La Capanna (Lucca) and the delicacies of Lucca

Theme Nights and Decor

Editor's note: I promised a discussion on decor to some folks at DWR. So here you go:

Two things about this cruise - there are theme nights for dinner and such and the overall theme of the ship being named the Legend, is all of history's popular legends.

Lets discuss decor. The dining area at first reminds one of a fancy Asian restuarant with dark maples or perhaps mahogany woods delicately traced with golden orbs of decals. Upon close examination however, one notices that the interwoven murals are those of a medieval or perhaps Arthurian legend with castles, nobility, and horses depicted as if in the Canterbury Tales by Chaucer. I am immediately transported to 1500 London and a time of upheval.. or maybe it is the 1200s and during the height of the crusades. But then again no.

As one wanders the decks of the Legend, they are overcome with depictions of legends and vases, but not vases, but vaaaahzes - you know the frenchy sophisticated way of saying vase. Vahhhz. Our entry to the vessel originally occurred on deck 2 where we came into a small atrium extending up to the 10th deck. Central was a bar backed by a string ensemble of a violin, a bass, and an piano. I would have prefered a guitar, a bass guitar and a drum set and more hair and less black tie, but what can you do?? But then again, no.

The atriums is not as open nor large as we have experienced on prior ships. The dark wood continues the entire height of the atrium which is framed on either side by artistic additives. On one side are the three towering glass elevators that bring you from formality on the 2nd and 3rd decks to near revelry of the 9th and 10th decks (food and pools). The atrium is dominated on one wall by a massive painting of a greek or romanesq figure who decided to go commando this particular day. If not for proper placing of a fig leaf, we may have had a new meaning to the theme of the ship....Legend. But then again, no.

The lounges on this ship are what really make it. The main theater is adorned to look like a medival castle and reminds one at times that they are in Disneyland's Fantasyland. There isa sports lounge decked out with TVs and the only place on the ship to get ESPN. There are a few piano bars that range from very classical to very modern. My favorite was Billie's Piano Bar, decked out in red with modern appeal and a big red grand piano up on the bar that rotates as Wayne sang sing-along favorites. This particular bar reminded me somehow of a 50s diner set in the future. Maybe Art Deco meets Jimmy Dean, Marylin Monroe, and Elvis. Oh, and Wayne.

Sing along with Wayne was featured on a few nights, and finally Jule and I could not resist. We were able to check Alyssa into Camp Carnival and headed to see Wayne.

Wayne had a nice voice, the benefit of a spinning piano with fish bowl type glass waiting your dollar bills, and the token single lady sitting alone but closest to Wayne staring blissfully at Wayne. I can understand this scene in any town, but how did this lady and this Wayne end up on a cruise ship? I think she was planted for ambiance.

Wayne needs some work. His voice is nice enough, but he basically sings every popular song to the exact same tempo. I never knew you could sing "Your Song", "Margaritaville", and "Babe" to the same beat. We did. But then again....

THEMES

Other than the ship having a theme and semi-pornographic painting in its atrium, cruise ships generally do theme nights in the dining room. One would presume that this is what the menu will feature. For example in prior experiences Italian night meant starters such as anitpasti, proscuitto and melon, ceasar salads, baked rigatoni, lasagne, and veal scallopini for dinner. Maybe tiramisu or espresso to end the meal. Likewise you get a French night, American night, maybe Mexican night, Steak and Lobster night...etc.

Theme nights on this ship were confusing. Italian night I ate a peach soup (very good), ceasar salad (yuck), indian curry, and apple pie. Hmm? French night featured Won Ton Soup, Iceburg salad, steak, and tiramisu.... We never figured it out - but got plenty of chuckles from it.

I think in general the theme of the dining room was confusion.

Let me quickly post some photos from the past day:

Grandpa Sings:

Alyssa's Turle Caymie (named for the Caymans)

Sophia, Mada, Jule, and Alyssa

Farewell Belize....