How has cruising changed over the years?

[ckrobyn]

You guys are all amazing!

Thanks for sharing your memories - I really feel as if I now know what cruising was like........way back when ;)

I truly appreciate all your responses.......:)

[caviargal]

I had forgotten about the printed menus that were given to all passengers as souveneirs! There were so many personal touches back then.

 

On my first cruise I was 9 and my brother 8. My mom saw a sign in Miami advertising a new cruise line to the Bahamas (we were there on a family vacation from NJ). We drove up to the pier and were onboard an hour later, all five of us. We went every single year after that for six years and paid between 69 and 99 a person.

 

Mom and Dad were big into dancing and the nightclub on the ship always had a top notch band.

 

One of the waiters befriended my little brother and would take him fishing off the back of the boat when we were in port. It was great fun for my brother and he looked forward to it every year.

 

My dad was a chef so he would hang out in the galley sometimes. The Maitre'D was from the same town in Italy my grandfather was born in so they bonded instantly, spoke Italian the whole cruise (the staff was almost exclusively Italian then) and he would come to visit us in NJ when he was on vacation.

 

It was a safer world as these days many of these things simply could not happen.

 

My memories of those days are simply wonderful and I miss the "feeling" of sailing on true lines like the Doric and Oceanic where you truly felt the adventure of being at sea. Much of that has been taken away with the new ships size and design.

 

When I cruise for pleasure these days, it is on the smaller ships as these are the one that deliver the closest experience to what my view is of the perfect cruise.

[jebl]

I started cruising in 1998 so I missed the "old days" too. However, when I did start, I had all sorts of ideas about the glamour of cruising from watching "An Affair To Remember". Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant dressed to the nines every night. Even their daytime casual dress was anything but. Guess I thought doing a transatlantic cruise was the most elegant thing you could do. I can remember being disappointed when we set sail on the Monarch that we weren't given paper streamers to throw towards those waving goodbye on the docks. (Of course, I don't think there WAS anyone waving goodbye from the docks.)

 

On my first cruise in 86 we did get paper streamers for sailaway. There we all were, lined up along the rails, the band was playing rousing songs, and as the ship's horn blared and we started to move, we all threw our streamers and waved, just like in the movies. Only there were only two dock workers on the pier and they didn't even look up. I sure do miss that though. Even in 90 on my second cruise, we had streamers. That was on the Nordic Prince which was a smaller ship.

 

Now, when you sail out of Miami, you can wave to all of the tourists lining the channel. Seems a lot of folks like to pull off the road and watch the parade of ships go out .

 

I haven't sailed anything larger than Radiance class and really have no desire to. I would do it if the price and itinerary were what I really wanted. I figured if I wanted a mall I only have to go 2 miles from home to get to a brand new one. And I don't ice skate or roller blade at my age.

 

I also miss the pool games that they used to play. Not just the Belly Flop or Sexy Legs contests. Ther was one called Spoon Diving that was fun. A handful of silverware was thrown in the pool and contestants had to cive in and gather as much as possible in a given time . Each piece had a different point value and the one who gathered the most points won. I also saw a version of this game with plactic fruit and only women could play. You had to stuff the fruit in you suit in the time given.

[ckrobyn]

I always wondered if confetti or paper streamers were used by passengers on the ship during sailaway - or if that was only on the Love Boat :rolleyes:

 

Did anyone actually sail on the Love Boat? The one that was used on the TV show????

 

Did you meet Captain Stubing? :p

[DeepWaterMariner]

In order to have a bon voyage with streamers and an actual crowd on the pier you needed to sail out of NYC back when visitors were allowed onboard. Our first several cruises were out of NYC and there was always a crowd there, either for a bon voyage party onboard or just to tour the ship. They would stick around on the pier for the sailaway, complete with a band on deck and lots of cheering and waving goodbye.

 

I drove my mother and father to NYC for their first cruise and my wife and I went onboard to see them off. An aunt and uncle also showed up with their kids because they couldn't believe that my dad was actually going on a real vacation. We waved from the pier until the ship pulled away. Just about every pier looks deserted these days.

[Honey's Gal]

Oh the memories you all have brought back. the midnight buffets, the tour of the kitchen. The ships were smaller, the cabins were so tiny and you had to step up and over to get thru a door. The doors were extremely heavy, remember? I also remember the dining room was had such low ceilings, nothing like todays ships.

