Boarding before computers

[Haoie]

I have a question: Were all the door locks replaced at the same time as the introduction of the SS card?

 

Most hotels use a keycard as opposed to a key nowadays too.

[Hlitner]

I have a question: Were all the door locks replaced at the same time as the introduction of the SS card?

 

Most hotels use a keycard as opposed to a key nowadays too.

 

Yes, on many older ships. The older ships we cruised (many are now long gone into the scrap heap) had real metal keys to the cabin locks. We are aware of some ships where they did eventually replace all the cabin locks with newer electronic locks. And here is another modern issue. Assume you are on a ship with over 2000 cabins, each with an electric lock. Those locks each contain a battery, as do all the in-cabin safes. It is a full time job for several folks who much simply more around the ship replacing batteries. And this is progress :). The one positive development are the newer longer lasting batteries.

 

Hank

[ksqueak]

I still have a HAL wallet or two and yes, I remember those buttons. Might have one or two floating around too. I remember the cruises but not the check in procedure.

[cruisemom42]

Here's a photo of what the old Sitmar cabin keys looked like, circa late 1970s early 1980s.

 

http://www.terapeak.com/worth/vintage-cruise-vacation-ship-t-s-s-fairwind-acapulco-key-for-cabin-room-no-175/262092512140/

 

They had a big lucite fob that was about 3.5" long; made it difficult to lose them. Reminds me of what old European hotels used to do. (Yes, some still do but more and more are replaced with the electronic keys.)

[Keith1010]

In 1984:

 

Your TA received your final cruise documents.

 

Often you met with them at their office (back then most people used TA's local to them)

 

And you received your documents.

 

Came in a nice case.

 

Luggage Tags, boarding pass and a few other items.

 

Keith

[Magnum60]

I remember the days of the Queen Mary, Queen Elisabeth and SS United States (the '50s) that if you were a long time repeat customer or a VIP you were met in the terminal by a representative of the line and discreetly escorted on board where you were then introduced to your room steward (who was waiting to greet you in your cabin with you cabin keys). There were no lines to move through, no smile while boarding photos or delays. Even your luggage received special attention and would soon be in your possession. Everything for the move from the terminal to the ship was taken care of and all paperwork for your trip had been dealt with of long before you left home.

At your destination a unformed staff member would [once again] quietly escort you off the ship to your waiting luggage. Any expenses incurred on the 'voyage' would be mailed to you. Bills were not stuffed under your door on the last night of the trip.

It's a little different these days regardless of how much money you have paid. Celebrities and certain VIP's continue to receive much of that 'personal touch' treatment when traveling by ship or plane - but it's not nearly as sophisticated.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Magnum60

[hettyD]

I can remember every passenger being assigned a number and there was a board with little discs hanging on hooks. Each had a number and if you went ashore you turned yours over, putting it back when you returned onto the boat. That was their only way of knowing if all passengers were back on board....definitely keys with HUGE fobs and free cigarettes along with free drinks at the captains cocktail party...

 

 

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[NoobCruise]

Thank you all for your feedback! This turned into a very interesting thread!