Lonely Places on Cruise Ships

LONELY PLACES ON

CRUISE

SHIPS BY

DAVID RAY CARSON

Cover/Front Matter photograph: Shuffleboard; Oasis Bar & Spa / Sports Deck 16 / Golden Princess, 2004

Carnival Destiny – 2001 Passengers: 3,360; Crew: 1,040; Length: 892 feet; Decks: 12; Gross Tonnage: 101,353

Navigator of the Seas – 2003 Passengers: 3,114; Crew: 1,185; Length: 1020 feet; Decks: 15; Gross Tonnage: 138,000

Golden Princess – 2004 Passengers: 2,600; Crew: 1,100; Length: 935 feet; Decks: 18; Gross Tonnage: 109,00

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Introduction On three family cruise ship “vacations” (Carnival’s Destiny, 2001; Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, 2003; & Princess Cruises’ Golden Princess, 2004) David Ray Carson tried to get away from the crowds/in-laws and happened upon some unexpected places on the high seas.

This is a document of what he found.

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Navigator of the Seas and sister ship at dock, Puerto Rico, 2003

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Photo Studio / Promenade Deck 5 / Carnival Destiny, 2001

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Titanic dress up night; Photo Studio / Deck 3 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Royal Promenade / Deck 5 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Ixtapa Lounge / Deck 5 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Mini-golf; Navigator Dunes / Deck 13 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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The Dungeon [bar] / Deck 3 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Solarium / Deck 11 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Adult pool; Solarium / Deck 11 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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From the Sun Deck 11 / Carnival Destiny, 2001

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Adult pool; Oasis Bar & Spa / Sports Deck 16 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Current Pool [adult] / Sun Deck 15 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Royal Promenade / Deck 5 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Muster Station / Atlantic Deck 4 / Carnival Destiny, 2001

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Pool Bar / Deck 11 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Near the Millionaire’s Club Casino; Destiny Bar / Promenade Deck 5 / Carnival Destiny, 2001

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Three portholes; Deck 2 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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The Dungeon [bar] / Deck 3 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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The Nut Cracker / Deck 2 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Donatello Dining Room / Fiesta Deck 6 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Outdoor lights; Lido Deck 14 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Near the ShipShape Spa; Deck 12 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Outside my room; Dolphin Deck 11/ Golden Princess, 2004

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Art sale; Explorer’s [bar] / Promenade Deck 7 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Art sale; Explorer’s [bar] / Promenade Deck 7 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Explorer’s [bar] / Promenade Deck 7 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Watching another cruise ship; Sun Deck 15 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Off-Limits / Sun Deck 15 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Railings; From the Sun Deck 15 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Full moon; Sun Deck 15 / Golden Princess, 2004

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The Skywalk / Sky Deck 17 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Skywalkers Night Club [sic] / Sky Deck 17 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Sad clown; Vista Lounge / Promenade Deck 7 / Golden Princess, 2004

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Photo Studio / Deck 3 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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The Dungeon [bar] / Deck 3 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Viking Crown [jazz bar] / Deck 14 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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The Metropolis Theater / Deck 4 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Dress up night; Royal Promenade / Deck 5 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Find your photo; Photo Studio / Deck 3 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Casino Royale / Deck 4 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Reminds me of Man Ray; Deck 14 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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Epilogue After my third (and final?) cruise, I had to decompress on the beach‌

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Puerto Rico, 2004

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About the author David Ray Carson is a photographer and art director in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and is married to a wonderful Norwegian. He has had two little boys with her.

He has exhibited photos, sculpture, and prints at The Rourke Art Gallery Museum in Minnesota since 1992.

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Outside of Coppelia [dining room] / Deck 4 / Navigator of the Seas, 2003

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