What do you remember most about your very first cruise?

[Host Kewlguy]

You always remember your first and mine was RCI’s Song of America. After entering the ship for the first time, I didn’t think we were on the ship. I thought it was another holding area at the port because it was so enormous. I asked my husband where we should line up to enter the ship!

 

Song of America is still in service sailing in Europe using the name "Thomson Destiny." We saw it docked in Madeira during our transatlantic back in November.

[TRadle]

I remember our first cruise and it was not all that long ago; just six years. We sailed on Century which as since been stretched. We could tell it was an older ship, but that really was okay because she had the feel of those old fashioned ocean liners. The newer ships have the awe factor, but not that old fashioned feel.

I was also shocked at just how small the cabins were but got over it when I realized that every inch of space was well planned. We were able to unpack and store the luggage out of the way.

I knew on that first night at sea that I had found my favorite way to travel. We have done other things in-between the cruises, but it is just not the same as sailing under a full moon. And yes, I do check the lunar calendar for sail dates if I can go whenever.

[QTMichele]

Can I tell you when I get back from my FIRST cruise??? Leaving tomorrow morning for my Sunday embarkation on the Mariner!!! :D

 

PS It's been FUN reading all these replies!! Can't wait to create my own memories!

[Host Kewlguy]

My first cruise was on the Carnival Destiny back in 2000 and I'll never forget it. We were sailing a five night Canada/New England cruise. On the third night of the cruise a woman had a heart attack in the casino and we had to turn the ship around in the middle of the ocean and go back towards St. John, New Brunswick to meet the Canadian Coast Guard to evacuate the woman. This event caused us to be six hours late for our next port of call which was Halifax, Nova Scotia. After leaving Halifax heading back to New York we ran into probably the worst storm I've ever experienced, and I cruise quite often. I won't go into details regarding the severity of this storm except to say nearly everyone on board was feeling sick. It was like a scene from the perfect storm. It was quite an experience for a first time cruiser and if I said I wasn't nervous I'd be lying. My DW was convinced I'd never cruise again after that cruise. I think I've proven her wrong.

[kruzerci]

And yes, I do check the lunar calendar for sail dates if I can go whenever.

 

 

I thought I was the only person crazy enough to do that! Haha. I don't plan my cruise around it, but if it is between two weeks, I pick the one that is closest to a full moon. We will be sailing with a full moon on my Sovereign cruise.

[donnas902]

Wow...

 

Fourth is that we found our cabin was on the extreme other end of the ship from the Kids' center...and we got to carry both girls the length of the ship at the end of each night...

 

I remember how much fun we had...

 

And mostly, I remember feeling disappointed...when we realized that we had to GET OFF...

 

Steve,

Our first cruise was on the Big Red Boat when my son was about 5 years old. He was our best sense of direction when we kept getting lost. I remember picking up at least three tow-headed 5 year old boys at the children's center late one night before we found the right child! Thank goodness the first two never woke up as my husband lifted them only to discover all the kids had on the same shirts.

We are going on our first grown up cruise in 50 days. No children and no parents...yahoo!:)

[maxs mom]

Ours was on our Honeymoon 22 years ago.....Song of America.

 

We had no idea that you could book excursions. We had to scramble to beat everybody to the shore excursions desk to sign up.

 

We hit golf balls off the back of the ship.

 

We entered a skeet shooting contest.

 

We played "Western Quest" and didn't have a clue what that was all about!

 

We had flaming Cherries Jubilee and Baked Alaska.

 

The dress code meant something.

 

All pictures cost $ 5.95.

 

You paid cash for things on board. Drinks and everything!

 

You never saw the cabin steward until the last night.

 

The smaller ships were fabulous!!!!!

[maxs mom]

Sorry.....Double post.

[JENNIEROEBUCK]

I was 15 and went with my family on the Carnival ship "jubilee". I ended up being a judge for the men's sexy dance contest during a beach excurion. I was HORRIFIED!!!! I think I even cried a little.

[JENNIEROEBUCK]

I was 15 and went with my family on the Carnival ship "jubilee". I ended up being a judge for the men's sexy dance contest during a beach excurion. I was HORRIFIED!!!! I think I even cried a little.

[TRadle]

I thought I was the only person crazy enough to do that! Haha. I don't plan my cruise around it, but if it is between two weeks, I pick the one that is closest to a full moon. We will be sailing with a full moon on my Sovereign cruise.

 

 

 

There was only one week when the whole family was available, so there will be no full moon this time.

:(

[packedandready]

Can I tell you when I get back from my FIRST cruise??? Leaving tomorrow morning for my Sunday embarkation on the Mariner!!! :D

 

PS It's been FUN reading all these replies!! Can't wait to create my own memories!

 

 

Have a GREAT time and remember every minute of it:o

[CruiseKeeper]

Song of America is still in service sailing in Europe using the name "Thomson Destiny." We saw it docked in Madeira during our transatlantic back in November.

 

Thanks Kewl.

Coincidence. I was just on Thompsons’ website on Saturday looking the old SOA over on their video. If I had tons of money and vacation time, it would be nice to cruise on her again to reminisce.

[Alexis]

Our first cruise.

Cunard Countess, 17,500 tons, in September 1989.

