Ben and I usually entered the dining room from the upper entrance, as we had a table on the upper level at the side of the ship, beside windows. It was a good
location. I wonder if they assign tables depending on how many times you've sailed with them? I know there are more and more perks the more often you sail. On
occasion we've been seated on the first level and it was fun to sweep in down the wide curving staircase between the levels. You feel as though you are making
an entrance like the kind you see in movies. Of course, everyone else is so busy themselves with their friends, or making their way to tables, that nobody notices your dramatic entrance, but it's fun0 all the same. As we came through the
dining room doors and passed the banquette and beautiful display we could always see the classical musicians nearby at their instruments. They played excellent dinner music.
Through the windows at dusk you can still see the ocean;, and any landmarks, but
when it becomes dark the lights inside glitter in the windows and you don't see
out well any more. There are heavy draperies throughout the ship so when needed they can all be drawn to keep things cosy. I imagine those are used on Alaska
cruises. Possibly they are used in storms or very high seas to help the passengers stay calm. There are often lighted stained glass windows in various places
in the dining room as decoration. And beautiful flowers, heavy silver, good china, and excellent, attentive and kind and friendly service, course by course, sothat you begin to feel that those who serve are more than waiters and the maitre
d'hote, but rather, friends. It is an extremely pleasant environment.
The maitre d' used to come to our table to ask how we found everything. Ben is,
of course very knowledgeable of quality since he's a trained chef, and also studied in hotel management college as I said.. The maitre d' seemed to recognize his expertise. He checked with a few other guests to make sure they were happy and satisfied, especially with the quality of the food.
As you leave the dining room there is a uniformed fellow whose special job is to
greet you with a big smile and offer candied ginger, mints, and toothpicks.
Every night there's some kind of a live stage show and performance in the theatre lounge I described when I spoke of the passengers' talent show. It is a two storey affair with a balcony as part of the second storey. The lighting and costumes are professional, and so are the ship's special professional performers. One night, all the staff puts on a staff show. It's fun to see people you know,
performing beautiful dances and performances in traditional costume that are special to their own countries and cultures. Often there's a lot of humour in these staff shows.
Did I tell you about the food outlets on the Lido deck outside the Lido Restaurant. That's where the big pool is with lounging cots around the pool and many tables and chairs with sun umbrellas over them. Some people take their food from
the buffet out to one of those tables. However, if you prefer hotdogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and tacos that you make yourself from ingredients on a taco bar, then this is the place to go. Food is available all the time out there, from noon to 5 pm. In addition, ice-cream with all kinds of toppings such as whipped cream, nuts, coloured sprinkles, various fruits, etc., is available at the Lido buffet all afternoon. So are coffee, tea, pop and icewater. There's also a
bar on the Lido deck, but there you must pay for your alcoholic drinks.
On a ship like this there's never reason for anyone to be bored. There is enough variety for everybody to find something they like. I think the value is exceptional compared to separate vacations with flights, top hotels and meals in restaurants of similar standards.
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Part A13 will be about driving north again.
