How has cruising changed over the years?

[ckrobyn]

I'm really curious about this.....

I started cruising in 2005 and all I had to go on was what seasoned cruisers would tell me....

There was talk about absolute luxury, extraordinary fine dining, enormous extravagant buffet ( no shortage of seafood!) , incredible amenities in the staterooms including lovely full size body lotions etc....

It seems to me that times have changed....

Can someone take me on a trip down memory lane? :o

[AAAAmerican]

Life, love and cruising is what we make of it.. or now more pay for it.;)

 

With so many different ships plying the waterways you have so many choices where you want your money to be deposited at....

 

:eek:

 

Hindsight is always perfect....:rolleyes:

[Bruin Steve]

I'm really curious about this.....

I started cruising in 2005 and all I had to go on was what seasoned cruisers would tell me....

There was talk about absolute luxury, extraordinary fine dining, enormous extravagant buffet ( no shortage of seafood!) , incredible amenities in the staterooms including lovely full size body lotions etc....

It seems to me that times have changed....

Can someone take me on a trip down memory lane? :o

 

First time I ever set foot on a cruise ship was a Princess ship in LA Harbor back in the 60s...I was a kid and, no, I wasn't going...

In those days, they let passengers invite guests onto the ship to their suites for "Bon Voyage" parties (Security wasn't the issue it is today)...and my extremely wealthy uncle and aunt were going...

 

But, in those days, that's who cruised...there weren't the number of ships we have today, the prices were high and the ships didn't have the incredible amenities they do now...And, in those days, a 30,000 gross ton ship was considered HUGE...The ships had formal dining rooms and walkaround promenade decks and were pretty much geared to adults...

 

When I started cruising in the late 80s, I recall extravagant midnight buffets EVERY NIGHT...and an incredible line-up of round-the-clock food...

But the ships were still relatively small...and you certainly didn't have all those fun amenities...You maybe had a small pool and a shuffleboard court up on the top deck...

 

And the idea of cruising still hadn't caught on with the public at large...

 

What has really changed is the size of the market, the accessibility to everyone...all socio-econiomic groups--well maybe not all, but a much wider range...including working class people with families...

 

The options are greater--more ships, more itineraries...

 

And prices are actually DOWN...just a lot more competition...

Of course, there are some negatives with that--the cruise lines have become more commercial, hawking more extras at extra cost...Years ago, they would never have brought on Ben & Jerry's or Johnny Rockets at an EXTRA CHARGE...and they've cut a lot of other costs in hidden ways...like less food--like the disappearance of the Midnight Buffet...

 

That's just what comes to mind right now...

[ckrobyn]

Why did the cruise lines do away with the midnight buffets on all nights except for one? Was this a cost cutting measure?

[Little Feet]

From what I have read about cruising in the past....not too much is the same. There are lots of improvements....for instance now we all have our own bathrooms! Hard as it is to imagine, some of the older cruise ships had rooms that were more like a dormatory arrangement. A few of the cruise magazines have had articles on the styles of cruising through history, and it is a hoot! We are WAY more comfortable now....and more affordable.

[QueenOfKruz]

DH and I started cruising 20 years ago on our honeymoon on the old Song of Norway. What has changed? The size of the ships definitely - and it's a double-edged sword. With the larger ships came more lavish entertainment - 20 years ago the "entertainment" was provided by the cruise staff - singing, dancing some magic, etc. nothing like the production shows these days. The ship's amentities are also far beyond what we experienced in the "old days". On the down side, with more and more passengers the "personal" feeling is now gone. You used to be able to get to know the cruise director and his/her staff, meet up with the same people over and over, but just because of the shear numbers this is mostly a thing of the past. That said, I think that cruising is within more people's means today. The number of ships and cabins available has brought the costs down when compared to 20 years ago. We just celebrated our 20th anniversary on Radiance of the Seas....and hope to celebrate our 30th on another new, beautiful ship.

[Murphy]

Our first cruise was in 89 on the Carnival Festival. It was an old ocean liner type ship. Every cabin was unique and the cabin sizes weren't standardized like they are today. We had a cabin all the way to the bow of the ship, so our cabin was basically triangular shaped. You couldn't open the bathroom door, unless you were to the left of the bed or you couldn't get in. I LOVED IT!

 

Back then the dining seemed more true 7-course. There was a dedicated Pasta course that I loved.

