What a perfect challenge from the WordPress team this week. After 2 weeks afloat in luxury I would love to share it with you…
Obviously a great deal of thought and design has gone into the décor. I found it restful and refined. The royal blue of the carpets with lots of brass fittings, the sweeping stairs down into the Atrium with the large, impressive, magnificent, revolving Waterford crystal world slowly turning and catching the light from the chandeliers. Exquisite artwork adorns the walls. a warm palette of colors accentuating an extensive use of crystal, marble, inlaid woods and brass, lovely flower arrangements, antiques and a full wraparound teak promenade deck with padded deck chairs. Words cannot really do the atmosphere and ambience of this cruise ship justice so I will take you for a photo tour through this luxurious ship I called home for 2 weeks.
This impressive globe hung above 3 decks of the Atrium area. Behind it you can see part of the art gallery.
Unusual light fittings glowed in the star encrusted ceiling that glittered with tiny lights.
This corridor leads to the Casino. No photos are allowed to be taken in that area, but it had all the equipment to entice you to gamble the night away. This is a no cash environment, your door card, with your number and name, acts as a credit card for all purchases. So easy to run up a large bill. We were very careful, everything, including all alcohol, is charged at US$. But there is so much more entertainment available for free.
Looking through to the Pinnacle Restaurant. This restaurant offered a fine dining experience and was the only restaurant that charged for the meal. From $29 to $69. We did not dine here as the other restaurants were covered in the cost of the cruise and we considered their food to be of an excellent quality.
But I did take a photo of this restaurant.
This is the entrance to the Vista Restaurant, the A ‘la carte dining room, these meals were included in the cost of the cruise. When they had the formal evenings we would go here for dinner. Notice on the right hand side there is a hand sanitizer? They were set up every where and there was notices requesting us to wash hands and be aware of healthy habits, even told at the end of announcements over the intercom to wash our hands…
This is the Vista Restaurant.
Seats are scattered everywhere.
Fresh flowers are everywhere.
All the dining tables have a dainty orchid on them. Jack carried his sketch pad with him all the time and did 2-3 sketches of ship board life every day. This is a sketch of the orchids.
The Vista Dining Room also served afternoon tea every day. This particular day it was an Indonesian theme with delicious Indonesian delicacies to have with our tea or coffee.
It was the small details that impressed me. Every day these delightful fruit carvings greeted us in the Lido Bistro Restaurant.
I loved this “Tromp l’oeil” art work. I could imagine strolling around this classic Italian style garden, so peaceful.
These are the lift doors. Each lift has a notice board on the wall alongside to let you know exactly where you are and what is on this deck. This is absolutely essential as the ship is so large I easily got lost in the first few days.
I realised that I didn’t get photos of all the areas. I missed the Green Spa area, where, for a price, you could indulge in various massages, facials, hair styling and cuts, manicures, pedicures and all that sort of pampering. The gym and a number of the bars I also missed. Maybe I will have to go on another cruise…
But apart from eating and wandering around admiring everything there was a great entertainment programme and of course there are the ports to be explored…
To be continued…
what awesome modern tech to think that all this grandeur can float – and love dapper Jack – also hius drawings – and I have not seen such a nice cruise ship so I soaked up every pic – and like the details – format he watermelon/fruit art – to the different lights – need to scroll again ❤ ❤
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I never expected so much luxury and so much to look at/photograph
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I bet it was overwhelming – but in a good way for a photographer 🙂
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Still finding I missed getting some shots that I wish I had for my posts…
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oh really – that stinks – but maybe next time?
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Well who knows, maybe…
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❤
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OMG so OTT! This sort of decor usually nauseates me, unsure I could get used to it. The food and the friendly staff sound fantastic, and looking forward to the entertainment, and Jack’s sketches of course.
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Good description Naomi certainly OTT!!!! I rather liked it in the short term, so different to my usual décor, but I prefer simplicity.
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Okay I got completely confused! I found your other blog and thought I was unfollowed from you two! Love your photos! Love your ship! So happy you went on this cruise. Rather nice no! I can tell you both enjoyed yourselves! So glad~
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Not exactly my style, so opulent Cindy, but I rather relished in it for the 14 days. Staff, food and interesting people to meet.
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Wow! Your photos really show just how luxurious these grand ships really are!
