With the weekend behind them all the regular Fincantieri yard people streamed back on board to augment all the sub-contractors who kept working through the weekend. Again a lot of cables and wall covering disappeared and step by step it is starting to look like a ship. When walking around it does not look as if much progress is being made at the moment but there is. The last stages of fitting out takes the most time to accomplish and for the naked eye there is not much happening but the final touches to each area simply take time.
Hanging the Art continues anywhere where the work has been completed. This painting is called The Light Searcher.
The themes for the interior design of the Koningsdam are Music and Food & Drink. Hence we have the Music Walk and all the extra restaurants. I will come back to all of that in the coming days. Today a few photos of all the drink options. There are bars in every public area but a few areas are special. An improvement close to my heart are cup holders in the arms of the seats of the World Stage. Always nice to enjoy the show with a good pint in hand.
Corner of the Explorers Bar and Wine Display.
In the main part of the Music Walk there is the Lincoln Center with in the corner the Explorers Café. Here we find a nice display for wine bottles. The logic is of course that classical music is even more enjoyable while savoring a good glass wine. Right opposite is NOTES, this is a circular bar/sitting area for Whisky Tasting and the plan is to have 130 Whiskies on show/available. A lot of guests enjoy a good whiskey and there is much more out there than just Johnny Walker.
NOTES. Whisky Display in the centre of the Music Walk.
There is no bar in the Queens Lounge but the Ocean Bar is nearby. The Ocean Bar has now a large lounge area with a Piano Player. The best dance floor is of course in the Queens Lounge which is much bigger. In the Atrium we have in the sweeping surround of the staircase a large wine display to serve the Pinnacle and the Sel de Mer Restaurants. Over 2000 different bottles will be available to choose from while dining in the two Restaurants.
Difficult to photograph but this wine display curves with the Atrium staircase.
Then we come to the Culinary Arts Centre. Here is a dining option as well. This is called from Farm to Table and of course a good glass of wine will not go amiss while enjoying the chef’s creations. For that purpose there is a wine display in the corner.
Wine Rack for the Culinary Arts Centre.
Right opposite we have the Wine Experience which we call the Blend. Here you can mix your own wine to find the perfect blend for your specific taste. Once you have created your own perfect wine, you can have it served with dinner in one of the restaurants, or if you cannot wait to drink you own creation, take it to the cabin.
Soaring through the whole height of the Dining Room this wine tower forms a real focus point for all the diners.
Finally we come to the Dining Room. The anchor of the curved upper and lower level is a two story wine rack. Not just for display but operational. It will give the option to have a look first at the bottles instead of just choosing from the Wine Menu.
What better way to get your Guest Room Lifejacket delivered than with a smile?
While I was dreaming of wine bottles and opening them work went on without let up.The crew are busy with carrying amenities into the cabins, storing up the dining room or huddled in trainings & meetings. Meetings for Safety but also the preparations for work. The attendants for the Pinnacle and the Sel de Mer have to learn the menus and to figure out the best way of serving and moving around the tables. And that is just a small example.
Forward Staircase. Three composite photos of well known musical artists.
I am ending again with a piece of art. This photo/painting is made up from computer keys and I think it is Jimmy Hendrix in the picture, but I am not certain as the signs are not in place yet.
March 21, 2016 at 12:46 pm
This is a great blog Captain and is working its magic in making me excited enough to book a cruise on this beautiful ship. I thank you for taking the time to post daily and I await each afternoon for your next installment.
Kind regards Chris
P.S I think that last photo is Lionel Richie…. Jimmy Hendrix would not be amused!
March 21, 2016 at 2:12 pm
The last ten percent of a construction project often takes more than 50% of the total build time.
March 21, 2016 at 2:21 pm
The left picture looks like Lionel Richie. The right one looks like Jimmy Hendrix. I don’t recognize the center photo.
March 21, 2016 at 4:56 pm
You have inspired me so much by your recent blogs about the behind the scenes work to complete the new build and delivery of the Koningsdam that I booked a November cruise on her today so I can see the results in person!
March 21, 2016 at 7:42 pm
Dear Capt. Albert
You have not spoken lately on what your role has evolved to in this “controlled chaos”. Is the essential evacuation plan completed, or still a project in process? Your posts, as always, are fascinating and I look forward to your daily postings. We had been booked on Koningsdam in late April, but a 7 year old granddaughter’s first Communion won out and we delayed to the Oosterdam in September Barcelona to Rome. Thanks for your efforts.
March 22, 2016 at 9:27 am
Capt. Albert
The center picture bears a resemblance to Andy Warhol…….Just my guess with the angle shot.
Love this blog. Booked the family for upcoming Christmas cruise while on the Ryndam in Norway back in August.
March 24, 2016 at 12:25 am
The left photo might be Lionel Richie, the centre is Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and the third is Michael Jackson – they are my guesses. Thank you Capt. Albert for your blog. Love the updates and photos. We will be embarking on the 27th April and disembarking on the 3rd July. Very excited about sailing on a new ship. Looking forward to the tug boat welcomes each time we enter a new port. Thank you for all of the effort you (and a cast of thousands)have put in to make this ship as special as it can be. Hope you get to be part of the bridge team for some of the early itineraries.