On February 28, 2005 Royal Caribbean cruise lines opened up the bookings for what
is the world's largest cruise ship Freedom of the Seas. Many past RCI cruisers choose to book their cabin on that day including
many for the Maiden Voyage for June 4/06
At that time a roll call thread was started on Cruise Critic for that sailing
and it took off like wild fire... it was an enthusiastic group full of frivolity and excitement as we all waited and chatted
for 15 months for our day on Freedom to arrive. Of course with so much time to chat and get to know each other many topics
arose and the theme of PINK constantly came up ... The THINK PINK theme stuck and it was not until one wintry January day
one of the posters suggested we wear a PINK boa to distinguish ourselves as the Roll Call thread mates from Cruise Critic.
This would set us apart from all the other excited cruisers embarking on Freedom for the first time. Well what started out
as a lark caught on firstly among the original posters of the thread that included a group of about 7 ladies ... the original
PINK Boa Ladies and one honorary member. We got busy shopping in our local stores and on ebay in search of the perfect PINK
boa. debating light pink or hot pink. Another poster suggested that the husbands of these original PINK Boa ladies wear pink
bow ties and cummerbunds with their tuxes. We all envisioned what it would be like to arrive pier side in our pink outfits
and draped around our necks would be these Pink Boas. We were not prepared for the reception that we would receive.
As time drew
near and more and more people began posting on our Maiden Voyage thread many of the newcomers men and woman embraced the "PINK
Boa" idea so we named our selves the Pink Boa Society to include everyone. What a sight we were in the Priority embarkation
lounge all in pink and our PINK Boas around our necks. The men were in different shades of pink polo or t-shirts.
We wore our
boas on embarkation, to the formal dinner and around the pool. We even had our very own Pink Boa Sexy Leg contestant. One
of the highlights was at the Meet & Mingle; the first one to be held on Freedom when the master of the ship Captain William
Wright wrapped a pink boa around his neck as he was presented the poem the group had composed called "ODE TO FREEDOM"
This poem "ODE
TO FREEDOM" is beautifully framed and now hangs in a special spot on Freedom for all to see.
It is a reminder of what
great fun we had as a group waiting in anticipation to board this awesome ship. We are indeed proud of this.
So the next
time you are on Freedom of the Seas you never know where you might find a stray PINK Boa feather.
