Contrary to popular belief, the problem gambler doss not typically look like a reckless young hustler or the long-time loser viewers would often see in films. According to the Problem Gambler Help Network of West Virginia, the most common profile for a compulsive gambler is a middle-aged woman in a high-stress service industry such as social work or health care. Many of them work in casinos themselves.

Since 2000, the non-profit group has compiled data on callers to its gambling help line and has created a profile from those statistics. Their reports show that an “average” problem gambler plays the slot machines, rather than games that require decisions such as blackjack and poker. They play these simple games to escape the stress of their jobs, families and life changes such as a loss of a loved one.

These women frequently carry debts as high as US$25,000 to finance their slot habit. They get the money to play by either borrowing it from family and friends, or forgoing paying necessary bills such as rent, mortgage, and utilities. Most of them play at neighborhood slot halls and taverns, while much fewer of them try their luck at the state’s horse tracks that house slot machines.

In Connecticut, with its numerous and opulent casinos, the profile of the problem gambler resembles an educated, middle-aged Caucasian male who lives near one of the major gambling centers in the state. However, according to data compiled by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, female callers reported a dangerous addiction to slot machines at a rate nearly three times higher than that by male callers.

Most of the callers reported being unemployed, at a rate of nearly three times that of the population at large. Among those who reported that they were currently employed, most of them were in professional occupations or in middle management. In both cases, callers reported that they used gambling to relieve stress. Instead, they usually experience feelings of depression, fatigue, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Many communities offer free counseling and advice for those players who may not know when to walk away from the games, whether it is poker, blackjack, craps or slot machines. Experts advise that players who have these issues should seek help for their problems from these and other available resources.

If there is one thing that has proven to sell time and again, it’s sex. And not even just “sex” in terms of the “act” is the only strong seller. Sex as gender sells like hotcakes too. And by that, I mean the female sex. No, I’m not just talking about porn. Face it guys - heterosexual guys that is - you know it’s hard to resist clicking on an image of a pretty woman showing up in the search results - even if you weren’t searching for an image of a pretty woman to begin with!

Perhaps this is why Right2Bet has launched a campaign to drum up support for European online gambling regulation by, well, showcasing pretty women and their pretty body parts. The Get Naked campaign consists of both land-based and viral marketing tactics so as to capture 1,000,000 signatures in support of overturning current EU rulings that go against EU policy by means of allowing State-run gambling monopolies to interfere in the online betting realm.

The land-based viral campaign has consisted of public showings with scantily clad models allowing petition supporters to actually sign their bodies. Talk about a teenage boy’s dream, the models have been wearing nothing but bikinis, and by the looks of the pictures posted on Right2Bet’s website, have been endowed with some signatures pretty close to the seams, if you know what I mean.

Now, the internet campaign “Get Naked” is a little more inventive, and has thus far proven to go viral as evidenced by the 10,000+ signatures already received in support of amending EU online gambling policy. The way it works is that instead of getting to sign a real body, you get to sign a virtual version made possible with the help of British glamour model, Katie Marie.

The fun thing about it is that after choosing a part of Katie’s body to sign, which I might add is dancing and swaying her hips in a black bikini, you will receive an email with a photo of your signature on Katie’s corresponding body part - breasts, buttocks, abs. As an added bonus, you will also be treated to a video of Katie bouncing up and down on a giant ball. And if you refer friends to sign up, you’ll get access to another video of Katie running around in her bikini with streamers and kicking balloons. It’s clearly ridiculous fun…but it’s all in good taste.

And need I mention the cause again? Albeit there’s no ban like in the U.S., yet in Europe, the laws from EU nation to EU nation vary so much, it’s practically impossible to tell which online casinos and which jurisdictions are legal. A true mish mash of hypocritical policy’s and protectionist laws, the European online gambling industry has great potential for liberalization, but it needs your help.

Everybody knows the Irish can handle their liquor. However, you might not know just how well they can handle their poker too. Well, I suppose liquor and poker are two activities that go well together, so no stretch there. Yet, considering just how big poker is in Ireland, it has to make you wonder why the World Series of Poker hasn’t been held there yet.

