Great Cruising Memories

[ryndam]

From a West Indies (aka Caribbean) cruise on the Leonardo da Vinci in August 1974, r/t NYC. My parents were in a first class cabin up on Boat Deck. My brother and I were relegated to an indoor, bunk bed room below the waterline on the depths of C Deck.

 

I remember this cruise very well; when we left NYC, President Nixon was in office. He resigned the presidency on our way back to NYC. There were very, very few televisions onboard the ship. And certainly no satellite connections. The captain brought the ship as close to the Virginia coast as safely possible so a TV signal could be beamed onboard. I remember half the ship huddled around a couple of TV sets in the cocktail lounge, watching a grainy picture of President Nixon in the Oval Office addressing the Nation.

 

I unearthed some miscellaneous ephemera shared below. Enjoy!

 

Rob

 

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, ryndam said:

I unearthed some miscellaneous ephemera shared below. Enjoy!

 

Enjoy?  Indeed!  I surely wish I would have been able to sail on an Italian Line ship!

 

Two items stood out to me:  The Entertainment Program:  11 Band members and 5 singers.  When was that size of an entertainment group last seen aboard a ship?  

 

The Dinner menu which listed Entrecote as an entree.  I'll bet if I had ordered that on the Leonardo da Vinci, I would have been served what I ordered.  On QE2 when I ordered that entree for lunch on the day we sailed from Southampton, I was served beef liver.  When I told the Steward that "this is not what I ordered", I was "educated" by him that "this is what Entrecote is."  

[shipgeeks]

rka, thank you for starting this thread, and thank you to the contributors.

We sailed on Rotterdam in 1998, when she was Rembrandt.  Wonderful cruise!  Our cabin assignment had been upgraded; we were amazed at the amount of storage space - an entire long wall - with specialized storage areas for items such as large hats.

We danced in the Ritz Carlton, to a live orchestra.  We had afternoon tea - in suits and ties - there as well.  It was there that the moniker "shipgeeks" was born, due to the enthusiasm and vast knowledge shown by three other passengers with whom we spent some time.

I remember the colors of the seating in the Smoking Lounge, because I had a print dress with all those colors.  DH said he lost me there; he couldn't see me in my camouflage.

We were booked for another Rembrandt cruise, as well as one on Eugenio C the following year.  Sadly, neither happened, as Premier Cruises folded on the eve of our cruise.  Fortunately, we did get to sail on their Island Breeze, SeaBreeze, and OceanBreeze.  Nice ships.

More thoughts to come.....

[rkacruiser]

30 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

I remember the colors of the seating in the Smoking Lounge, 

 

Can't explain why I feel this way, but the Smoking Room on Rotterdam V, aka Rembrandt, was a favorite room on the ship.  When I sailed on her in 1970, my first cruise, there was a Sky Room Bar at the very top of the ship.  People watching memories during my patronizing that Bar remain vivid.  

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Thank you thank you thank you Ryndam.  OHHHHH the memories are so thick I’ll have to sit here and meditate!  
 

Tony Craig was the CD on our Leonardo cruise from NY in 1976.  We were 27 years old and traveling with two other couples who were good friends of ours.  We had a ball.  
 Love those Italian Line menus.  The Italian specialties were so good.  Our waiters would alert us to the best dishes.  The pasta was so good we would get a dish up at the pool buffet around Noon and then order more at lunch in the DR around 1:30 PM.  There were lunches where we would order something special a day in advance.  The waiters would do table side preparation...soooo good!  There was nothing like the Italian Line and there never will be again.  To this day we use our cruise on the Leonardo DaVinci as our yard stick to measure all others.  
 

The entertainment was nice and the bands were great.  The best part of the evening was the opening of the Atlantic Night Club at 11:00 PM.  That’s when the party snapped into high gear.  The live band always opened with Volari.  When I think of the Italian ships I can hear volari...lol.   

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Speaking of the Atlantic Night Club...

