Onboard the Thomson Majesty cruise ship that we took two cruises on, the first in 2014 and the second with friends David and Jeannie the following year 2015.
The ship was a little different from all the other cruise ships we've been on in at least one respect: the bow area was clear of all the machinery for raising and lowering anchors and mooring ropes etc. It was, however, still strictly out of bounds to passengers.
The Promenade Deck went all the way around the ship and allowed for continuous walking to clock up those miles or kilometres of exercise. Also in our case, the yards and metres from one door to the next....
Also shot on the Promenade Deck, in Trapani, Italy, with Thomson Dream in the background.
Sailing away from Kalamata, Greece at the end of a day in the port. Sunseekers and sightseers.
The ship's nameplate on the radar tower on the top deck.
The radar vanes turn quite slowly but one night I couldn't resist trying a long exposure to turn the ship into a helicopter. Sadly I can't hold a camera that steady for several seconds. Neat though, huh?
The Royal Observatory bar, Deck 9 offered great views and the chance to bump your head if you sat near the windows...
As evening approaches. The Royal Observatory with lights on. I'm not sure whether we just picked bad times to go but the bar cried out for some really good entertainment during the evenings. The first year onboard there was a classical duo - not setting the world alight - and the second year nothing at all.
This piece of nautical equipment stood in one corner of the Royal Observatory and you could move the handle about as much as you wanted - though there was very little response from the engine room... Finished with engines - hoist the mainsails!
The first night Sail Away party with Muzzik Unlimited. A fine array of flat caps.
Muzzik Unlimited in the Showbar.
We have a coffee in the Cafe Royale on Deck 10 forward and then go down for breakfast to our favourite spot in the Seven Seas restaurant.
Breakfast in the Seven Seas restaurant. (We always got changed once seated...)
Sometimes more than once...
Fruit and vegetable carvings in the Seven Seas restaurant.
In the Four Seasons Restaurant where we had our evening meals. Someone on the table behind us had a birthday. Cue for the waiters to gather round and sing Happy Birthday!
The waiters in the Four Seasons restaurant were always fun. Gede, Yankee and Marwill, as always, do their best to make it a great evening.
The weekly highlight of the parade of the baked alaska!
The Four Seasons restaurant also had fruit carvings... "Good, evenin', Fred"...
Cocktail of the Day is a Smooth Sailing. Vodka, peach schnapps, orange and grenadine.
The cabins - or perhaps I should say, the ones that we had at least - were smaller than on other ships, but we've never gone on a cruise to spend lots of time in the cabin anyway.
Towel origami!
Up on the top deck with balconies overlooking the pool deck below.
The balconies provided a bit of shelter from the sun or occasional other types of weather whilst allowing fresh air to get into the old lungs.
The Topsiders Bar allowed other things to be taken in, though best to ensure they went down by a different route...
On the Main Deck, Reception and Destinations Services desks could be found facing each other across a platform complete with a piano that acted as - and was called the - Crossroads.
The Royal Fireworks was a cabaret bar. (They made the most of that Majesty name!)
It was a cabaret bar yet laid out a bit like a major showroom bar.
The larger West End- style shows were staged in the Jubilee Showbar.
There was also the Polo Club bar - horses to be tethered outside at all times...
And the Rendezvous coffee bar. We used it a few times and you would never find this place empty.
All the photographs taken by the ship's photography team could be viewed on-screen in digital form and prints ordered to take home.
During the evening at sea the special themed shopping nights would see displays of goods set up outside the shops and by the sides of walkways. Here Miss Franny is contemplating the purchase of a bag. And we'll end this look at the Thomson Majesty with a word from my mate David...
Ah... seems like he doesn't want to talk right now...
