Retroblogging: Serenity NOW!

Besides our deck, this was one of our most favorite places on the ship. But, it was hard to find some empty chairs when all the other adults were also trying to find serenity. (Also note to designers: do not put the serenity lounger over the kids area and/or near the entrance to the pool slide - and turn down the incessant music a decibel or two. Thanks, a cranky adult.)

 

 

The Serenity Deck at sunset was beautiful, but it was seriously windy.

 

 I know! A photo. What the heck? 

I was so relaxed I took a selfie (of my double chins) of this hair-raising, wind-swept vacation  return day at day.

No, thank YOU!

Retroblogging: Cozy Cabin with a View for Two

I don't know why people complain about cabin sizes on cruises. OBVIOUSLY they have never lived in a dorm or in a New York apartment. Honestly, it was quite spacious compared to one of my college rooms, and is actually bigger than some NYC studios. Though for two people, for an extended period of time, I could see the issues.

Here's a quick overview. The stragetic placement of the communication center and mirrors are key.

There was a mini fridge tucked under the counter on the left there. This is the view from my bunk.

The bathroom was up a step from the foyer, with a lip in the shower to contain the water. It was bigger than the bathroom in my first apartment, and frankly, probably bigger than the one in my last one. 

 The other key to small spaces is keeping everything ship shape and tucked away. Neatness also counts.

It's like a cozy little nest that ever so gently rocks you into relaxation.

Necessary navigational and information placards on the back of the door and throughout the ship.

The most important thing is getting a balcony - which makes your room seem bigger and gives you somewhere else to go. It's lovely, as long as your neighbors don't smoke, aren't loud, and resist banging the balcony door. There will be limited successes with these issues depending on  your neighbors.

 

 My next apartment needs to have a balcony. Please and thank you.

And a steward.

And room service.

Thank you again.

Retroblogging: What is Art? or "F-Art"?

 There were a variety of artful moments on the cruise. Some avoidable. Some staged.

  Some were amusing.

 Most on board were painfully awful - so much so that we wanted to forget it. Forgettable + Art = FArt.

 These birds were roosting in our room - causing pain to Ms. Christine's eyes.

In fact, 99.9% of the art on board was so awful that I didn't even waste digital space documenting them for posterity. Except for these three, which I used more for landmark and navigation guides than anything. I even made up a sad back story for the girl with the violin. Love or music? Love or music? I know she chose love, because she doesn't have the neck callus/hickey of a true string player.

If Matisse knew that his stuff was being ripped off for bad bathroom art he would be appalled. As would the Egyptian gods holding up the on-board casino.

On land, things were more aesthetically pleasing. I liked the art found on the streets better than the FArt at sea.

 Someone please make me a stuffed L(l)amacorn. I could spin the hair into warm clothing and be MAGICAL!

 I now realize why I bought so much real art from various street artists and independent shops in New Brunswick and Halifax. I was trying to balance out the FArt I was exposed to with the REAL stuff.