Well, that’s probably because Ireland already has a big-name poker event. One of the largest poker events in Ireland, and the world for that matter is, fittingly enough, the Irish Poker Championship. So, if you find yourself in or around Ireland, get ready for it. The 2010 event is right around the corner.
Several top name poker professionals have thus far confirmed their attendance at the Irish Poker Championship, including Andy Black, Surindar Sunar, Jon Kalmer, Marty Smyth, and let’s not forget Poker Stars regular, Marcel Luske. Speaking of Poker Stars, they are sponsoring the Irish Poker Championship, and will be hosting satellite online poker events beginning one week from tomorrow into December.

For more information on Poker Stars, which is quite frankly the top online poker room in the world, give their website a visit Here, and open a free account to watch live, real money games in progress. Players can also practice their poker playing skills in Poker Stars “fun” software platform against like-minded players sure to offer a good challenge.

Well ahead of the opening up of the French online and land casino gambling market, anticipated to happen in 2010, the French daily Le Monde carried reports indicating that numerous prominent players in the industry including Betlick, Unibet, and Bwin are already teeming with French interests in great anticipation.

In major publicity and advertising activities specifically intended to raise awareness, the teams have reportedly joined hands with time honoured firms like the state controlled Francaise des Jeux and Tour de France Amaury in funding numerous sporting and a variety of activities. Unlike what has been in the past, there are indications that French authorities, knowing that change is looming are beginning to take a tolerant position.

Unibet is reportedly backing up its pledge of Euro 1 million in a renewable treaty for the coming year. The company is already teaming up with the Paris Saint-Germain football club, with the rare opportunity to consider having their trademark on the back of the players’ shirts this coming season.

According to Le Monde, Betlick will be the endorsed shirt sponsor of the Olymique de Marseille football club for 2009 – 2010, and it’s the certified gaming affiliate for Saint-Etienne.

Responsive to the challenges of the contests ahead, Fdj is upping its sponsorship in multi-million franc contract, which include its very own Fdj- backed poker team, clearly also eyeing Bwin and Unibet which have collaborated with Le parisien and Metro publications to build up poker events.

Poker pro Prahlad “Spirit Rock” Friedman earned his first World Poker Tour title when he defeated Kevin Schaffel heads-up at the Legends of Poker main event at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles. Friedman took home US$1,000,900 and an entry into the WPT Championship event at Las Vegas’ Bellagio Casino in May worth US$25,000. This victory also earned him his first million-dollar tournament win.

In an ironic twist, Mr. Friedman knocked out the first player at the TV table, longtime poker pro Mike Krescanko, when Freidman held pocket kings and Mr. Krescanko held ace-queen offsuit. He also eliminated his last opponent heads-up when he held ace-queen offsuit against Mr. Schaffel’s king-jack offsuit. The board was ten-high and Mr. Friedman’s ace-high hand held up to win the title.

Friedman’s win was also his first tournament title since he won his only WSOP bracelet in the US$1500 buy-in pot-limit hold’em event in 2003. The most cash he had won in a tournament previously was the US$495,000 he earned at the 2006 WSOP Main Event, where he famously clashed with 2009 WSOP Player of the Year Jeffrey Lisandro over a missing ante chip.

The only other player at the table besides Mr. Friedman to have a WSOP bracelet was long-time poker pro Toto Leonidas. Mr. Leonidas earned US$144,600 when Friedman eliminated him in fourth place. Friedman held ace-king offsuit and the flop paired his king. Leonidas went all-in on an ace-high flush draw. Friedman called, neither the turn nor the river filled Mr. Leonidas’ flush draw, and his day was done.

Schaffel, a member of the “November Nine” who will meet to determine the WSOP Main Event champion, finished second in the tournament and earned US$471,760. At the final table, either Friedman or Schaffel eliminated every player on their way to heads-up play. Mr. Schaffel already stands to earn at least US$1.2 million at the WSOP final table, with up to US$8.5 million if he wins.

A Canadian man who opened several US-based bank accounts to process online gaming profits for US customers is facing federal bank fraud and money laundering charges. Douglas Rennick opened accounts under corporate entities with names such as Check Payment Financial Company, Account Services Corporation and KJB Financial Corporation to disburse payments from overseas accounts to American customers of online gaming sites.

In the terms of the federal indictment announced this week, Mr. Rennick was charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, conspiracy to engage in money laundering and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. If convicted on all counts, Mr. Rennick could face up to fifty-five years in prison and fines nearing US$2 million. Authorities also want to seize over US$566 million in the accounts that they claim were the revenues generated by the illegal gambling business.

