A ship's officer shows off some tasty treats hand-made deep below deck for passengers. (Jim Fox photo)

An "excursion" like no other - and without even leaving the ship - will be unveiled with the launch of the Ruby Princess in November.

Here's a chance to go where few have gone before exploring the inner workings of today's huge floating vacation resorts.

Princess Cruises will debut its Ultimate Ship Tour, billed as an "exclusive insider's view" of ship operations.

"I'm sure people will be amazed at what goes into running a city at sea," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice-president.

We have been given tours throughout numerous ships including visits to the bridge - the ship's command centre - with the captain but access to many areas has been severely restricted for security reasons in recent years.

This ultimate tour, to be expanded later to other Princess vessels, is to "experience an array of 'back-of-house' areas that are key to a ship's daily operations," said Princess publicist Karen Candy.

This includes visits to the engine room, medical centre, print shop, laundry, photo lab and bridge - and, similar to "shore excursions," this three-hour venture comes with a price - $150 US a person.

Highlights include:

- The bridge where the captain and officers will explain the state-of-the-art navigational equipment and safety systems while taking in dramatic front-of-ship views from the wraparound windows. Visitors will pose with the captain at the wheel and receive a framed photo and tour certificate.

- The funnel area, atop the ship, with its spectacular views of the vessel and the surrounding ocean.

- Galley and food production areas where the executive chef explains how they prepare thousands of meals and snacks a day.

While viewing the inner workings of the ship's kitchen and storage coolers, the "tourists" will be treated to a glass of French champagne, caviar and canapes, and take home with them a chef's jacket.

- Engine control room, the heart of the mechanical and electrical systems where the technical team monitors everything from the operation of the propellers to the water supply to each stateroom.

- Medical Centre for a visit to the ship's doctor who will explain the state-of-the-art facilities, including treatment rooms, labs, intensive care unit and digital X-ray system.

Visitors will learn how the ship's doctors and nurses - all full-time maritime medicine specialists - keep passengers and crew healthy and handle medical emergencies.

- Back stage area for a look at the glitz that goes into the stage productions including visiting with the cast and production staff.

- Print shop, the place where the daily bulletin called the Princess Patter and other materials are produced. The ship's printer will explain the process and give each visitor a set of personalized stationery.

- Photo laboratory where the busy photographers who are shooting all the action day and night send their work to be printed on the latest digital equipment.

- Main laundry that runs non-stop washing passenger and crew linens, towels (20,000 of them alone daily) and clothing. The laundry master will show off this impressive operation and give a bath robe for each visitor to take home.

Ruby Princess, a sister ship to Emerald Princess and Crown Princess, debuts Nov. 8 with inaugural sailings in the Western Caribbean roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale followed by Mediterranean voyages next summer.

Ship tours will be offered "once or twice per cruise on a sea day," with space limited. www.princess.com; 1-800-PRINCESS.

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Wavelets:

- Want to cruise from $49 US a day? Carnival offers this deal for "past guests" on three to five day cruises with inside cabins, or from $59 for ocean-view accommodation. (Taxes, fees and fuel supplement extra.)

Destinations include the Bahamas, Western Caribbean and Baja Mexico for sailings booked through Dec. 31 (some blackout dates may apply). Ships include the Carnival Elation, Ecstasy, Imagination, Paradise and Sensation.

It's available for those who have sailed previously on Carnival or its sister lines - Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess and Seabourn. www.carnival.com; 1-888-CARNIVAL.

- Holland America Line returns to Bermuda with roundtrip cruises from New York starting in 2010 calling on Hamilton and St. George's for multi-day visits.

The ms Veendam will sail in late August through October on 10 roundtrips to the island and then 20 or more from May 2011. www.hollandamerica.com; 1-877-SAIL-HAL.