Who out there remembers the good old days of...

[mr green]

Not sure why John thinks retiring the Norway saved lives. She was certainly getting old and either in need of major renovations (bringing her up to the current SOLAS regulations) or she had to be retired. The ship had an amazing history starting out as the France with an unusal top speed (might have been the fastest cruise liner of her era) with a degree of elegance seldom seen in modern ships. After about 15 years (she was built in 61) the ship just became too expensive to operate because of her excessive fuel use (she was built for speed, not economy). When she was purchased by NCL they did major renovations including the removal of two of her huge engines (am trying to do this from memory). NCL tried to convert her from a true Ocean Liner to a single class cruise ship with mixed reviews. DW and I have cruised on more then 60 different ships and the Norway remains fixed firmly in our minds as one of the most beautiful (inside and out).

 

Hank

 

The engine blew up. At least three crew members died.

 

john

[geoherb]

... At the table preparation, off the menu ordering encouraged, clean dishes in front of you and dinner being served off of huge silver platters, all meals in the dining room, that "little guy" going around through the lounges with the gong announcing dinner time, no casinos, jacket and tie was "informal" every night and strictly enforced, renting deck chairs (which I'm surprised the lines haven't reintroduced), ...

I remember the assistant waiter coming around the table to serve the vegetables on our first cruise back in 1989. And as for renting deck chairs, Princess does it with its Sanctuary space.

[mitsugirly]

I definitely remember those days. Cruising was a lot different. I also remember the bad sea legs I had for days after too. hehe :D

 

One of the things I miss was the midnight buffet and the wonderful display they had. There was so much there to choose from and things that you normally wouldn't order and it gave you the chance to "try" these things just to say you had...octopus or whatever. Those were the days.

 

However, I'm not complaining. I love cruising these days too. After all, it's a chance to get out of this Ohio weather and into the beautiful crystal clear seas. :)

[MamaTene]

I definitely remember those days. Cruising was a lot different. I also remember the bad sea legs I had for days after too. hehe :D

 

One of the things I miss was the midnight buffet and the wonderful display they had. There was so much there to choose from and things that you normally wouldn't order and it gave you the chance to "try" these things just to say you had...octopus or whatever. Those were the days.

 

However, I'm not complaining. I love cruising these days too. After all, it's a chance to get out of this Ohio weather and into the beautiful crystal clear seas. :)

 

I fondly remember great times too! Werent those buffets something else and OMG the ice sculptures were works of art! I especially remember a 5 ft red dragon on the International deck on the Norway centered among all those fabulous dishes!

 

I too am from Ohio so know what you mean about this crazy weather. Canton area here. Where are you located?

[citrusflorida]

Oh yes, I remember those days! We had to save up for years to sail on a passenger ship because even the simplest trip was quite expensive. I couldn't book a balcony cabin because they were only available for the super rich - if they were even available. Only one restaurant, and though the food was good, you were stuck there for every meal - not even a buffet was available. And smoking was allowed everywhere, even in the restaurants, lounges and the tiny showroom.

 

Today, I can cruise three or four times for the same amount of money on a much nicer ship with better amenities. If the food and service is not quite as good as then, it is a reasonable trade off for the affordability that cruising is these days. A person can always book a suite and eat in the specialty restaurants if they want better service and food. Or, for a comparable service and food quality cruise, you could cruise with the luxury lines - and pay the prices they ask for the pleasure of doing so.

 

I have been cruising since the 30s when cruising wasn't even a word yet - ocean liners were the norm, not cruise ships. I like it better today. Today's prices have made it possible for my children and grand children to afford to join me on my cruises, something that would have been impossible a generation ago. That to me is a priceless benefit of today's cruising environment.

 

Well said! When I was a youngster, my parents would never have been able to afford to take us on a cruise for our yearly vacation. Now that I am 45 we cruise with them and our children regularly.

[dominichunter]

Who remembers skeet shooting off the fantail? Or hitting golf balls out to sea?

How about "horse races" around the lido deck?

Or (yuck), the crew throwing garbage overboard?

Yes, still have pictures, '75 Sitmar Fairwind. Top rate entertanment too. Henni Youngman was the comedian. Sarah Vaughan sang on our Sitmar Fairsea MR cruise.

[mitsugirly]

I fondly remember great times too! Werent those buffets something else and OMG the ice sculptures were works of art! I especially remember a 5 ft red dragon on the International deck on the Norway centered among all those fabulous dishes!

 

I too am from Ohio so know what you mean about this crazy weather. Canton area here. Where are you located?

 

I am in Grove City (a town basically within Columbus). :D Hi neighbor! :)

[LV2COOK]

I sailed on the Norway twice....in 1983 and then again in 1994/5 can't remember....

 

Our first cruise was 1982 on the NCL Starward. We paid $1250 pp for an inside cabin. It was a fantastic cruise....a pay as you go bar, bingo, tour etc. Our cabin boy was YUN and I remember every person at our table because we had breakfast lunch and dinner together. I took 2 formals and we dressed every single night for dinner....loved it then. That said it's 30 years later and we can't take 4 checked bags, I no longer wish to "dress" for dinner every night...and certainly prices are way down....I still miss the elegant meals and YUN...but I still have my hubby and we have 33 cruises now.:)