American authorities state that Mr. Rennick and his associates claimed that the accounts were intended to disburse rebate checks, refund payments and other small payment processing jobs, thus defrauding the banks by lying about the true nature of the accounts. If the banks had understood that the accounts were to be used to disburse gambling winnings, the indictment states, they would not have authorized the opening of such accounts.

The authorities that worked on the investigation and compiled the indictment include Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Mr. Lev L. Dassin and the Assistant Director-in-Charge for the FBI’s New York Office of the FBI, Mr. Joseph M. Demarest, Jr. Two Assistant US Attorneys, Arlo Devlin-Brown and Jonathan New, are supervising the prosecution. Another Assistant US Attorney, Jeffrey Alberts, is overseeing the account forfeiture. US District Judge Sidney H. Stein is set to hear the case. A trial date has not yet been set.

Online bookmaker and gaming company Victor Chandler has announced it is to become the official sponsor of Coca-Cola Championship football club Nottingham Forest for the season 09/10 for an initial one-year term for a significant six-figure sum.

Victor Chandler has secured a wide range of Nottingham Forest rights. The historic Victor Chandler brand will appear on Forest’s new home and away kits, as well as adult replica kits. The famous Victor Chandler script logo will have a major presence in The City Ground, and will become the In-Stadia betting partner. In addition Victor Chandler has plans for promotions and benefits for adult season ticket holders and fans purchasing the new home and away shirts.

Victor Chandler make Nottingham Forest a best price 40/1 to win the Championship this season, and 10/1 to be promoted to the Premier League by any means. They are 11/10 to finish above local rivals Derby County and Billy Davies is 16/1 to be the Championship Manager of the Month for August.

In addition to the sponsorship deal Victor Chandler also announce the appointment of Viv Anderson MBE as the company’s Football Ambassador. Anderson made 328 appearances for Nottingham Forest between 1974 and 1984 and was part of their dual European Cup winning team. Anderson commented “I am delighted to be working with Victor and his team. I obviously have a great affinity with Nottingham Forest and look forward to being involved with the club once more. Both Nottingham Forest and Victor Chandler are steeped in history and both of them definitely belong in the Premier League.”

Chairman Victor Chandler commented “I am delighted with the agreement to sponsor Nottingham Forest and to welcome Viv Anderson to the company. This deal means the Victor Chandler profile will be raised significantly in the UK, and comes at a great time with the imminent launch of my new website. I am also excited about the worldwide media opportunities the Championship now offers, particularly in the Far East. My only concern is offering the 40/1 top price about them winning the Championship this season!”

There has been continued speculation this week on whether one of Britain’s biggest online and land gambling groups, William Hill plc, is getting set to move its online operations out of the UK. It’s a frequently raised possibility triggered by rising taxes and competition (see previous InfoPowa reports).

Adding weight to the rumours this week was an interview given to the Financial Times by Will Hill’s CEO Ralph Topping.

“We face worldwide competition from 400 or so English-language betting websites,” the executive said. “In these circumstances, clearly we do not have the luxury of being parochial about our future or taking a simplistic stance on complicated issues.”

Topping went on to cite competitive pressure from low-tax jurisdiction rivals such as Paddy Power and Bwin, triggering renewed rumours that the UK company was seriously considering moving its key telephone and Internet betting operations offshore. Topping has in the past commented that he sees considerable potential in Internet operations, and these have seen significant expansion, most recently involving Orbis and Playtech.

Topping has previously voiced his frustration at having to pay UK tax of 15 percent whilst competitors like Paddy Power pay 1,5 percent in Ireland.

The Financial Mail was told that competition was the reason for the company’s decision to close 20 betting shops in the UK this year and freeze pay rises for its 16 000 employees.

Approached for comment by the FT, UK government spokesmen said the government would be “very disappointed” if groups like William Hill moved offshore, and assured the newspaper that a review of remote gambling rules was in progress in order to ensure a more level playing field.

Will Hill’s possible intention to move offshore fears burst into the open last week when Paul Dixon, president of the Racecourse Owners Association, said William Hill was “very serious about moving”.

