I'll always remember my first cruise with fond memories!
Almost exactly 20 years ago my family and I went on a 14 day cruise to the Canaries out of Southampton aboard the Canberra (P&O), I was 9 years old.
My dad had wanted to sail on her for a while as his parents used to sail her often in the 70's and late 80's. The Canberra of course had something of a cult following in the UK after it's involvement as a troop ship during the Falklands War in the early 80's. 1997 was to be the final year, and as such bookings skyrocketed, the opportunity to follow in my grandparents footsteps was about to pass away.
They managed to book a last minute inside cabin on one of the farewell voyages. I can still close my eyes and remember the wooden bunkbeds with green carpeted floors. The rooms were as deep as the bed was long and roughly square in shape, so pretty tiny! There was a small sink in the corner, but the shared bathrooms and separate shower room was at the end of the row of three cabins. This might seem fairly shocking conditions, but I remember the charm of the ship, with very friendly staff and something of a stoic stiff upper lip attitude to the passengers (in a good way!). Slipping away from the Mayflower terminal, a military band with full brass compliment played 'Land of Hope and Glory', whilst balloons and streamers were released from the upper decks. Although I loved spending time with my parents, I spent much of the sea days at the kids club towards the aft of the ship making new friends from all over the country. I remember the sheer excitement of getting dressed up in a full suit and tie every night as was expected at the time. The only time this didn't happen was on the two formal nights where I wore black tie and white tie respectively.
Sailing was fairly calm on the 45,000 ton ship, save for one day in the Bay of Biscay where Mum insisted on wearing her life jacket!
The passenger compliment was fairly elderly, and the gentleman in the cabin next to us was about 85 - 90. He would always ensure my tie was straight in the evening and ask how I was when I saw him throughout the ship. Unfortunately he passed away on the second to last night of the cruise, although parents told me not to be upset as he had been enjoying his life right up to the end, something I have vowed to do myself.
It was on the whole, a fantastic experience and we had a second cruise on the much newer Sea Princess in 2002 which gave us a taste of modern cruising. My parents have been on several more, but whilst I was at university / traveling. Our next one is on the Eclipse in September this year for my 30th, which I cant wait to enjoy!
Memorable First Cruises
in Celebrity Cruises
Posted
I'll always remember my first cruise with fond memories!
Almost exactly 20 years ago my family and I went on a 14 day cruise to the Canaries out of Southampton aboard the Canberra (P&O), I was 9 years old.
My dad had wanted to sail on her for a while as his parents used to sail her often in the 70's and late 80's. The Canberra of course had something of a cult following in the UK after it's involvement as a troop ship during the Falklands War in the early 80's. 1997 was to be the final year, and as such bookings skyrocketed, the opportunity to follow in my grandparents footsteps was about to pass away.
They managed to book a last minute inside cabin on one of the farewell voyages. I can still close my eyes and remember the wooden bunkbeds with green carpeted floors. The rooms were as deep as the bed was long and roughly square in shape, so pretty tiny! There was a small sink in the corner, but the shared bathrooms and separate shower room was at the end of the row of three cabins. This might seem fairly shocking conditions, but I remember the charm of the ship, with very friendly staff and something of a stoic stiff upper lip attitude to the passengers (in a good way!). Slipping away from the Mayflower terminal, a military band with full brass compliment played 'Land of Hope and Glory', whilst balloons and streamers were released from the upper decks. Although I loved spending time with my parents, I spent much of the sea days at the kids club towards the aft of the ship making new friends from all over the country. I remember the sheer excitement of getting dressed up in a full suit and tie every night as was expected at the time. The only time this didn't happen was on the two formal nights where I wore black tie and white tie respectively.
Sailing was fairly calm on the 45,000 ton ship, save for one day in the Bay of Biscay where Mum insisted on wearing her life jacket!
The passenger compliment was fairly elderly, and the gentleman in the cabin next to us was about 85 - 90. He would always ensure my tie was straight in the evening and ask how I was when I saw him throughout the ship. Unfortunately he passed away on the second to last night of the cruise, although parents told me not to be upset as he had been enjoying his life right up to the end, something I have vowed to do myself.
It was on the whole, a fantastic experience and we had a second cruise on the much newer Sea Princess in 2002 which gave us a taste of modern cruising. My parents have been on several more, but whilst I was at university / traveling. Our next one is on the Eclipse in September this year for my 30th, which I cant wait to enjoy!
Andrew