Cruising Then and Now--Not Better or Worse, Just Different!!!

[thespiritmovesme]

As I follow some of the NCL threads & the various complaints about how things use to be compared to how they are now, I can't help but think this: in 15 more days, the hardest part of my day will be deciding what to drink & what to eat!! No matter how much cruising has changed PC (post-Covid), I can still look forward to that!🍸🍤🍰

[Sthrngary]

7 minutes ago, thespiritmovesme said:

As I follow some of the NCL threads & the various complaints about how things use to be compared to how they are now, I can't help but think this: in 15 more days, the hardest part of my day will be deciding what to drink & what to eat!! No matter how much cruising has changed PC (post-Covid), I can still look forward to that!🍸🍤🍰

Amen Brother.

 

Cruse well and enjoy every moment.

[peug]

On 3/15/2023 at 1:55 PM, Smitheroo said:

I guess our cabin with a porthole was a little bit above an inside cabin.  There were only 3 of us in it and quite roomy but no bathroom.  Yeah, it was fun but I do like "freestyle" eating when you want to in a choice of dining rooms.  I wouldnt mind bunk beds now

Our cabin on the Norway and two portholes and was huge with two double beds and a large bathroom. I loved the ship. It caught five a few months later. 

[Smitheroo]

11 minutes ago, peug said:

Our cabin on the Norway and two portholes and was huge with two double beds and a large bathroom. I loved the ship. It caught five a few months later. 

the Queen Mary was probably much older (since I dont know the Norway) although some staterooms had private bathrooms.  She was retired about 2 or 3 years after I sailed in 1966

[phillygwm]

4 hours ago, Smitheroo said:

I know the SS United States has a history and I respect that but compared to passenger ships at the time she was quite plain.  After my trip on the Cunarders at 16 I became a ship "groupie" and visited the different liners when they docked in NYC.   Most were elegant with plenty of brass and red carpets.  I remember when the Hamburg came on the scene- absolutely stunning. And then the QE2, another beauty.  But  the SS United States had linoleum floors and lots of chrome. Of course, that style now is vintage but in the 1960's it was just old. 

I was never on those older ships, including the SSUS.  Funny story, the parents of a high school friend won a QE2 cruise in some radio contest back in the '80s.  But the cruise was overbooked so, as a consolation, they gave them a cruise on a different ship then the QE2 the following year.  Ironically, they preferred the other ship because they weren't fans of the black tie attire.  

 

\

4 hours ago, Smitheroo said:

In tourist class in the 1960's we didnt "dress" for dinner. Back then people tended to dress better in general but no formal attire.  I was 16 and remember I wore mostly dresses routinely. (we had to for school)

It's like how people dressed up to fly.  Personally, I'm glad people don't do that anymore even though some people take things too far.

 

[sailorusvi]

My first cruise was in high school on RCL. It was a 5-day out of NYC to Bermuda.  I honestly do not remember much other than we had fun, tons of food, had our own table (family of 6) and had to dressed up a few times.  Oh and my brother was able to get peanut butter and jelly for dinner every night. 

 

2nd was Christmas in 1989(?) on the SS Constitution around the Hawaiian Islands (ran by American Hawaii Cruises).  Service wasn't as good as RCL, but lots of food.  I remember having fun, a guy above our cabin died of a heart attack (woke up to them preforming CPR) and enjoyed island hopping.

 

3rd was a 12-day Mediterranean Cruise in 1997 on the Pacific Princess (aka The Love Boat) with my parents and a good friend.   When were standing in line to embark when an old couple behind us tapped my friend and I on the shoulder and asked "Why are on this cruise?  Most of us our newly married or nearly dead!" 🤣😂  While they were not completely wrong, we had a blast.  Everyone knew us. We were invited to the captain's 50th birthday party, buzzed around on Vespas in Greece only to have other passengers wave at us from the buses.  Everyone wanted to sit with us and ask about our exciting day, what drinks we tried, etc.  (basically live vicariously through us).  We dressed up a few nights (sucked to have to take so much luggage for clothes), had great table mates, tore up the dance floor with the "old people".   When we got to Barcelona at 12 am the crew let us off the boat to party, then "snuck" us back on only a few hours before we were to disembark.    The food was great, drinks great (bar bill wasn't too bad as my parents and all the "old people" seem to buy us a lot of drinks 😛 ). My parents had a balcony room, girlfriend and me had a small inside cabin that I'm pretty sure was only slightly larger than the size of our bathroom on the Getaway last month. 

