Cruising 20 Years Ago Compared to Today: What's changed?

[cruisemom42]

But I can't resist adding .. in all the photos and publicity I saw for cruising in the 80s and 90s, it was touted as a very luxurious, very formal experience.

 

Keep in mind, it was a very different era (the 80s and early 90s) -- extravagance and excess were "in"; we had "Dynasty" and "Dallas" on TV and people liked to read about Nancy Reagan (and Princess Diana) and their designer gowns. Big hair and big jewelry were the norm for women on cruises.

 

When I first started cruising as a kid (1970s), I was a very much a tomboy who hated dressing up, yet I didn't mind doing what was appropriate on board and everyone else did the same.

 

I also have to debunk the idea that cruising was only for the well-off, we cruised at least annually as a middle class family of four. We shared a single inside cabin, the size of which would probably provoke horrors today. Travel was always important in my family.

[RuthC]

We shared a single inside cabin, the size of which would probably provoke horrors today.

Smaller than a legal prison cell. ;)

[sail7seas]

I've not been cruising for 20 years so am likely not qualified to comment. I've not seen a lot really change in the 10 years we have sailed, maybe some degradation of food quality and service (do more with less).

 

But I can't resist adding .. in all the photos and publicity I saw for cruising in the 80s and 90s, it was touted as a very luxurious, very formal experience. If you've ever been on a ship that was built during this era (and that I have done), you will immediately notice despite efforts to upgrade, that cabins are smaller, balconies are more scarce and the level of variety in amenities and onboard services (for fee or for free) is lower. It's hard to bring these ships into what most consider the 'modern' cruise ship we know today.

 

We appreciate that we can afford to cruise. I am still enchanted by the sea, and find much enjoyment in the experience of watching the waves from my balcony while sipping a glass of wine. I am also not a formal person, and as I dress up for work, love to dress down when we vacation. While seen as a degradation of the cruise experience by many traditionalists, I love the more casual ambiance of today's ships.

 

 

Maasdam joined the fleet in 1994 and Statendam a year or two before that. The cabins are larger on those two ships and their two sisters and the four "R" class ships than equal category on HAL's newer ships. The "S" category Neptune Suite verandahs are very, very large. Those ships have Canaletto and Pinnacle Grill alternative restaurants. They do not have Tamarind but only two HAL ships have that venue.

 

We sailed Statendam her Inaugural Season and were at Maasdam's Inaugural parties in Boston and were thrilled when we saw those "S" Suites for the first time. We've never left them. :o

 

[Sir PMP]

20 years ago this week I took my first cruise --on the Costa Allegra -- a container ship that was stretched and converted to a cruise ship. I fell in love with cruising, (and 3.5 years later convinced Mr. Jones to love it as well.)

 

It was fun to think back about my first cruise and how different some things are today: http://www.travelingwiththejones.com/2014/02/04/celebrating-20-years-of-cruising-what-has-changed-versus-what-has-stayed-the-same/

 

What are the biggest changes in cruising that you've noticed in the last 20 years?

 

What do you think has stayed the same?

 

Change: size of the ships (negative)

Same: fabulous service(positive)

[cruisinjudy]

My first cruise was in 1985 on American Hawaii Cruises. We had an inside cabin on a lower deck. The ship had fewer than 1000 passengers, I think it was in the 800s. There was table side cooking and one night the wheels were not locked and the hot cart slid into a fellow passenger. There was a midnight buffet. We got a list of fellow passengers. The entertainment was done by the same cruise staff who led the games and activities.

[Chelly]

My first cruise was in 1978 on the Sitmar line out of LA. All Passengers were given bags filled with confetti and streamers to toss as we pulled away from the dock.. The band on deck played "Anchors Away" and "California Here I Come". It was very festive.

Edited February 12, 2014 by Chelly

[LMaxwell]

I happen to have a 1993-1994 Cruising Guide handy. I find this interesting

 

"Tipping is not required on Holland America ships and the cruise line will not offer suggestions. Most passengers tip about $2 per day, per person, to waiters and room stewards."

[cruiseapril]

1. People were more polite.

 

2. Cabins were smaller (I remember the OV on the QEII in 1986!)

 

3. Kids didn't run around without supervision.

 

4. People obeyed the rules of the ship on the whole.

[Mytime2014]

1. People were more polite.

 

2. Cabins were smaller (I remember the OV on the QEII in 1986!)

 

3. Kids didn't run around without supervision.

 

4. People obeyed the rules of the ship on the whole.

 

 

I think 1, 3, 4 apply to everyday life. Not just cruse ships. Too many people in a hurry or too concerned about themselves, not requiring their kids to mind and way too many people seeing how far from the rules they can go. I remember when people dressed to fly, or go to dinner/church.