 

Yes, the Captain was at dinner quite often, and so were many officers.

 

Our first sailing was in 1986 on the Costa cruise line. What a great trip that was, but your first is always special! We would have plates of procuitto and cheese on the table when we arrived for dinner, every night. Once they knew we liked something, it just appeared all the time

 

We still enjoy cruising today and many things have changed but not necessarily for the worse. We adapt as we do to ageing and enjoy....Ahh the memories.

[caviargal]

Oh the memories you all have brought back. the midnight buffets' date=' the tour of the kitchen. The ships were smaller, the cabins were so tiny and you had to step up and over to get thru a door. The doors were extremely heavy, remember? I also remember the dining room was had such low ceilings, nothing like todays ships.

 

Yes, the Captain was at dinner quite often, and so were many officers.

 

Our first sailing was in 1986 on the Costa cruise line. What a great trip that was, but your first is always special! We would have plates of procuitto and cheese on the table when we arrived for dinner, every night. Once they knew we liked something, it just appeared all the time

.[/quote']

 

I used to love Costa but they are no longer any resemblance to what they used to be:(.

 

Your comment about the size of the rooms reminded me of the ever present door thresholds. You had to step over them to get in and out of the cabins, remember? And then I would catch myself doing the same for a day or two after getting back home.

[sea-cruise]

I always wondered if confetti or paper streamers were used by passengers on the ship during sailaway - or if that was only on the Love Boat :rolleyes:

 

Did anyone actually sail on the Love Boat? The one that was used on the TV show????

 

Did you meet Captain Stubing? :p

 

We sailed on the Island Princess, which was the twin to the Pacific Princess. They used both in filming the show, but the Pacific Princess was the one that the show was "about". Didn't meet "Capt Stubing".

I wrote somewhere else on these boards a while back about the time we sailed in a hurricane, and the machine fell over (as well as the bar stools) in the casino. The casino was in a tiny "alleyway" along the portside stern. Not many machines in those earlier days.

I've REALLY enjoyed everyone's posts on this thread! So much fun to read about the past. I remember that there was no kareoke, but there was always a talent show! What fun!

BTW....I read the post about the gift pack of menus and have been looking for ours, but no luck.

[Sue L]

I always wondered if confetti or paper streamers were used by passengers on the ship during sailaway - or if that was only on the Love Boat :rolleyes:

 

Did anyone actually sail on the Love Boat? The one that was used on the TV show????

 

Did you meet Captain Stubing? :p

 

 

 

I got to meet Captain Stubing he was on one of my first Princess sailings and they had a photograph session. I still have the picture and it is a great memory because I used to love that show and it was one of the things that prompted us to take our first cruise.

[butterfly2]

Our first cruise was on the S.S. Brittanis. At the time of our sailing back in the late 80's, the S.S. Brittanis was the oldest sailing passenger ship at sea. It was a wonderful trip.

 

The service was shall I say.....OUTSTANDING! The dining room food, and midnight buffets were delicious works of art. Everyone was treated like royalty. The main ship officers were mostly Greek, along with a lot of the dining room staff. Each dinner was an event not to be missed. ALL passangers dressed to the nines. Formal night was mostly attended by people wearing tux and long gownds.

 

Our staterooms were little holes. The sink was in the stateroom, The toilet and dinky shower was in a little cubicle, your bathroom. There was no place to plug in a blowdryer in your stateroom. To dry your hair you went to a long rectangular hallway that had one long mirror all the way down the wall. A small shelf underlined the long mirror to put your brush or comb on. Lots of ladies came to this hall in their robes or pajammas to dry their hair, or put on their makeup.

 

The entertainment was some Vegas type dancers, and the CD who was also the purser I do believe. The main showroom was floor level and very small.

 

The decks outside were all teakwood. Not many activities going on.

 

I have heard that this ship sunk on its way to the scrapyard.

[ckrobyn]

I got to meet Captain Stubing he was on one of my first Princess sailings and they had a photograph session. I still have the picture and it is a great memory because I used to love that show and it was one of the things that prompted us to take our first cruise.