 

4th one was last month on the Getaway.  The ships are so much bigger and overwhelming. Honestly, I think our biggest complaint was just the amount of people.   The food was good, service isn't what I remembered from before, but still good.  I read all the reviews and I get the complaints.  I work in the hospitality industry, so I understand the challenges the industry has.  Cuts need to be made, some because of supply chain issues.  Other times because of staffing.  People LOVE to be served, but fewer and fewer people want to be doing the serving. It's going to be harder for these large ships to get staff, not easier (even with higher salaries).  It's a reality in the industry these days.   I think we will go again, only in the Haven or choose a smaller ship. 

 

Likes other said, it's just different then when I went in the past.

[ChiefMateJRK]

Great thread (as always) Gary.  Thanks!

[laudergayle]

1 minute ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Great thread (as always) Gary.  Thanks!

Where ya been lately?

[Sthrngary]

3 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Great thread (as always) Gary.  Thanks!

@ChiefMateJRK Thank you, I had no idea. Love reading everyone's posts. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[slavetoabunny]

23 hours ago, GALSews said:

Our first cruise was the maiden voyage of the Sky. We took the cruise because we would be able to take in the last total eclipse of the 20th century. Because the ship was south of England, NCL sprang for a helicopter to find a spot where the fog wasn't. We didn't see the moon approaching the sun, but just as totality began the ship found a clear area and we were able to experience totality for a few minutes. That was our first total eclipse.  Eclipse number 3 will a trip to BIL's in Ohio next April.) 

 

Not only did NCL spring for a helicopter to spot an opening, but it also paid to have one of the Apollo 11 astronauts onboard. Of course, back then NCL wasn't part of a holding company.

As the Sky was brand new, they were still working on bugs, like delays when flushing the toilet. Of course, freestyle dining did not exist, but we landed up at a table with an NCL rep who gave us lots of great tips. It took us another few years to cruise again, but now that we're semi-retired, we have started to cruise at least annually. Unfortunately for our pocketbook, we've learned about the Haven. Onward to the Prima and its Haven in June. 

We have a vacation house rented next April in Hot Springs, Arkansas for the esclipse next April.  The family is joining us from Colorado and I can't wait!

[wolft927]

On 3/17/2023 at 9:58 AM, Blueberry89 said:

Our first cruise was in 2003 on the Dawn when she was still fairly new. I remember her having coin laundry for passengers! Chocolate on the pillows. DSC was $7.95 pp and the charge for the specialty restaurants was $20 (no added gratuities!) The service was amazing! After having napkins placed in our laps all week, the joke was who was going to do it when we’re back on land 😹

 

Good times! The following year was The Dream with the same amazing service. Another dozen or so cruises since then. The differences are striking …

My first contract working for NCL was on the Dream out of New Orleans! Ended up staying on ships for almost 5 years 

[VUCruiser]

We miss some of the older traditions but welcome the new flexibility and easier access to having a balcony cabin.  Sailed the Norway years ago and would love to visit her and the Club International again; but alas, that is not possible. We had a cabin on the lowest passenger deck and there was a "secret" or hidden stairwell that took us up to the middle of things. We also did RCCL Song of America out of NYC in the mid-90s and I remember the cherries jubilee done at the table. HAL's Prinsendam is a star in our memories.  Miss the dressing for dinner at times, but comfortable in our own skin we still do it if the spirit moves us. Such a privilege to have sailed on the older ships but do love today's cruising with it's easy to get tables for two, flexible times, and less expensive balconies. Cruise on!

Edited March 18, 2023 by VUCruiser

[Panhandle Couple]

Our first cruise was in mid-80's on a Carnival ship that was built in the 1930's for the Mediterranean.