Dixon told a conference of racing industry leaders that an offshore move by William Hill would almost certainly be mirrored by its rivals. “I believe they are geared up to make this move and, if they do go, how would Ladbrokes and Coral respond to that?” he said. “If this is going to be greatly to the detriment of racing, then the government must do something about it or face the consequences.”

Dixon said the Treasury stood to lose up to GBP45 million a year in taxation, while the 10 percent levy bookmakers pay to racing from their profits would suffer a shortfall of up to GBP30 million, if the three leading bookmakers relocated their telephone bets and online businesses.

Going back to 2005/6 when the reformation of British gambling law was in its initial stages, many online gambling operators were enthusiastic about using the UK as a licensing jurisdiction and were prepared to be examined by the proposed regulator. However, it was repeatedly pointed out that if the UK government set too high a tax level, there would be little incentive to change from jurisdictions like Gibraltar and the Isle of Man. In the event, then Chancellor Gordon Brown set a 15 percent taxation rate, which effectively discouraged most operators from relocating to the UK.

InternetSafety today announced that it developed and is powering the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation’s (NSGC) new BetStopper software, a free tool being offered toNova Scotia families to help combat online youth gambling. The program - the world’s first online gambling blocking software - utilizes InternetSafety.com’s award-winning web filtering technology to prevent users from accessing online gambling sites.

BetStopper was introduced at the 5th Annual We Love Our Children Expo that took place last weekend inNova Scotia. The software was developed in response to research showing thatNova Scotia youth are gambling online three times more frequently than adults. Many of the more than 2,500 casino-style Internet gambling sites fail to enforce access and age restrictions. Some studies have shown that that the average adult problem gambler started gambling at age 10, so youth gambling is a real concern.

NSGC selected InternetSafety.com as its technology provider because of the market success of the company’s web filtering products over the last decade as well as prior participation in other Internet safety initiatives such as the Australian government’s NetAlert program for protecting Australian families online. TheNova Scotia crown corporation rejected other filtering solutions that were ineffective in blocking gambling sites.

“We have a long-standing commitment to building the most responsible gambling industry in the world. As part of that effort, we decided to equip families with free software to thwart attempts by underage children to reach online gambling sites. To do that, we needed a partner with proven web filtering expertise,” said Marie Mullally, President and CEO of NSGC. “The BetStopper program that InternetSafety.com developed with us will be a cornerstone of our social responsibility platform moving forward.”

“In 10 years of specializing in helping parents shield their children from the unsavory side of the Internet, this is the first time we have been asked to create a product specifically to address underage gambling,” said Forrest Collier, CEO of InternetSafety.com. “The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation is taking an innovative approach to the problem that we expect will establish them as a role model for other gaming agencies around the world.”

BetStopper utilizes technology that InternetSafety.com developed for its Safe Eyes(R) software, a suite of Internet filtering solutions enabling parents to protect children from exposure to objectionable Internet material on PCs, Macs and mobile devices. Safe Eyes checks requested websites against a massive blacklist of potentially objectionable Web addresses that is automatically updated on a daily basis. It also allows parents to control Internet use by length of time as well as time of day and day of the week, block or record instant messenger chats, limit email use to certain addresses, and receive alerts when children post inappropriate or personal information on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook.
InternetSafety.com has been a leading provider of web filtering solutions for consumers and businesses since 1999. The company’s flagship software, Safe Eyes, is the two-time recipient of the PC Magazine Editors’ Choice Award, earned a separate Editor’s Choice Award from LAPTOP Magazine, and was rated as the #1 parental control solution by America’s leading consumer advocacy publication. Other products include Safe Eyes Mobile(TM), the first family-safe browser for the iPhone, and EtherShield(R), a hardware appliance offering plug-and-play Internet filtering for business environments. The company’s products are used by customers in more than 150 countries.
The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation (NSGC) is responsible for the business of gaming inNova Scotia. It is a crown corporation governed by the provincial Gaming Control Act, and is charged with leading an economically sustainable and socially responsible gaming industry for the benefit of Nova Scotians and their communities. Operations include ticket lotteries, video lotteries and casinos.

When I heard Carnival Cruise Lines would begin sailing year-round from Baltimore, I was not excited. I was glad that it meant more jobs and a boost to Maryland’s economy, but a Carnival cruise wasn’t going to be part of my vacation plans.

