Behind the Scenes – Part Three of my Princess Adventure.

This is an area of the Cruise ship that guests rarely get to see.  The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that guests have the service they receive is phenomenal.

It is like the Swan that glides across the water seemingly effortlessly and yet beneath the waterline it is paddling like mad.

Let’s start at the top and work down.  We visited the wheelhouse and sorry to disappoint but there is no Pirates of the Caribbean style huge wheel steering the ship. There is a little wheel about 6 inches across which left us feeling a little deflated.

However, the staff were cheery and showed us round giving us a incite into a typical day.

Staff on deck.

Some of my colleagues decided to try on the captain’s hat and chair for size.  Do not fear they were not actually in charge of steering the ship as we were docked in port at the time.

New Captains

The officer who showed us round was very informative and gave us a little insight into some of the procedures they need to follow.

Controls 3

We visited one of the Galleys which had just finished with the breakfast rush. Here, One of the Head Chefs showed us round.

Chef

They were busy making the beautiful carvings to adorn the food displays and making sandwiches etc. for lunch.

melons 4

Melons 3

Did you know that because of the high demand the pastry section on the ship is operating 24 hours a day? They cook everything from scratch themselves so the croissants and pastries are freshly prepared round the clock and the bread is all cooked on-board as well. No mean feat when you see the mountains they go through each day.

Despite their very hectic schedules they cooked us up some tasty little sweet treats to try and did a display to welcome us.

welcpme

Treats

The Laundry was the real eye opener. The enormous washing machines and the massive presses which dry and press the sheets in one smooth operation being fed at one end by two staff members. It makes you appreciate the staff behind the scenes as it was extremely hot in there so must have been draining to work in.

Washing machines 1

Sheets Galore 1

Then we saw the shirts being pressed and the machine was amazing. They slotted in the shirt and the clipped the sleeves then it blew hot air puffing it up and drying and ironing the shirt in one smooth operation. In the words of Will Smith in Independence Day. “ I got to get me one of these”.

Shirt machine

Below decks has its hub or hive of activity. Affectionately called the ‘Motorway’ it runs along through the ship below the passenger decks. It is a long corridor that is always full of cabin staff, waiters, bar staff, laundry personnel, chefs, maintenance workers and all the staff that go to make the ship run like clockwork.  You take your life in your hands crossing this busy thoroughfare. They are all hurrying about the daily business to make your cruise the experience of a lifetime.

So next time you sip a coffee or eat a pastry in the Atrium or snuggle into that comfy bed with its clean fresh linens just spare a thought to the men and women who make it all possible.  Not forgetting the Captain as his officers who navigate the ship ensuring you have as smooth a sailing as possible and that you can sleep easy in your beds knowing you are in safe hands.

Have you ever done a behind the scenes Tour? I would love to hear about it if you have.

 

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About Me

I have worked in the Travel Industry for 33 years, ever since leaving school. My Dad was in the Navy so I guess I get my wanderlust from him. I was a Manager in a successful Travel Agency for 16 years before joining Cruise.co.uk. I am married and have a son who…

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