3 day cruise from Miami to Freeport.  Bobbed up and down like a cork in a river.  Was with a large group from work (30+) so we all drank and had a good time.  Inside room with a drop down top bunk bed, and lower bunk just for sitting.  Very small room and bath.  Entertainment was lousy.  Foot juggler. Comedian who told ethic jokes we heard in high school. 

 

Next was on Carnival Ecstasy, brand new (and just retired).  Remember the whole thing, midnight buffet, etc.  But just as crowded as todays ships.  The one thing I recall not mentioned here is that on sea days the very top middle deck was "top optional" (or euro style) for women.  Now why would I remember that?

 

A couple more cruise on CCL with kids in tow, pretty much the same. 

And it seems like every western Caribbean cruise was the same, Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.   Got tired of seeing the same old stuff.

 

Then we discovered NCL, and they are our main line now.  

[Panhandle Couple]

29 minutes ago, Panhandle Couple said:

Our first cruise was in mid-80's on a Carnival ship that was built in the 1930's for the Mediterranean.

3 day cruise from Miami to Freeport.  Bobbed up and down like a cork in a river.  Was with a large group from work (30+) so we all drank and had a good time.  Inside room with a drop down top bunk bed, and lower bunk just for sitting.  Very small room and bath.  Entertainment was lousy.  Foot juggler. Comedian who told ethic jokes we heard in high school. 

 

Next was on Carnival Ecstasy, brand new (and just retired).  Remember the whole thing, midnight buffet, etc.  But just as crowded as todays ships.  The one thing I recall not mentioned here is that on sea days the very top middle deck was "top optional" (or euro style) for women.  Now why would I remember that?

 

A couple more cruise on CCL with kids in tow, pretty much the same. 

And it seems like every western Caribbean cruise was the same, Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.   Got tired of seeing the same old stuff.

 

Then we discovered NCL, and they are our main line now.  

Don't forget about other "guy stuff" like skeet shooting and driving golf balls into the ocean.  Both are long gone. 

[Megamixer]

If I remember correctly, on my first cruise on the Sovereign Of The Seas in 1992 we had an "outside cabin" with a huge oval window but a sofa bed?  It seems like during the day it was a sofa then the cabin steward would open the bed up at night?   

I was an innocent youngster in those days and one of my memories is getting a small serving of sherbet before the main course in the dining room.  I looked at my partner and asked why we were getting dessert before the main meal.  He had to explain the sherbet was to "cleanse the palette." 

[graphicguy]

 

Thanks, Gary!  Interesting.

 

Thinking back, first cruise on the SS Norway, right before it blew up.

 

It was a honeymoon cruise with my (former) wife.  Couldn't afford the "nice" cabin, so got an inside.  Interesting brush with greatness, our cabin was right next to Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini's.  Those who know boxing, know who he is.  We hit it off right away given we're both from Ohio.

 

Super nice guy.  He was cruising with his GF, at the time.  We ended up hanging out the entire cruise together...even doing excursions.  We still email each other every once in a while.

 

Anyway, I remember the cabin being so small one person had to exit the bathroom and move out away from the door on the other side of the bed, before someone else could go in the  bathroom.  Honeymooning......we didn't care.

 

The ship was nowhere near the size of anything in NCL's fleet today.  It seems like a "dingy" compared to today's fleet.

 

I also remember dressing up every night for dinner (glad that's over) and we had fixed dining time every night (also glad that's over).  Given we were dining with Ray and his GF, we were all also invited to sit with the Captain one night.  First cruise and we were dining with the Captain.  Thought that was great.

 

I was younger, but recall the entertainment being kind of cheesy and schmaltzy.  Not the Broadway type entertainment we have on ships today.

 

Trying to remember the other port(s), but don't.  I know it was a cruise we spent most days by the pool and at the beach when we were docked elsewhere.  No real excursions except for Haiti.

 

And, there was smoking allowed....EVERYWHERE!  Even the dining room tables had multiple ash trays on each table.  The casino was tiny and covered in a smoky haze every night.  Surprised was survived that.

 

There was no specialty dining, but a pretty good midnight buffet.  Drinks were extra and a la carte...no drink packages.  We did some skeet shooting (also extra charge) and drove golf balls off the back of the ship (I think that cost extra, too).  

 

I recall tipping everybody, all the time, for everything.

