Intermission

There will now be a week long intermission as I am flying to San Francisco on Sunday.
It's been a year since my last visit there and this is our annual Fireworks 4th of July Dinner Cruise in that great city.

Back later!

Norris

Deck 6

This would be another lazy day at sea as we headed back to Houston on a Friday afternoon.

Other ships did likewise

These are early morning shots. Soon I would have to go to breakfast in Sabatini's for the last time.
That restaurant doesn't open for breakfast when the ship docks in Houston as the staff are used to help
disabled passengers disembark. We use an MDR on our last morning.

After breakfast I'd have to take some more interior photos of places I didn't use on the cruise.

Like the fine Arts Gallery on deck 6. This is where they take the art from when they are having the auctions in Explorers. Yes, people do buy paintings when they are on a cruise.

It's a big space

The Art Gallery is next to some other important rooms-such as the Crown Grill steakhouse

and opposite-the Shore Excursions desk for those who don't book their port trips online before the cruise (recommended)

and for those who want to plan their next cruise or buy deposits for one there is this office

If you buy a cruise deposit on the ship you only have to deposit $100 per person  and you can use that within 2 years on any cruise you like. You get $50 back when you use it, in the form of an OBC (On Board Credit). Without these deposits bought on the ship you have to immediately pay 20% of the total fare when you book a cruise at home. As many book a cruise as soon as it is available that can mean spending 20% a year and a half (or longer) before you sail. The deposit you buy on the ship is known as an FCC (Future Cruise Credit). I bought a couple for each of us when on board. If we don't use them in 2 years the money is refunded to us.

More shops are found on deck 6 in the Piazza area

and if you are a smoker there is a cigar lounge with a bar (open in the evenings) on deck 6 near the lower entrance to the Princess Theater. It's called Churchill's (after Sir Winston)

Yes there are inverted Pool Tables on the ceiling...

Ship tour and last sunrise at sea

Also on deck 7 you'll find the Photo Shop and Gallery. This is where the thousands of photos taken onboard by the half dozen ship's photographers can be found and paid for. An 8 inch by 10 inch photo costs $20. They also sell albums to put the photos in and DVDs of various Princess Destinations.

You can also buy Nikon and GoPro cameras on board.

Photo Gallery

Next to the Photo Shop is Sabatini's, the ship's Italian Restaurant ($25 cover charge per person) where we eat breakfast when staying in a suite. It's the quietest place to eat unless you order 24 hour Room Service and eat in your cabin or on you balcony.

And you know how much I love this machine!

Far forward, near the Princess Theater is the Wheelhouse Bar

The artwork here has a nautical theme

There will be music in the evenings and a dance floor, so it's a good alternative for those who don't want to attend a show in the Princess Theater. The dances may require some coordination apart from just wobbling on the spot and waving your arms randomly in a display of tribal emotion and serious dancers get a chance to show off their graceful moves.

As the name suggests there is a bar and waiters work the tables so you don't have to wait long to get a drink

I took a break from taking interior photos as I felt it must be time for the sun to rise on our last day

Last sunrise at sea

Up by Tradewinds bar I have coffee and a cigarette

The coffee came from here-the International Cafe on deck 5 which is open 24 hours. You can even buy beer here at 3 a.m.

Everything you see here is yours for the taking-it's all included in your cruise fare and you can eat as much as you need.

As well as pastries you can get great salads (the shrimp or chicken being the most popular), soup and a sandwich.

More ship (did I mention it's a big ship?)

There is of course a Casino on the ship. It is open when the ship is not in port. I don't gamble and just use it as a shortcut when walking on deck 6. As most passengers don't have a casino where they live it is very popular. Be aware that smoking cigarettes is allowed there, except for two nights a week when it is designated "non smoking" (but some people still smoke!)

The Casino has it's own bar

The Casino-unlike those in Las Vegas- doesn't stay open all night long- I think it closes around 2 a.m.

Crooners is the ship's Piano Bar and the place for martinis and cocktails. In the evening there will be a pianist who may also sing a song or two. If he's good there will be no open seats and some people will be standing. It's not a big room, in fact it's not a room at all-it's open on one side and people will be walking past on their way to the theater or to the Promenade Deck .

Crooner's is on the top tier of the Piazza-deck 7. Decks 6 and 5 can be seen below

Deck 7 (Promenade Deck) is the main deck for entertainment on the ship. You've already seen the Princess Theater at the bow and Club Fusion at the stern. Midships is the beautiful Explorers Lounge where bands and comedians appear and some lectures and art auctions are held. Game shows are also held here.

Game shows like "the Marriage Game" and stand up comedians often fill the room to capacity (it holds 280 people) but there are some sitting areas across the hallway where you can at least hear the show if not see it.

Just a reminder that all these photos were taken while most of the passengers were asleep...there are 3,000 people and 1150 crew on board.

Also deck 7,  in the Piazza area, are some of the shops on board-like the Casino they are only open when the ship is at sea. They sell Duty-Free goods amongst other things for your everyday needs. Duty Free items when purchased are kept in the shop until the last day and then delivered to your cabin.