Vitamin Sea!

Acruise ship weighing 42,276grt and 709 feet in length. This translated into interesting statistics but I recognised is true measure only after getting on board, where I realised it was more than just a ship. It was a humungous floating hotel. Actually, a mini city. This world-class floating resort in the high seas offered an impressive array of services coupled with warm hospitality , which have become the hallmark of luxury liners . And I was all set to become another willing slave of this extravaganza.

On the introductory tour of the ship, we were taken to the captain's work room, where I quickly dispensed all the mental images of crewmen struggling

ropes sails to change directions. All that our present day skipper had to do was delicately move a joystick while the computer-aided machines did the rest. We were then guided to a café , which I expected to be a corner with a couple of chairs. Next thing I see is a cavernous hall with a staggering capacity of 400. This was my happy introduction to the biggest attraction on the

ship, ubiquitous food. From back alley dumplings to four-star banquet halls, the liner had the world's finest palate which makes the taste buds stand up and take notice. My next halt was the most happening place on the ship, its vibrant deck. While youngsters sweated it out on the basketball courts, the rest preferred soaking in the bubbling jacuzzis. Guitarists playing old foot-tapping Portuguese numbers and citrus

mocktails from the bar just about completed the environment . Evening entertainment included gala nights, nonstop DJ-nights , karaoke and of course, the favourite spot of jingling pockets, the casino. Nocturnal or not, fun never seemed to end!

A day was designated for a shore trip at Kadmat Island, Lakshadweep.A growing chorus says these remote white sand islands are among the best in the world. The palm-fringed beaches are as natural as they come, with virtually no signs of commercialisation. Except for swimming, swinging in a hammock, snorkelling and pretending that I was the innocuous Christopher Atkins from Blue Lagoon, there was nothing to do. This slice of paradise is supposed to be even more picturesque during the monsoon. And as long as you are careful, nothing can beat the experience of being there when the rain is weaving magic on the waves.

As the ship approached the Mumbai port, I looked back at the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea, with contentment and bliss that comes when your money fetches more than its worth.

source:timesofindia.indiatimes.com