My only disappointment was in Acapulco. It's a big and dirty city. The museum at Fort San Diego was great though. We took a taxi up to Quebrada to see the cliff divers--what a rip. Mind you it's a beautiful scene, but we were ripped-off by the hotel (La Mirador) . . . which happens to be a RCI resort. We were the only ones there at the restaurant and we ate and drank for hours. We had a perfect view of the divers and, when we asked what time the show started, they said we had to pay more money and buy more drinks to stay . . . even after we bought all that food. Plus, they ripped us off with the exchange rate! They wouldn't budge on the pricing and we went straight to the management . . . they blew us off. All we can say is beware!

The cruise activities were great and we can't wait to go back. We highly recommend this trip.

The serving table was approximately 100 feet long and was filled with the most beautiful and interesting assortment of items. The decorations were all carved fruits, such as watermelon and squash. The desserts were absolutely incredible to look at and even better to eat.

Decks 12 and 14 were decorated with large palm branches brought on board at Puerto Vallarta. It looked like a tropical paradise. There was live music with lots of dancing, a Piñata Parade, silly games and prizes. And don’t think this was just for the "younger crowd". One of our traveling companions was out there doing the Y-M-C-A, the conga and goodness know what else—She is 81 years young.

As the Parade of Piñatas began, everyone was throwing the streamers we were given and it was a site out of a movie. Everyone who was on deck, whether they were watching or participating, had a wonderful time. The dancing continued until the wee hours of the morning.

Daytime Entertainment:

Aside from lying around the pool or relaxing on a deck chair, there are so many things to do aboard the Sea Princess.

Shopping (well, some would consider it entertainment) Deck 6, also known as "the Mall" offers dozens of shops featuring clothing, jewelery, souvenirs, glassware and pottery.

Bridge lessons and tournaments. Gaming Lessons in the Casino. Arts and Crafts

Educational talks on gemstones, Anti Ageing Seminars, Trivia and Brain-Waves Quizzes, Life Enhancement Lectures. Flat Stomach Seminars, Line dancing instructions, Shuffleboard Tournaments, Card and Board Games Get together at Checkers Came Room, Golf Chipping Completion, Basketball Shootout, Table Tennis, Singles and Doubles Competition

During the daytime, the Princess Theater, the Vista Lounge and Channel 36 features first run movies such as Legally Blond, Shrek, Moulin Rouge, America’s Sweethearts and What Women Want.

In the Princess Theater, there were two major productions. One was "Words and Music" which highlighted famous songwriters and their music. The singing and dancing was top notch. The other was Rhythms of the City with spectacular scenery, singing and dancing. Both shows played twice each night for two nights.

Also in the Princess Theater on another night was a Hypnotist, another was a Variety Showtime with Comedian, Glenn Hirsch and the Princess singers and dancers, and the Magic & Illusions of Larry Volz.

Every night in the Vista Lounge were really terrific comedians, live music and even a Passenger Talent Showoff night. Between shows there was live music for dancing. I really enjoyed Daniel Rossen, a comedy juggler - he was hysterical.

In addition to the scheduled shows, there was Rocky’s Night Club on Deck 7 with a DJ to play your favorites or provide your own with Krazy Karaoke; Entre Nous Lounge for romantic music, fine wines and caviar; the Wheelhouse Bar with live dance music from 7:00 to 1:00 a.m. or my favorite - in the Atrium Lounge - Bert Stratton.

Bert’s show is a little hard to describe. He is a cross between Jim Carey and a great piano man. Bert knew every song you could think of, knew who wrote it, who sang it. One interesting thing about Bert is that he will stop his show to say hello to passengers passing through the Atrium, to change his shirt, to just talk to his audience. He will keep you laughing, singing, and clapping to his music. Bert never sits down; he stands behind a baby grand piano in the Atrium Lounge, Deck 6 from 9:15 until there is no one left to listen to him, usually about 1:00 a.m. I understand that he has a contract with Princess for several months.

All chips or tokens are purchased with U.S. Dollars and it is possible to charge chips or tokens to your shipboard account. However, there is a 3% charge and a limit of $1,000 per day. As with most casinos, persons under 21 years of age are not permitted to gamble.

My personal favorite was the nickel "Jackpot Party" slot machine. There were only three of these so sometimes I had to wait quite a while for a chance at one. However, it was always well worth the wait. The first night on board, I hit the largest jackpot offered, 1,000 nickels and repeated it on the last night of the cruise.

Another very popular slot was the quarter "Wheel of Fortune" I witnessed at least three people winning over $500.00. (unfortunately, I was not one of them). I would have to say the "slots were loose".

During the cruise there were several "specials" offered in the casino such as 50-cent Roulette and lower bid limits on the other table games. Gaming lessons were offered during the morning hours, and we got to play with the house chips for about 30 minutes after the lessons. It was a lot of fun and absolutely no risk. Of course, if we won, we could not "cash in" the chips.

Drinks in the Casino were not complimentary (as in Las Vegas), but the Casino would offer "specials" such as complimentary champagne with slot lessons, Bloody Marys at the Craps table or Screwdrivers at the Poker tables.

Snowball Bingo is played twice a day in the Vista Lounge. Cards go on sale one hour before the games begin. You can buy one set of five games for $5.00 or five sets of five games for $20.00. Prizes for the first four games range from $100.00 to $250.00. On the last game, if you cover all the spaces in 49 numbers, you win the Jackpot. It starts out at $1,000, and if no one wins it increases $400.00 each day until it is won.

The auction event is billed as the "largest gallery at sea". True art aficionados, Michael and his wife, Monica, are employed by Princess to create interest in the art and the auction. Michael was available most evenings in the gallery area near the Casino, to answer any questions. I had the opportunity to speak with him and I found him and his job quite interesting. On display were two Picasso’s. Michael explained that one of these was particularly valuable because although it was a print, it was originally signed and dated by Picasso.

Princess purchases large amounts of art and disburses them to the different ships. The majority of paintings are sold at a fraction of their true value. The opening bid on most pieces is 15% of its value (a savings of 85%). We watched many paintings go for the opening bid, anywhere between $185.00 and $1,250.00. Most include framing of your choice.

I kept asking myself, "If I bought something, how in the world would I get it home". Well, that was answered for me at the first auction. Because of customs laws, the art is delivered to the purchaser’s home, usually by Federal Express within a few weeks of return. The average cost of this service is $60.00.

Although I knew I would not purchase any art, it was very interesting to attend the auctions. Michael explained all the "in and outs" of the pieces, including history and artists, and also all the procedures on how to bid and how and when your purchases would be delivered.

There were a total of three auctions during our cruise. At each, those arriving prior to the scheduled time were given a raffle ticket and during that session, a number was drawn for a piece of art valued at several hundred dollars. So, if you go, get there a few minutes early and be sure to ask for a ticket.

During the preview times, passengers are encouraged to place a "tag" on any art that they are interested in, and those are handled first. The auctions usually lasted for an hour and a half, and complimentary Champaign was served at the first one.