Liberty of the Seas Group Cruise - Day 1

Day 1 means that we get to have our first look at the Liberty of the Seas.  This will be the largest ship that we've ever sailed on and I'm very much looking forward to exploring it's offerings when we're able to board.

Before leaving the hotel, be sure to have a carry-on packed.  Typically, my carry-on consists of prescription medications, a swimming suit (if you'd like to swim when you get on the ship) and a change of clothes for that evening's dinner (in case your luggage is a late-arrival).  Having these items will ensure that you have an enjoyable first day on the ship.  Sometimes, luggage doesn't arrive until 7 or 8pm and occasionally, even later, so having a few important items will allow you to be able to do things on the ship that you wouldn't be able to do otherwise.

We usually leave the hotel around 10am to head for the Port so that we can be on board as close to lunch time as possible.  Most cruise lines tell you that boarding doesn't begin until 1:30 or 2pm, but that's not true.  You can be on board as early as 11am on some occasions.  Early boarding is all dependent upon how early the ship got into port and how smoothly debarkation of the last set of passengers went.  If things were moving slowly, they may not open boarding until 1:30 or 2pm, but we've found that that's not usually the case.  I don't think we've ever boarded a ship later then 12:30pm.

When we arrive at the port, we will be greeted by luggage porters.  These are the men and women who handle all of the luggage for all of the passengers arriving to board the ship.  This means 3,634 passengers luggage is handled by these people each time the ship comes into port.  If you take into account that these porters are also assisting people getting off the ship, this could be 7,268 people in one day.

It's customary to tip the porters when you hand off your luggage.  Some people believe that a bigger tip means that your luggage will get to your cabin faster, but I don't think there's any way that one can guarantee that with so much luggage changing hands.  You should definitely tip the porters though, just as you would tip your cab driver or a doorman at a hotel.

Once your luggage is left safely with the porters, you can proceed to the check-in area.  Sometimes, it will be open by 10am for check-in and sometimes, you will have to wait a bit until they are ready for you.  If you have to wait, generally, there is a seating area for you to wait in, but be prepared, because sometimes, especially with the larger ships, these areas can become crowded quickly.

Check-in is typically pretty painless.  Just make sure that you have your passport, cruise documentation and the credit card that you will be charging for all of your on board purchases (no, everything isn't included - alcohol, Ben & Jerry's, specialty coffee, etc. is all an additional charge).

Once we board, we have to wait until the cabins are ready, which usually doesn't happen until around 2 or 3pm.  This will give you plenty of time to explore the ship and stop at the Windjammer for a buffet lunch but be prepared, because this day in the Windjammer is going to be complete chaos.  This is one of the only open locations on the ship during boarding and that means that it's where everyone ends up.  It can get pretty hectic, so my recommendation is that you find a table first and then have someone stay where while the rest of the group goes to get their food.  If you don't scope out seating first, you may end up wandering around for 20 minutes while your food gets cold in your hands.

This is also a good time to do some exploring and to get yourself acquainted with the ship.  If you're not hungry immediately, you can even wander around the ship first and wait out the crowd in the Windjammer.

The rest of day one is filled with muster drills (thank goodness you don't have to wear your life jackets anymore) and a sail away party.  I usually spend this day getting used to where things are on the ship.  I know this time won't be any different since it's a very large ship and we'll have a lot to explore in 5 days.

Liberty of the Seas Group Cruise - Day 0

On the first travel day, all 23 of us will be travelling to Ft. Lauderdale from various locations across the country.  We're hoping for good weather as we travel at the end of January since we'll all be escaping the horrible mid-US winter.


Most of us have flights on Delta in the mid-morning leaving from Kansas City.  Others are flying in from Denver.  We're looking for a good place to have dinner in Ft. Lauderdale that evening, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.


We'll be staying at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Ft. Lauderdale Airport.  We got a pretty good deal through our travel agent and we'll get a ride from the airport and to the Port the following morning.

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

So, it's been quite a while since anything was posted to JayhawkGirl's Kitchen.  Hopefully, that will change since I have a new iPad and will have easier access to blogging going forward.  I thought it would be appropriate to start the blog posting back up again by writing a series of posts about our upcoming cruise to Jamaica and Haiti.  How appropriate, right?  My last big series of postings ended with posts about our honeymoon cruise, so why not start back up with the cruise we're taking next.

This time, we will be traveling with many friends and family members.  I believe there are a total of 23 of us going this time, but there's always room for more.  I'm told that the balcony cabins have been deeply discounted at this point, so if anyone out there wants to get credit for booking with a group on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas on her 5-night, January 30th sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale, just let me know and I'll get you hooked up wi our travel agent.

That being said, here are some of the highlights of the ship we'll be sailing on:


Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas
Pools & Whirlpools - 10
Spa Treatments - 100+
Crew Members - 1,360
Gross Tonnage - 160,000
Length - 1,112 ft
Width - 185 ft

Royal Promenade

 Boxing Ring

Flow Rider Surf Simulator

Rock Climbing Wall

H2O Zone

3-Story Main Dining Room

Ice Skating Rink

Curry in a Hurry – Lawrence

Today, I stopped by the new location of Curry in a Hurry on the outskirts of Downtown Lawrence.  We’ve been hearing a lot about it through the Journal World and local twitter users and Josh really wanted to try it.  I had the day off of work for a doctor’s appointment and had some errands to run, so I stopped by on my way home.

