Review: Benetti's 213' - "Ambrosia"

Skylounge Foyer: Trompe l’oeil is a phrase that means “fools the eye” and in Ambrosia’s SkyDome stairwell is a mural that unfailingly hues to that mark. The elegant works of art decorating these walls, also by Turelli, were inspired by a series of gilded panels recovered from the 1930s luxury liner S.S. Normandie. The actual gilded panels now grace the halls of the Carnegie Museum of Art.

Main Deck Foyer: The main deck foyer becomes a gathering place to witness the staircase mural as it winds down in golden splendor, showing the marvelous color and detail of Turelli’s exacting art.

Main Deck Dining: From spectacular to extraordinary, Ambrosia’s dining hall resounds with wonderment at each turn. Entering the hall through two sliding glass doors, the art patron is greeted with the superbly etched glass, also by Turelli, representing designs of the Copernican Universe. Full beam width, a dozen perfectly positioned, upholstered chairs are situated beneath yet another graceful art expression in the multi-layered geometric glass chandelier. Every repast is dining in an art museum.

Salon Seating: In the main saloon, an eclectic flavor rebounds in soothing quiet, amid well-lighted space. Large glass windows illuminate the airy, open room, as clustered tables and chairs underline the expression of conversation, relaxation, and peacefulness. At the beam, a long stretch of couches engages the warmth of togetherness. Four classical alabaster lamps sculpted by local artisans add to the atmosphere of grace.

Main Salon - Looking Forward: With a mirrored ceiling and reflective finish, the eye-candy is doubled in the Veranda Main Saloon. Finished with a full complement of libations, a set of chairs post for service before the sculpted bar. Abeam, a cluster of chairs and tables awaits a rare treat… a grand piano. In this day of digitally piped music, Ambrosia's opulent fashion would be shallowed by a soundtrack.

Galley - Left: Ambrosia’s well appointed galley is set up to inspire the most dedicated chef and serving crew, with stainless steel equipment and the latest in culinary fashion. Storage and preparation areas are set to feed a party of near-unlimited capacity.

Galley - Right: The typical commercial-grade, yacht galley means lots of stainless and walk in fridges. Ambrosia's galley, in contrast, was lifted straight out of restaurant, with line cook grilles, stainless back-splashes, heat lamps over the island station and floor drains to wash the residue away!

Master Office: The Owner's study is situated on the main deck, as a prelude to the master stateroom. Fashioned with burnt-orange Mexican tile floors, ideal for high traffic use, the office is opulent yet business-like. The owner's desk is located adjacent to one of Ambrosia's master port windows, providing a view for pondering or serious decision-making. To keep up with the latest in world affairs, a flat screen television is built into the wall directly in front of the desk.

Master Stateroom: Fittingly decorated, the owner’s suite makes use of the finest materials and rich handcrafting to provide his home away from home at sea. Beam wide, the suite, decorated with a decided Art Deco elan’, locates an island king-size berth in the center, facing aft. A mirrored ceiling adds spirit as well as doubling the already ample visual space. Directly across from the copious berth is a wall-inserted 42” plasma TV, which dominates the entertainment module. Rich with hand-crafted, cherrywood upholstered furniture, the interior glows with expensive fabrics. There are double walk-in closets.

Master Bath: His and hers bathrooms in the owner’s suite feature separate clear-dish wash basins set in light gold onyx marble, but meet in the middle with an oversized Jacuzzi jet tub, also set in onyx. There is a step up to the glass-enclosed shower-for-two, mirrored ceilings, as well as tile flooring.

Lower Deck Staircase: Ambrosia's gold railing twists and turns in sculpted splendor as it escorts guests down the final churn of the spiral staircase – expressing Turelli’s dramatic illustration. Ending at the Guest Lobby, the entrance to various staterooms and cabins on the guest quadrant, the foyer also features a more modern variant of stairs... a hydraulic elevator.

VIP Stateroom: For VIP guests, Ambrosia presents accommodations as spacious as a top notch resort hotel, featuring queen size berths. Well decorated, with luxurious fabrics, there are easy chairs, plus a breakfast table and chairs. The VIP quarters sport closets and a movable hassock. Clever Art Deco touches include tulip stem reading lights over the headboards. The ceilings follow décor, with banded and recessed valances, plus overhead lighting.

VIP Bath: Luxury for VIP guests doesn’t pause at the staterooms, but continues into the spacious and elegant baths. Following the Art Deco motif, deep cherrywood vanities are edged with polished bass railings, topped with pale onyx countertops. Each bath shows twin washbowls with brass fixtures and room-width mirrors over the vanities. Double-size showers echo the décor, with touches such as brass pop-open wastebaskets.

2nd VIP Suite: Classically reminiscent and with the same posh appointments, the second VIP suite is no less inviting. Both VIP's are slightly less elaborate then the master, yet they are still on the level of fine quality resort boudoirs. The queen-size berths are flanked by antique night lights, a pair of swiveling reading lamps, and of course... Benetti's wonderful woodwork forming the pedestal and trimming carefully selected crevices throughout of the room.

2nd VIP Bath: The granite countertop in the 2nd VIP bath is lined with a towel rack that also serves as a leaning bar. Dark woods stand in contrast to stainless fixtures and cream wall appointments. The sumptuous use of granite on the wide sinks and counters, as well as the bathtub tops, make this a spectacular bathing/dressing area.

Sun Deck Reading Room: When the weather turns tepid, sunbathers and the like can escape to a waiting area and gymnasium located on the sundeck. This upper lobby of sorts includes a day head, an icemaker, refrigerator, plus a library to pass the time. Between the gym and lobby is a staircase that leads to the bridge deck.

Crew Mess: Set up to feed the entire crew (up to 21) the atmosphere is one of a very well regulated small restaurant. Furnishings are cherrywood tables with ultra-leather seat coverings. Four double bunk beds (total of 8), each with ensuite heads, are located immediately forward of the crew mess. Additionally, an officers cabin is located just aft.

Engine Room - Repair Shop: Though every ship merchant fully expects his work to be flawless and has every intention of it lasting forever, there may be times – even in the most well prepared product, such as Ambrosia – that some small item needs to be repaired. Benetti equipped Ambrosia’s engine room repair shop with the equivilent of a Snap-On Tool Truck, including the equipment necessary to fashion custom-made parts, such as a mill, a lathe, a hi-speed grinder and workstation vise.

Engine Room - Engineer Stations: Ambrosia’s state of the art electronics control room would be a match for the most modern computer preceptor station. All ship’s functions are regulated and trafficked through here, including electromagnetic logs, black box radars, satcom, navtex, autopilot, scanning sonars and radio telephones, and much more.

Engine Room - Port: Ambrosia’s massive engines – twin Caterpillar 3512B main generator drives and two Caterpillar 3408C silent generators, plus her twin 1070 kW Compact Azipods – drive the vessel to a top speed of 15.2 knots, yet with a comfortable cruise of 12 knots she will span a range of 5,500 nautical miles. The diesel-electric thrust features silent operation by the azipods.