Cruise Talk: Did you cruise in the Navy??

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the debut of the all-new Norwegian Aqua to Port Canaveral, Fla. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, where she commenced her inaugural season of round-trip Caribbean cruises as the newest ship in port. This past weekend, approximately 3,700 guests embarked on Norwegian Aqua's first week-long voyage to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Fla., her initial homeport ...

Latest News...Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) today reported first quarter Earnings per Share ("EPS") of $2.70 and Adjusted EPS of $2.71. These results were better than the company's guidance due to stronger than expected pricing on close-in demand and lower costs mainly due to timing. Royal Caribbean said that it is increasing its full year 2025 Adjusted EPS guidance to $14.55 to $15.55...

Latest News...Holland America Line announced itineraries for its two Grand Voyages sailing in 2027, offering guests the choice to embark on an ambitious 129-day circumnavigation of the globe on the 2027 Grand World Voyage or a 70-day, region-specific in-depth exploration on the Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage. As revealed today by the cruise line's president Beth Bodensteiner to guests on board...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Mid-Ships Lounge » Did you cruise in the Navy??

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Did you cruise in the Navy??

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 11-10-2011 11:33 AM

Besides being an avid pleasure cruiser have you served in the Navy(any country) ? If so when and where did you go?
I went on 2 carriers (Ranger and Yorktown 57-60. )7 months on each, deployed with 2 squadrons.VAAW35 and VAW11.
Went to the Far East. WESTPAC.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Westerdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 2093

posted 11-21-2011 03:47 PM

I served on the USS Shreveport LPD-12 from Mid April of 1997 until March of 2001. In total I did two deployments of 13 months to the Med, Black Sea, and the Persian Gulf. There were also a few trips to Canada and Florida inbetween deployments. It was an interesting experience to say the least!

Westerdam/Nathan

Posts: 329 | From: Waukegan, Illinois | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 11-21-2011 05:53 PM

My family lived in Rio de Janeiro for a couple of years in the late 1960's and we had lots of visits from US Navy ships. The sailors always seemed to be having a good time when they came ashore.

I am wondering what you guys thought were the best ports to have liberty and why?

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 11-22-2011 03:54 AM

Where the best girls were

Isn't that most places?

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 11-23-2011 01:12 AM

I only served 12 years. Some of you may remember THIS THREAD where I posted a few pictures I took during my years in the US Navy.

As far as favorite 'ports of call'? Most of the countries home to my favorites ports fall in Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. I think it had to do with the amazing culture, great food, and beautiful people. All wonderful. All amazing.

I also loved Hawaii. We stopped there at the beginning, and end, of each of my four Pacific deployments.

Other favorite ports of call include Mombassa (photo safari to Amboseli National Park), Diego Garcia (gorgeous atoll), and Rio de Janeiro (during Carnival).

Any some favorite places I visited during my tour in the Navy: Egypt (10 days of breathtaking history), Italy (stationed there for 2 years), Germany (twice during Octoberfest), and two 2-week long Eurail Pass train rides through Europe (loved Amsterdam!) and Paris (ooh la la).

I must say the Navy was good to me when it came to world travel. And it was at one time their recruiting motto:

Join the Navy, see the World!

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

Westerdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 2093

posted 12-12-2011 01:09 PM

@ Joe One of the best ports I was ever to was Valletta Malta. My ship docked there for the 1999-2000 Christmas/New Year Holidays. It was a non stop party while we were docked there. Especially on New Year's Eve. I have never seen anything like it before or since. That night the majority of the locals were dressed in either suits or dinner jackets for the men and the women were all in cocktail dresses or evening gowns. It was just a non stop party everywhere you went! Needless to say I will never forget it as long as I live!

A second port that was really outstanding but for different reasons was Aqaba, Jordan. I was required to do lots of work with the locals there and spent lots of time with them. It really gave me an in depth look at the area and the local culture.

@ Pam M Yes, there was lots of that for many along with where was the nearest place to get a drink. It was a shame as all many did was go out and get drunk or find the nearest place where they could find a girl "on the game" if you will and they never saw or did much of anything beyond that. To each his own I suppose!

Nathan

Posts: 329 | From: Waukegan, Illinois | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...