You see, Carnival and I parted company years ago after I took a disappointing cruise from Miami. The food was unappetizing, the passengers unruly and the ship unremarkable. It seemed most of the guests brought booze while I brought my mother. Mom and I haven’t cruised together since.

But cruising has become such a growth industry for Maryland, mostly because home ports — places where travelers can hop on a cruise ship without ever getting on a plane — have been so successful. With a couple of ships newly arriving to the port of Baltimore this year, and with Carnival being the largest, I decided I needed to give it a second chance.

I’m glad I did. After my seven-day trip to the Caribbean aboard the Carnival Pride earlier this month, I’m convinced another family cruise aboard Carnival is in our future.

Whatever the Miami-based cruise line has done to transform itself over the past 10 years or so, it has got it right. Our cruise was an effortless, entertaining, epicurean experience that I found as delightful as it was surprising. Now that doesn’t mean it was perfect — there’s still a lot of booze flowing — but it was pretty close.

After all, Carnival bills itself as the “Fun Ship” for a reason: People have a good time — sometimes, a little too good. But here’s the thing: You can make your Carnival cruise what you want — a floating party zone or a quiet, drifting oasis.

If you love socializing, you can join a group electric slide or karaoke night. If you’re single and looking to mingle, you can rule the pool deck or the dance club. If you want family time, take the kids to play miniature golf on the sports deck or drop them off at Camp Carnival while you drop yourself off at the spa.

The point is to make the cruise your own, even though you’re not on your own.

THE SHIP

My husband, Todd, and I embarked on our cruise on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The boarding process, although efficient, was a trifle long, but soon enough we were on the top deck, sailing under the Key Bridge and watching Baltimore slip into the horizon.

The Carnival Pride is a beautiful, ornately designed ship. They call it Beaux Arts, but it’s really an amalgam of several different styles, including Renaissance and Art Deco. If you prefer understated and bland, you’re on the wrong boat. But if you like to see interesting scenes around every corner, you’ll love it.

The staterooms are spacious — some of the largest standard cabins at sea. This is where you’ll find your classic decor, but the bathroom is turquoise and royal blue, so it’s not exactly neutral. Our stateroom had a balcony that provided lovely sunset views and relaxing ocean sounds. We often propped the door open at night and let the music of the waves lull us to sleep.

Despite carrying more than 2,500 passengers, the Carnival Pride feels amazingly uncrowded and even a bit cozy. The ship has 12 decks with multiple public spaces — some hidden — for peaceful moments. The Secret Garden, an area of cafe tables for two with large sea-view windows, is so secret that it mostly remained empty. The atrium bar was well-attended, but there was almost always an open seat or two. The card room and Internet cafe we had entirely to ourselves on a number of occasions. We rarely encountered a single person in the hallways where our room was located, other than Benjamin, the cabin steward, who seemed to be within earshot 24/7.

There are exceptions, of course. The dining area at the Mermaid Grille on the Lido deck is one of them. If you have a need to be with people, hit the buffet around noon and you’ll be among lots of friends. Ditto for the sun deck and pool area. On our second day at sea, we headed out to get some sun after a late breakfast and encountered a teeming wave of humanity. Still, we were able to drag our lounge chairs to a somewhat quiet corner. The next day, which was a bit more cloudy, we hit the deck an hour earlier and wondered where everyone had gone.

THE FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT

The dining experience is often what sets apart a mediocre cruise from an exceptional one. Up until late last year, Carnival was working with renowned French chef Georges Blanc to train its chefs and create menu items for its dining rooms, including David’s, a reservations-only supper club. Even though Blanc has moved on, those efforts showed in the ship’s gourmet dinner selections. Most meals are four- or five-course affairs with just-right portion sizes. Overall, the quality of food was excellent, from the lunch buffets to the supper club to the sushi cart.

Unlike some ships, the Carnival Pride has only one main dining room, the Normandie Restaurant, which seats up to 1,250 diners. With that many people talking, laughing and lifting their forks, it can get a bit noisy. Besides the main dining room, a lunch buffet is served on the Lido deck, featuring a different international cuisine each day, as well as hand-carved meats, Asian-inspired specialties, deli-style sandwiches, pizza, salad bar and a grill for burgers, hot dogs and fries.