[CowPrincess]

You do remember correctly' date=' the former Westerdam ( our third cruise) had portholes for windows in the dining room.

[img']https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bzSpGWzXZQ5Am71G7o15wvTQptXsYOa73er3CA6vyA=w313-h207-p-no[/img]

 

I think HAL ships were beautiful then and still are today. I think they have retained their classic, elegant feel from yesterday while keeping current with the ammenities expected today.

 

Nor'Eastah, thank you SO much for posting that picture :D

[OCruisers]

My first cruise was 52 years ago back in the early 60's (Sweet 16) on SS Bahama Star. We actually had real keys to open our cabin doors.

 

First HAL was in the early 80's. DH took his tuxedo, a dark business suit, and a navy sports coat. Always dressed for dinner and stayed dressed all evening.

I use to wear long gowns. Dress has really changed!

 

Do you remember when there were no safes in cabins and we had to use a safety deposit box at the Purser's Desk? I do. Rather like having safes in cabin now. Much more convenient.

 

Always will miss the lavish "Bon Voyage" sail away parties.

 

So many things have changed. Fond memories but we can't go back.

We still enjoy cruising for what it is now.

 

LuLu

~~~~

[mariner]

My first cruise was in 1969. The ship was 20,000 tons. There was a sink in the inside cabin. No toilet or shower. You had to pay to reserve a deck chair.

 

The food was more than abundant and makes HAL's food look more like cafeteria fare these days.

 

Of course, in those days, HAL's entire crew was Dutch.

 

There was a dress code in the dining room. No shorts for lunch or breakfast, thank you.

 

Port and shopping talks were real and not shopping advertorials.

 

We paid cash or signed and then paid cash. Tips were not included.

 

A domestic beer (if the ship was Dutch, that meant Heineken) was 25 cents a bottle. Imported (Bud) was 50 cents. A martini was $1. Wines cost much less than ashore.

 

The crew got time off in port and the time in port was longer.

 

The officers used a sextant. And you could tell the weather if they were wearing blue or white uniforms. The captain hosted a welcome aboard and farewell party.

 

You received crystal. pewter or Delft gifts.

 

Visitors were allowed aboard and there were Bon Voyage parties.

 

The bars could not serve alcohol in US ports.

 

The steak was USDA Prime.

 

Stewards and waiters had fewer passengers.

 

There were more sea days.

 

Contrary to the show's opening, the Love Boat's horn was in the mast, not the funnel.

 

The cabins were small and most beds (even in owner's suite) were singles.

 

There were no balconies. The best cabins were midships.

 

I believe bingo cost $1 and $5 for the snowball.

 

There was a pool each day at sea to guess the ship's noon position.

 

There wasn't much in the gym. If there even was a gym.

 

There were matches with the line's logo and ashtrays that always got stolen.

 

Calling home cost $15 a minute and you had to go to the radio room to do it. You had to say "over" at the end of a sentence.

 

Most ships sailed from NYC.

 

Caviar came from Iran or Russia and was served on all formal nights.

 

Pizza was available in the nightclub at 2 a.m.

Edited February 16, 2014 by mariner

[VUCruiser]

Skeet Shooting and table side flambe.

[BJzink]

Hmmmmm.... BRITANIS? Close?

Stephen

Wow - haven't met anyone who sailed the Britanis yet. We went in 1990, had an inside cabin that had to be below the water line. Actually the cabin was pretty big, had 2 huge closets. It was 5 days, left from Miami, stopped in Cozumel and Key West. I recall about $169 each for the fare. We thought it was wonderful for our first cruise.

[rafinmd]

While my first cruise was 20 years ago(Carnival Fantasy), my first HAL was only 17 years back on the SS Rotterdam. These comments will be based on a combination of my memories, a review of the Daily Programs, and a stay on the Rotterdam in 2011.

 

I'll start with a couple of people. The Captain was Pieter Bos. I sailed with him again this past August on the Veendam. The Cruise Director was Rick Spath. He has left HAL and I haven't seen him since but will when I board the Crystal Serenity March 11.

 

By the end of her life the Grand Dame was pretty much a cruise ship but it still had traces of a rigid class system which was used on transatlantics. The showroom balcony was reserved for First Class on those voyages, and there were 2 dining rooms. Speaking of dining rooms, there was only fixed seating and there were no specialty restaurants. The Lido was open for dinner only 1 or 2 nights.

 

Maybe it was just the Alaska season, but boarding did not appear to begin until 4PM. There may have been escorts to the cabins, but that staff was not busy serving the Mariner lunch.

 

I noted on the Daily Programs the scheduling of a daily Mass. It was common in the cruise industry then, but today HAL is one of a handful of cruise lines offering that service.

 

On a port intensive cruise there were 2 formal nights and one "informal" with jacket required for the gentlemen.

 

