Some cruise lines build ships with an ever-increasing wow factor, touting the latest innovations such as rock wall climbing, ice skating or riding artificial waves.
Princess Cruises, which has introduced an average of one new ship a year since 1998, aims less for innovation, more for familiarity, so returning passengers know when they come aboard the name of their favorite bars and how to find the main dining room.
For 10 years, since the debut of the Grand Princess -- the first cruise ship with a dedicated wedding chapel and marriages at sea -- new Princess ships look and feel much the same as the last one.
If you were with me on the first cruise of the Grand Princess out of Istanbul in May 1998, you would recognize the basic design of the new Ruby Princess, right, now on its inaugural season out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In 1998, the Grand Princess, at 109,000 tons and 2,600 passengers, was the largest cruise ship in the world. Now, other cruise lines sail ships that are half again as big. The Ruby is 113,000 tons and about 3,000 passengers.
For more on the Ruby Princess, new pub lunches and private breakfasts at Sabatini's, CLICK
For a free subscription to Travel Maven, type your email address in the box at right or add an RSS feed, upper right. Molyneaux is editor of TravelMavens.net. CLICK for articles on cruising, golf, Florida, Europe, adventure and travel gear and gadgets.