We were young and energetic back in 1976 so spending the night in the Atlantic Night Club was required behavior.  We loved to dance and the live band was great...they could do any type of music.  The very first night we were in the club we were invited to join an Italian gentleman to sit in his private section that was ministered over by one special waiter named Pasquale.  Antonio was a bit older and he truly enjoyed La Dolce Vita.  He sat in his private section every night in the Atlantic Night Club.  He only drank one thing....Moët et Chandon White Star Champagne.  He loved dancing with our wives and we were happy to indulge his athletic propensities as Pasquale poured unlimited amounts of Moët.  It was not unusual to go through an entire case of Champagne each night.  Antonio invited us to sit with him every night for that 10 night cruise!  Antonio lived on the ship 3 months every year.  He preferred the Leonardo Da Vinci over the newer Raffaello and  Michelangelo.  Pasquale told me that Antonio’s Champagne bill would be in the thousands every month.  Around 1:00 AM Pasquale would appear with a special cake soaked in rum. He would serve it to us thereby enhancing the already pleasant feeling brought upon us by the Moët.  Every night pizza was served at 2:00 AM and it was the best pizza I ever had.  Antonio told us we could drink as much Moët as we wanted and we would never feel the effects the next morning.  To our amazement...we found out that he was right...unbelievable!  Thanks to Antonio...we had a cruise that will live on in our memories forever.  
 

We would usually wander off to bed as the sun was about to rise...

Edited August 22, 2020 by CGTNORMANDIE

[rkacruiser]

17 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

 The pasta was so good we would get a dish up at the pool buffet around Noon and then order more at lunch in the DR around 1:30 PM.

 

Breakfast, mid-morning bouillion, lunch, tea, snacks at HH, dinner, followed by Midnight Buffet:  in my younger years, I had "no problem" consuming such amount of food.  (It seems you didn't either.)  And the food was always so good!  Certainly cannot do so at this point in my life!

[CGTNORMANDIE]

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Breakfast, mid-morning bouillion, lunch, tea, snacks at HH, dinner, followed by Midnight Buffet:  in my younger years, I had "no problem" consuming such amount of food.  (It seems you didn't either.)  And the food was always so good!  Certainly cannot do so at this point in my life!

LOL...it’s been a long time since those days RK.  The food was incredible.  I remember the breakfast that was served on the Leonardo.  They even had breakfast steak!  Now all we can do is look at it.

[George C]

I did another Italian ship but not the Italian line in 1979 Marconi ten day cruise out of nyc doubt I still have a menu but excellent food .

[rkacruiser]

16 hours ago, George C said:

I did another Italian ship but not the Italian line in 1979 Marconi ten day cruise out of nyc doubt I still have a menu but excellent food .

 

I am remembering that the Marconi was being operated by the successor to the Italian Line when the Italian Line ran into financial difficulties.  Maybe the company was called "Italian International...."?  The Leonardo da Vinci was part of that outfit for awhile, I am fairly certain.  

[CGTNORMANDIE]

20 hours ago, George C said:

I did another Italian ship but not the Italian line in 1979 Marconi ten day cruise out of nyc doubt I still have a menu but excellent food .

 

I sailed on the sister ship Gallilao in 1984 when it had just been sold to Chandris.   Chandris Fantasy Cruises transitioned into their new company...Celebrity.  I was actually sitting next to the Chandris people in a lounge as they were planning the reconstruction. The Gallilao  became the Meridian which was the first ship in the Celebrity fleet.   
 

[George C]

The Marconi then was sold to Costa and renamed Costa Riviera And I sailed her in mid 1980’s , Costa always offered a four course meal the extra course was a pasta course . 

[ryndam]

20 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 The Leonardo da Vinci was part of that outfit for awhile, I am fairly certain.  

 

As soon as her trans-Atlantic duties had completed in June 1976, the ship joined her former fleetmates, the Michelangelo and Raffaello, and was withdrawn from service and laid up at La Spezia.

