a tear to my eye. Somethings were meant to be and only the fates know why.  Your fall, as painful as it was/is, is what aligned the universes for this to happen. 
 

Happy Anniversary as well to you both. 

Thank you we will celebrate tonight at the Chef’s Table. More to come. Cheers!

[Ocean Boy]

24 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Dia De Los Muertos Celebration

 

 

So for our excursion today we decided to do something different. The Dia De Los Muertos Celebration celebrates Day of the Dead on November 1st and November 2nd. We always do beach days but we wanted to learn some culture. Now keep in mind we booked this long before our cruise.

 

 

 

First the obligatory tourist setting shot.

 

 

Now remember me telling you about our adopted friend we met before entering the terminal on Day 1? Elaine had lost her husband 6 months ago. This was supposed to be their first ever cruise together. After he died she wanted to cancel but her daughter urged her to go as a solo. She had been depressed after losing her husband she dearly loved. But her daughter convinced her to go.

 

Now had I not broken my collarbone I would have stood in line but a Royal CSR told me to go sit down on a bunch in front. I did and happened to sit next Elaine. It was fate. She told me the story and was nervous about her first ever cruise. I answered a lot of questions and told her she could count us to help her have a great time. As I said to her, “Your husband would want you to be happy and the best way to honor him is to celebrate his life.” It was fate that Linda and I were meant to look after her.

 

 

Fate again, Elaine and Linda and I happen to be booked on the same excursion a celebration of the dead.

 

 

Angel (great name) explained the holiday to us.

It was a way to honor loved ones who have passed. First by building an alter and then having a feast. Our excursion was at the Mayan Cacao Company, where we  ate local dishes,  including fresh tortillas with chocolate sauce.

 

 

Then we engaged in Dia De Los Muertos rituals including an altar-decorating contest.

 

 

 

Elaine honored her husband.

 

 

 

Linda honored her Mother Joyce who actually died on our anniversary which is today.

 

 

I honored one of my best friends and longtime coworkers Maria and Tim who lost their son at a very early age. Maria was one of our long time anchor/reporters and is Cuban. Her husband was a photographer like me. The anniversary of his death is tomorrow so I will send this to them as a tribute. For the last 25 years, each year of Tyler’s death I tell them I am thinking of them and that I love them. This will be a special tomorrow.

 

Our special alter.

 

 

A spread of delicious snacks were served and sampled flavored Mexican chocolate, sweet bread, masa-wrapped tamales, fried codzitos and more regional bites.

 

 

I even had a Chocolate Daiquiri. Tasted like a good chocolate milkshake.

 

 

Again everything happens for a reason. Elaine and Linda and I were meant to be together. We laughed, we cried and we hugged each other. Sometimes a personal connection is better than a beach day. It’s the warm embrace of a stranger that can leave a more lasting memory. Cheers to the ones we loved and lost. This  day was for you!

 

I'm quite sure this day will be much clearer and more meaningful in your memory than one more beach day would ever have been.

 

Oh, and nice sling!😊

[Ocean Boy]

3 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Here is an example of my new iPhone 14 Max Pro with 48mp camera. Now these pics are converted since CC will not accept Apple Pro Raw format 

 

 

Wide shot and here is the zoomed in crop version.

 

 

I think the detail and colors look fantastic. I need @twangster opinion because he is the real pro.

They look great.

[lenquixote66]

Happy Anniversary and Best Wishes for many more ,Greg and Linda.

[Sea Dog]

Another example of new iPhone 14 Pro Max shooting 48 megapixels. Our sister ship Serenade in port with us.

 

 

Wide. Then original wide photo zoomed and cropped.

 

 

And zoomed and cropped again more from the original Wide.

 

 

I’m very happy with this.

 

Edited October 18, 2022 by Sea Dog

[luvcruzing]

41 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Cheers to the ones we loved and lost. This  day was for you!

Wow, this was a beautiful remembrance.

[Sea Dog]

@John&LaLa This Cape Cod is for you! Cheers I hope you are having a blast. I need to check in and see how the list is coming along.

[Momof3gurlz]

Wishing you both a very Happy Anniversary 🥂!

[Sunshine3601]

55 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Dia De Los Muertos Celebration

 

 

So for our excursion today we decided to do something different. The Dia De Los Muertos Celebration celebrates Day of the Dead on November 1st and November 2nd. We always do beach days but we wanted to learn some culture. Now keep in mind we booked this long before our cruise.

 

 

 

First the obligatory tourist setting shot.

