Art Deco

One of the most attractive features of MS Maud for me, is the art deco feeling of pretty much the whole interior. The main elevator installation near the front of the ship looks like something out of a posh 1930's hotel.

The glass-fronted cars look out onto the atrium that runs all the way from Reception on Deck 4, where the main gangplank is located, to Deck 9, which holds the balcony to the Explorer Lounge at the bow on Deck 8 as well as the small bar which serves the early riser breakfast from 0630-0730, and opens out onto the Observation Deck.

The lifts also serve Deck 3, providing easy access to the Tender Pit, from where the Zodiacs leave.

Beyond the lifts the art deco feel extends to all the decor. The leather armchairs have chrome and wood arms. The occasional tables in bars and snack areas have wonderful inlaid marble tops, illuminated by chrome and wood lamps that look like a cross between a space ship and a lighthouse. And the floors are covered with an eclectic mix of carpet, wood, and polished slate. I love it! So much so that I asked our tour guide if I could get my hands on one of those lamps, having recently lost one of my favourite table lamps at the hands (paws) of Hobo the cat.

Sadly, they are original, and were not even replaced during the last refit, thus shattering my dreams of being able to pick up a "surplus" one from the forthcoming refit later this year.