 

In 1977 there was a reprieve and she was transferred to “Italia Crociere Internationali”

(ICI), Genoa.  Costa Cruises operated as ICI’s general agents. The Leonardo da Vinci commenced cruises from Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau on three and four day cruises staying overnight berthed in the Bahamas. Unfortunately, the Leonardo da Vinci would actually consume more fuel while berthed in port than most other ships would consume while under full speed at sea. Her cruising career to the Bahamas was short lived and she returned to La Spezia, Italy on September 23, 1978 where ICI had her laid up again.

 

The Leonardo da Vinci remained laid up at La Spezia for two years, but then suddenly a fire erupted aboard the ship on July 4, 1980. She burned for four days and then capsized. The actual cause of the fire has never been ascertained. ICI was paid the ship's insured value, which was in excess of its final scrap value.

 

 

[marco]

Ah...the memories!!!!   Several sailings to Italy on the Colombo, DaViinci, Raffaello and MichaelAngelo, and at least a 1/2 dozen cruises.  It was like being in Italy for a week before you even got there! And being 1st generation...it was glorious sailing on an Italian staffed ship!  All Italian crew, staff, officers.  And the same for the Home Lines.  Several sailings on the Oceanic, a couple on the Atlantic and the newer Homeric.  Dinners served off of silver platters onto a clean plate,  an alcoholic beverage for $1.25.  Wooden horse races after dinner.  I remember when there were no casinos on a ship and then the Oceanic had a tiny room with maybe a dozen slot machines.  The best memories were the bon voyage parties on the ship.  Twice as many visitors as passengers.  On the Italian staffed ships:  All ashore who's going ashore...la nave e en partenza".  Crowds on the deck and on the dock throwing streamers and confetti, the bands on the deck. The horn blowing in response to the tugs helping the ship out of the dock, and the ship "backing out" turning, and sailing down the river with the Manhattan skyline on one side and eventually  the Statue of Liberty on the other.  Dressing every night for dinner.  And we'd often go down to the pier on sailing days just to go aboard to "check out" some of the ships, even though we did not know anyone sailing.  A couple of years ago we thought, "lets try Crystal...maybe it's like cruising was"  Nice as it was, I don't think there is ANYTHING like the way cruising was. I wish I was as proficient in posting photos as I have several containers up in the attic of cruise memorabilia.  Menus, programs, bar guide (with prices) brochures, souvenirs, post cards...the list could go on and on.  Some things however, have not changed.....sitting on an open deck, looking out onto the sea, watching the sun rise or set and just listening to the peace and quite of the world passing by.  And that's why we continue to cruise.....changes and all!

[rkacruiser]

4 hours ago, ryndam said:

As soon as her trans-Atlantic duties had completed in June 1976,

 

I sailed from Port Everglades in February, 1975 on a Caribbean cruise and I remember Leonardo da Vinci being docked at the pier across the harbor from where my Statendam was.  She must have still been under the Italian Line flag.   

[rkacruiser]

4 hours ago, ryndam said:

The Leonardo da Vinci remained laid up at La Spezia for two years, but then suddenly a fire erupted aboard the ship on July 4, 1980. She burned for four days and then capsized. The actual cause of the fire has never been ascertained. ICI was paid the ship's insured value, which was in excess of its final scrap value.

 

 

Such sad photos!  I knew she had been lost due to a fire, but I have never viewed the photos.  I remember the brochures that showed such lovely interiors.  

[rkacruiser]

3 hours ago, marco said:

Dinners served off of silver platters onto a clean plate,

 

Yes!  And, I can recall witnessing a Steward who lost control of his silver platter as he was serving a woman dressed in a low backed formal gown when I was on Rotterdam V.  She got a "back coating" of au jus!

 

3 hours ago, marco said:

 Some things however, have not changed.....sitting on an open deck, looking out onto the sea, watching the sun rise or set and just listening to the peace and quite of the world passing by.  And that's why we continue to cruise.....changes and all!

 

Me too!  And, I'd add the beauty and majesty of the night sky on a clear night!