Our "unwanted escort" for the whole cruise was Hurricane Hugo. :eek: :o

As bad as it was, we still loved it and we have sailed 22 more times since that dreadful first cruise experience. :D

[QQRZZA]

On our first cruise our luggage was left on the dock! Got to buy the worlds most expensive underwesr in Stockholm. Memorable yes; and, despite the wardrobe "malfunction", a great cruise.

[QQRZZA]

On our first cruise, our luggage was left on the dock! Got to buy the worlds most expensive underwear in Stockholm. Memorable yes; and, despite the wardrobe "malfunction", a great cruise.

[trishalee]

Just what is it about the Song of America? She was our first cruise also, and we sailed her again a couple of years later. That first one I was sure we would sink! I know what the previous poster meant about not realizing we were actually ON the ship. Remember how low that lobby ceiling was? Not like the centrums of today. Fourteen cruises later, we love it more each time. Going on the Brilliance in just 10 days!:D

[Mikew0805]

What I remember most is the vomiting overboard!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

 

It was the 17,000 GRT, NCL Southward, and the ocean just tossed her around coming back from Ensenada. I was 16 at the time, and I had paid for my best friend (age 26) at the time who I worked with to come with me. You would have thought that would have ruined me, but I was hooked from the moment I stepped aboard what I thought at the time was a HUGE ship! :o

 

-Mike

[brn2crz]

Mike...My first one was on the Starward...!982...My graduation present.

(way to date your self Cat :rolleyes: )

 

 

Anyway...

I went with my parents and 20 something of their Square Dancing Club...

Yes...I said square dancing :o (note Texas Girl)

There was one other girl my age along...And OMG....The absolute best time of my life...I cried all the way from Houston to Miami,because I was leaving my Boyfriend...Then cried all the way home,cause I was leaving all my new ones :eek: ..

 

Things I remember most...Like Mike said..It felt huge...And I never really did find my way around...Well we had a deep interior room...And I always went the wrong way..

If they had the 2 colored carpet then,and the little ship plaques..I never new.

I remember more risque,Vegas type shows.. I remember 2 wittle teeny pools.I remember hanging out with a lot of the bands,going to their rooms... (strictly innocent) dancing with officers...

The dinning room decorated and festive on 'Viking Night" and the Captains Formal" Flaming Baked Alaska" All you can eat HUGE buffets every Mid-night..Hamburgers Hot Dogs and all you can drink Soda near the main pool everyday...Funny Funny Funny pool games..Basketball and Skeet shooting on deck. Tiny Tiny rooms...Dad had to go in the hall to put his shoes on while Mom & Me finished dressing..Me getting "in"from the night before,while parents were getting up....Sleeping half the day away at the pool... Immigration at San Juan taking forever...The Bridge Tour..

My mean ole Dad never telling us about "shore excursions" ..We just walked around and shopped at the ports.

San Juan,St Thomas,Nassau..and NCL's private out Island .."Little San Salvador" Complimentary drinks at most Jewelry stores in St Thomas..Great Jewlery buys...

Oh gosh...I have gone on enough....But could go on forever..

I loved it then,in the goood ole days..But I love it now...And the great new things and great new ships....

Its all good.

[geoherb]

My first cruise was in 1989--on the Carnivale, which was an old ship at the time. I remember how tiny our inside cabin was, especially the bathroom. There were three of us--with two of us sleeping on a double bed and the third one on a pulldown berth that the cabin steward lowered each night. Fortunately, it was only three nights.

[toriwc]

My first cruise was with my parents and older sister on The Big Red Boat in 87 or 88. I wanted no parts of the kids' program, so I spent three days in the arcade. Reminiscing with my father recently, he told me that he and my mom were so upset that I wouldn't go to the program so they could have some alone time, that he didn't care in the slightest that I spent a couple hundred dollars at the arcade in three days! :) I thought they were just being super nice since we were on vacation! We went to Disney afterward, and made it one day there, hated it, and refused to go back. Spent the next three days at the hotel pool.

 

Now, on my first cruise as an adult, I remember being completely impressed with our cabin steward. Have never had one like him since. There seemed to be so much to do, and I loved all of the ports. Not to say my more recent cruises have been bad, but none have quite lived up to that first one I took as an adult.

[geoherb]

My first cruise was in 1989--on the Carnivale, which was an old ship at the time. I remember how tiny our inside cabin was, especially the bathroom. There were three of us--with two of us sleeping on a double bed and the third one on a pulldown berth that the cabin steward lowered each night. Fortunately, it was only three nights.

[mi3stooges]

My first cruise was in 1988. I worked for Marriott and remember seeing my vacation time vested on my paycheck. Somehow Marriott had a part of Sun Line Cruise Line and as a employee, a discount was exteded to half off.

I always get jealous when I hear of anyone who talks of the upgrade "fairy" and I forget that I was upgraded on that very first cruise. From an inside to an ocean view!!! The whole 10 day trip was $925, and that was a deal. I went with my now sister-in-law.

But what I remember most on that cruise was laying by the "salt" water pool hearing that stupid song "If my friends could see me now"

[scubapuss]

I remember it was the Norway it was the largest ship in the world at the time. I was 19 that was over 20 years go so I don't remember much else.

[golferkinda]

On my first cruise, my now x-husband, informed me that at the next port, he was getting off and getting a divorce. That was the best news I had ever heard. I still had a great time and have been on 5 more cruises. Don't know or care what he is doing now.