 

The excursion I vividly remember was Haiti.  It's a poor country today.  But, we were shocked by the poverty.  Ended up taking a horse up to the Citadel.  We were accompanied by a man who was in uniform, assuming he was part of the military.  Along the trail to the Citadel, there were people living in "lean too" who would come up to us and beg for money.  The "soldier" would beat them with their riding crops to keep them away.  My (then) bride was shocked.  

 

Baby "Doc" Duvalier was still in power and the people who spoke to us outside of earshot of the solider told tales of immense corruption and cruelty he inflicted and that we should let everyone in the United States know what was going on.  I think he was overthrown a couple of years after that.

 

Haiti is still poor, but not to the degree it was then.

 

I know I scraped together as much cash as I could to afford the cruise.  Somehow $750 comes to mind, and I took another $250 for drinks and tips. I came home with just enough money to take a taxi from the airport to our little apartment.  BTW, first time I flew on a plan, too.  And, the plane had a "smoking section" in the back.  Not that it mattered and the smoke permeated the entire plane.

 

Lots of details get "fuzzy" over time, but that's my recollection.  Loved all of it.  As they say, you don't know what you don't know.  Looking back, today I would consider that a terrible cruise.  But, here I am, 20+ cruises under my belt.

 

 

 

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

17 hours ago, laudergayle said:

Where ya been lately?

Thanks.  I was on a bit of a "holiday." 🤣

[laudergayle]

3 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Thanks.  I was on a bit of a "holiday." 🤣

Welcome back!

[Sthrngary]

I remember going on another cruise brand hoping to enhance my cruising experience.  They were supposed to be a Premium Category.  The cruise was horrible.  I decided to try the NCL Haven our of New Orleans the next year.  My wife did not want to go, she was still disappointed in the last cruise.  

 

We went and I am glad we did.  Now this stream is about Then and Now.  It is not about better so much as it is about different.  In the Haven, because it was small, we got to create those relationships with the crew that we had done decades ago.  I truly missed that.  The food and personalized service was much better.  The crew was better trained.  

 

It seems like the Cruise Brands see what has been missing and know how to bring it back.  The issue is the premium only allows a small portion of guest to feel it because it is for most folks a serious budget issue.  

 

Many of the Then and Now items are just subjective and everyone has their own take on them.  Remember, it is not better or worse.  It is just different.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[DaisyGoldberg]

First cruise was the Seaward, 1992.  They'd greet you as you stepped on board with a drink. There was some kind of race car group on board, but we hadn't known anything about it. We never went near the a la carte restaurant.

 

I remember stepping over the metal doorway frames any time you passed from outside/inside. They would take you by surprise until you remembered!

 

I still have the dailies - 

 

All Visitors Ashore! at 4:30.

GIANT JACKPOT BINGO - $590 is in the pot and MUST go today! 

Napkin folding class

Dress of the Evening: Casual! Wear your Island Fashion! No shorts after 6 pm, please.

"Book nook is open! Deposit required (sign to cabin)

Win a World Cruise PLUS $10,000 - Play the Seaward Lottery

 

We sailed in a couple of ocean view cabins, and the window was one step above a porthole (and portholes were smaller in those days!) Still cost more than a balcony does today if you get a decent deal, which is why I don't buy the "cruising is getting too expensive" arguments. You get so much more for basically the same money as 30 years ago. Yes, they nickel and dime on extras because the base price point hasn't changed.

 

[bkrickles1]

On 3/15/2023 at 12:05 PM, Sthrngary said:

First cruise, 44 years ago for my wedding anniversary.  I am about to go on my 26 cruise.  My favorite cruise brand has consistently been NCL so I posted this here on the NCL Blog. So much has changed and so much has stayed the same.  Here are some things I remember compared to today. Like dining, my memories and experience are personal to me and your opinion may differ. 

 

• Stateroom:
  • Inside cabin, no windows or veranda and bunk beds.  Only rich folks had balconies.
  • Your room steward did towel sculptures every day and you could not wait to see them. 

