John Oram's photos with the keyword: Independence of the Seas

The fifth and final cruise ship to leave Port Everglades on this dull Saturday afternoon was the RCCL Independence of the Seas, bound for Costa Maya. In spite of the relatively modest exposure, the ships lights are very much in evidence. 200_3_P1050007CE

What would a cruise vacation be without cruise ship photography - and we have not yet even joined our own ship? In a strange turn of events, I have recently visited the port of San Juan more often than Southampton. Today's visitors included RCCL Independence of the Seas which had arrived from Basseterre (St. Kitts) and would depart to Labadee. 200_P1010264

Only the previous day, we were watching the departure of six cruise ships from Port Everglades. On Sunday 26 January 2014, our Holland America was the first of another six departures. As we left Fort Lauderdale, the port still accommodated Royal Princess and Allure of the Seas as well as Celebrity Silhouette (foreground) and Independence of the Seas seen here. Out of sight in this shot but between the ships shown was Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam. Celebrity Silhouette was destined for Cozumel and Independence of the Seas for Georgetown. 200_P1000617

In another shot which places one of today's largest cruise ships in a port context, RCCL Independence of the Seas appears to be in deceptively lush surroundings whilst, in fact, still at Port Everglades before departure for Georgetown. 200_P1000630

To be in the heart of a busy port is to be in a crowded environment which can restrict conventional compositions. That creates a chance to be a bit more imaginative with shots which depicts ships in their port environment. Port Everglades is a well appointed facility which needs to be capable of handling a lot of ships and passengers. There were six on both days of the weekend of 25/26 January 2014. One of those on the Sunday was Independence of the Seas seen here before her departure for Georgetown. 200_P1000589

For a member of the public, one of the few ways to get into a port is to be legitimately on a ship. That is part of what makes preparation for a cruise exciting. There is so much to see from the deck of ones ship although some creativity is needed with shots taken in a crowded environment. Wonderful though the previous days viewing had been, it was equally wonderful to be amongst this day's six ships including our own Holland America Eurodam. This intentionally busy shot shows RCCL Independence of the Seas very much in a port context before departure for Georgetown. 200_P1000577