Reading over these Oceanic memories stirred up my own personal memories. Indeed my very first cruise was with Home Lines onboard the S/S Oceanic from New York to Nassau in the summer of 1976. My father had just died the previous Christmas so my mother decided to take me on this trip the following summer when school was out. I was only 14 at the time but my mental pictures are as clear as yesterday.
My mother worked as an entertainer with the Italian Line for many years and sailed the world with various other lines but not Home Lines. My father was naturally a frequent cruiser with her when I was a child but I was not allowed to sail with them. As a child I got car sick and they thought I would inevitably get sea sick.
The Oceanic started it all for me. That summer is well remembered. I can remember in those days you could pay something like $5.00 I think to get aboard while the ship was in port to go look around or join a Bon Voyage party. I think I toured it twice before I actually sailed her. How excited I was; never been on an oceanliner or cruise ship.
An inside cabin, (Unthinkable nowadays for me) I remember how strange I felt when after a few hours inside after departure, I went up and looked. A cloudy departure around 5:00 PM or so, the ship was no longer at the dock. I can still remember that glassed in promenade. I could see nothing other than the vastness of gray water. I was amazed. Remember the dinner gongs and the announcer wishing you "Bon Appetito" over the PA system ?
I do remember Everette E. Everette and the long breadsticks and our waiter's name Benito. I remember the little chapel with bronze work and the pool and the well known familiar Italian tunes. I remember the distinguished diningroom Captain comming around to our table each night with that accent saying "How are you both tonight?" I especially remember the wonderful food, the ice tea with lemon and the menus. You could buy those menus in a pack at the end of the voyage. Very few tiny gift shops, nothing like today.
No cell phones or lap tops then huh ? I don't even think we had TV's in the cabin. I still have the onboard ship photos from that era with me looking very much like the kid I was....all dressed up (or so I thought then) with my newly widowed mom on my first cruise. Always a great crowd. A unique mix of old school elegant ladies and gentlemen, people from New York, New Jersey and elsewhere.
A real steam ship too. I even got a tour of the bridge which, from memory, seemed small to me. In those days there was respect and no nonsence at sea. They simply didn't tollerate it. Formal meant formal. Old traditions still reigned. Not like some lines today. So much has changed since those days in cruising to be certain. Those days are gone forever.
Since then I sailed it several times afterwards, including when it was sold to Premier Cruises and became the Big Red Boat. Not the same. I do cherish those memories and I do remember. Hard to believe it's been that long ago. She is, of course, no longer in service to anyone. I saw a photo of her being taken apart somewhere in the world. It was a sad sight but all things must end one day.
I have now sailed with almost all the cruise lines in over 57 (cruise and crossing) voyages. Oceanic started it all for me. This June I'm sailing the Atlantic Canadian Provinces from Montreal aboard Holland America's Maasdam. However, usually nowadays, its Celebrity Cruises for me.
Definately currently my favorite. They consistantly maintain high service, excellent food, well maintained vessels, the old school European elegance and decency.
Only reason for the Maasdam is because of the destinations that my wife wanted to see at the time of year that Celebrity is not going there.
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in What Ever Happened To........???
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Reading over these Oceanic memories stirred up my own personal memories. Indeed my very first cruise was with Home Lines onboard the S/S Oceanic from New York to Nassau in the summer of 1976. My father had just died the previous Christmas so my mother decided to take me on this trip the following summer when school was out. I was only 14 at the time but my mental pictures are as clear as yesterday.
My mother worked as an entertainer with the Italian Line for many years and sailed the world with various other lines but not Home Lines. My father was naturally a frequent cruiser with her when I was a child but I was not allowed to sail with them. As a child I got car sick and they thought I would inevitably get sea sick.
The Oceanic started it all for me. That summer is well remembered. I can remember in those days you could pay something like $5.00 I think to get aboard while the ship was in port to go look around or join a Bon Voyage party. I think I toured it twice before I actually sailed her. How excited I was; never been on an oceanliner or cruise ship.
An inside cabin, (Unthinkable nowadays for me) I remember how strange I felt when after a few hours inside after departure, I went up and looked. A cloudy departure around 5:00 PM or so, the ship was no longer at the dock. I can still remember that glassed in promenade. I could see nothing other than the vastness of gray water. I was amazed. Remember the dinner gongs and the announcer wishing you "Bon Appetito" over the PA system ?
I do remember Everette E. Everette and the long breadsticks and our waiter's name Benito. I remember the little chapel with bronze work and the pool and the well known familiar Italian tunes. I remember the distinguished diningroom Captain comming around to our table each night with that accent saying "How are you both tonight?" I especially remember the wonderful food, the ice tea with lemon and the menus. You could buy those menus in a pack at the end of the voyage. Very few tiny gift shops, nothing like today.
No cell phones or lap tops then huh ? I don't even think we had TV's in the cabin. I still have the onboard ship photos from that era with me looking very much like the kid I was....all dressed up (or so I thought then) with my newly widowed mom on my first cruise. Always a great crowd. A unique mix of old school elegant ladies and gentlemen, people from New York, New Jersey and elsewhere.
A real steam ship too. I even got a tour of the bridge which, from memory, seemed small to me. In those days there was respect and no nonsence at sea. They simply didn't tollerate it. Formal meant formal. Old traditions still reigned. Not like some lines today. So much has changed since those days in cruising to be certain. Those days are gone forever.
Since then I sailed it several times afterwards, including when it was sold to Premier Cruises and became the Big Red Boat. Not the same. I do cherish those memories and I do remember. Hard to believe it's been that long ago. She is, of course, no longer in service to anyone. I saw a photo of her being taken apart somewhere in the world. It was a sad sight but all things must end one day.
I have now sailed with almost all the cruise lines in over 57 (cruise and crossing) voyages. Oceanic started it all for me. This June I'm sailing the Atlantic Canadian Provinces from Montreal aboard Holland America's Maasdam. However, usually nowadays, its Celebrity Cruises for me.
Definately currently my favorite. They consistantly maintain high service, excellent food, well maintained vessels, the old school European elegance and decency.
Only reason for the Maasdam is because of the destinations that my wife wanted to see at the time of year that Celebrity is not going there.
Oceanic ?? Thanks for the memories guys.