She Loved to Cruise

[Ships R Great]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. My mother was truly an exceptional person. She moved to the Canary islands at age 55 to found an International school there---it still exists as far as I know. After her time in Athens she went back to the Canaries for a few years and then spent almost a year in Andora when she was in her 80s. She had an adventurous spirit for sure!

 

She was an educator for most of her life. Three of her students from 6th grade (my own classmates from 1946) came to her funeral. Her great-grandsons, ages 15, 13 and 10 participated in the service. She would have been so proud.

 

Roz, Sally, Ruby, everyone, thank you for sharing your memories. Reklawr---do it! You will never regret it. I hope each of you can help your own parents follow their dreams of cruising. Libramitch---I do have a cruise planned for Hawaii in October. I know she will be with me in spirit and thought for I will again be following in her footsteps, as I have tried to do all my life.

[CruisinAnne]

Ships R Great, my condolences on the loss of your mother. She sounds like an amazing woman with a spirit that will live on.

 

A few years ago I lost my grandmother (my moms, mother) at the age of 95. She too, was an amazing woman with great intuition and a love for life. About a month after her passing, my parents, Aunt and I were on a Panama Canal cruise. During the cruise it would have been my grandmothers 96th birthday. In her honor, we each had a Bailey's Irish Cream (her favorite) and toasted to her on deck during a full moon. It was a very special and moving moment for all of us. We knew she was looking down at us with a smile.

[wynkys]

Ships...

I also am sorry to hear of your loss and you can take some comfort in the wonderful memories that you have of your mother.

In 1952, my mother and myself and her parents travelled to the US by ship via England to visit my father's family in West Virginia and my aunt and her family on Long Island and then returned to Australia across the Pacific and my Grandfather, who lived to ninety four, spent the rest of his life remembering and embellishing on that wonderful trip.

In recent years I have been fortunate to do several cruises with my mother including a particularly memorable one on the Infinity from San Diego to Ft Lauderdale where she had a wonderful time with some of the staff including a fantastic waiter, Umesh, and her dreamboat, Fred, an Assistant Maitre'd in the United States Restaurant (incidentally, on both occasions we visited there, the best meals we have ever had at sea). We then sailed on Princess, Silverseas and Cunard (both QM2 and QE2 in Princess Grill) but nothing has ever surpassed our experience on Celebrity.

Not long after we returned from the QE2 and the Tandem Transatlantic in 2004, my mother had a stroke and developed Vascular Dementia and since then I have been her carer and get great solace from reading these boards and remembering the wonderful times we had together and for that I will always be grateful.

As many others have said, when it is possible, live for the day as none of us know what tomorrow may bring.

Calm seas and happy sailing to you all,

Wayne

[mountainmare]

I am so sorry for your loss.

Everytime you look at the ocean you will see your mother's joy and will smile.

[Joe1690]

Original poster, my condolensces on the loss of your mother. My mom's parents always loved to cruise and started in the 50s or early 60s with my mother and grandparents having sailed even the SS United States. They were the ones who got my mother hooked on cruising and also got me hooked on cruising. We would often drive to Florida from New Jersey as a family when I was younger with my grandparents and stay at their condo and then do a cruise. This was an annual tradition until my grandfather passed away in 1991. My grandmother only cruised twice more with us. She is still alive and will be turning 101 in just a few months. She is in a nursing home though and unfortunately can't cruise anymore. I wish we could take her on a cruise so she could enjoy herself and relive the memories of years past. But unfortunately she is not physically capabable. Right before my grandfather passed away we started cruising with my dad's parents who we sailed with about 5 or 6 times from the late 80s to early 90s. THe last cruise with them was in 1996 on Dolphin Cruises. My grandfather now suffers from Parkinson's and is not doing well. However, my grandmother mentioned that she wanted to go on a cruise with us this summer and thus I am looking forward to spending 9 nights with them aboard the Grandeur of the Seas. This may be their last cruise with us although I hope that we can get them to take several more cruises if they enjoy this one and they are still phsyically able.

 

Your inspiring post has brought tears to my eyes because of all the fond cruises I have taken with both sets of grandparents and I fear an era will soon end. But life must go on and I will be thinking of your grandmother while aboard my cruise and how she just like my grandparents loved to be on a nice ship in the middle of the ocean.

[TenerifeSharon]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. My mother was truly an exceptional person. She moved to the Canary islands at age 55 to found an International school there---it still exists as far as I know. After her time in Athens she went back to the Canaries for a few years and then spent almost a year in Andora when she was in her 80s. She had an adventurous spirit for sure!

 

She was an educator for most of her life. Three of her students from 6th grade (my own classmates from 1946) came to her funeral. Her great-grandsons, ages 15, 13 and 10 participated in the service. She would have been so proud.

 

Roz, Sally, Ruby, everyone, thank you for sharing your memories. Reklawr---do it! You will never regret it. I hope each of you can help your own parents follow their dreams of cruising. Libramitch---I do have a cruise planned for Hawaii in October. I know she will be with me in spirit and thought for I will again be following in her footsteps, as I have tried to do all my life.

For all the beautiful stories from all of you that brought so many tears to my eyes -- THANK YOU!