 

 

Now remember me telling you about our adopted friend we met before entering the terminal on Day 1? Elaine had lost her husband 6 months ago. This was supposed to be their first ever cruise together. After he died she wanted to cancel but her daughter urged her to go as a solo. She had been depressed after losing her husband she dearly loved. But her daughter convinced her to go.

 

Now had I not broken my collarbone I would have stood in line but a Royal CSR told me to go sit down on a bunch in front. I did and happened to sit next Elaine. It was fate. She told me the story and was nervous about her first ever cruise. I answered a lot of questions and told her she could count us to help her have a great time. As I said to her, “Your husband would want you to be happy and the best way to honor him is to celebrate his life.” It was fate that Linda and I were meant to look after her.

 

 

Fate again, Elaine and Linda and I happen to be booked on the same excursion a celebration of the dead.

 

 

Angel (great name) explained the holiday to us.

It was a way to honor loved ones who have passed. First by building an alter and then having a feast. Our excursion was at the Mayan Cacao Company, where we  ate local dishes,  including fresh tortillas with chocolate sauce.

 

 

Then we engaged in Dia De Los Muertos rituals including an altar-decorating contest.

 

 

 

Elaine honored her husband.

 

 

 

Linda honored her Mother Joyce who actually died on our anniversary which is today.

 

 

I honored one of my best friends and longtime coworkers Maria and Tim who lost their son at a very early age. Maria was one of our long time anchor/reporters and is Cuban. Her husband was a photographer like me. The anniversary of his death is tomorrow so I will send this to them as a tribute. For the last 25 years, each year of Tyler’s death I tell them I am thinking of them and that I love them. This will be a special tomorrow.

 

Our special alter.

 

 

A spread of delicious snacks were served and sampled flavored Mexican chocolate, sweet bread, masa-wrapped tamales, fried codzitos and more regional bites.

 

 

I even had a Chocolate Daiquiri. Tasted like a good chocolate milkshake.

 

 

Again everything happens for a reason. Elaine and Linda and I were meant to be together. We laughed, we cried and we hugged each other. Sometimes a personal connection is better than a beach day. It’s the warm embrace of a stranger that can leave a more lasting memory. Cheers to the ones we loved and lost. This  day was for you!

 

Such a moving story and beautiful tribute to everyone's loved ones.

 

Happy Anniversary Greg and Linda💐❤   

[Sea Dog]

Your afternoon Star Link internet speed test at the pool bar. Impressive.

 

[Sea Dog]

FYI for future Liberty cruisers.

 

 

The big screen in the pool area is broken. it will not be fixed until Liberty goes into dry dock. So movies and such are being shown in On Air on Deck 3.

[A&L_Ont]

38 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Your afternoon Star Link internet speed test at the pool bar. Impressive.

 

I could not even connect to get a speed test on Mariner a few weeks ago. I look forward to these numbers in the future. 

[A&L_Ont]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

Another example of new iPhone 14 Pro Max shooting 48 megapixels. Our sister ship Serenade in port with us.

 

 

Wide. Then original wide photo zoomed and cropped.

 

 

And zoomed and cropped again more from the original Wide.

 

 

I’m very happy with this.

 

I need a new phone. 😀

[jmklade]

On 10/17/2022 at 9:39 AM, Sea Dog said:

Here is the longer version of the sail away.

 

 

I'm waiting for the confetti to come streaming down at the 12 mile marker and the full bar is open. 😄

[bobmacliberty]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

 

 

The pictures look fantastic.  I might need to get my new phone sooner rather than later.  Was the above picture shot in portrait mode?  Looks like it might have been, but it would be fantastic if that was just normal depth of field from one of the 14 Pro Max lenses.

[geoblond]

My husband and I have been blessed with the opportunity to cruise multiple times on multiple lines.  As someone mentioned the beach days kind of blur into one but this cruise and this day will forever be special and memorable. 
You two are a special couple and what a sweet lady you all befriended. I’m still a bit under the weather (Covid 😮) but today’s pictures and story brightened our day.  Thank you for including all of us on your special day!

[h20skibum]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

The Dia De Los Muertos Celebration celebrates Day of the Dead on November 1st and November 2nd. We always do beach days but we wanted to learn some culture. Now keep in mind we booked this long before our cruise.

Greg, that is such a wonderful story.  I am sure Elaine was glad she met you and Linda, and that she was able to share remembrances with you.

 

I wish you and Linda a happy anniversary, and many more.

[DaniDanielle]

Happy  Anniversary  and give Elaine a hug from all you friends here on CC🥰

[Luckynana]

Happy Anniversary Linda and Greg!!  Enjoy your special Anniversary Dinner this evening!❣️

[dani negreanu]

12 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

I wish you and Linda a happy anniversary, and many more.

 

+ 1  💐