Need painting advice

Can anyone please help me I need some ideas when its time to put a wash on ships that are very dark blue. I want to build the Trumpeter USS Sanfrancisco in the darker navy blue scheme, but its too blah even though the deck on close inspection is clearly a different shade than the superstructure. What colors are best to bring out the doors,and other items on the ship. I would think that there is some way to do this without having to strain your eyes to see all the detail.