In the Normandie, our dinner options included “Spa Carnival Fare,” dishes lower in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories. As with most cruises, diners can order multiple salads, entrees, desserts or whatever. For example, you can have the pork tenderloin and the flat iron steak. Or both the baked Alaska and the warm chocolate melting cake. This is fine, but judging by the amount of food that I saw being cleared untouched - or merely sampled - from tables, I’m surprised cruise lines haven’t come up with a small plates solution. Perhaps there’s a “tasting” plate offering that would allow a diner to chose up to three entree options in tiny portions.

Our absolute favorite meal was enjoyed at David’s. The tables are intimate and the service impeccable. If you’re looking for a quiet, elegant dinner, this is the place to be. The cost is reasonable enough — $30 per person — to consider dining here multiple nights, but make advance reservations online since the restaurant gets booked up most days. David’s is like a Ruth’s Chris at sea. It specializes in steakhouse cuisine, including hand-cut, dry-aged prime beef, seafood and specialty wines served in a leisurely five-ƒ|or six-course meal that takes a couple of hours. The chef started us off with an amuse bouche and ended with a progressive chocolate tasting. Our Caesar salad was mixed tableside and my filet was tender as butter — it was a meal that would be hard to improve upon. But one patron was somewhat irked by the lack of Heinz 57 sauce. The restaurant offers three delicious chef-prepared sauces — why ask for anything else?

After dinner, many passengers headed for the casino, a stage show or a lounge. The Carnival Pride has 16 lounges and bars all on the same deck, spread from one end of the ship to another. Those looking for entertainment can simply float from the Butterflies cabaret lounge to the Perfect Game sports bar to the Starry Night karaoke party. Stage shows — mostly song and dance numbers — take place at the Taj Mahal, a large theater that holds more than 1,100 people. But it never seemed crowded, except for the one night when the hypnotist performed — that’s a show you shouldn’t miss. For quiet evenings, the Ivory Piano Bar is romantic and relaxing.

For someone who is not a gambler, the slots and casino seemed more than adequate, if a little smoky. Getting a seat at a slot machine or the roulette table wasn’t hard to do. The slots are cashless — you play them using your room key. There’s danger to that in more ways than one. What’s important to remember is to cash out when you leave your slot machine. I forgot to do that once and someone claimed my machine and played with my money. I can’t say how the odds are — I generally lost money, but I heard that someone won more than $3,000 playing slots on our cruise. Lucky devil.

THE PORT CALLS

While our port calls were Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau, Bahamas, Carnival sails to a variety of destinations from Baltimore. Each of the stops provided a wide selection of shore excursions, from snorkeling to biking to parasailing. Excursion prices vary by port, ranging from $19 per person for a nature walk to $200 for deep-sea fishing. We didn’t take any excursions because our budget was limited and because we enjoy striking out on our own.

In Grand Turk, we rented a car for $60. We were warned by the cruise director that there wasn’t a lot to see on Grand Turk — and he was mostly right. Still, we had fun driving on the opposite side of the road and exploring the nooks and crannies of this very different landscape. We visited a church, discovered a store called Todds (my husband’s name), shared the narrow streets with donkeys and golf carts and got lost on the way to Conch World before getting an escort from a friendly local. All for about $10 less than the least expensive excursion would have cost for the two of us.

If you aren’t adventurous, you should definitely take an excursion at Grand Turk, since the beach is rocky and not the best for snorkeling. Another option — if you’re happy in a crowd — is joining the huge pool party at Margaritaville. The Jimmy Buffett restaurant is the centerpiece of the Grand Turk Cruise Center.

Our next stop, Half Moon Cay, revealed a beach with white sand and teal blue water — so beautiful that you won’t want to leave. The excursions here include parasailing and a glass bottom boat ride, but the beach is the main attraction. It’s also super hot with little shade, so bring the best sunscreen you’ve got.

The Nassau port call was the shortest of all, but some Carnival Pride cruises have longer stays in the Bahamas. There are several excursions — including a tour of the Atlantis resort, a huge property that’s overwhelming in size and scope. Still, the straw market and some downtown attractions are within walking distance of the port. Having visited Paradise Island, we were late returning to the ship and almost missed it — a word to the wise, they will leave without you.

As we left the Bahamas and set course for Baltimore, we realized we were not ready to return home. We had enjoyed a week’s worth of pampering and entertainment by a dedicated and friendly Carnival staff. It was going to be difficult to return to real life. But it was not going to be difficult to convince my mom to take a cruise next year.