Cruises now and then

[Peachypooh]

Judging by how many cruises most people have posted in their signatures you all have been cruising awhile. I have a question.

What do you think is the major difference in cruising since you started vs. now?

My first cruise was in the early 1980's on Home Line's Atlantic. I think back then cruse ships were mostly transportation and not a destination themselves.

Edited October 30, 2016 by Peachypooh

[BirdTravels]

Judging by how many cruises most people have posted in their signatures you all have been cruising awhile. I have a question.

What do you think is the major difference in cruising since you started vs. now?

My first cruise was in the early 1980's on Home Line's Atlantic. I think back then cruse ships were mostly transportation and not a destination themselves.

 

Gowns and Tuxes vs. Freestyle attire.

 

Reserved, paid deck loungers vs. lounger hogs.

 

High tea vs. soft serve ice cream.

Edited October 30, 2016 by BirdTravels

[phoenix1181]

Assigned tables & times for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Buffet only open for breakfast & lunch. Horse races by the pool.......

[Two Wheels Only]

Guests have gotten larger and wider while staterooms have gotten smaller and more narrow.

 

By 2030, guests will have to sleep standing up and be forced to turn sideways to get through the door.

[AdGuyMG]

What do you think is the major difference in cruising since you started vs. now?

 

No more skeet shooting off the fantail.

[carol54]

For us, it's more about how air travel has gotten worse. Once we set foot on the ship we are on vacation. Not the same with air travel which has become a nightmare.

 

 

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[Peachypooh]

No more skeet shooting off the fantail.

 

I remember that! Also being allowed to bring guests with you onboard to wish you Bon Voyage!

[emcelh]

My first cruise was on Home Lines Oceanic in the late 70's. I remember the midnight buffets, which were a feast for the eyes, and the waiters carrying the flaming Baked Alaska on the last night.

[Lazz]

No more skeet shooting off the fantail.

 

No more hitting golf balls off the fantail as well.

[navybankerteacher]

The massive growth in cruising population has changed the demographic. Where cruising used to be an expensive option largely available to higher income people who were comfortable with the then-existing formality, who were generally professional or managerial, who were comfortable wearing suits and neckties, it now appeals to a wider group - who are less inclined to accept formality, many of whom rarely, if ever, wear suits and neckties - or even own them.

 

Not only is cruising simply a lot less formal, it has become much more representative of the population at large, and is no longer essentially an activity largely limited to the wealthy.

[Sissaaaaaa]

Judging by how many cruises most people have posted in their signatures you all have been cruising awhile. I have a question.

What do you think is the major difference in cruising since you started vs. now?

My first cruise was in the early 1980's on Home Line's Atlantic. I think back then cruse ships were mostly transportation and not a destination themselves.

 

Home Lines was my first cruise as well. Very upscale cruises. Not like today!

[sharona211]

First cruise for me was 22 years ago so not "way back when" but long enough to see many differences.

 

The main difference I notice is the lack of formality. I remember the excitement of gown shopping and getting all decked out for formal night!

 

Also missing is the elaborate late night buffets. Remember the lobster buffet? Or the miles and miles of elaborately carved fruits and breads? It was worth staying up just to see the creations.

[Sissaaaaaa]

First cruise for me was 22 years ago so not "way back when" but long enough to see many differences.

 

The main difference I notice is the lack of formality. I remember the excitement of gown shopping and getting all decked out for formal night!

 

Also missing is the elaborate late night buffets. Remember the lobster buffet? Or the miles and miles of elaborately carved fruits and breads? It was worth staying up just to see the creations.

 

Better than the lobster buffet was whole Maine lobster served in the dining room - usually on formal night.

[sharona211]

Better than the lobster buffet was whole Maine lobster served in the dining room - usually on formal night.

 

Yes! I am a New Englander who does not eat lobster (gasp!). My dinner companions were always happy to have my share.

[biker@sea]

The cost of cruising is way cheaper now.

 

.

[pooh/tigger]

As mentioned above, you dined at the same table and same guests. On our first cruise aboard the Norway a very long time ago, the table was 10 chairs.

If you didn't like the guest you were seated with, you just asked and they moved you quickly.

I think the best parts of dining back then was you had the same waiter every day, for every meal and everyone dressed very nice for dinner. Men in collared shirts/tie and women wearing dresses. Even the kids dressed each night.

Having the same waiter for each meal is something I wish they would do today.

Back then, your waiter would get a feel of your likes and dislikes in the first day.

For example, he knew our daughter loved watermelon so with each meal, he would bring her watermelon and each time it would be in different shapes. One meal in round ball, another in stars, one day he made a Pooh bear face on a flat piece. Our daughter was 8 years old and felt like she was a princess.

