The Dam Ship

The cruise is almost over and I have not said much about the ship.  It is a relatively small ship with 1400 passengers and 600 crew.  The crew is mostly Indonesian and Filipino and would say that this is the most Asian crew members I remember on a ship.  I also feel the majority of  the crew has been the most kind and gracious.  My room is around 180 square feet and I have a window but it is partially obstructed.  If I look a little to the left I can see out.  It is on a promenade deck, so people do walk by but is also nice that I can go out on it, as it is very close.  The bathroom is big and has a bathtub, which I like, especially if I have gone to the beach. 

In general, the ship seems pretty dated.  I believe it was launched in 1999 but seems a lot older.  They are doing a a touch up in the spring and it needs it. I like the library area, they have Eames chairs that I have used to read or use a computer. 

There is a small pool on the back deck, which I think is the nicest place on ship.  There is also a kind of indoor pool with a sliding roof.  All the older passengers congregate there and I have dubbed it "heavens waiting room."  I don't hang out there. 

I joined the Green House room at the spa, which has a hot tub that should be called a warm tub, a steam room that has no steam and hot ceramic lounge chairs that feel great on your back and legs.  I like to go there before dinner, listen to my ipod and relax.  It also has a spectacular view.  It is my Oasis.

The food has been pretty good especially dinner in the dining room and breakfast.
They have an eggs benedict bar with your choice of ham, salmon or spinach.  That is unique.  Lunch is very fair but they do have great huge shrimp from time to time and they are as good as your get anywhere.  I have ordered room service quite a bit and that is such a nice thing to have.  They have ice cream with waffle cones but I have never had it.  For the first part of the cruise, I ate everything now I am off sugar, bread and dairy.  I want to get in good shape.

All in all, I like the idea of traveling on a ship rather than the idea of a vacation.  It is a throwback form of travel and appreciate the old world sensibility and a bit of romanticism.   I love the motion of leaving a port and  I love being on deck and looking at the sky and the ocean.  I can never get enough of that.