Finally, the Inside Scoop

Last day at sea and a good crowd of 250-300 has gathered in the theatre (which seats 754). 

We enjoyed a presentation from our Third Engineering Officer Richard Lloyd. 

His department runs the mechanical systems of the ship (fuel, water, propulsion, etc and its "hotel". 

A second engineering staff cares for all the electrical systems, and a third "deck" crew deals with sailing and navigating. 

They monitor 22,000 data points ( temps, pressures, on/off, etc). Three men on watch around the clock. 

As I said the other day, we have 5 engines. 

Fuel economy varies with the weather, but we estimate our typhoon run may have cost Princess $2 million in fuel, spread over only 1000 passengers ($2,000 each) AND we are getting 100% credit transferable to another trip. 

Cruising is a high-stakes game!

That's a big prop!

Speaking of stakes, the casino has been closed most of the time because we haven't been far enough from shore and we didn't visit a foreign port in Korea as originally planned. 

While I was at the lecture, Lsurie was chatting and doing laundry with some other passengers. This gent was once stationed at the ASW facility 2 miles from our place in San Diego. 

All this hard work, thinking, packing, etc gave us a thirst, so we are off to the pub for fish & shrimp & chips & ale, served by an Indian waiter off the coast of Japan.