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Jan - In the "olden" days of cruising the had the crew walking around with baskets of streamers and confetti to throw at sail away.....just like on the Love Boat.

We also write to the cruise line after our cruise and mention people by name who have given us great service. We have always gotten a reply stating that the ship has been notified and our comments have been noted on the crew members file.

Debbie - Plus remember at that time you had your choice - inside or a tiny little porthole. There were no balcony cabin.

Things have changed a lot as far as food and service go as well as extra pay amenities. However looking back through my papers I see that we paid very close to $100 per day, per person for that cruise in 1964 in an inside cabin and are not paying a lot more than that today for a balcony. I guess we can see why some cutbacks are necessary to keep the costs down and in my opinion cruising still give you the best value for your dollar.

What memories I have been reliving since reading this forum. The year was 1963 and my two best friends and myself went to see my parents off on a cruise complete with confetti and streamers. We decided on the way home that we would cruise together the next year and within 2 days had booked our first cruise. Inside cabin at the very front of the ship./ We sailed in July of 1964 on the Home Lines Homeric to Nassau. Three teens who had spent an entire year clothes shopping. I think we must have had 5 -r 6 outfits for each of the 7 days. Our parents and friends came aboard to wish us Bon Voyage and it was finally time for us to be on the deck looking down at the dock and waving good=bye. Naturally we were dressed to the nines with the obligatory corsage pinned on our frocks. How has cruising changed? There was only 1 meal seating and you had the same table for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No buffets or extra charge restaurants. Dinner was always very dressy - dress - heals - etc. Jackets and ties for the men. Shorts and jeans were not allowed or even thought of. Dining service had white gloved waiters carrying your entrée on silver domed trays. Chair hogs? No such thing. On the first day you went to the pool deck with $1 in your hand and reserved your deck chair for the week. They had little plates on the back with your chair number. When you went on deck you found your deck steward who moved you chair in the sun, in the shade, wherever you wanted. Our inside cabin was cleaned every time we left the room. Fresh towels, wastebasket empty and ashtrays cleaned. Our room steward knew we were out of the cabin because we did not have key cards - we had an actual key - which you would hang on a board in the hall when you left the cabin. Wow such a different safer time. We sailed to Nassau long before Paradise Island and Atlantis and we tendered in. We walked down a ramp from the side of the ship and then down a ladder into the tender. I don't remember much about Nassau other than the straw market and being reminded continually not to eat any food or drink even water on the Island. We never cruised together again because within 2 years we were all married and busy with our own lives but we have all cruised since then - just not together. I think I have won the prize for the most cruises in our group. It then took me from 1964 to 1977 to convince Jim to cruise. We left New York in a Nor'easter and had 30 - 40 foot seas all the way to Bermuda. He forgave me though and we have been cruising ever since. (Our friends who we cruised with were not so forgiving. :-)

More often than not, we add to the tips at the end of the cruise for great service. When I took my daughter & granddaughter on NCL a few years ago I attempted to have the automatic tips removed from my bill but they told me "it was part of my cruise contract" and couldn't be done. I later found out that was a lie after talking to NCL execs. I did not appreciate the room steward telling me to make up our room ourselves if we wanted it done before 2PM and the waiter in the restaurant telling us kids could not have lobster. Only one other time back in the 1970's on our first (and last) Cunard cruise we had a waiter who did absolutely nothing but yell at his assistant waiter and made him do all the work. We switched their envelopes and gave the Ass't the larger amount.

I stay up much later on a cruise but wake at the same early hour. That is probably why I come home from vacation exhausted and needing another vacation. As much as I try to sleep in there is nothing quite like watching the sunrise at sea

Wishing you blue skies and calm seas as you sail on the Norwegian Dawn John Please share your review with us when you return BON VOYAGE!!!

Wishing you blue skies and calm seas as you sail on the Celebrity Solstice Please share your review with us when you return. BON VOYAGE!!!

Thank for a great blog. I really needed a laugh right now

Rose - Wishing you and Howie a wonderful Anniversary cruise on the Coral Princess. Enjoy this very special celebration We look forward to hearing all about your cruise when you return. BON VOYAGE!!!!

Great review Jan. It sounds like this cruise was everything you hoped and more.

Falina - Wishing you and your friend a wonderful cruise on the Norwegian Jewel. Enjoy every minute of your cruise and please share your review with us when you return. BON VOYAGE!!!!

Wishing you blue skies and calm seas as you sail on the Carnival Imagination Please share your review with us when you return BON VOYAGE!!!!

So sad. How many of us got our desire to cruise by watching the Love Boat on TV every week. I know I did.

Welcome Marci - Great to have you here at Cruise Crazies. Thanks for sharing your story about your first cruise. I look forward to more posts from you.

Thanks for sharing your review of the Radiance Denna. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise

Glad all is going well Jan - enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Wishing you blue skies and calm seas as you sail on the Carnival Fascination. Please share your review with us when you return BON VOYAGE!!!!

Wishing you blue skies and calm seas as you sail on the Carnival Conquest Please share your review with us when you return. BON VOYAGE!!!!

Congratulations Shon - This is well deserved recognition for all you contribute to CruiseCrazies. I really enjoy reading your entries.

Thanks for your very honest review Ray. I'm glad a lot of your cruise lived up to, or exceeded your expectations.

Jan - Wishing you and David blue skies and calm seas as you sail on the Grand Princess. We all look forward to hearing all about your cruise when you return BON VOYAGE!!!

Wishing you blue skies and calm seas as you sail on the Brilliance of the Seas. Please share your review with us when you return BON VOYAGE!!!!

Wishing you blue skies and calm seas as you sail on the Carnival Triumph Please share your review with us when you return. BON VOYAGE!!!!