Azamazing Inside ship tour

Sunday, January 14

Sailing toward Peru, crossing the equator

Onward is an impressive operation! A ship tour took us inside the gallies where the food operation was astounding — the various preparation stations, massive amounts of food, meat, seafood, frozen goods and the hierarchy of the army of chefs and servers. The gigantic laundry is a factory of large washing machines, dryers, irons, automatic folding contraptions to accommodate the tons of sheets, towels, and linens.

The brains of the ship is the Engine room, where the mechanical, electrical and electronic operation is handled. Diesel motors running generators that electronically turn the two main propellers and provide electricity for the ship. Stabilizers keep the ship from rocking and rolling when the seas aren’t calm.

On the Bridge where the captain and officers navigate and keep watch 24/7, the view is expansive. Although radar and GPS guide the operation, humans control and there was redundancy of every step. Artifical intelligence will not take over these functions while Captain Smith is at the helm. The security at the Bridge and the Engine was also reassuring — we were wanded and the only photo allowed was by the captain.

Master Captain Carl Smith has impressive seagoing career, and has sailed as Master of all four Azamara ships. He is teaching his younger pilots to use the sexton, a traditional, time tested method of ocean navigation using the sun and the stars to determine the ship’s position. Younger sailors are not taught to use the sexton, but Captain Smith believe all should be able to navigate without GPS, just in case!

Captain is also quite a character, gives us frequent announcements over the PA system about our location and any interesting sightings of sea life. So far, we’ve only spotted a few dolphins, but we’re planing to see many more animals, whales, etc.