Being a Suite passenger certainly has its perks, and when sailing Royal, one of the best is this hidden gem - the Exclusive Bridge Tour!
Now you may be asking yourself what the Minion is doing in a blog post about a private bridge tour!
After the requisite security screening and the warning not to touch any of the controls, we are escorted into a corridor reading "Crew Only", up a flight of stairs and through a door leading into the bridge - an array of marine electronics the likes of which I have never seen before!
The crew is working away at various stations and the bridge spans port to starboard with observation stations protruding from each side, where we learn the Captain is personally positioned during docking maneuvers. The sheer detail in the schematics which paper the walls behind the central station is enough to make me realize just how complex an operation steering this extraordinary vessel is. Kudos to anyone choosing this career path!
The Crewman explains how the stabilizers and azipods work in tandem to stabilize the ship, essential during events such the acrobatics and ice-skating shows, ensuring the performers safety during complex maneuvers (yes, there is an ice-skating rink on this ship!). It is mind-blowing to see just how much goes on behind the scenes that most of us haven't a clue about! It is a testament to Royal's incredibly talented team that this stuff happens without anyone onboard being any the wiser, and we are well and truly impressed!
Because these dedicated Officers will spend Christmas onboard the Adventure, they have decorated the bridge in full holiday regalia, including one Minion with a nickname for each Crew member, and a 10-foot decorated tree, which gives you an idea of the size of this space. The heliport is visible forward, and there is a dual-helm station which looks ironically like the one on the NCC-1701 to round out this remarkable nautical think-tank.
I am so honored, awed, and thrilled to have experienced this tour! For those fortunate Suite guests of Royal, if you receive an invitation, the Bridge Tour is a must-do!