A SEA OF MEMORIES - Part 1

[DaCruzNut]

(I originally posted this on the “old board,†and it was went astray when Jason upgraded Crazies. Since then, several people have asked me to re-post it, and, in addition, we have many new members who never got to read it. I’ve edited, and updated it, slightly.)

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A SEA OF MEMORIES by Jeff Stern

(Copyright 2002-Jeffrey R. Stern)

PART 1 - DEDICATION; PROLOGUE; INTRODUCTION

DEDICATION:

To my two Lisa’s, who encouraged me to put pen to paper (or, fingers to keys….) and write about my cruise memories….

And, so, I took the first step of a journey that would lead me down a new path. I was not, however, aware of the fact that the trek had begun.

Then, on a rainy Saturday, in February, 2002, I was in a nostalgic mood, and wrote a post, once again, about the Britanis. This one was a bit more detailed, than the one above, and filled a full page.

About a month later, Lisa63 entered a post, directed to me, asking if I had any more cruise reminiscences. Well, having, as all men do, an enormous ego, and lots of memories, this prompted me to write about the s/s Dolphin IV, another favorite.

I was, completely, amazed at the number of posts, and e-mails, I received, from people who, apparently, enjoyed my memories. After all, I was the one that had the fun of reliving those moments, by recalling them, and writing them down; so much fun, in fact, that I seem to have gotten carried away.

And, so, what follows, is just a small part of the memories which and I have pull together.

INTRODUCTION

It wasn’t TOO long ago, on September 16, 1989, I took my first cruise. However, it could have been a lifetime ago. An industry that changed very little, in over three decades, was about to undergo, a sudden, drastic transformation.

Up until the early nineties, almost all of the cruise ships were converted ocean liners. They were all refurbished, reconfigured, and some basic changes made. All first, second and steerage class differences disappeared, and they became one-class. Pools were added, usually at he stern of the upper deck; casinos were added, also, and other minor changes made.

Carnival was the first to devise, and build, a ship designed solely for cruising. It was the beginning of the “Cruise Era.†But, the basic blueprint was based on the converted ocean liners. The hulls remained the same shape, and the general configuration was similar. The major differences were that they were built as single-class ships, so you had easy access to all of the public areas. Pool decks were larger, to accommodate more people.

While they were all “cruise ship,†they still maintained the feel of an ocean liner.

The cruise experience was pretty traditional, also. You had breakfast, lunch and dinner at the main, or late, seating. You could have breakfast and lunch at a buffet area, but most people didn’t. Dinner was dinner; no options.

Formal night was something that almost all of the passengers observed, and tuxedos or dark business suits, for the men, gowns for the ladies, were the norm. And, you kept them on all evening….

Daytime entertainment consisted of bingo, horse racing, and ice carving demonstrations.

There was also fruit & vegetable carving, trivia and napkin folding.

Let’s not forget the pool games! Ah, the memories of stuffing pineapples, and other assorted fruit, into my Speedo…. Or, guzzling a bottle of beer, eating a cracker and trying to whistle, “Dixie!†They’re right; travel is broadening.

Of course, you could always choose to just sit by the pool and read a good book.

Then, the explosion happened! New ships, holding twice as many passengers, and designed specifically for Caribbean cruising began to appear. Bigger and bigger they got! A mega-liner at 45,000 grt soon became small, compared to the 70,000 grt super-liners. Finally, the floating cities, at 100,000 grt+, came on the scene.

Cruising was changed forever! I’m not going to take a side as to whether it has changed for the better, or worse. I could probably argue either side, effectively. In fact, as I relate my stories, you will see that I have had wonderful experiences on the tiny Caribe I as well as the Triumph and Grand Princess. I have equal, but very different reasons, for enjoying a cruise on a small ship and doing so on a large ship. Each offers a different, but still great, experience.

In the same vein, I’m not going to rate the ships, or cruise lines, or describe the ships in any great detail. If that is what you need, I highly recommend the Berlitz Guide To Cruises. It’s probably the best of all of the many I have read.

What I do want to do, is to convey some of my experiences, with cruising, and to share some memories of the old time, traditional ships, and cruises, of, oh, so long, ago…

That “..oh, so long ago…,†for me, began on September 16, 1989. That was when I first sailed, and began the odyssey that has led me to fifty-five cruises, on sixteen cruise lines; all to the Caribbean, eastern, western and southern. All, with one exception, sailing from the Port of Miami, or Port Everglades. The single exception was the time I left from San Juan.

My story, however, starts many years before “distant past†of 1989……

[sailinglisa]

It is back!!! YES!!!!!

And as one of the "two Lisa's" I thank you for publishing this again, and I promise this time I will print it out!

[DaCruzNut]

For those of you who may be curious, the other "Lisa" is "Lisa63" who also a Crazie! You have them to blame for this!

[Lisa63]

I will gladly shoulder part of the "blame." :)

[GottaCruz]

A great big thank you to Lisa63 and sailinglisa for encouraging Jeff to do this . I am so happy to be able to read the "Sea of Memories" right from the beginning. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to post this, Jeff . I really enjoyed reading it before and will love reading it again. Sincerely, Cheryl :kiss:

[DaCruzNut]

"Part 2 - To The Ship, To The Ship," is now posted....

[Bibb]

Always interesting, Jeff. I'm glad I have a copy that I can read whenever I want. :smiley:

Bibb

[DaCruzNut]

Hi, Bibb!

I treasure the copy you made for me, as much as I treasure having you as a friend....

I often look at the book, and read the wonderful things my friends at Cruise-@ddicts wrote in it... I can't believe it was just over a year ago!

Nice to see you, again!

:smiley:

[DaCruzNut]

Part 3 of A Sea of Memories has now been posted….

[DaCruzNut]

A SEA OF MEMORIES – PART 4: ‘FIRST THERE’S THE FOOD,â€Â

HAS NOW BEEN POSTED…..