[CGTNORMANDIE]

5 hours ago, marco said:

Ah...the memories!!!!   Several sailings to Italy on the Colombo, DaViinci, Raffaello and MichaelAngelo, and at least a 1/2 dozen cruises.  It was like being in Italy for a week before you even got there! And being 1st generation...it was glorious sailing on an Italian staffed ship!  All Italian crew, staff, officers.  And the same for the Home Lines.  Several sailings on the Oceanic, a couple on the Atlantic and the newer Homeric.  Dinners served off of silver platters onto a clean plate,  an alcoholic beverage for $1.25.  Wooden horse races after dinner.  I remember when there were no casinos on a ship and then the Oceanic had a tiny room with maybe a dozen slot machines.  The best memories were the bon voyage parties on the ship.  Twice as many visitors as passengers.  On the Italian staffed ships:  All ashore who's going ashore...la nave e en partenza".  Crowds on the deck and on the dock throwing streamers and confetti, the bands on the deck. The horn blowing in response to the tugs helping the ship out of the dock, and the ship "backing out" turning, and sailing down the river with the Manhattan skyline on one side and eventually  the Statue of Liberty on the other.  Dressing every night for dinner.  And we'd often go down to the pier on sailing days just to go aboard to "check out" some of the ships, even though we did not know anyone sailing.  A couple of years ago we thought, "lets try Crystal...maybe it's like cruising was"  Nice as it was, I don't think there is ANYTHING like the way cruising was. I wish I was as proficient in posting photos as I have several containers up in the attic of cruise memorabilia.  Menus, programs, bar guide (with prices) brochures, souvenirs, post cards...the list could go on and on.  Some things however, have not changed.....sitting on an open deck, looking out onto the sea, watching the sun rise or set and just listening to the peace and quite of the world passing by.  And that's why we continue to cruise.....changes and all!

Thank you Marco.  I do wish you could post some pictures.  I love ocean liner memorabilia and Italian Line items would be well received here.  “La nave e en partenza...the sheep is leeving”...lol.  There is nothing available that could reproduce that golden era.  I think it had a lot to do with the crews.  Each ship had its own nationality and the crews were so well trained.  The Italians made it look easy because the experience you received was the way they lived.  On the French Line they called the rhythm onboard  “L’atmosphere Transat”.  They said it happened when the entire crew was working in sync with the ship.  We will never see anything like that again.  Although I have to mention that our last cruise on MSC Divina in the Yacht Club brought back a lot of those good feelings!  The service was superb.  

[marco]

CGTNormandie:  We've sailed the past 3 yrs on  the Divina for the 32nd anniversary of the "Friends and Family Annual Winter Caribbean Cruise" and we LOVED it.  It's the closest thing to the Italian Line of old, officers are mostly Italian, crew however, though most accommodating, is not.  We had planned on our 2021 cruise to be on the Divina again, but alas......there will be no 2021 winter cruise. I enjoy the diverse mix of passengers on MSC and as Mark Twain said "Travel is the enemy of ignorance".

[George C]

16 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

Thank you Marco.  I do wish you could post some pictures.  I love ocean liner memorabilia and Italian Line items would be well received here.  “La nave e en partenza...the sheep is leeving”...lol.  There is nothing available that could reproduce that golden era.  I think it had a lot to do with the crews.  Each ship had its own nationality and the crews were so well trained.  The Italians made it look easy because the experience you received was the way they lived.  On the French Line they called the rhythm onboard  “L’atmosphere Transat”.  They said it happened when the entire crew was working in sync with the ship.  We will never see anything like that again.  Although I have to mention that our last cruise on MSC Divina in the Yacht Club brought back a lot of those good feelings!  The service was superb.  

We loved our MSC seaside yacht club cruise in November was supposed to do it again this November but canceled, will definitely do msc YC again. 

