sullaRaffaello

The cruise lines are now collecting the cruise cards upon disembarking the ship. (sorry to see that - My collection is now incomplete)

In the early 80s and back, there were no cruise cards. You actually had a cabin key like you have for your house, and paid for what you bought at a bar or anywhere else, in cash on the spot.

I don't know if anyone mentioned this, and it quite possibly would not be considered a perk, but on my April transatlantic crossing on the QM2, there was no passenger list distributed. I asked at the purser's desk, and they said that it was out of consideration for the passengers' privacy. When I travelled on liners in the 70s, there was always a passenger list. The list contained the name. hometown, and cabin number of each passenger. I certainly would never consider such a list as an invasion of privacy. Has this been done away with on all lines, or maybe it's just Cunard? Thanks.

Are there any lines or ships that routinely set aside areas for nudity? I'm not talking about nudist charters or toplessness for women, but full nudity for both genders in (a) specific area(s) of the ship.

I was on an eastbound transatlantic crossing of the QE2 back in September 1982. There were quite a few college students on board going to Europe to study for a semester or 2. About the third night, at around 3AM, I walked outside of one of the bars and heard quite a bit of giggling and splashing. When I turned the corner, there were about 10 college girls and guys in their birthday suits uninhibitedly having a ball in one of the pools. Made me wish I were in college again!

I was on the France with Mick and Bianca Jagger. They kept to themselves in one of the best first class suites. I was on the QE2 with Sugar Ray Leonard. He seemed very down to earth and was in the tourist class public rooms at night, even though he was first class.

Late seating. I like to have a fine dinner to look forward to as long as possible. Other than the elderly or children, I can't imagine why anyone would want to eat at 6:00PM.