Jump to content

When was your first cruise you took?


goldenrod
 Share

Recommended Posts

It was around 1976 or so on the Regina Magna, 7 nights from Omaha for about $250 per person--flight included. Hmmm--Regina Magna doesn't sound quite right, but it's close! Greek line owned by Onasis. It was a great cruise--lobster tails the size of our dinner plates--and more than one if we wanted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1983 - Eastern Carib with my Parents (I was 16) NCL, but don't remember which ship, but I do remember we sat at the Captains table along with football player from Tampa Bay.

 

I was hooked at 16. Guess there were worse things to get hooked on at that age. Took my second cruise less than a year later with my Grandparents and my friend...Mexico at Spring Break with two 16 year olds...enough said.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First cruise was a TA in the 50's with my parents on one of the "Queens." Mom was not interested in flying [NY, Gander, Scotland, etc.] so Dad agreed to mix business with vacation in England. I have vague memories of leaving from Commonwealth Pier in Boston, me in my Sunday best and Mom in her fur wrap. We did a few more crossings after that, then Mom and Dad started flying to Europe and I got to stay home.

 

Fast forward a few decades, DH and I, took our first "cruise" together on HAL, the Volendam - about 1983? Even then, the age difference aboard was significant, but I didn't care - we were on a cruise! As the ship was leaving Ft. Lauderdale, I struck up a conversation with the woman standing by the rail next to me. We were tossing streamers and confetti! A few minutes later both our husbands came walking across the deck, side-by-side carrying our bon voyage foo-foo drinks. We had a great time in spite of no balcony rooms, no TV and set dining times where we dressed every night for dinner.

 

Here's the best part..... The couple we met on the Volendam were from CT and now live in Boca - we are meeting them on the Coral Princess this weekend for a Panama Canal cruise!

Darcy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

August 2002, for our 25th anniversary, though we actually went on the cruise the week after our anniversary.

 

In late 2001, I had suggested a cruise for that anniversary, and DW thought it would be a good idea. I suggested Bermuda since we could drive to the port, and who wanted to think about flying at that time. She said no, how about Alaska. (We have since done both a Bermuda and Alaska cruise, but not then.)

 

I sent away for a brochure and saw a Barcelona to Barcelona cruise including the ports for Rome, Florence, and Nice. Since DW is the world's finest elementary art teacher, I knew she would love that idea. (And 10 years later for our 35th anniversary we also cruised Barcelona to Barcelona.) Everyone on our flight from NY seemed to either be on our cruise or on another cruise that was also leaving from Barcelona.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

....was on the TSS Carnivale in 1991 for a 3 day out of Miami to Nassau. Wished it could have been longer. Has a VERY small porthole cabin at the front of the ship and we could hear the anchor drop in the morning. (Great wake up alarm!) Enjoyed the meals and service and the Talent show. Learned how to play craps at the Casino from one of my Italian friends and got hooked on the game.Carnival so much I've never switched lines. Still a long way from Platinum with the new loyalty schedule but, heck I'm on a cruise and going on my 8th this December.

Edited by iahawkize
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2001 on Carnival Paradise. IT was a smoke free ship at the time and fairly new. Sailed western Caribbean out of Miami and had a blast. Needless to say we are quasi-addicted. We have #7 planned for March.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

June 1992 on Carnival Festivale - our honeymoon cruise. We sailed out of San Juan and went to St. Thomas; St. Maarten/St. Martin; Dominica; Barbados; Martinique; Sea Day; San Juan. Unfortunately not much in the way of pictures :( because those were the days of "film". But I think I've made up for it on two recent cruises out of San Juan...just need to get back to Dominica and Martinique.

Edited by pghsteelerfan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Twice, in the 60s, I took my mum on a "cruise", which was living on board a Scottish ferry, and being met at each port by a coach, to visit islands and Highlands.

My OH was travelling to and from UK/Africa as a child in the 40s to 6os, on liners ...he still won't refer to these trips as cruising, but occasionally will drop nuggets such as before my first visit to Madeira, that Madeira was where they replenished coal to the liner.

Our first real cruise was a fortnight in the Caribbean on Sea Princess, 2006. It was different to our previous experiences which included many more nights on ferries, and an eye opener. He loved the Caribbean, but I didn't; I did, however, fall in love with the ship. :cool:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Summer 1974

 

new USCG Cadet ..... USCGC EAGLE

 

I climbed to the tippy top of the main mast

 

topotheworld001.jpg

 

26 years later I was Captain of this

 

scan0002.jpg

 

with many cruises in between

 

1980ish on Commodore CARIBE (we sailed this 4 times in 18 months due to free tickets from a business deal!!!)

carib1985.jpg

 

 

2000

shameless.jpg

Edited by Capt_BJ
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Four night honeymoon cruise, October 1991, on Carnival's Carnivale, out of Port Canaveral. Round-trip to Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas. Paid around $1100, including air. We loved it. Honestly don't know why it took us 21 years to go on another one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1961 Bahama Star (?) sailing from Waet Palm Beach - family cabin with only metal bunks along the walls, sink in the room. It was the beginning of a land vacation so we flew home. In 1972 it was the Angelino Lauro - refit ship with two lower bunks built into the walls and a little porthole. Wonderful Italian staff that took amazing care of us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...