 

OMG Sue! I was just kidding when I asked if anyone had really met him...never expecting that someone actually sailed with him! Thanks for sharing! :D

[goldmom]

Boy, this thread really brings back memories. My DH sailed out of NYC on a TA every December. He remembers them putting ropes out in the hallways and wetting down the tablecloths so the dishes wouldn't slide when the seas were rough.

 

I also remember the Skeet shooting and golfing off the back. We often sailed on the NAC Sagafjord. Dinner was very elegant. There were not the range of activities you have now. I recall the casino was 2 blackjack tables and about 20 slot machines. We got a guest list in our cabin when we boarded, which gave everyone's home address and cabin #. We would also get a gift on our bed each night before a port day. A tote bag, an ashtray, a ship's picture and umbrella, etc. You pretty much knew everyone on board and made your own fun.

 

However, I think the cabins are certainly nicer now especially with the balconies and the ships are much larger and have more activities, especially for children.

[TXRed]

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!

 

OHMYGAWD! the BIG RED BOAT was our ONLY BAD cruise....we sailed on her inaugural cruise out of Houston.....had I known what was to come I would never have gotten on the ship.....we were told it was newly redone, qall new soft goods, bath robes given to the guests, gourmet foods and chocolate.......to make a long sad story short so as to not have nightmares.....we were in 5 cabins in 24 hours..NONE with a/c.....luckier than many who were sleeping in the hall ways and on deck chairs.....we finally wound up in a cabin with a fan, paper peeling off the walls and the head of the bed propped up on wood....threadbare towels and sheets......had it not been for cheese, boiled eggs, a little fruit...bananas mainly and bread we would have starved....our first stop was Playa del Carmen.....we couldn't wait to get off the ship and headed straight from Senor Frogs for food....REAL FOOD!!!!..........wound up buying food to take back on the ship, took the last ferry possible to Cozumel where we HAD to get back on the ship.....we were loaded down with food to take back with us as were our companions.... After many phone calls, letters and an article written by the travel reporter at the Hosuton Chronicle....we were told our entire cost would be refunded...2 days later the ship was siezed in Cozumel......hahaha...never did get that refund!! Last I remember hearing it was taken to the Bahamas and left to rot..... Oh yes, I got a new cruise agent too! ;-)

[ckrobyn]

OHMYGAWD! the BIG RED BOAT was our ONLY BAD cruise....we sailed on her inaugural cruise out of Houston.....had I known what was to come I would never have gotten on the ship.....we were told it was newly redone, qall new soft goods, bath robes given to the guests, gourmet foods and chocolate.......to make a long sad story short so as to not have nightmares.....we were in 5 cabins in 24 hours..NONE with a/c.....luckier than many who were sleeping in the hall ways and on deck chairs.....we finally wound up in a cabin with a fan, paper peeling off the walls and the head of the bed propped up on wood....threadbare towels and sheets......had it not been for cheese, boiled eggs, a little fruit...bananas mainly and bread we would have starved....our first stop was Playa del Carmen.....we couldn't wait to get off the ship and headed straight from Senor Frogs for food....REAL FOOD!!!!..........wound up buying food to take back on the ship, took the last ferry possible to Cozumel where we HAD to get back on the ship.....we were loaded down with food to take back with us as were our companions.... After many phone calls, letters and an article written by the travel reporter at the Hosuton Chronicle....we were told our entire cost would be refunded...2 days later the ship was siezed in Cozumel......hahaha...never did get that refund!! Last I remember hearing it was taken to the Bahamas and left to rot..... Oh yes, I got a new cruise agent too! ;-)

 

Holy smokes! That sounds like it was the cruise from H*LL! :eek:

[sea-cruise]

Our staterooms were little holes. The sink was in the stateroom, The toilet and dinky shower was in a little cubicle, your bathroom. There was no place to plug in a blowdryer in your stateroom. To dry your hair you went to a long rectangular hallway that had one long mirror all the way down the wall. A small shelf underlined the long mirror to put your brush or comb on. Lots of ladies came to this hall in their robes or pajammas to dry their hair, or put on their makeup.

 

Wow....I never experienced that! It must have been a fun way to meet other ladies though!! Much bonding can be done with no makeup and plastered down hair!:eek:

[sea-cruise]

I got to meet Captain Stubing he was on one of my first Princess sailings and they had a photograph session. I still have the picture and it is a great memory because I used to love that show and it was one of the things that prompted us to take our first cruise.

