Whodunit? You have eight Carnival murder-mystery cruises to find out

Typically, when milk has spilled or something has been knocked over in our home, and my wife asks me: "Whodunit?", I answer: "The cats." Of course, it's actually me, but the cats just look guilty so I usually get away with it. Even Poirot would be fooled.

That's why I'm particularly excited to tell you about an upcoming eight-part series of "Whodunit Cruises" on the 2,000-passenger Carnival Paradise running from late October 2008 (Halloween night!) until December 2009. The three-night cruises sail roundtrip to Ensenada, Mexico, out of Long Beach, California.

This is true passenger participation. Assuming you've registered for the festivities in advance, you'll be given your own role to play in a murder mystery as soon as you board your cruise. Professional actors will also be onboard to add atmosphere. Activities will take place in a variety of public rooms and areas of the ship, all with the objective of solving the mystery before the end of the voyage. Clues will be slipped under stateroom doors so you can put your crime-solving skills to the test.

The whole production is coordinated by the aptly named Whodunit Productions, the leading organizer of mystery cruises, so you know it won't be cheesy (or maybe it will, but that's part of the fun). And you'll have all the usual Carnival amenities and food to keep you happy as well, assuming you aren't the murder victim.

Prices start at $348 per person, double occupancy, which includes all mystery cruise activities.

Personally, I think it was done in the balcony suite (see above) by the masseuse with the hard-boiled eggs from the breakfast buffet -- but maybe it was just the cats all along.

For bookings, call the special reservations nunber at 866/857-7080 and ask for fare code CPMM/FPMM for individual bookings or CPMG/FPMG for group bookings.

Photo from Carnival Cruise Lines.