I never fancied rushing to complete a blog entry, especially when it involves posting of numerous photos that required a heavy dose of editing. It’s not just colour correction we’re talking about here, there’s sharpening, Liquify, framing, Lomo effect, etc. It’s a lot of work and I have a certain standard I hope to achieve. The sad truth however, is that I’ve never really managed to achieve these supposed standards. Usually halfway through the process, I get tired of editing and decide to just get over and done with it - this is why I am usually not keen in creative entries competition.

That said, despite the tight time-frame given, and the huge amount of workload (at work) I’m juggling to manage, for the sake of my dear best friend Priss that has put in a lot of effort to complete her entry (and hopefully win the trip), I shall do my best (even though my best meant rushing it on a Wednesday evening when the deadline is Thursday morning)!

Royalty onboard the Royal Caribbean

Before I start my fairytale, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Alvin (who bothers to entertain me despite my sometimes ridiculous questions), everyone else from Omy.sg, as well as the good folks at Royal Caribbean. Without them (and me, thy royal Princess), this entry would not be possible.

It has been years since the last royal voyage, and I’ve longed to go onboard another. Hopefully this time, I would have more pleasant servants that doesn’t keep nagging me for every little detail. I was young when I first went out to sea, my nanny wouldn’t let me out of her sight and constantly made sure my pink fluffy dress, that wasn’t all that fluffy, wouldn’t cause me to fall overboard when a strong win blows. She wasn’t all that smart if you ask me. I wasn’t at all a petite little thing. No wind could have had that much strength to blow me overboard.

When Sir Alvin sent the invitation to tour a ship from the Royal Caribbean, I was delighted! Quickly I forwarded it to my girlfriends, hoping that all of us could go together. Fortunately for us, not all but most of us got the confirmation and all was set in digital writing – a phone call first then in digital writing to be more specific.

^{Sleepwear from Les Affaires.}

Despite the exhaustion from the weekend before – our very first girls’ staycation that involved a night partying at Zirca – I managed to drag myself out of bed, swiftly got ready, exited my chambers and excitedly got out of the palace. Before me, just outside my doorstep, stood the white carriage with my best friend in it! She was there to pick me up and together we were on our way!

She was late no doubt, but I expected nothing less. Mornings has never really been death’s good friend (Priss is known infamously as deadrose during our younger days, therefore she is the supposed “death” in the sentence).

As we arrived at the port this bright and sunny Monday morning of November 22nd, from afar we could already see the rest of the girls waiting patiently. There were many “others” that I’ve never met before, gathered as well. A total of I-don’t-know-how-many-of-us, I’m guessing 40.

This was like no other ship I’ve boarded before. The Legend of the Seas, which is under the Royal Caribbean, weighed a total of 70,000 tonnes and could house up to 2,074 passengers. It wasn’t the largest ship of them all but large enough for just the six of us.

^{Left to right: Jacelyn, Nadia, Clara, Feliza, ME and Priss}

I’ve never been a patient girl, but together with good friends, patience has became a virtue of mine, or so it seemed. Despite struggling with a huge bag filled with gadgets and “stuff”, I managed to pleasantly and patiently wait as they took their own sweet time to verify our IDs and issue our passes. It didn’t feel much like royalty there and then. In fact, it felt more like we were second class citizens. But then again, if you look at it in another perceptive, if they were not strict about their checks, any Tom, Dick and Harry would be allowed onboard. And we wouldn’t want that.

Once onboard (finally), we were taken on a tour, a very fast-paced one if I may add.

With no shops open and no time to shop, withholding my tears, we entered and exited the “shopping mall” within minutes. If anchors were rise and ship set to sea, the shops would have been open and passengers would be able to enjoy Duty Free shopping at the Boutiques of Centrum (the “shopping mall” of this ship) located on level 5, near the Anchors Aweigh Lounge.

Come to think of it, there are really that many lounges/bars in this majestic place. So much so that most of which, apart from Anchors Aweigh Lounge, I can’t even recall any part of its name – maybe the word “lounge” was within it but I can’t be sure.

If not for photos, I’d probably not even remember the interior design of the place except that they are all lovely, much fitted for a member of the royal blood.

Every Princess needs to learn an instrument. I’ve learnt many and it just so happens that the piano is one of my best.

That said, I’d still rather leave it to the professions for public entertainment. I mean, I am a Princess after all. It only makes sense that I’m being entertained instead of entertaining, no?

The place was magnificent. It felt like I had return to my “castle on a cloud” (Les Miserables) except it was on sea and not air. Then again, this kinda just resembled Pan Pacific Hotel if you ask me.