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I don’t know how this one compares with the other lines but I have been told by other travellers that have been on other cruises that this is a great line to sail on
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Having never been on a cruise I have nothing to compare it to but it’s hard to imagine more luxury. Also forgot to say that I appreciated Jack’s sketch too and doesn’t he clean up nicely!!
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Jack was doing 2-3 sketches a day. I will be showing more in future posts. He looks good doesn’t he? and the jacket only cost $10 from an op shop!!!!
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They really do go to town do they not on all the decorative features and finishings Pauline .. it must take awhile to get used to this every day … well 14 of them anyway 🙂 I do like the sound of trying something different though and you have … wonder what those Indonesian afternoon treats were …
Jack looks the Biz 🙂
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Yes I love trying new experiences Poppy, as I know you do….
The Indonesian treats were very sweet and colourful, should’ve taken a photo of them!!!
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This is over-the-top fabulous, Pauline. It’s so luxurious all around. So impressive at every turn. I’m glad you had a wonderful time. 🙂
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I’ve never experienced so much luxury before Cathy, it was mind boggling at first, but surprising how quickly I got used to it….
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Haha, yes, I don’t think it’s ever hard to get used to luxury, Pauline! 🙂
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Having the opportunity to experience it was what made the cruise so interesting.
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I was on my first cruise about three years ago – mixed reviews. But reading your posts and seeing your photos make me question what didn’t I enjoy??! It is all rather overwhelming, isn’t it?!
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I guess it is up to each individual to interpret the experiences they encounter and decide whether they are enjoyable or not. I’ve been told each cruise line is quite different and caters for different clientele. HAL caters for the older passenger therefore a family with children may have found it unsuitable.
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Nice post Pauline I don’t know what I would do without you.
You have certainly shown what we do to together so well.
I love being your second hand man in second hand cloths.
You record how I manage to fit in, what ever i wear, where ever we go.
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Thank you Jack we do make a great team…
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Do you ever long for simplicity? This reminds me of the castle in Warsaw: so much gold and ornamentation, and then a few white rooms that were splendid in their plainness. I love the thought of Jack in his suave $10 jacket in all this magnificence, and your photos are, as always, stunning. I’m eager now for ashore.
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I am really for the simple life Meg, to me small is beautiful, I loved living in Matilda and our Granny Flat is a very small one room and basic, but it was very interesting to see and live the other
lifestyle for 14 days.
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One word: WOW!
xx
del
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It certainly was Del. That globe made me go WOW the first time I saw it
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Luxury on the sea! I think this is what I will think of ‘grand and opulent’ for a while
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Oh yes opulent is certainly the perfect word.
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The flowers, carved fruits & beautiful details are a gorgeous feast for the eyes. I remember my Westerdam cruise & am so happy to have the memory. They’ve retired the ship, now. Your photos are lovely to behold, thank you!
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You may be interested to know the HAL line has just launched a new ship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93wfoLs-xoY check it out… You might be tempted to go for another cruise Deanna
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It looks smashing & very tempting! 🙂
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Fabulous….fabulous work!!!
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Well thank you for that lovely comment. Pleased you had a look around
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Very luxurious. Great photos 🙂
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I revelled in it, great photo ops too…
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Quite impressive!
janet
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I was certainly impressed by the whole cruising experience Janet
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I’ve never been on a cruise and I’m not sure if I’d like to go on one or not, but you make it sound quite inviting.
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I think it is totally up to the individual as to if you would like it. We have friends who tried a cruise and they couldn’t get off the boat fast enough. They hated the organisation. But I look on it as another experience to be savoured. Never really thought I would ever actually go on a cruise, so opposite to how we usually travel.
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It looks so very grand, Pauline, perfect for a cruise on the high seas. And golly gosh, doesn’t Jack look smart!
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Jack really fits in with the surroundings Jill. The jacket fits like it was tailor made for him. A great find for $10…
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Magnificent elegance and beautiful photos. You would have both appreciated the Artwork, so many interesting spots to just rest, linger and absorb…..fantastic. What a handsome man you had to escort you to dinner. Awaiting the next instalment.
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Jack scrubs up real well doesn’t he? I will show more of the art in the next post, it was quite varied and all excellent.
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It’s so ornate, not all my style but I love to see it, especially all the detail you ‘ve captured!
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It was described in one review as “venerable” I wouldn’t choose that style for my own house but it certainly gave the ship a rather regal look.
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