Life aboard soon settled into a comfortable, pampered and relaxing routine. With roughly 500 crew to 850 guests, one was hardly able to place one's rear end on a seat without a gentle enquiry at the elbow: 'What would you like to drink, madam?' If it was before the sun had crossed the yardarm, I settled for tea and the occasional cappuccino, but when the sun shone through the picture windows of the Tiffany Deck, a small sherry would be sipped and a careful selection made from the tray of canapés offered at the cocktail hour.
Smart casual was the dress code for day wear, graduating to semi-formal for dinner, with two black-tie evenings. This was no tracksuit pants and t-shirts ship! The heavy jewellery came out at night, but during the day one could be blinded by a flash from a well-studded ring or two if the light was right. The cutlery was silver service, the linen damask, and the teacups in the Palm Court perched above the bridge were hand-painted bone china specially commissioned for the ship. The only plastic on board was in the form of surgery, and there were myriad examples of that. It certainly settled any doubts I might have on clinging to my youth. I will just have to grow old disgracefully.
A small percentage of the ladies on board were there to find husbands, but in general there were couples who had been sailing on the ship for many years, a home from home as it were, and many were familiar faces to the crew, who greeted them like old friends. The friendliness and lack of obsequiousness of the crew is, I am sure, on top of the list of making this one of the best ships in the world as voted by those who can.
 |
 |
| Mmmm |
 |
| Tea |
No comments:
Post a Comment