Yes, there is such a thing called the Entertainment room, or rather That’s Entertainment Theatre.

It’s basically like a theater (huge one) with countless seats (or at least I didn’t bother to count), with daily live performances.

There’s a casino too, the Casino Royale, but we won’t allowed any photography there.

There were many decks on this ship, 11th happened to be the highest, if not mistaken.

Where we stood, we could see the open pool.

A beautiful sight it was. Many, myself included, couldn’t resist but snapped away with our cameras.

And for those that had not brought their camera, probably just Lady Priscilla, they probably used their phones (camera phones these days are really powerful).

Before long we were on deck 10, where the open pool was at, experiencing the rays for scorching sun. It is advised to use sunblock if you intend to go for a swim at noon when the ship is docked in Singapore. That said, if the sun is shining brightly, regardless where you are, and you intend to maintain skin as fair as mine, you should still put on sunblock. Black may always be in fashion, but burnt skin is definitely not.

If you’re up for a little rock climbing, fear not! This ship is equipped with just about EVERYTHING you can imagine. Even an artificial wall for those who were up for a challenge (which is definitely not me)!

And…

A mini-golf course!

With no servants around, I had all but my hands to help block the sunlight from my eyes. The sun was just too much, and I had not packed well for the outdoors, not today at least.

What’s for lunch you ask? (No answer yet.)

Hungry, we were lead through a buffet lounge or restaurant, whichever you prefer to call it. However, what was before us was not for us to eat, and we were constantly reminded of it. But as the Princess, member of the royal family, I couldn’t care the least. I reached out, grabbed what resembled a biscuit and fed my dear friend who was starting to get a little grouchy.

It was also mentioned that the food at the buffet table would be replaced constantly.

Still wondering about lunch? (Still waiting.)

As we continued our tour we were lead to the indoor pool with a jacuzzi beside it!

Tired, Lady Priscilla and myself could no longer walk and seated ourselves at one of the “sunbathing chairs” (or whatever you call it).

Before we knew it, we were off again. This time to where most ladies would consider, paradise, the Beauty Centre!

Would you not agree that a spa is perhaps second best to shopping?

You could also get some workout done if you wanted to. The gym equipment were pretty well facilitated.

While some hopped on the track-mail, I made my way to the endless mirrors and started camwhoring like what camwhore women like myself was meant to.

Eventually, more took my cue and joined in the fun. Lady Feliza looked gorgeous, even in reflections.

Before I continue, here my outfit for this voyage!

The top is from THEBLOGSHOP, necklace from MYnt Shop, bracelets from Forever 21, earrings from Bangkok (my sister bought them from Bangkok, I think), Domke camera bag, shorts and boots from Bugis Street.

Next, we explored the chambers.

The family suite was amazing but still second to The Royal Suite.

If you think about it, royal by blood, this suite is like customised-made just for me. Even its name hold my signature.

Finally, before people started fainting, lunch was served at the Romeo & Juliet Dining Room, located at one end of deck 4. I’m familiar with Shakespeare and even more so with Romeo × Juliet (ロミオ×ジュリエット, Romio to Jurietto), a TV anime series that is loosely based on William Shakespeare’s classic play, Romeo and Juliet.

It was mentioned that many would dress up and dine at this restaurant. Hearing that my eyes somewhat lilted up. I was a sucker for gowns and all-else-pretty.

Images of me in an expensive and very much beautiful gown walking down the stairs, flash before my eyes.

And I’m guessing that Lady Feliza and Lady Clara felt the same.

Seated at our table, we were first served bread, then appetizer.

For appetizer we could choose between the Asian Style Chicken Soup or the Shrimp Cocktail Royal. I opted for soup but forgot to take a photo of it. We also had a choice of wine, either red or white. And like most of my lady companions, I went for white.

For the main course, Lady Priscilla had the Chef’s Halibut, which is boiled fillet presented with Spanish soffrito and truffle scented polenta.

There are another two main course, the Shrimp Ravioli and the Lamb Shank with Rosemary, I had lamb shank.

Ending the meal, we were served dessert, the Ivory Chocolate Fondue, which comes with sweet berries in white chocolate mousse.

The half-day tour around the Legend of the Seas assured me that this was fit for royalty. They should be honoured to have graced my royal presence and I for their hospitality.

PS: Lady Priscilla had to leave a little earlier. Lady Nadia, Lady Jacelyn and myself then headed to Tiong Bahru Plaza for beauty needs and more desert! Hurhur.