The Neon Piano Bar
The Neon Piano Bar on the Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship is a peaceful place to get a pre-dinner drink as you watch the sun set over the ocean. Later at night, the piano player shows up and it gets much more lively. It is decorated with neon signs from famous bars all around the world but the centerpiece of the room is this round ceramic piano. The real piano is set back on the stage above the ceramic piano, which faces the crowd and serves as a really unique bartop for patrons who want to get close to the action.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
Imperial Roar
Chinese guardian lions — also known as "Foo Dogs" — adorn entrances to many buildings in China. They are said to have mystic protective powers. Originally, they were installed to protect imperial palaces and memorials but today, they are used just about everywhere... in this case, it is protecting a karaoke bar on the Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
Harry's Bar
First things first, this isn't from the famous Harry's Bar in Venice known for inventing the Bellini. It is actually from the Neon Piano Bar on Carnival's Ecstasy cruise ship. It acts as a holding room and a great place for a cocktail while waiting for a table in the main dining room. The tiny bar is decorated with neon interpretations from famous bars all over the world.
We stopped by just about every night for a little champagne to start the night off and it was almost always nearly empty. In the real world, that might be a negative but on a cruise ship, a bar with available seats, servers and views is a wonderful thing.
As far as the real Harry's Bar goes, I'll have to dig into my archives and see if I can find any photos from the world famous establishment. I seem to remember it was stuffed with tourists drinking overpriced Bellinis saying something about Hemingway... or was it Fitzgerald? Either way, we had the obligatory Bellini and quickly settled up and headed deeper into Venice in an attempt to lose ourselves literally and figuratively among the winding alleys.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
Sailing Through the Storm
I took this photograph as the captain of our ship, Carnival's Ecstasy, expertly threaded the needle between two storms. That same ship was steaming directly toward Hurricane Matthew earlier this week and was diverted to Mexico to sail around and avoid the storm. My thoughts are with the crew and guests of the Ecstasy this week. I have a feeling the seas won't be nearly as calm as they were on our trip in May.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
Paper Lanterns
Carnival Cruise Lines' Ecstasy was a really interesting ship. First, it seems to be modeled after a Rat Pack-era Las Vegas. Lots and lots of shiny stuff and crazy patterned carpets. Most of the bars and restaurants are themed and every once in a while, one would take you away from that overt 1960s glitziness and transport you elsewhere. This little karaoke-themed nightclub was called Chinatown and it had a really cool tea house-style vibe to it.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
Rush
We went on a cruise earlier this year and had a room with a balcony centered on the stern of the ship. Sitting on the terrace overlooking our wake was extremely relaxing. It was cool to watch the colors of the water change as we worked our way deeper into the Caribbean.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
Magic Carpet
We took a cruise earlier this year on the Carnival Ecstasy. It has been recently renovated but it was like walking into a time capsule of 1960s "Rat Pack" Vegas. Case in point, the carpet. As our first cruise, we were naturally worried about vertigo and I've got to question the motives of the person who selected this (awesome) carpet for the common areas.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
Carnival Whale Tail
I love the design of the signature fins on top of the Carnival Cruise ships. It's pretty cool to be able to instantly recognize that detail from a distance and know exactly which ship you're looking at.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
Outrunning the Storm
Leaving Nassau on a cruise ship is an interesting event. The ships queued up one after another to race out of the harbor in all directions, trying to beat the storms. It looks like our neighbors on Norwegian Cruise Lines forgot to pay the weather bill before their departure.
As we left the port, we sat on our terrace and watched the storm clouds absolutely chase down the Norwegian ship. They managed to stay ahead right up until the end.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.