When it comes to a cruise ship, there isn’t anyone quite as powerful as the Captain. Responsible for everything from navigation and safety to maritime law, team management and finding time to mingle with guests, it’s arguably the most prestigious job onboard.
When I boarded the Marella Voyager earlier this year, I got a sneak peek at a part of the ship that most passengers don’t get to see; the Captain’s Bridge. Unsurprisingly you have to get through a lot of security checkpoints to reach it. The sheer size of the Bridge was impressive. I’d pictured maybe a couple of screens, a desk and some large windows, but the Bridge is huge. It’s full of different stations with monitors, computers and PA systems, all with radars, paperwork, numbers and data that I frankly couldn’t get my head around at all.
The area is manned 24/7. The Captain and his Bridge Officers take shifts, but there are always at least two people on hand, even if the ship is docked.
While nowadays cruises run on a lot of high-tech features, I was delighted to see that there was still a wooden helm, and of course when offered a chance to sit in the Captain’s chair, don his hat and pick up the binoculars, I jumped at the chance (my inner child was having the time of their life).
However, there was one terrifying feature I spotted; at least, terrifying for an unseasoned sailor like me, who also happens to hate heights.
When ‘parking up’ the cruise ship, it’s a huge vessel so unsurprisingly, Captains need good visibility especially if the docks are particularly tight. To help, the Bridge has been designed with two small platforms that jut out on either side, where Captains can step out, overhanging the ocean, and take a look to check they’re happy with the alignment of the ship and dockside.
I thought, ‘Oh that will be quite a unique experience,’ so I stepped out and instantly regretted the decision. What I wasn’t prepared for was a) how windy it was going to be on a small platform and b) the fact there is a glass-bottom so you can see the ocean beneath you. I assume the latter is very handy for a Captain getting his bearings. For a cruise fan like me, it set off all of my adrenaline and cortisol in one big go.
I quickly stepped back in, where the kind crew members tried to reassure me that it can be quite daunting when you’re not used to it, although to be blunt I was probably just being a bit cowardly. Still, I was happy to be firmly back inside the ship!
If you want to check out the Captain’s Bridge, there are some options for passengers. Some ships will offer small group tours of the Bridge although this often comes at an additional cost to the cruise. Other ways to see the Bridge are through invitation from crew members of the Captain – or sometimes if you ask at guest services really nicely, they might be able to accomodate you (it never hurts to ask!).
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
