I'd have to say that my best cruise was my first. It was aboard the Oceanic (Home Lines) in 1984, before cruising became so mass-market. Back then, it seemed like people took a bit more pride in their appearance and behavior. You didn't see the "wifebeater" T-shirts in the dining room like I've seen on those "Circus" cruise lines. And everyone was happy to be there. No griping about lines, no bartering over liquor prices in the gift shop. Nowadays, it seems like many people aren't happy unless they're complaining about something. I'm sure we've all seen examples of this, afloat and ashore.

Service was better then, too. Crew members and staff (usually of a single nationality) would greet you warmly, sincerely and often by name. Food was authentic and regional, not institutionalized, as it has become.

I think a ship also had a special feel back then, in that she felt like a ship, not a Holiday Inn. Elevators were on the small side and the turbines (anyone remember steam?) were smoother than today's diesels.

One other point that's important to me is that it seems like back then the ship's whistle was sounded each time she left a port. This is definitely not the case any more. While I can understand being courteous to the locals during late-night departures, I've been aboard many ships where we've quietly just eased away from the dock. That deep, bellowing tone still gives me goosebumps and I honestly feel cheated when we don't get to hear it. Don't know what I mean? If you ever get to Port Canaveral on a Sunday, listen to the exchange of salutes between Mariner of the Seas and Disney Wonder (or is it Magic?); you'll know what I mean.

But I haven'( much experience of course

J

PS : About whistles : when Black Watch was leaving Antwerpen, i was waiting on the quayside with my car (it is my way home from work) on the traffic lights, next to the ship, and suddenly there was this big blast on the whistle, I nearly jumped in my car !!

Also when "Rotterdam" left Antwerpen, some years ago, I could hear her whistle, all the way from the quay to my office, which is some KMs away.

When I hear the ships whistle at home, i rush to the beach near by, to see the ship sail by very stately (and surprisingly rather fast) some minutes later. wonderful !!

For this reason, trying to repeat a great experience rarely works, for me. For this reason I try to cruise a different ship each time, a different itinerary and even different cruise line, if possible, depending of price and departure dates etc. (Admittedly it is not always possible).

My best cruise – so far, was probably on Fred Olsen’s ‘Black Watch’. Cruising was still a fairly new experience for me and I was very excited about it. Waiting inside the charming Dover cruise terminal created great expectations. I had so much anticipation while walking down the boarding-tunnel and the ship did not disappoint me.

The ship felt perfect. It was intimate and had so much ‘classic’ charm. Although I can enjoy the big ship experience too, it is easier to ‘love’ a small ship.

The food was great – probably because it was aimed at British tastes. The entertainment was excellent, with the dance troop being a particularly talented bunch of singers and dancers. I had not seen too much ship-board entertainment before, so it felt fresh to me. However, on reflection, after experiencing other cruises, the troop were certainly above average.

The itinerary, a 13 Night Baltic trip may well also turn out to be my best ever? Day after day we visited fascinating cities, the highlight being two days in St. Petersburg. Each port of call was very different so there was no chance of getting bored. These were real Cities, not just man made 'tourist traps'. The return passage through the Kiel Canal was also fascinating, too.

One week cruises are very nice, but on a two week cruise you have time to really get-into shipboard life.

The only negative aspect was that the Olsen clientele were particularly ‘senior’. Some were twice my age! However, I did not let this bother me too much. In fact one particular couple that I met onboard who were in their 70’s were more fun than a couple we met in their 40’s!

My other ‘Best of Times' was the SS Norway’s ‘Final Transatlantic’. Some aspects of the onboard service were not that great, but it was such a thrill to undertake a crossing on a real ex-Ocean Liner. Unforgetable!

[ 12-06-2004: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Exact same place, leaving Bombay, exact same flying fishes, exact same magical and complex sunset colours (albeit 25 years later), twin turbines as well...

The only difference is that it was among by best times at sea but not THE best one.

To sum up, I'm going to use your words as a closing:

"You had to be there"

Indeed...

quote:

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Originally posted by Cambodge:
..on "Laos," 1963 voyage; just at sunset, ghosting quietly through the Indian Ocean out of Bombay, bound for Colombo; mild rolling swells. The twin turbines moving us swiftly and silently without noise or vibration. Six of us at the starboard rail, watching the flying fishes leap out of the wake;...waiting for sunset and watching for the legendary "Green Flash" at sunset. Intently... and there it was! ...a magical instant and lasting memory.

You had to be there.

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This person yes. We were in contact by email for about 18 months after.

When they live 3000 miles away they make fewer mistakes.

We met on the one year anniversary of the breakup of a 10 year relationship. The cruise had exceeded my wildest dreams.

quote:

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Originally posted by mec1:
Desirod - you're not honestly saying that sleeping with the crew is the ultimate cruise experience are you?