Her birthday happened on this trip and our waiter found out thru our table mates. He arranged for everyone to stop serving and whole dining room sang happy birthday to her.

 

The Captain and Concierge would make their rounds each night to each table during dinner service.

 

Every afternoon was coffee/tea and fresh baked cookies.

 

You didn't have fighting for pool chairs or people creating huge islands with chairs in pool area. You could actually pass thru easily.

Back then, the buffet wasn't a big deal. Most ate in dining room.

 

Cabins were much bigger. The doors going outside on the Norway were wood and you had to step up and over the lip. Just like you would see on military ships in movies.

 

You stayed dressed for the shows after dinner.

 

The kids had a dance area at night after the shows. They could dance, play games or just visit. They would serve small snacks and each night before closing, they would have a chocolate desserts.

 

 

While the kids did their thing, most adults would meet in a huge cocktail area and mingle.

Back then, smoking was allowed everywhere. That was the worse part.

 

tipping was done in cash and using an envelope.

 

It may have cost more back then but was well worth it.

 

You felt like royalty when you went home. From inside to suite, no was was treated any differently. Not saying they do that today but there was a whole different feel back then.

Edited October 31, 2016 by pooh/tigger

[Isla's Mom]

When we first cruised almost everything was included in the cruise fare...the only exceptions were alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. The service was exceptional and , as mentioned previously, we were treated royally. ... As a small example, dinner consisted of 5 courses...now three.

 

I also remember fondly the beautiful buffets... And the high teas with string quartets playing.

 

 

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Edited November 1, 2016 by Isla's Mom

[NLH Arizona]

When I first started cruising many things were different. First you were escorted immediately to your cabin by a staff member who carried your carry-on bag. At dinner, the waiters wore white gloves, food served on fine china, the food was outstanding and they made Caesar salad and either Cherries Jubilee or Bananas Foster table side. The dress was more formal (gowns for formal night and semi-formal for the other nights). Cabins were much bigger back in the day. They had golf and skeet shooting off the deck. I don't remember chair hogs back in the day nor do I remember a lot of folks' manners leaving them when they got on the ship. I also remember that the cost to cruise back then was way more than it is today.

[spidybabe]

Welcome aboard champagne

Midnight buffet, seafood buffet, white glove service, delious meals, drink of the day 50 cent specials, speakers, big bands, formal dinners

 

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[Monstica]

Service was exceptional. Same waiter every evening. Dressing up every night! Although my husband likened it to a 7 day wedding. Remember Skeet shooting off the back of the ship!

[WashyWashyHappyHappy95]

more balcony rooms now

[ray98]

Overall the industry has changed to meet evolving passenger demands. The majority no longer want a tea sipping tux and gown experience that was rooted in the early transatlantic voyages. The current customer base is looking for a Caribbean resort feel to their vacation. The dress code, activities and atmosphere in the ports of call reflect that.

[katiecat]

For us, it's more about how air travel has gotten worse. Once we set foot on the ship we are on vacation. Not the same with air travel which has become a nightmare.

 

 

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I agree!

[bjlaac]

The massive growth in cruising population has changed the demographic. Where cruising used to be an expensive option largely available to higher income people who were comfortable with the then-existing formality, who were generally professional or managerial, who were comfortable wearing suits and neckties, it now appeals to a wider group - who are less inclined to accept formality, many of whom rarely, if ever, wear suits and neckties - or even own them.

 

Not only is cruising simply a lot less formal, it has become much more representative of the population at large, and is no longer essentially an activity largely limited to the wealthy.

 

I don't think that's true at all, our first cruise was a honeymoon in 1979 and the cost was cheaper than a land based trip to the same location, Bermuda.

 

What has changed is the mass market appeal and vast number of ships as compared to 30 years ago. Time have changed and no one dresses up at work anymore, let alone on vacation. While I admit that, I would prefer to go back to the elegant times of Homes lines.

 

Just like my parent's generations eliminated the fedora hat, so has this generation eliminated the grandeur of yesteryear in the cruise industry.

 

Its not better or worse, just a different time altogether.

[Mrs. Squirrel]

My first cruise in 1995 was on Royal. Our inside cabin for two cost $2300 for a 4 night cruise. That's much more than what I'm paying for 2 for our upcoming holiday sailing on NCL Getaway for 7 nights in an OV.

 

After that first cruise, I thought it would be a once in a lifetime trip. Thankfully, due to industry changes, that's no longer the thought. Although I sometimes miss a few of the past cruise niceties, I'd rather cruise annually or biannually than have high tea or a midnight buffet.

 

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