I AM writing today from Sea Princess’ Topsail bar, savouring my
favourite part of any cruise – a sundowner champagne watching the
sunset over the sea.
This bar on Deck 14, at the main mast, is the next best thing to the
“crow’s nest”, a old term for a ship’s lookout point.
According to naval legend, before the days of radar, Viking sailors
would bring onboard a crow, which was kept in a cage attached to the
upper part of the ship’s tallest mast.
The land-loving bird was used to help determine the best direction to
sail to shore, especially when visibility was poor. Released from its cage,
it would head straight toward land, allowing the navigator to plot the
course “as the crow flies”.
Other naval scholars, however, suggest the term was coined in 1807
when it was used to describe Arctic explorer William Scoresby’s lookout
platform, which was a barrel attached to the mast and apparently
resembled a crow’s nest in a tree.
Nowadays, the term can refer to the highest point of a building or
tower. Crow’s Nest Lounge is the name given to the highest bar on
Holland America Line ships, offering the best views for passengers.
According to Eurodam Captain Henk Keijer, you can see 12 nautical
miles from the Crow’s Nest on Deck 11 compared to seven nautical miles
from Deck 3.
But despite its good vantage for gazing at the horizon – a common
remedy for seasickness – a ship’s crow’s nest is not actually a suitable
place for queasy passengers in rough seas.
Traditionally, it was always positioned far away from the vessel’s centre
of mass, rendering it prone to exaggerated swaying.
Indeed, to be sent to the crow’s nest to keep watch was considered a
punishment for sailors.
Seamen from Spain knew this better than others. The Spanish word for
crow’s nest, carajo, also means “curse”.
Fortunately, on a modern ship with sturdy stabilisers, it’s one of the
nicest areas to relax.
Best sunset bars for Aussie cruisers
After much research, these are my favourite spots for a sundowner on
ships based in Australia.
Volendam/Oosterdam – Crow’s Nest Lounge
– Deck 9, forward, enclosed, with 180-degree wraparound windows.
Sea Princess – Seaview or Topsail
– Deck 14, aft, outdoors, overlooking the hot tubs and the pool.
Celebrity Solstice – Sunset Bar
– Deck 15, aft, outdoors, behind the Lawn Club.
Carnival Spirit – Serenity
– Serenity deck, aft, outdoors, adults only, with a hot tub.
Radiance of the Seas – Concierge Club
– Deck 11 (enclosed), serving free drinks for guests in suites and Crown
and Anchor Society Diamond and Diamond-plus members.
Pacific Pearl – swim-up bar
– Stay in the pool and cool off with a coldie on a bar stool in the water.
Cheers!