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At evening a walk whitte Pieter (thene my partner) and talk about the past day. And take him in my arms and watch the sea and ships go by. One evening we saw the Millenium sailing past 9the whole cruise she sailing past ore was berthed next to us) whitte all here lights on it was very very impressif and magical.

Ben.

[ 12-07-2004: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

1. 16 days on SEA PRINCESS in 1987 from Bangkok to Sydney. Beautiful ship, amazing itinerary, and wonderful friends that remain to this day. Click here for pics.

2. SEA PRINCESS again in 1988 from Honolulu to Vancouver. I met a true love on this sailing which turned into a wonderful multi-year relationship. This cruise was truly like living a dream, and aboard a dream ocean liner.
Click here for pics.

3. REMBRANDT - 15 day crossing from Amsterdam to New York in 1998. Fantastic ship and again fantastic people. Met a guy onboard who has become one of my best friends in the world.
Click here for pics.

The best times for me seem to be on the older, smaller ships where a certain camaraderie forms that just doesn't seem possible on the new, large mega-ships.

Ernie

[ 12-09-2004: Message edited by: eroller ]

quote:

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Originally posted by eroller:
Three cruises stand out as the "best of the

3. REMBRANDT - 15 day crossing from Amsterdam to New York in 1998. Fantastic ship and again fantastic people. Met a guy onboard who has become one of my best friends in the world.
Click here for pics.

The best times for me seem to be on the older, smaller ships where a certain camaraderie forms that just doesn't seem possible on the new, large mega-ships.

Ernie

[ 12-09-2004: Message edited by: eroller ]

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Hi Ernie,

I could not agree more. Love the Rembrandterdam pics. Makes me miss her even more.

quote:

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Originally posted by Cambodge:

But the best voyage was a cruise on "France," NYC to Carribean and return in November, 1972. The only problem was, we had to keep getting off the ship to visit those crummy islands!

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quote:

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3. REMBRANDT - 15 day crossing from Amsterdam to New York in 1998. Fantastic ship and again fantastic people. Met a guy onboard who has become one of my best friends in the world.

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Hi Ernie.

Look at youre pictures off your Rembrandt Cruise the are great. Buth there is one little misstake you made. The cruise was started in Rotterdam and not Amsterdam. The cruise would have departed frome Amsterdam but that night there was a major storm raging over the Netherlands and the North Sea. Therfore the Captain canselled the call at Amsterdam and transfer the passengers to Rotterdam. To angry off Amsterdam officials who where ready to great here on the dockside. And to much joy off the Rotterdammers who where saying the old lady don't want to leave us....... It was a great and sad sight whene she departed Rotterdam.

The last picture is taken in Rotterdam. On the background you see the Erasmus Bridge.

Here a picture witte the same bridge.

Greatings Ben.

[ 12-10-2004: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Maasdam:

Hi Ernie.

Look at youre pictures off your Rembrandt Cruise the are great. Buth there is one little misstake you made. The cruise was started in Rotterdam and not Amsterdam.

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Ben,
You are quite right! Ruth and I actually spent a couple wonderful days in Amsterdam before the cruise .... so for us it did start in Amsterdam! I don't think there is a worse feeling then packing up at the hotel and taking a cab to the pier (of course you are all excited) ... only to find the terminal deserted and no ship! Yikes! Of course we went inside and a Premier Cruises rep filled us in. In no time we were on our way to Rotterdam!

quote:

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Originally posted by Cambodge:

Vaccaro: What ship?

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My apologies Cambodge for my big delay in my reply. I've been awfully busy these days.

I didn't name the ship since that wasn't a passenger ship, thus it doesn't qualify in the original Mec1's topic. That was the aircraft carrier CLEMENCEAU during the Iran-Iraq War in 1987/88 (we've spent 5 days including New Year Eve in Bombay and I then spent more than 10 months there, between Ormuz and Djibouti).

Nevertheless, the location, the situation, the picture and the feeling -"you had to be there"- were nearly the same as yours, that's the reason why I reacted to your post.

quote:

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Originally posted by Cambodge:
This posting should really be in two parts.
1. The best cruise, voyage, whatever. And
2. the best times, moments, and such. I posted a lasting shipboard moment on "Laos."
But the best voyage was a cruise on "France," NYC to Carribean and return in November, 1972. The only problem was, we had to keep getting off the ship to visit those crummy islands!

But, the food, the ship!!...there is no word in English for "ambiance," and I know why!

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For allowing you to forgive my aforementioned delay in responding your question, I played with a little gif-animated for you:

Is ". __" . __" the blinker code for "What Ship?" in the French Navy? I believe it is international.

I was in the Army, but a friend told me to watch for it when ships used their blinkers to talk.

[ 12-14-2004: Message edited by: Cambodge ]