TS Bremen

[Deputy Harbor Master]

I sailed aboard TS Bremen V in June 1969. She was a classic, small (just under 700'), North Atlantic liner with very European style service. With her black hull and impressive buff colored smokestack she stood out when anchored around other ships. The ship's band played when leaving port and held outdoor concerts daily on the sundeck. My cabin had a huge tiled bathroom with 2 sinks and a bathtub. The cabin steward was an older man named Emil who had been serving on North German LLoyd Line ships since the early 30's.

I sailed on the SS France in 1973 and enjoyed the best French cusine in the world. She was a fantastic ship and all passengers were treated like royalty. I spent a good deal of time at the indoor rifle and pistol range on the top deck! The France was really the last of the great liners that were purpose built for North Atlantic crossings.

In 1976 I moved back to the states from St. Thomas and booked passage on Holland America's SS Veendam (formerly of Moore McCormack Line). She was a fun ship and I enjoed the slow voyage back to reality after living in paradise for a while.

While living on St Thomas I got to know all the Security Officers from the ships that docked at Havensite. Through these connections I was able to go aboard a great number of ships and enjoy lunches and dinners. I was on ships like Sagafiord, Vistafiord, Rotterdam, Carla C, Brittanis, Volendam, Europa, Oceanic and many others.

My job involves providing security escorts for ships entering the harbor and security while they are at the pier or anchored out. I take up station just off the ships bow and keep other vessels from interfering with the ships as they make their way in. I go aboard many of them and will be going on a cruise in April on Explorer of the Seas which I have escorted many times and have had numerous lunches aboard her.

I toured the RMS Queen Elizabeth in New York and got lost in the maze of passageways on that great old ship.

[dandylion]

This was my first cruise ship as well. My husband and I sailed in 11/ 68 and i became addicted to cruising from that moment on!

[CGTNORMANDIE]

HI DHM,

 

Sorry I missed this post...it has been a while since I have looked at posts here. If you check in sometime in the future you can locate other posts that refer to the TS BREMEN...and a lot of great memories. I would love to compare notes with you as I also have a lot of history aboard some of the ships you have mentioned.