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Views from the bridge: Royal Caribbean captains reveal their favourites

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Hubbard Glacier, Alaska - the glaciers of Alaska were chosen as a favourite view by several of the captains surveyed
From their look-out high up on the foreword deck they get a bird's eye view of the destinations the company's ships visit. Royal Caribbean International surveyed the captains of its 23 ships to uncover their most memorable views from the ship’s bridge. Here are ten of their top picks.

The Hubbard Glacier, Alaska: the glaciers of Alaska were chosen as a favourite view by several of the captains surveyed, who commented on the magnitude and scale of the view from Yakutat to Disenchantment Bay. Voyager of the Seas’ Captain Sindre Borsheim, commented that he loves the view because: 'it is different every time, as the colours vary with the light'.

Sydney Harbour, Australia: Regarded as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world with more than 240 kilometres of shoreline and meandering waterways, it also plays host the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Captain Rick Sullivan, from Explorer of the Seas, called Sydney Harbour 'the most iconic harbour in the world'.
 
Venice Harbour, Italy: Chosen by several of the Captains surveyed, Venice’s stunning architecture was considered to be at its best when the sun is rising over it first thing in the morning.
 
Geiranger Fjord, Norway: The Geiranger fjord is located in the southwestern part of the county of Møre og Romsdal, in Norway.  The deep blue water is surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush, green vegetation. Captain Espen Been, from Grandeur of the Seas, described how: 'where the mountains meet the sea and the snow from the surrounding tops is mirrored, it seems like everything is blooming.'
 
Stockholm archipelago, Sweden: The archipelago through which ships sail as they come into Stockholm was described as being like 'nothing else'  due to the thousands of rocks and tiny islands which have to be navigated on the entry to the port. Captain Espen Been said that 'homes look like doll’s houses' as you sail past. With nearly 30,000 islands, islets and rocks - from Arholma in the north to Landsort in the south - rugged nature blends with wooded islands, rocky cliffs and sandy beaches in the second largest archipelago in the Baltic Sea.
 
Vesuvius, Naples, Italy: The landscape of the Mediterranean was regularly cited by the Captains as housing some of the best views in the world but several identified the view of Vesuvius towering over Naples at sunrise as an extraordinary image to capture from the sea.
 
Nice, France: The Captains commented that the view of Nice as they sail into the neighbouring port of VilleFranche deserved a place in the top ranks thanks to its mountainous backdrop. Captain Tomas Busto, from Adventure of the Seas, said he loved it because: 'when the ships arrive in the Mediterranean in April, the mountains are still snow-capped but the beaches are welcoming sunbathers.'
 
Island of Moorea, French Polynesia: The 'beautiful green, jagged volcanic mountains' of the Island of Moorea helped it finds its way into the top views for the ship Captains. The French Polynesian island paradise is known for the juxtaposition of sandy beaches against its dramatic mountain ranges, with rainforest trails and scuba diving popular activities for adventurous travellers.
 
Vancouver, Canada: Captain Rick Sullivan, from Explorer of the Seas, explained that Vancouver made the list due to the perspective of sailing under the First Narrows Bridge into Vancouver Harbour looking at the city against the backdrop of the mountains.
 
The English Channel, UK: Captain Henrik Loft Soerensen, from Brilliance of the Seas, commented that his favourite view is of the expanse of English Channel as it is 'beautiful and peaceful'.