Photo of the Week - January 24

Sunrise aboard Silver Spirit in Key West, Florida

Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders

For this week's installment of Photo of the Week, I wanted to pick a shot that was capable of instantly transporting readers from their computers to the ship and make them feel as though they were actually there.  

I found this in a picture taken aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit in December during an early morning call in Key West, Florida.  

I love this picture for several reasons.  Have a look at the decking and the way the sun is spilling across it.  This is the observation area forward of the Observation Lounge on Deck 11, and my favorite spot aboard this great ship.  Look closer: you can make out furniture and settings inside the Observation Lounge on the left.  The white superstructure is turned an amber color thanks to the rising sun.  

For me, this picture takes me there.  I can feel the wind and hear the faint hum of the engines and the quiet whirring of the radar mast above the lounge.  Everything is fresh, and passengers are just starting to mill about, carrying their pre-breakfast coffee and maybe a pastry or two.  There's the sharp click of heeled shoes on the deck, and the shouts of the longshoremen who are in the process of tying the ship up to the pier at Mallory Square.  Silver Spirit's Captain Corsaro is barely audible from the bridge wing one deck below.  He doesn't have to raise his voice; he's in complete control of his vessel as it moves slowly alongisde.

In an instant, I'm standing there.

It's interesting how a simple photograph can  transport you back to a place you've been, or make you long for a place you haven't.  Or a ship.

So what's your favorite cruise photograph?

For more information on the Silver Spirit, visit the Silversea Cruises' website.  From the Deck Chair will return Tuesday, January 25, 2011.