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, marco said:

 It's the closest thing to the Italian Line of old, officers are mostly Italian, crew however, though most accommodating, is not.  We had planned on our 2021 cruise to be on the Divina again, but alas......there will be no 2021 winter cruise. I enjoy the diverse mix of passengers on MSC and as Mark Twain said "Travel is the enemy of ignorance".

 

On Meraviglia, the Senior Officers were all Italian and, as you said, a large percentage of the hotel staff were quite international.  My YC Butler was from Madagascar and his assistant was a charming Filipino.  YC Restaurant staff seemed to be more of Italian nationality than the hotel staff that I encountered elsewhere on the ship.  The YC Lounge Bartender was of undetermined, by me, nationality.  (I was not "fond" of him.)  The YC Lounge Butlers seemed to be very international as well.  I enjoyed the "mix".  Carnival's hotel staff are quite international, but Meraviglia's seemed to be more so--and certainly more than HAL.

 

Our CD was an American, a very experienced CD who worked for many years for HAL.  He was great!

 

"Travel is the enemy of ignorance."  I would add to that quote "and prejudice".  

 

 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

13 hours ago, marco said:

CGTNormandie:  We've sailed the past 3 yrs on  the Divina for the 32nd anniversary of the "Friends and Family Annual Winter Caribbean Cruise" and we LOVED it.  It's the closest thing to the Italian Line of old, officers are mostly Italian, crew however, though most accommodating, is not.  We had planned on our 2021 cruise to be on the Divina again, but alas......there will be no 2021 winter cruise. I enjoy the diverse mix of passengers on MSC and as Mark Twain said "Travel is the enemy of ignorance".

Hi Marco,
Great to hear you love the Divina.  We had one of the best cruises ever.  The service started when we arrived with our luggage and didn’t stop until we hit the sidewalk in Miami.  I have high hopes for MSC that they will continue to offer a wonderful experience in the YC.  Sorry to hear that you won’t be cruising in the winter of 21.  How about a fall cruise in 2021?  I think we will all be ready by that time.  I believe George can tell us how spectacular Seaside was for him.  I am quietly praying that we will be able to resume cruising sooner than later.  I should be ready by then...I’m waiting for a new kidney.

 

”Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness...”

Mark Twain

Edited August 28, 2020 by CGTNORMANDIE

[George C]

17 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

On Meraviglia, the Senior Officers were all Italian and, as you said, a large percentage of the hotel staff were quite international.  My YC Butler was from Madagascar and his assistant was a charming Filipino.  YC Restaurant staff seemed to be more of Italian nationality than the hotel staff that I encountered elsewhere on the ship.  The YC Lounge Bartender was of undetermined, by me, nationality.  (I was not "fond" of him.)  The YC Lounge Butlers seemed to be very international as well.  I enjoyed the "mix".  Carnival's hotel staff are quite international, but Meraviglia's seemed to be more so--and certainly more than HAL.

 

Our CD was an American, a very experienced CD who worked for many years for HAL.  He was great!

 

"Travel is the enemy of ignorance."  I would add to that quote "and prejudice".  

 

 

We were on MSC Seaside and had a few chances to talk to their Italian captain who was very friendly, during our conversation I mentioned the Melody which we cruised decades ago and he was also on that ship, that was originally home lines Atlantic. 

[marco]

Our first introduction to MSC was also the "Melody" I think it was in 2001 or 2002.  Yes, it was the former Home Lines :"Atlantic".  Do you know if it Is it still sailing, either as part of the MSC fleet or some other?

[George C]

40 minutes ago, marco said:

Our first introduction to MSC was also the "Melody" I think it was in 2001 or 2002.  Yes, it was the former Home Lines :"Atlantic".  Do you know if it Is it still sailing, either as part of the MSC fleet or some other?

No it was scrapped, was a very nice ship at the time miss Home lines also, wish we had more cruise ships leaving from nyc , do not care for carnival or ncl.  I believe the Atlantic was the last ship I sailed when still living in. Nyc. Still like to cruise from Nyc even though I live in Texas, since we normally visit there every year for the shows and restaurants.