 

Also, way back then they could do a lot of things they can't do now for insurance and fire hazard risks. The formal night always included a Baked Alaska parade where flaming baked alaskas were carried around on top of all the waiters heads. The Maitre'd came to every table and did different flaming desserts or coffees or other show-stopping table service. Unfortunately, there were some accidents along the way, one which happened on a cruise we were on, and these theatrics have become all but extinct.

 

The shows now are much better though, much more upscale. Used to be there was a juggler, magician, comedian and one or two production show on each cruise. While these still show up, I think things have gotten better in this arena.

[Rala]

I used to like the cheese course that was offered between the entree and dessert. (sometimes it was my dessert!). Also, there was a sommelier to serve each table and they were very knowledgeable about the wines they offered. The food WAS better, not that it is bad now because it isn't, but it was of a higher quality in years past. And now for the kicker..... it was MORE EXPENSIVE to cruise years ago than it is now!!! Our first balcony cabin about 15 years ago on NCL was just under $4000 including airfare for two on a 7-night Caribbean cruise. This Nov. we are on a very similar cruise (Serenade) for just under $2000(same things included). Granted we did get about $500 in discounts, but even so it is still less money. We have been cruising for about 25 years and although some things have changed, we still love it!!!

[Murphy]

I used to like the cheese course that was offered between the entree and dessert. (sometimes it was my dessert!). Also, there was a sommelier to serve each table and they were very knowledgeable about the wines they offered. The food WAS better, not that it is bad now because it isn't, but it was of a higher quality in years past. And now for the kicker..... it was MORE EXPENSIVE to cruise years ago than it is now!!! Our first balcony cabin about 15 years ago on NCL was just under $4000 including airfare for two on a 7-night Caribbean cruise. This Nov. we are on a very similar cruise (Serenade) for just under $2000(same things included). Granted we did get about $500 in discounts, but even so it is still less money. We have been cruising for about 25 years and although some things have changed, we still love it!!!

Rala, you can still order the cheese course! It's listed with the desserts, but my DH likes it as an appetizer. We tell the waiter the first night and it is waiting for us every night after that!

[sea-cruise]

There use to be a fleet of "Regency Lines" ships. We sailed on the Regent Sun, Regent Sea, and Regent Star. The food was gourmet, service was high quality, and accomodations were very good. The bathtubs were very deep and wide; dressers & furniture were oak parquet, there were midnight buffets nightly, the food on the lido deck in the cafe was top-shelf (papaya, guava, leechee nuts, steamship roast beef, crab legs, custard tarts with fresh berries, etc.) It was comparable to Holland America (We sailed on the Noordam, Amsterdam, & Westerdam after her stretch).

The only thing I didn't like about the old ships, was once when we were leaving from NY City (Regent Sea) on a repositioning cruise, we were standing on deck and the black soot was falling on everyone and ruining our clothes. On that ship, we had an outside cabin with double portholes near the front of the ship. Pricewise, it's much cheaper now. I remember paying $1,400.00 pp for an inside cabin on our first HAL cruise in the mid 1980's.

Food was better, shows were not as grand, and dance floors were huge compared to those now. I'd rather cruise now because of the low prices.

[ckrobyn]

Wow! Thanks for all the neat insight into cruises of yesteryear :o

I especially liked the post that said guests used to be allowed onboard to say bon voyage to their family or friends - imagine that now? NOT!

I did hear that the quality of the food served was much better in the past - I guess in the sense of elaborate seafood buffets with mountains of shrimp and lobster - now we have to ask IF lobster will be served on our cruise! Times have changed huh?

I never looked into cruising before 2005 - so all I know are today's prices which I think are very reasonable for what I believe to be an all-inclusive vacation (minus alcohol of course!)

Have the cabin attendants, stateroom amenities changed over the years?

[Murphy]

Robyn, for me the "magic" of the cabin attendant has vanished. I don't know if service is really less or if I just figured it all out after all these years. It seemed on our first couple cruises the cabin attendant magically appear EVERY time we left the cabin. It "was" our honeymoon, so we were in the cabin a lot :) and it either just seemed like he knew when we left and remade up the cabin, or our timing was just according to his schedule. Every time he saw us he would smile and say "ahhh, honeymooners..."

 

Now, it seems much more regimented. They come in once in the morning and again after dinner. There really doesn't seem to be anyone around in the afternoon at all. Maybe I'm just jaded over the years, but it really seemed like there was someone around to refresh the ice around 4:00 or so. Not now...