 

Sue...What a Wonderful souvenier of cruising!!!

[zuscruiserz]

I also miss the pool games that they used to play. Not just the Belly Flop or Sexy Legs contests. Ther was one called Spoon Diving that was fun. A handful of silverware was thrown in the pool and contestants had to cive in and gather as much as possible in a given time . Each piece had a different point value and the one who gathered the most points won. I also saw a version of this game with plactic fruit and only women could play. You had to stuff the fruit in you suit in the time given.

 

 

I remember the pool games! My brother and I were just adolescents when our parents took us on our first cruise back in 1976 (the original Princess "Love Boat"). He and I were on the swim team back home, so were pretty good at holding our breath, and we loved these games!!! I also remember throwing streamers off the back of the ship, the "all visitors ashore" announcements, skeet-shooting, golf ball driving contests, and VERY SMALL staterooms with bunk beds - lol!

 

We also learned at a young age how to use appropriate silverware, dress nicely for dinner every night (only long dresses for me on formal nights), sit still while the adults finished their 7-course meal, and were encouraged to try anything different that appeared on the menu (that's where I first fell in love with escargots and frog legs - YUM!). Cherries Jubilee was brought to the table, and "flamed" in front of us, Baked Alaska paraded thru the dining room, and real china and silver graced every mealtime.

 

My cousin (who was 15 at the time of our 2nd cruise - Song of Norway's inaugural cruise, still have the etched champagne glass) had won big at cards with the adults, and both my dad and my uncle had to "borrow" from him to pay their tips at the end of the cruise - lol! I wonder if he ever got the money back :confused: .

 

Cruising has sure changed since then, but I know that I couldn't afford to cruise as often as I do with our kids with the prices of yesteryear, so I am grateful for some of these improvements. Some memories are filed at the back of my mind for times such as these - but they're not gonna stop me from enjoying our next (hopefully many) cruises!

[Son of a Cruiser]

ckrobin - thanks for bringing back so many memories!

 

Guess I'll share a few as well. Our first cruise was in 1978 on Holland America's SS Veendam (yep - a real steam ship that started as the SS Brasil and ended as the Commadore SS Enchanted Seas) The cruise was a 14 day roundtrip from Miami, but we were only booked on the second week - something that was not uncommen in those days. We flew on a charter flight from Miami to Aruba to begin our voyage and a lifetime of a love for the sea and cruising. Really neat to sail from the southern Caribbean on a 7 day cruise. The ship had low ceilings throughout - no atriums or promenades - and as others have noted a tiny casino (two whole blackjack tables) and a tiny little disco. She had one pool at the stern that was only about 8' x 15'. But she was surrounded by a genuine teak deck!! She only carried about 750 passengers and the rooms were tiny. The entertainment was mostly cruise staff or local talent from the islands. And the show lounge was about the size of the Schooner Bar on a Voyager class ship tioday. But she was our ship for that magical week we thought she was AMAZING!!

 

And SERVICE!!! I will recount just a couple incidents for a sense of what it was like. Dinners were five star, with real china, real sterling silverware,custom printed daily menus (which were given as souveniers at the end of the cruise) and a fresh floral bouquet on the table each evening. And yes, everyone dressed for the occasion, because that's indeed what each night was - an occasion!! Each table had its own waiter and assistant waiter, so there was constant attention - never had to ask for anything. One night I ordered a seafood entree. As I finished our waiter removed my plate and said "Your from Texas - you need steak!!", and he placed a huge strip steak in front of me cooked just as I had ordered a different steak a few nights earlier. And yes I did eat the whole thing!!:p Recently my wife and I sailed on the Mariner and ate at Chops. When dinner was over, we both said the same thing - "This is what it used to be like everynight in the dining room!!"

 

There were no automatic doors onboard, but we never opened a door in a public area - there was always a doorman to open the doors and wish you a good day!! Needless to say we were hooked.

 

It was on this cruise that we met a gentleman on the first evening of the cruise. Guess he could tell by our deer in the headlights look that this was our first cruise. He asked, "First Cruise?" Yep. Then he summed up the entire cruise experience and I've never forgotten it and appreciate it everytime we cruise. He said " Well, let me tell you what cruising is all about. You do exactly what you want to do, for as long as you want to do it, and NOTHING else!!!"

