TravelZWorld : Best Seat In The House

This was the last day of our South American cruise. Rick and I had seen and done so much in the last 55 days, our longest cruise yet. We also logged my 50th birthday and our 50th cruise (with Princess Cruises) while on this long journey. The ship had become our home for almost two months. So, no better way to cap off such a long voyage than to be invited for a private tour of the ship's bridge.

The bridge was the home of the Captain who was the supreme power of the ship. All activities stopped when a Captain spoke over the intercom. Heads always turned whenever a Captain entered a public area. There was an aura that followed this man that made the headquarters of his ship so enticing.

We were escorted up stairs and down corridors to a door that required permission to enter. Once inside, we were required to be silent as we passed quarters of some of the officers on the watch. With staggered hours and long shifts, sleep was a necessity to stay alert on the job. Once on the bridge, it remained quiet from unnecessary distraction.

Unfortunately, the captain was attending a private social function on board the ship somewhere. His capable staff was available, in his absence.

The dominant color on the bridge was blue, matching the ocean outside.

What a gorgeous, unobstructed view from the floor to ceiling glass. The windshield wipers on those windows were huge!

Gadgets, buttons, panels and switches galore...

This "wing" (one on each side of the bridge) extended beyond the side of the ship and afforded a complete view of the whole side of the ship. The bridge was truly the best "seat" in the house.

Photos of the gigantic propellers, shaft, stabilizers and thrusters were displayed.

Flags of port countries and for communication were rolled up and neatly stored in their cubbies. The ship's bell, a well-rooted nautical tradition, was inscribed with the ship's name and the year it was launched. Every day at 12 noon, we heard the ship's bell over the intercom system to announce the time and report the ship's position. The bell was used in maritime tradition as timekeeping to announce shifts. Other interesting facts about the bell: at New Year's Eve, 8 bells were sounded to end one year and another 8 bells to announce the new year; bells were sounded rapidly for five seconds during periods of low visibility and fog (modern cruise ships, the ship's whistle is used); bells were used for general alarms (modern cruise ships now use the whistle); the passing of a sailor is marked with the ringing of the bell eight times.