[ckrobyn]

I kind of thought the service on the ships was probably more attentive then as opposed to now - maybe less pax? I don't know......

 

I get the feeling sometimes that the cruise lines have gotten cheap - I was completely shocked to learn on my first cruise that soda was at an additional cost - I mean c'mon, fountain soda???? Even though prices have come down significantly, I believe the cruise lines could at least make soda free......? Look at all the Pepsi drinkers they could convert? :rolleyes:

[Bell Ringer]

We sailed on the Emerald Seas ( Admiral cruise line) in Nov. '91 for our 25th anniversary. The thing that I remember most of that experience was that the CD, Asst.CD, Hostess, and other front desk employees were also the entertainers! Our CD on that cruise was RC's Kirk Detweiler and he was everywhere!

A four night cruise was more expensive than most of our seven night cruises in the last few years! 8 cruises later, we certainly enjoy all of them.

[LAKaye]

I remember that years ago, airfare was usually included in the price of the cruise. I may have paid a base rate of $1500.00 per person for a seven day Caribbean cruise, but that figure included coach air fare, along with soda, and higher quality food (with more and better chocolate in those desserts and a midnight buffet every night...).

 

Now for the same money, I do have to fly myself there. However, now my stateroom has a balcony.

 

There have been some minuses, but also a lot of plusses in the changes over the years.

 

Leslie

[SLH]

Why did the cruise lines do away with the midnight buffets on all nights except for one? Was this a cost cutting measure?

I think a lot of food was wasted at the midnight buffets. I would go to have a look and would be amazed at the quantities of food on display. Since there are snacks available everynight it seems like 1 or 2 midnight buffets are enough. Perhaps having less also makes them more special.

Another difference, back in the 1980's the dress code was stricter and formal nights were just that.

[DeepWaterMariner]

My first cruise was in 1968 and have cruised almost yearly, now multiple times a year, ever since. There have been many changes, some good and some not so hot.

 

I may be that I was just more inexperienced years ago, but it seems that the service staff was much more professional. In those days you might be cruising on a transatlantic liner that was doing Caribbean cruises during the winter months. On those ships the menu was overwhelming. Besides the usual appetizers, soups, salads, entres, and desserts, there were cold meats, fruit and nuts, cheeses of awsome variety, and more choices. Veggies were served separetly on a silver tray where you choose which you wanted (that particular facet continued on cruise ships up through the 1980's). Midnight buffets existed each evening but I only recall one truely gala buffet.

 

Ships were very reflective of their nationality. If you were on a Greek ship you could expect Greek specialties on the menu. Ordering some entres were an adventure, just like eating out in Europe.

 

You could expect to be served bouillon on deck in the morning and ice tea in the afternoon.

 

Entertainment was mostly cabaret style with the cruise director providing entertainment on certain nights. The first production shows I saw on ships were on Royal Caribbean in the early 80's.

 

Ships were smaller and so were cabins. Todays cabins are larger and better appointed.

 

There was less to spend money on besides drinks and they could be downright cheap if you were on the right ship. Spas and casinos were non-existent.

 

Years ago there was a good chance you would be the only cruise ship in a particular port, as long as it wasn't St Thomas.

 

There were very few if any pitches to get you to spend money in the shops, spas (didn't exist), casinos, etc.

 

Ships today have better accomodations, balconys, and better entertainment. They also have real fitness centers and other ways to keep us entertained like rock climbing walls, swimming pool slides, etc. They also have a lot more ways to get us to spend money once we are onboard.

[cruznsugs]

My husband was on Queen of Bermuda in the 80's . He talks about many things one being bringing family members on board before leaving. Some changes are for the best. He remembers a nightly practice of garbage being thrown off the back of the ship. It was an event , everyone used to watch . Especially when the sharks came. Another is skeet shooting. Oh and golf balls being hit off the back.

[mohavemommy]

My first cruise was in 1986 on Carnival's Carnivale.

 

My cabin was only large enough to hold a double bed, small dresser and one chair. Nothing else. When the bathroom door was open it hit the edge of the bed. It was an oceanview cabin with one porthole for a window and you had to crawl up on the chair to see out of it. The bathroom was smaller than my closet is today and was dark. If the bathroom door was not latched, you could lay in bed and watch it sway open... smack the bed... then swing shut... and not latch... then swing open... well... you get the picture.

