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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » S.S. Canberra questions

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Topic: S.S. Canberra questions

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 02-04-2003 12:50 AM

Does anyone have any stories they want to share? I was wondering how good/bad was the Canberra compare with the newer ships.

Can anyone believe this is the Canberra?

[ 02-05-2003: Message edited by: Keitaro ]

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

SailMom
First Class Passenger
Member # 1807

posted 02-04-2003 06:29 PM

I have many wonderful memories from the Canberra. My first cruise was aboard the Canberra in 1973..an 8 day itin out of New York and I was only 9. Seemed huge to a kid. I also sailed in 1983 to the Med which was wonderful. We were onboard on the 1st anniversary of the return from Falklands. (Had been scheduled the year before but was obviously cancelled.) Was very interesting as alot of the crew had been there. Anyway totally loved it, made lots of friends and have many wonderful memories/stories to tell my kids! It's just so sad the way she ended up..I hate those pictures.

Posts: 33 | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 02-04-2003 11:05 PM

Was the Canberra the first to have a Promenade deck like the newer ships and with the funnel towards the back for the ship?

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 02-05-2003 12:42 AM

The Southern Cross, now sailing as the Ocean Breeze predates Canberra. She sails from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) every second day to Nassau.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

nzmike
First Class Passenger
Member # 1308

posted 02-05-2003 01:20 AM

Canberra was a wonderful ship. She had a very spacious feel to her and the very advanced layout of her superstructure meant that she easily adapted to cruising. She lacked some facilities such as a decent theatre/show lounge but had superb open deck space and was probably the best sea ship I ever travelled in - very steady and secure. She did show her age in her cabins - many of the former tourist class cabins had shared bathroom facilities. But she was a genuinely beautiful ship that her passengers really seemed to love. It was heartbreaking though probably inevitable that she was broken up. One of my lasting memories of cruising is standing on her prom deck late at night waiting to sail from Auckland and hearing that wonderful steam whistle (which sadly was defunct after 1996) bellowing out....

Posts: 186 | From: Auckland, New Zealand | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 02-05-2003 08:35 AM

I too sailed the Canberra as a teen in 1973.
It was during her big red boat phase and was Topgun's nightmare of being overrrun with children.

I recall her immense size and beauty both inside and out. During a storm with 30' waves, she hit a trough, the wake came up to the boat deck, but the ship did not so much as flinch. The Meridian Lounge, spiral stairway, and Century bar with the colored lights stand out.

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 02-05-2003 11:46 AM

I sailed to Australia twice aboard her. During the long run across the Pacific, I found her outside decks to be ideal for lazing about and soaking up the sun. In particular the large open area forward of the bridge was so peaceful and quiet all the time. Her wrap around promenade deck too was special for me. Both my trip were post Falklands, and each time she was much nicer inside, with alot of money being spent on refreshing the interior, making her more elegant. Not modernizing, just making her feel much more traditional. Friends who had travelled aboard Canberra for decades, said she just kept getting better. It is interesting to hear from "insiders" that much of Canberra's following migrated to Victoria and Arcadia rather than Oriana and Aurora. Apparently they are now not going to the "white ships" as Oceana is being called, but may infact be headed over to Caronia and Saga Rose. I too feel that the Sun Princess class of vessels do not have the "ship" feeling that so many of us crave, but rather leave you with the feeling of being in a California resort. Soon my choices of traditional vessels to sail upon will be very limited, but in the mean time may Noordam, Norway, QE2, and Pacfic Sky continue to sail!

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 02-05-2003 11:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Grant:
It is interesting to hear from "insiders" that much of Canberra's following migrated to Victoria and Arcadia rather than Oriana and Aurora. Apparently they are now not going to the "white ships" as Oceana is being called, but may infact be headed over to Caronia and Saga Rose.

I hate it when mergers happens

. I think some of these furnitures should go to the Royal Princess. Instead of Canberra's old furniture staying in the P&O and Princess fleet, it is going to Cunard (Caronia), which later mean breakers or into other brand(Carnival Cruise Line?). What is the relationship of the Saga Rose and Carnival?

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 02-06-2003 12:29 AM

no common ownership at all. I understand that Saga Holidays owns her, or has a long term charter.
I hate to disagree, but I never have liked Royal Princess, and think that she should have left the fleet years ago. I doubt the British would like her very much, way to much California resort feelings for most Brits. No class whatsoever, just beige bland boring!! Oh forgot the faded green squishy soggy astro turf, tinny stair ladders (hardly staircases), metal handrails, poor aft decks, horrific howling and deafening noises from vent fans on all the forward decks, low ceilings and even ramps in the hallways for some reason! The bathtubs are too small for most dogs let alone passengers, and the cabins are the smallest in the fleet. No tears when she head to India or Pakistan, let the beachs do what should have been done years ago.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Aussie1
First Class Passenger
Member # 25

posted 02-12-2003 06:06 AM

Canberra could never offer the glitz and glammor of today's new ships but if I could still make a choice she would be my preference over any of the new ships. Travelling on the new ships can be a great way to spend a few days, to travel on ships like Canberra was an experience more exciting by far.

Posts: 493 | From: Sydney,NSW, Australia | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

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