Deck Fourteen - Scene & Story - October 2017

Deck Fourteen

In October, I took a cruise for the very first time.
We started off in Venice and went down the Adriatic coastline
in Italy, Greece and then up to Dubrovnik in Croatia.
I very much enjoyed most of the stopovers 
and the fascinating history behind the places we visited.

Of the actual time we spent on the ship, 
my favourite space was Deck Fourteen which was the very best place,
and the quietest, to look at the scenery, to walk and to enjoy the view
or take in a sunset leaning against the railings.
The deck went all around the ship and was known as the
Power Walking Track.
I only ever saw one other person doing power walking
and very few people seemed to come here.
The most I ever saw were four others at the same time.
I could tell they were enjoying the peace, just like me and my travelling companion.

For those who love the hustle and bustle of life on a cruise ship,
there were plenty of occupations:
sunbathing on lounge chairs, the swimming pools and the jacuzzis
dancing classes, variety shows and sitting in the bars drinking cocktails
with live (very loud) music.
Because of the music, people had to shout to make themselves heard
and that increased the volume of everything very much indeed!
Maybe you will understand if I mention that we were around
3.223 guests on board and that there are 1.039 crew members!

Deck Fourteen was a haven of peace where we could forget just how many people
were on board.
There was no seating and no lounge chairs and that discouraged
most folk from staying here.
Perfect silence with just the faint sound of water as we glided forward.

Was going on a cruise everything I had imagined it to be?
In some ways, yes.
The overall ambiance makes me think of the first lines of a poem:

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence."

'Disiderata'
by Max Ehrmann

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32 comments

  1. I've never gone on a cruise, but if I did, I'd have to find a refuge like Deck Fourteen. That view is so beautiful, and it's enhanced by the quiet I can see and almost feel there on your "private" deck. The lines you quoted from 'Desiderata' are perfect - I relate to them totally.

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    1. Thank you, Lee. That quiet deck was a perfect place to be!

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  2. I love the leading lines in your photo, not to mention the brilliant colors!

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    1. Thank you, Rachel.That deck was so amazingly long. I loved the feeling of space there and the lovely walks all around the ship to see the area from different points of view!

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  3. Deck 14 looks like a beautiful place to view the scenery and enjoy some quiet. I have been on two cruises in the past - both in the Caribbean. I think I would enjoy visiting the ports on your cruise a little more. The colors in your photo are just the way I imagine that part of the world to be - spectacular!

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    1. Thank you, Karen. Yes, the lighting and the colour of the sea were beautiful. The places we visited were interesting and we bought little guide books to learn more about the historical background.

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  4. That must have been such an interesting experience for you. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Yes, a new experience with many points of interest and things to discover. Thank you for your visit!

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  5. Deck Fourteen sounds like a wonderful place to spend time on a cruise, and though I've never ventured forth upon a cruise ship I know a quiet place like that would be the first place I'd seek out. The noise and hustle and bustle wear us introvert types out very quickly! I hope you will share more photos of the places you saw while spending time on Deck Fourteen.

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    1. Apart from our own private balcony leading off from the cabin, Deck Fourteen was a lovely peaceful place to be in-between our visits to the various places! I'm not sure if I'll be writing about the places we did visit - maybe at some time or another! Thanks for your visit, Sara.

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  6. Deck 14 would have been my favorite spot too. A place to thinking about all the eye is taking in.

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    1. Yes, it was the perfect place, Carol. The view was also fabulous because we could walk all round the ship!

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  7. From reading this I guess that deck 14 would have been the place where you'd find me as well.
    In all my life I only did one cruise, up the Nile back in 1996. It was a small boat, not even fully booked, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was precisely the quietness on deck that I loved.

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    1. I think that most of us here like the peace and quietness of Deck 14! Your cruise along the Nile sounded lovely. Thanks for visiting, Carola!

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  8. Having been on a few cruises, I always seek out those kinds of places too. They are an oasis.

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    1. Yes, indeed, Sarah! A marvellous place to linger, enjoy the sheer length of the deck and the beautiful views!

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  9. If I ever go on a cruise, which is doubtful, I will certainly hope there is a "Deck 14!" I know you were relieved to find a place of peace and quiet among so many people! I'm glad you enjoyed exploring new places on the stop overs!

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    1. It was the perfect place to be, Cathy when we were on board. Our private balcony with small table and two chairs was lovely too and I read two books while I was away! The visits we made on the stopovers were fun to explore!

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  10. Wish there had been a Deck 14 on the ship I went on! It would have been bliss amongst all the racket elsewhere! * Shudders to remember *

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    1. Sarn, Deck 14 was our haven of peace on a full and noisy ship! We also had a private balcony which was great for reading! So in-between the visits, we could find our much needed peace!

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  11. It sounds wonderful! I love the blue in your photograph. I have never been on a cruise, not sure I want to go because of all the people. If there was a guaranteed 'Deck 14' I would definitely consider it and it would be easier to convince my husband to go too. :)

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    1. Thank you, Michelle. I was rather worried about the sheer number of people on the ship too, but Deck 14 was all that was needed! Meal times were another story...!

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  12. The path your ship took sounds wonderful.
    To be on a ship with that many people, not as wonderful ;-)
    Loud music and yelling, again, not so wonderful ;-0
    I am so glad that you had Deck 14.

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    1. You hit the nail on the head, Tammie, both wonderful and not so wonderful! Deck 14 was perfect though, as you can see. The visits to the various places were also extremely interesting!

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  13. What an amazing cruise this must have been, Sandra, and Deck Fourteen sounds just perfect.
    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Well, it was quite an experience, Lisa. Being with such a huge number of people was rather overwhelming, especially at meal times! That is why this quiet deck was my favourite one!

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  14. What an experience! The loud music sounds fun only in very short bursts though. Glad you found peace up on Deck 14.

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    1. Yes, quite an experience, Fi. Loud music is never fun for me, except if it's a live orchestra playing classical music that I enjoy. Jazz, of the traditional kind, can be fun too!

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  15. I have never taken a cruise yet- maybe some day in the future. But how was Italy and Greece? Can’t wait to hear about your stops and to which cities!
    Have a great week!
    Xo Anna

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    1. Well, if you do take a cruise, I suggest a smaller boat. The sheer number of people on board was very overwhelming for me! Yes, Italian and Greece were lovely places to visit and Dubrovnik in Croatia was really beautiful and interesting too!

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  16. The cruise was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful pictures.

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    1. Thank you. This was my favourite scene on the crowded ship!

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