As today, one of my entertainment highlights was the crew shows.

 

I was surprised to notice that the daily “Where’s the Fleet” blurb in the Daily Programs listed the Wind Star, Wind Spirit, and Wind Song.

 

There’s one thing that’s not exactly part of cruising but of how much things in general. The Daily program always had a little box with an ad for the Photo Gallery. The entry for the fourth day was “Take Home Pictures Not Rolls of Film–Have your 35mm color print film processed in out state of the art photo lab”. How much things have changed.

 

Roy

[Irish Eyes Are Sailing]

I remember when airfare was included in the cruise price......

[iancal]

On balance, we prefer now even though certain service levels and food quality has gone downhill. And on board entertainment is at an all time low-especially on some cruise lines.

 

We like the new ships that are well designed for traffic flow. We like current pricing model that give so many more people the opportunity to experience a cruise vacation.

 

We like the larger cabins and we especially like the newer ships where such a large percentage of cabins are verandah and above.

 

We like the increase in dining venues. We especially like the trend toward casual and the decline of the tuxedo/long gown environment. And we very much like the smoke free environment on most ships-especially in the bars and in the casino.

Edited February 17, 2014 by iancal

[Rotterdam]

I began sailing back in the 1970's...my family had always cruised & crossed the Atlantic on the great liners.....

 

The food service & ships were top notch and people behaved accordingly....like going to a Ritz Carlton or 4 Seasons Hotel...

 

Now its like a trip to the mall...even the so called better lines(SEabourn) are not even close to years ago. Carnivalization of the business ruined it.

 

Now we take longer cruises and that helps ...oh the good old days....

[G&G]

I remember when airfare was included in the cruise price......

 

It still is on several cruise lines.

[Irish Eyes Are Sailing]

It still is on several cruise lines.

 

I agree, but probably on your premium priced lines......not your mainstream lines.

[jkgourmet]

On balance, we prefer now even though certain service levels and food quality has gone downhill. And on board entertainment is at an all time low-especially on some cruise lines.

 

We like the new ships that are well designed for traffic flow. We like current pricing model that give so many more people the opportunity to experience a cruise vacation.

 

We like the larger cabins and we especially like the newer ships where such a large percentage of cabins are verandah and above.

 

We like the increase in dining venues. We especially like the trend toward casual and the decline of the tuxedo/long gown environment. And we very much like the smoke free environment on most ships-especially in the bars and in the casino.

 

One of the smartest, most tactful and accurate comments I've read in months BRAVO!

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

[G&G]

I agree, but probably on your premium priced lines......not your mainstream lines.

 

I was referring to Oceania. It maybe considered a premium price line but I have found prices for balcony cabins to be the same price for a Verandah Suite cabins on HAL when you add what is included in Oceania's price.

 

By the way our first cruise was also on the Carnival Festivale in 1978.

[navybankerteacher]

Ships are larger and less formal. Service is more perfunctory. Affordability is greatly improved. Cabin space and amenities much improved. Food quality is diminished. Security concerns have done away with bon voyage parties and passenger lists. Basic tipping is now automatic.

 

Yes, cruising has changed - it had to, to keep up with the changes in our society: some are improvements, some are disappointing losses; but the fact remains - cruising is good now - I happen to be here now, so there is no point mourning the past.

[RedmondCruiser]

Caviar at the formal dinners. Flambe next to the tables. Lobster tails that were NOT bite size. Cabins staff that took you to your room. People dressed for dinner. Horse races around the pool. Lemon wedges rapped in yellow cheese cloth and tied off with a green ribbon (so it did not splatter). All gone.

Now - larger ships, any time dinning, specialty restaurants, less smoking around the entire ship. Prices kept low.

All in all I do miss some of the things from the past but on balance I enjoy the cruising expirience today.

[Taxguy77]

My tuxedo is tighter and for some reason the old photos of me make it look like I have darker hair. :)

 

The photographers were better then, my last photo they even missed my hair!:p

Don't have a tux and just gave my suit, which shrunk badly in the closet, to charity.

 

We spent a night on the Queen Mary, now a hotel in Long Beach, California, in what had been a first class room. It was huge and the bath was as large as a couple of rooms we've had on modern ships. The portholes (no windows then) were so high DW could hardly reach them and I could not see out. Of course the Queens are liners, not cruiseships.