 

Where was the wonderful food for me?? When I embarked, there was no food out anywhere and when I asked about it I was told that there were peanuts in one of the bars, but that no food would be served until after we sailed.... so off to the bar I went for my peanut buffet. On the sea days in the afternoon there was a buffet out on deck. I got in line one day just as it was being brough out only to reach the front of the line as they ran out... and was told they were not bringing out any more. I did call room service once... and they never did show up. With all that said, I never did go hungry... there were always the peanuts and dinner in the evening!

 

There were 4 small swimming pools on deck and one inside swimming pool. I never did go in any of them as the water was a funny color of green all of the time.

 

I swear I am NOT making this stuff up!

 

The funny thing is... I had a great time. A cruise is mostly what you make of it and I will always have a warm place in my heart for that one. :p

[CallieS]

I remember my first few cruises were in the mid '80s when I was in elementary school. The lowest level passenger cabins were BELOW sea level, and this is where we always stayed. There were huge metal doors that we would walk through to get to the stairs. Being curious, I asked my parents what they were, and they said that if something happened to the ship, these airtight doors would close in order to keep the ship afloat. And if the alarms sounded and we didn't make it past the doors in time, we'd be locked down there FOREVER!!:eek: Needless to say, cruising frightened me and it took me twenty years to get over it. Thank goodness even the cheapest cabins are above water now. ;)

 

P.S. I also remember the skeet shooting and hitting golf balls off the back of the ship.

[rsscaptain]

My experiance does not go back that far in time, but it certainly does when it comes to changes. I won a cruise! Whooo hoooo! (What at scam) My buddy Joann decided to come with me. I won an inside cabin on the Big Red Boat. and I had to pay the taxes and port charges, which were about $199, then they called to UPGRADE us, so we ended up paying $400 and we still had a very compact inside cabin that we could barely walk around at the same time. To be honest it was one of the best times of my life!

 

I can't comment on the food because I don't remember what we ate. (fishing family, we ate gobs of lobster and fish when we couldn't afford hamburger, LOL)

 

To make a long story short, the people that cruised this ship, or many of them, cruised it often, and they all knew each other. Guests to guest, and staff to guests we on a first named basis. There were many elderly people on this ship and I loved every one of them. I was about 34 and my GF was 40. They took us under their wing, and they were soooo fun! It seems everwhere we went there was a shout out for us! The entertainers toyed with us, and called us out to the spotlight, the captain invited us to dine with him, and we were given a bridge tour, and a bottle of champagne. It got to the point that we would go to our cabin and belly laugh over the fact that we felt like royalty. One day Joe was late getting ready and walked into the lounge and the comedian had me on a chair, asking me questions and making fun of me, (in a good way) and she walked in and just busted up laughing!

 

Well a year later we went to go on a Carnival cruise with my brother and his wife. As we were standing in a massive line we were surrounded by the younger generation of "cute and fuzzy bunnies". Joann turned to me and said, "I don't think we will have the same experiance on this ship!" She was right, we didn't! LOL

 

The Big Red Boat, was not at all grand, but I loved the charm and the fact that everyone knew everyone. Does anyone know if it's still sailing?

[Rala]

MURPHY !! Thanks for the tip about the cheese! I'm going to look for it on our Serenade cruise in Nov.. I've never noticed it before, but I was probably focusing on the chocolate "stuff" !!

[Rala]

The BIG RED BOAT was my very first cruise. I think its real name was Oceanic with Premier Cruise Line. We sailed her when it was affiliated with Disney. At the time I was very impressed having no basis for comparison. I would love to know if she is still cruising as well!

[ckrobyn]

I want to thank you all for sharing some incredible stories about cruises from the past - I can't believe that garbage was thrown off the back of the ships! :eek: I guess that's why we have the Save the Waves program now.....?

It sounds as if the cabins were substantially smaller then, than they are now....not sure I would have been able to deal with that!

How was the boarding process? Were the lines as long? I know security wasn't an issue then - what sort of documentation did you need to board the ship?

Did you use a sea pass like we do today for onboard purchases???

[rsscaptain]

Yes, it was the Disney boat, that's what we learned to. It was very quaint. Maybe someone will know if it's still out there? by the way...where do cruise ships go when they are done?

 

Cruise heaven? LOL