The Wandering Disciple

The Carnival Triumph sits at the docks in St Maarten. The Triumph is one of five ships in Carnival Cruise Lines Destiny Class and entered into service in 1999. The ship has had a storied history. In 2012 it was held in seizure in a lawsuit in Galveston. Then in 2013, the ship suffered a generator fire that disabled the ship and left it powerless in the Gulf of Mexico for three days before tugs could pull it into Mobile. Finally while the ship was docked for repairs from the engine fire, it was struck by a dredging vessel, ripping a 20 foot gash into the side of the ship. (Photo: October 25, 2006)

The Carnival Destiny maneuvers through the busy water of the Port of Miami. The Port of Miami is the gateway that connects South Florida cruisers with the Caribbean ports of call. (Photo: April 19, 2010)

A Carnival cruise ship passed under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge near the mouth of the Tampa Bay. With only 182 feet of clearance from the bridge to the water below, cruise ships have very little margin of error as they squeeze below the bridge.  (Photo: October 18, 2014)

The Carnival Dream gets underway from Port Canaveral as it embarks on a Caribbean cruise.  Introduced in 2008, the Carnival Dream can accommodate over 3,500 passengers on its 15 decks.  (Photo: January 23, 2010)

Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas and Carnival's Triumph are docked side by side in San Juan. The Port of San Juan welcomes over one million travelers annually to the city and is the gateway to the Southern Caribbean.  (Photo: October 23, 2006)

The Carnival Victory prepares for a new Caribbean cruise vacation at the Port of Miami. The Victory is a member of the Triumph class of ships and can accommodate 2,758 passengers. The ship is currently sails to the Bahamas out of Miami. (Photo: October 21, 2005)

Over 3,000 passengers endured the cruise from hell after a fire resulting in loss of power on the Carnival Triumph.  Passengers spent several days stranded in the Gulf of Mexico on the powerless ocean liner following a fire in the engine room. The fire was the fourth engine room fire for Carnival Cruise Line since 1999.  This photo was taken several years ago in the Virgin Islands during the ship's better days. (Photo: October 25, 2006)

Dick Gothner with Skyscraper Tours has sent along a good batch of cruise deals from Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Now that the weather is getting cooler and we are on the way out of hurricane season, there is no better time to set sail on a Caribbean cruise. Carnival's Pack and Go Special runs from November 2 to November 4 and has quite a collection of deals. Dick highlighted a few of the following deals in the sale: Carnival Glory sets sail on 11/13/11 out of the Port of Miami on a seven night Exotic Western Caribbean Cruise. The ships calls upon Cozumel, Belize, Roatan and Grand Cayman. Rates start at $349 for an interior and $529 for a balcony. Carnival Fascination departs the Port of Jacksonville on 11/26/11 on a five night Bahamas Cruise. The ships stops at Nassau and Half Moon Cay while spending two additional fun days at sea. Inside cabins start at $179. Carnival Ecstasy embarks on a five night Bahamas Cruise on 12/5/11 from Cape Canaveral. The ship stops at Nassau, H...

I was going through my in-box and it occurred to me that it has been a while since I have posted some cruise deals. Although summer tends to be a little more expensive due to summer break, there are still great deals to be found if you look around. But why spend your time looking when there is Dick Gothner of Skyscraper Tours there to get you a great deal. Dick's recent cruise deals contains over 25 sailings onboard Carnival Cruise Line consisting of several exciting itineraries. Here are three that he has highlighted: Carnival Dream sets sail on 11/26/2011 from Port Canaveral on a 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise. The ship makes stops in Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City and Costa Maya while also including two fun days at sea. Prices begin at $439. The Carnival Legend sails out of Tampa on 11/6/2011 for a 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan and Belize. Prices start at $419. Finally the Carnival Liberty departs the Port of Miami on 9/24/2011 for a 7-night W...