 

Enough said:D!

[TXRed]

Holy smokes! That sounds like it was the cruise from H*LL! :eek:

 

that is exactly how we refer to it....THE CRUISE FROM HELL!!! But we look at it like nothing will ever be that bad again so we don't sweat the small stuff on a cruise.....everyone is unique and different for us...whether it be our tablemates, ports of calls, etc.....we are certainly not cruise experts....our thaksgiving cruise will be our 8th...so we discover something new everytime we cruise....

[ckrobyn]

Son of a Cruiser - Thanks so much for sharing your story!

 

I think we should consider compiling a book of all these wonderful memories......:)

[Nurse Daybreak]

OHMYGAWD! the BIG RED BOAT was our ONLY BAD cruise....we sailed on her inaugural cruise out of Houston.....had I known what was to come I would never have gotten on the ship.....we were told it was newly redone, qall new soft goods, bath robes given to the guests, gourmet foods and chocolate.......to make a long sad story short so as to not have nightmares.....we were in 5 cabins in 24 hours..NONE with a/c.....luckier than many who were sleeping in the hall ways and on deck chairs.....we finally wound up in a cabin with a fan, paper peeling off the walls and the head of the bed propped up on wood....threadbare towels and sheets......had it not been for cheese, boiled eggs, a little fruit...bananas mainly and bread we would have starved....our first stop was Playa del Carmen.....we couldn't wait to get off the ship and headed straight from Senor Frogs for food....REAL FOOD!!!!..........wound up buying food to take back on the ship, took the last ferry possible to Cozumel where we HAD to get back on the ship.....we were loaded down with food to take back with us as were our companions.... After many phone calls, letters and an article written by the travel reporter at the Hosuton Chronicle....we were told our entire cost would be refunded...2 days later the ship was siezed in Cozumel......hahaha...never did get that refund!! Last I remember hearing it was taken to the Bahamas and left to rot..... Oh yes, I got a new cruise agent too! ;-)

 

When was that, we cruised her March of "88 and it looked fabulous by yesterday's standards.

[ckrobyn]

NurseDayBreak - I am having a brain freeze ....were we on the AOS together last January???

[Luckyladym]

On April 15, 2007, my DH and i will sail on our 50th cruise. Our very first one was in 1980 on the Stella Solaris (Sun Lines) round trip from Athens. It had taken a long time for me to convince him that he would enjoy a cruise, and now 26 years later all we both want to do is sail away.

 

This thread has brought back many memories of things gone but not forgotten. We have tried lots of cruise lines...and many of the memories of other posters were particular to certain ships.

The Home Lines (Oceanic, Doric, Homeric and Atlantic) painted the hulls Red...thus starting The Big Red Boats. Holland America vessels had Navy Hulls. We have sailed on both the old Rotterdam and the new one...great ships both.

 

On the Vistafjord, tea was served in all the public rooms in the late afternoon...you couldn't escape the wonderful cookies...even poolside. I also remember writing wish notes and fastening them to their beautiful Xmas Tree which they tossed into the sea on Xmas Day. New Years Eve at sea was really special.

 

Lots more to remember but this is getting too long, and I want to mention some things about the ships today. There is no question that demographics have influenced what is available and who cruises today. The mass market ships are definitely inviting familes to sail, providing childrens facilities, large balconies on some aft staterooms, and more food appealing to all palates.

 

If you take the time to do the research everyone can find a cruise that suits their taste. Carnival is not for everyone (we did enjoy the Celebration) nor is Crystal (we did enjoy the Harmony) but we have found great joy in Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and others. So here's to happy cruising and wonderful friends from this website.

[Luckyladym]

Memory slip up...

 

the Vistafjord tossed the tree into the sea on New Year's Day...not Xmas Day, and all of the wishes were supposed to come true.

[ckrobyn]

Memory slip up...

 

the Vistafjord tossed the tree into the sea on New Year's Day...not Xmas Day, and all of the wishes were supposed to come true.

 

Did they? :rolleyes: If you wished for many more cruises I think they did!

 

WOW! 50 cruises......that is truly incredible! Thanks for sharing your story!:)