The setup is like nothing I’ve seen before in a restaurant.  Sammi has a buffet-style setup where all of the curries are pre-packaged in to-go containers and you just select which variety of curry you would like, grab a container of rice and any side items that you’d like (I grabbed naan bread, but there were at least two other items that I didn’t pick up) and take your selections to the register to check out.  I chose the chicken curry and rice for Josh (and unfortunately, he ate it all before I could get a photo) but Sammi was also offering pea and potato curry today.

The store has also been converted into a small storefront convenience store with candies, sodas, cigarettes and other convenience store items.  It’s definitely a unique addition to Downtown Lawrence.

Josh thought that the curry has some great flavors and that it was very good.  We hadn’t tried Sammi’s curry before, when he was working out of the Shell gas station near 19th & Mass but people have raved about his set-up for quite some time.  I know his true fans are delighted to have him back with his curry in a hurry.  I also know that we will be back to visit Sammi and see what kind of variety he will bring to Indian cuisine in Lawrence.  We’re definitely looking forward to it.

Curry in a Hurry is located at 1111 Massachusetts Street in Downtown Lawrence, KS.

Jarritos Nation Contest

Today, I was contacted by someone from Jarritos, a soda manufacturer from Mexico.  They seem to be expanding in the US and asked me if I would sample some of their products and let you all know what I think about them.  I’m excited to receive my package and will let you all know what I think after I’ve had a chance to test them.

In the meantime, check out the Jarritos Nation contest! It’s a website designed to bring all fans of Jarritos together and award prizes for posting photos. Entering is very easy – just head to www.jarritosnation.com and “claim” a location on the map with a photo. Prizes range from packages of Jarritos to digital cameras and even a 12 day cruise to Hawaii!  Good luck!

Honeymoon Day 10 - May 11, 2010 Oranjestad, Aruba

I'm pretty excited to be going back to Aruba.  This is the only island on this cruise that I've been to before and I'm looking forward to showing it to Josh.  We booked a tour here and it visits a lot of the big "must-see" places on the island.

The last time I visited Aruba, my dad and I were picked up at the pier by some of the Rainbow Girls from Aruba and given the grand tour of the island for free.  We had lunch with them and visited all of the sights on the island.  After the tour, they took my dad back to the ship and took me back to their Masonic Lodge for a party with some of the local foods and gifts for me from the Aruba Rainbow Girls.  It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to seeing this beautiful is;and again.

Honeymoon Day 8 - May 10, 2010 Curacao

Our plans for this island were set back as well.  We really wanted to do the Dolphin Encounter, but unfortunately, by the time we tried to book it, there was only one spot left.  We didn't want to do it if only one of would be able to go since it was a long excursion, so we decided to do a different excursion instead. 

We're planning to do a tour of Sea & See in Curacao.  Basically, you board a semi-submarine and get to see all the ocean life from 5 feet below the surface of the water.  Then we'll be able to tour some of the island after we do the underwater tour.  It should be a good time.  I'm looking forward to seeing the colorful architecture of Curacao and the suspension bridge that's 200 feet above the city.

Honeymoon Day 7 - May 9, 2010 Bonaire

Well, our original plan for Bonaire (an air-conditioned bus tour of the island) fell through, so we're going to have to find something else to do with our time in Bonaire.  I really wanted to do a tour because it's not an island we're likely to go back to in the future.  There's just not enough to do there for a couple who has no intention of becoming Scuba certified.  Hopefully, we'll find something to keep us entertained while we're there or at least find a nice beach to spend the day on.

Honeymoon Day 5 - May 7, 2010 - Samana, Dominican Republic

In Samana, we're planning to do one of the island tours.  Samana is located on the Northeast corner of the island of Hispaniola.  The Dominican Republic shares the island with the country of Haiti, but didn't suffer any major damage from the recent devastating earthquake like Haiti did.  We won't be close enough to Haiti to see any of the damage of the eastern part of the country, but we're hoping to really get a feel for the Dominican people and lifestyle.  I don't know much about the Dominican Republic except for their notoriety for making good cigars.  I guess we'll find out much, much more.   

Honeymoon Day 4 - May 6, 2010 - Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Day 4 will bring us to our first independent island - Turks & Caicos.  I don't know much about Turks & Caicos, but hopefully, I'll learn more as we get to explore this island. 

The cruise center in Grand Turk offers a Flowrider Experience.  You know. . . the surf simulator that's on the aft end of some of the larger Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships.  This one is different because it's on land and available for anyone visiting the island, not just cruise ship passengers.  Through our ship, the cost is $29 and Josh really wants to try it.  While I'd love to participate, I know I would get hurt, so I've chosen not to attempt it.  I'll stand back and watch Josh have fun and hopefully, get lots of good pictures.