Have You Experienced Any Really Special Moments While Cruising?

[BORDER REIVER]

I'm not talking about a great meal, or a brilliant show here. We'd love to know if any fellow cruisers out there have experienced something really special or moving, that will stay with them for a long time.

For me, three moments stand out. One was standing with my fiancee on Aurora on a perfect summer evening, as we departed Geiranger, listening to classical music playing as the sunlit village and mountains receded into the distance. The second was again on Aurora, while leaving Qaqortoq, Greenland. We were gliding quietly past the most beautiful icebergs, with a clear blue sky, calm sea and towering mountains in the distance.

The third, and most moving was a shore visit from Queen Victoria to Flanders in Belgium. Standing at Tynecot Cemetary on a cold, but sunny winters day, seeing all those gravestones in countless rows, all beautifully maintained. It reminded me that my grandfather actually fought there and survived. We will never, ever forget the aura of that place.

[OfficerCadet]

Wow, some fantastic experiences - I'm hoping for some myself!

[Rum Rat]

Yes.

 

What is something you only dream about? Something others do, but you can never see yourself doing it? Not sufficient Money? Not sufficient time?

 

A World Cruise?

 

Well we were like that and when the opportunity came to do it as 'shrouds don't have pockets' we went.

 

As we pulled away from the quay at Southampton, I was crying, not openly, but blubbering and couldn't speak. My wife was on the phone to the children saying we were off because they were watching the web cams and saw we were moving.

 

"Dad can't talk to you" :(

 

Will that do??????? :rolleyes:

[BORDER REIVER]

As we pulled away from the quay at Southampton, I was crying, not openly, but blubbering and couldn't speak.

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. It really catches you out, doesn't it. For me, it was the joy of seeing icebergs, close up and more beautiful that I had ever imagined, in such stunning surroundings. It was different at Flanders - it just suddenly hit me that all these men died in such a short space of time and that somebody cared enough to keep the cemetary immaculate.

I rather envy you your moment. I'd love to to a world cruise and will if the opportunity comes around - the thrill of setting out on that adventure must be totally overwhelming. On the other side of the coin, we met someone on Aurora who had been on her 7th worldie and seemed totally bored by the whole thing - I pitied her.

[Adammara]

We always fancied a maiden cruise, and our dream came true in spring 2005 when we went on Arcadia's maiden cruise to the Med. This was just after our 40th wedding anniversary, so we renewed our wedding vows on board, a beautiful ceremony on wonderful sunlit evening, champagne, flowers, lots of photo's. A memory that will stay with us for the rest of our lives, especially as after we returned Hilary was diagnosed with cancer. After 2 operations and radiotherapy, we made the Winter Wonderland cruise that year, which was another great memory.

 

Richard

[Rum Rat]

We had our Golden Wedding at sea on a cruise.

 

Picture of the Christmas Day gathering http://www.myalbum.com/Album=GLBTSORP

 

Our 50th was the next day.

 

We took the whole family for Christmas, our Golden and the New Year :rolleyes:

 

Mike

[cruisebore]

Sailing past Liberty Island into New York in the mid afternoon sun (we were delayed by storms) and hearing New York New York being played over the ships PA system.

 

Cb

[Somerset Cruiser]

On Oceana 3 years ago my Wife met a friend from her childhood whom she had not seen since they were 13, almost 40 years previously, somehow they recognised each other instantly.

 

They have become friends again and remain in touch despite a 200 mile distance.

[land ahoy!]

myself and my wife had a wonderful cruise aboard oceana 5years ago,topped with my wife scooping £2000 on the last day of bingo(snowball) we only bought one ticket,,lol,,and i myself coming away from the casino after 2 weeks £2500 in profit,on that last night as i entered our cabin after a last stint at the casino, i showered the whole of the bed in £20 notes!!!we both rolled about laughing,it was just like something off the movies.....never forget walking off that ship the next day with my wallet near to exploding!!!!!we had some dagger looks from the bingo oldies!!!!! roll on the 31st december we wil be joining ventura at new orleans!!!!!!!

[Rum Rat]

We had our Golden Wedding at sea on a cruise.

 

Picture of the Christmas Day gathering http://www.myalbum.com/Album=GLBTSORP

 

Our 50th was the next day.

 

We took the whole family for Christmas, our Golden and the New Year :rolleyes:

 

Mike

 

 

Made an album of the pictures

 

http://www.myalbum.com/Album-UI8UK7XD-Photos-of-Other.html

 

Mike

[cruiseanywhere2]

I have lots of wonderful memories but the one closest to my heart is standing in front of the Sphinx and remembering my Dad who had died many years earlier. He had been in Egypt during the 2nd World War and we have a photograph of him in the same place. Priceless!!

 

I also cherish the memory of a cruise to Iceland when at midnight it was still light and a school of dolphins swam past the ship.:)

[HomelessBear]

My most strange (but nice) experience was a couple of years ago on a cruise over xmas. My mum had passed away and I went to visit a medium (not something I would usually do and I must admit to being rather scheptical at the time), a couple of weeks before embarking on the cruise. At this meeting through the medium, my mum said that I would hear the song "Barcelona" at xmas time and she wanted me to acknowldege it and this would also reinforce that she was with me.

I remember thinking at the time that if she had said I would hear White Christmas or Jingle Bells, I could understand that, but Barcelona! Not even a common tune, especially as I was going to the Caribbean!!

 

On xmas eve, I was sitting in an area with DH and there were only 3 other people there a few tables away. I suddenly heard the guy behind say the word "Barcelona" and all of their 3 mobile phone started playing Barcelona! Now that was spooky!!

 

And yes, mum has always been with me...and she gets to come on my cruises for free!

[daiB]

It was our first cruise. We were on Aurora, she was in her first year. My wife had been very concerned about all of the sea days we were to have. After the third port she came out with the classic line, "Don't these ports get in the way of cruising".

 

Also on that cruise, on the last day we were sat in the disco waiting for our number to be called (I know it is a colour but number sounds better;)). I was griped by a huge depression, was this our last day on a cruise ship? The feeling was awful I could not shake it. We had had a fantastic time and now it had come to this.

 

We eventually found the answer:-

 

 

:cool: Never start a cruise without another one booked :cool:

 

Multiple bookings are better.

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

[johnny tallentire]

Has to be sitting on our balcony earlier this year heading towards dominica around midnight,me and the missus sat there with a glass of wine and could hear the whales calling out in the distance.

[cruisebore]

Has to be sitting on our balcony earlier this year heading towards dominica around midnight,me and the missus sat there with a glass of wine and could hear the whales calling out in the distance.

 

 

Are you sure it wasn't the drunks leaving the deck party ;):D

 

Sorry I'me off where's me hat & coat :o

 

Ray