 

• Dining:
  • No specialty restaurants to speak of.  The main dining room felt and tasted like a nice restaurant in your town.
  • There were fixed times for dinner (Early and Late). 
  • You sat at the same dinner table with all strangers who were your friends by weekend.  
  • The words, “I will have a double cut of prime rib” was echoed in the Main Dining Room. The Prime Rib night was GREAT.
  • The last evening dinner has the entire dining crew do a show in the Main Dining Room with Baked Alaska.
  • Mid-night Buffets with carved ice and watermelon was a big thing.
  • Room service was complementary, awful but complementary.
  • You could get Steak and Eggs for breakfast in the Main Dining Room at no charge.

 

• Drink Packages:
  • Drink packages were non-existent.  You could have a choose of wine packages by the bottle.
  • Everyone purchased that expensive sail-away glass with the horrible drink.

 

• Excursions:
  • Limited inexpensive excursions were considered but budget was always a huge issue.
  • Inexpensive Beach Cabana’s were a thing.
  • Food on the Private Islands were complementary.

 

• Gratuities/Tips: Gratuities were in cash the last full day of the cruise.  We created a relationship with the crew members because of our consistent contact with them back then. We would all take single dollar bill for pool side or bar tips throughout the week.

 

• Dress Code: You had to dress up for dinner and one night a week was formal, including some nice portraits to take home.

 

• Internet Access:
  • Never complementary.
  • Paid by the minute.
  • Always horrible

 

• Activities:
  • Bingo had nice cash prices and you never felt ripped off.
  • Metal drums were like a doorbell telling you that your vacation was about to begin. 
  • Winning $100.00 in the casino make you feel like the luckiest person on the ship. Most casino had opening cigarette smoking.
  • To engage everyone, the cruise direct would have a contest for free cruise.  You had to ask everyone you saw if they were Mr. or Ms. Cruise. That was my memory.
  • Entertainment often had nationally known entertainers or bands.

 

• Guest Issues:
  • Pool Chair Hogs were alive and well.
  • Members of big groups saved entire rows in the main theatre and get embarrassed because their group never showed up.
  • Folks on the buffet line would touch food and put it back on the buffet line.
  • Someone was always so drunk their family had to carry them back to the stateroom.
  • Folks had loud conversations in the halls and never let folks pass.
  • Guest Relations Desk was always the busiest place on the ship.
  • Your stateroom portfolio was always SCARY with items you can’t remember purchasing.

 

My list might not be completely accurate however at my age, I can’t remember what I ate yesterday.

 

Cruising today is not better or worse, just different.  Today.

 

• Stateroom:
  • Most folks have a balcony or the ability to upgrade to a balcony.
  • The notions of a VIP exclusive area called a “Ship within a Ship” is very popular.
  • Room stewards no longer do towel sculptures.
  • Your stateroom is only serviced once a day vs. twice in days gone by.

 

• Dining:
  • Main Dining Room Food quality has taken a hit.
  • Special Restaurants are all the rage and have an extra cost. 
  • Fixed dining times are OUT and eat when you want is in. 
  • You rarely sit with strangers or get to know other based on mealtimes.
  • Prime Rib night is still a thing however it tends to not be the best cut of meat.
  • The last evening dinner show in the main dining room is gone.
  • Mid-night Buffets are gone and in its place is a 24-hour restaurant.
  • Room service has a service charge for most stateroom.

 

• Drink Packages:
  • Drink packages are usually included in the cruise fare price. 
  • It is extremely hard to get a drink due to everyone having a drink package.
  • Everyone still purchased that expensive sail-away glass with the horrible drink and find out later it was not included in their drink package.
  • The perk drink package has an upgraded drink package for premium brands.
  • Tax is charged on drinks when in ports especially in the U.S.

 

• Excursions:
  • Excursions are more expensive and not well organized.
  • The Beach Cabanas now cost as much as the cruise.
  • Private Islands have theme restaurants that are not complementary.
  • Drink packages rarely work on the private islands.

 

• Gratuities/Tips:
  • Gratuities can now be pre-paid.
  • Recommended gratuities have gone up three times in two years.
  • Spa gratuities are always included in the price however you get the impression you are still supposed to tip.
  • Relationships with waiters are gone because you only see them once.  Butlers if you are so fortunate to have one, are rarely included in the pre-paid gratuities program yet the suite prices are often triple normal staterooms.
  • We now take $5.00 with us instead of $1.00 to even be recognized for a drink by the pool.

