By: Cassandra Ingraham

I cruise often, it is a peaceful relaxing experience that compares to none of my other travels.  The calmness that comes over me while cruising is unexplainable.  When cruising, I cant help but to notice the similarities of the story of Noahs Ark and the boarding of one of those mega 5 star floating resorts.

Once you board ship, they show you to your cabin and thats when you realize for sure, this is NOT Noahs Ark.  Beauty, breathtaking, cabins, decorated with tasteful art, drapes, bed spread to match and in most cases a sliding glass door that leads out to your own private balcony.  You are definitely NOT on Noahs Ark; however, the story of Noah never really leaves your sub conscience.

They announce over the loud speaker that you will need to report to your Muster station for an emergency drill about one hour before the ship is set to depart.  However, you realize that you have time to explore before you must attend the emergency drill. Your cabin steward has made mention of the buffet on the Lido deck, and if you have not had lunch you might want to grab a bite to eat. (Food and entertainment is included in the cost of the cruise, so what if you have lunch twice!)   If your cash flow allowed, your cabin is on the upper decks and you can look out over most of the city of your departure.  Yet you still feel that you must take in more sights on this huge vessel.  Even if your cash flow said it was OK, you may have selected an inside cabin.  This is an excellent choice for people who have a concern about heights or looking at more water then they can drink. 

Every thing is so lavish and uniquely designed to fit you wonder if you are walking through a fairyland castle.  You hit the elevator button to go down (Promenade, Deck 7) and see the lobby and the ships shopping area.  The lobby is 20 different little lobbies all in one big lobby.

There are glass elevators, circle stair cases leading to different floors.  You feel welcome and comfortable.  (Even those of us who cruise often get excited about exploring a ship that we have never sailed before)

After a sneak preview of the lobby, the shopping area, the small chapel, the ships Las Vegas style casino and maybe the Internet Caf, its time to get to the 24 Hour buffet.  So you catch the elevator back up and on the way to the buffet you see two or more swimming pool areas, all with a lavish theme that usually co-insides with the ships name.  When you finally reach the buffet you are amazed at how many choices you have, not to mention how relieved you are that the food is very tasteful.

At this point, it is time to return to your cabin, get your life jacket and report to your emergency drill (Muster Station)  From this point on, except for getting lost a couple of times trying to find your cabin, you will feel comfortable. If you should get lost, just keep walking and enjoy the sights, you will be amazed at what you experience. 

If  Noah could see us now, I am sure he would be proud of us, because we have come a long way.  The ark was 300 cubits (138 meters, 453 ft.) long, 50 (23 meters, 75.4 ft.) wide and 30 (14 meters, 45.9 ft) deep. This is based on the standard 46 cm. long regular cubit, which is an ancient unit of distance. It was the typical distance from an elbow to the tip of the longest finger. 

These new mega ships are 857 feet and longer, cruise at a speed of 21 knots (one knot equals 1.15 statute mile (approximately) and carry over 2200 passengers.  This is not counting the 800 plus crew members.  Yes, I am sure, Noah would be proud of us.

Signing out from the Lido Deck, Diamond Princess, San Francisco to Vancouver, 2006

This article was written by Cassandra Ingraham, Platinum Member of the Captain's Circle and Webmaster for http://travel360degrees.com  a web site for the cost conscience traveler.  For consolidated airfare quotes to booking weddings, parties, family reunions, or anniversary celebrations on the high seas, visit www.travel360degrees.com