 

• Dress Code:
  • Nonexistent with people coming to dinner in bathing suits, wet tea shirts and beach flip flops.
  • Social media debates dress code daily with a 50%/50% split on opinions.
  • Formal photographs happen very rarely, and we tend to point out those dressed nicely for dinner.

 

• Internet Access:
  • Often provided for several minutes a perk.
  • Upgradeable for unlimited.
  • Upgradable again to unlimited streaming.
  • Usually only one device which is inconvenient when both guests want access at the same time.
  • Always horrible even NOW!!!!

 

• Activities:
  • Bingo had much lower cash prices, crowds are bigger and other games like “Deal or No Deal” feel like ripped off.
  • Metal drums seems to be gone as does the frequency of live music at the pool.
  • Odds in the casino are known to be horrible compared to Las Vegas however many brands have private smoking areas.
  • Cruise directors seem to show up only at the big shows to make announcement or on the loudspeaker promoting bingo.

• • The entertainment is Broadway style shows except on smaller ship with less budget.

 

• Guest Issues:
  • Pool Chair Hogs are still alive and well.
  • Members of big groups are still saved entire rows in the main theatre and get embarrassed because their group never showed up.
  • Folks on the buffet line are much more careful and rarely touch food which is a marked improvement.
  • Someone was always so drunk which has cause highly publicized fights on ships.  This has caused an increase in ship security and guest being tossed off ships.
  • Folks still have loud conversations in the halls and never let folks pass.
  • Guest Relations Desk are rarely crowded except the last day of the cruise.
  • End of the cruise portfolios are emailed instead of putting under your door.

 

The biggest difference for me is Social Media.  It seems sites like Reddit and CruiseCritic.com seem to provide clearer and more accurate information than the cruise lines.  Yet, social media has also created an abundance of Trolls and Haters that simply want to make guests angry.  What ever you do, don’t bring up the NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat or MSC Yacht Club on any other social media site other than CruiseCritic.com unless you want to be criticized.  Like my list of before and now; social media is both good, and bad.  The one thing that is true for ME is cruising, if one can stay flexible on those occasional issues, is still one of the best vacation experience available at all price levels.

 

“Cruise well everyone and enjoy every moment.”

I've been thinking about this thread since you started it and this is what I came up with.

My first cruise, as an adult, was on the Celebrity Horizon with my wife before she was my wife in 1990, I believe.

It was a beautiful ship and we thought it was the biggest a ship could possibly be.(46000 tons).

Food and service was outstanding and it sold us on cruising for the rest of our adult lives and we'll be continuing the tradition with a sailing on Joy (for our 2nd time) in July.

 

I've read your list a couple of times now and it's a good list and it's accurate.

My feeling on the difference, simply,  is that it used to be easier to cruise.

I didn't feel the need to prepare a strategy. There were no reservations. Everyone didn't have a drink package, so it was quick and easy to get drinks. Everything was simple and fewer people were frustrated with the hoops you have to jump through now to do certain things.

You're on vacation and shouldn't have any stress. Nowadays, cruising is definitely a little more stressful, and, if you don't prepare well, it can be a disaster.

Now, of course, there are things that are better and may be worth some of the preparation and/or stress involved.

I love having the drink package and it's nice to have many dining choices amongst other things.

But I do miss boarding a ship without a care in the world and knowing that everything is available to me without effort. 

BTW, my point of view is from someone who never stays in the Haven or any exclusive space on a cruise ship.

[sunkey1]

On 3/18/2023 at 1:01 PM, VUCruiser said:

Sailed the Norway years ago and would love to visit her and the Club International again; but alas, that is not possible. 

Agree, the Norway was a special ship and nothing like walking into Club International, everyone dressed (at that time) in tuxes or suits, formal dresses. I love the relaxed ambiance of cruising now but I still miss the elegance of the old days as well.

[Smitheroo]

Wow, I am really old. No one is remembering as far back as I have

[Flyers15]

In 2005 the Jewel had a chocolate midnight buffet.  It was amazing!