Ships R Great -- I think I just read a beautiful portrait about your mother in the newspaper, "Wochenblatt" on Tenerife, where we live. If I'm correct, she was a fascinating and wonderful person and you were very lucky to have so many years to share with each other.

 

Sharon

[Host Walt]

Let me tell you my very sad cruise story. My mom always wanted to go on a cruise and kept asking my dad to go on one. He kept telling her if she lost weight he would take her on a cruise. God, how I hated him for that.

 

My precious mom died at age 56, without ever having her dream come true. If I could have afforded to take her, I would have, but I had small children at the time and money just wasn't that plentiful.

 

After she died, and our kids graduated from college, I booked our first cruise without telling my husband. He kept saying we couldn't afford it. Well, since then, we've cruised at least once a year, but always longer cruises of 10-14 days.

 

Every time I get on a ship and it sails away, I toast my mom and tell her that I know shes with me and we're having a great time. As I sit here crying because I miss her so much. She died 17 years ago and it still feels like yesterday sometimes.

 

Thanks for letting me vent. Please let me add my condolences to you and your family. Losing your mom, no matter what age, is a tough one.

I can relate.

 

My mom gave me the cruise travel gene, I'm sure. She always dreamed of a Caribbean cruise but my mom and dad never had enough money to pull it off.

 

When I was 10, my dad and my two uncles (my mom's brothers) pooled enough to get mom on board with a single passage on a 7 day Caribbean Cruise as a Christmas present. The emotion when she open that gift is with me today, over 50 years later.

 

Boy did she love that trip and talked about it all the time. And the fact that she had the experience was even more wonderful because she contracted and died of Cancer only a few years later.

 

That lesson has stayed with me all my life, and many of you have posted eloquent messages that are on point, about living life now.

[HurricaneSally]

Wow Walt, what a sad but wonderful story. I probably would have never cruised had it not been for my mom. I'm sure you're the same way. My dad thought cruises were for skinny people, I chuckle every time I go on a cruise and think how comfortable my mom would have felt. With the trivia games (she was very smart and knew everything), the bingo, and the casino. She probably would have never left the ship. The ports would have been an annoyance to her, lol.

[Ships R Great]

For all the beautiful stories from all of you that brought so many tears to my eyes -- THANK YOU!

Ships R Great -- I think I just read a beautiful portrait about your mother in the newspaper, "Wochenblatt" on Tenerife, where we live. If I'm correct, she was a fascinating and wonderful person and you were very lucky to have so many years to share with each other.

 

Sharon

 

Sharon, if that story was about Bernice Walston, that is my mother. Could you possible send me a copy? She lived on Tenerife after she left Greece. Please, please let me know if that is the story you read. Patty

[Lois R]

Hi Patty, my condolences to you as well.

 

I was lucky enough to meet Patty's Mom a couple of years ago and

she really was amazing. I remember when ya'll told me some of her

stories before we went to dinner (prior to your Zenith cruise).

Patty's Mom was definitely a person ahead of her time.

 

My best wishes go out to you and your family....and for all those

others on here too...thanks for those moving stories.

[Ma Bell]

Patty,

 

What a lovely tribute to your mother. Unfortunately both my parents died before I was able to take them on a cruise but I will tell you about my wonderful uncle Carl. He was one of the best men ever. He and my aunt were married for 72 years when he passed away last year. My aunt has had a serious form of dementia for the last 12 years and my uncle cared for her til the end. He also had a couple of bypass surgeries and pneumonia during this time period. When he was 92 he fell and broke his hip and we thought we would lose him for sure.

 

While he was recovering and in rehab I would go visit him almost every afternoon and we would talk about everything. He told me he had always wished he could go on a cruise so I said if he recovered I would take him on a cruise. I know he thought it was just conversation but I would ask him regularly if he was ready for his cruise yet. Finally it looked as if he was really getting better.

 

I called my cousins (his two daughters and son) and told them I would love to take him and they were not sure we could do it. My cousin Glen said he would stay with my aunt and I said I would take my cousins too. My daughter and brother went too. I rented him a scooter and we all went on Infinity to Alaska. I have never seen anyone enjoy anything as much as he did that trip. He was just amazed by everything and didn't miss a minute. He even stayed up every night to play his nickels in the casino. We stayed after for a few days in Vancouver and went over to Victoria on the ferry to see the Butchart Gardens. It was an unforgettable trip. He passed away about 6 months later at age 93.

 

In a couple of weeks we are taking all our children and grandchildren on the same cruise. I hope they all learn to love it as much as we do. We've taken the kids before, but not the grands. I can't wait!:)

[Ships R Great]

Hi Patty, my condolences to you as well.

 

I was lucky enough to meet Patty's Mom a couple of years ago and

she really was amazing. I remember when ya'll told me some of her

stories before we went to dinner (prior to your Zenith cruise).

Patty's Mom was definitely a person ahead of her time.

 

My best wishes go out to you and your family....and for all those

others on here too...thanks for those moving stories.

 

Lois, I remember that night well. Mama so enjoyed being a part of our before-the-cruise party, even tho she would not go with us. We did have a good time, didn't we? She spoke of it afterwards. Thank you for remembering her.

[brigittetom]

Ships and all the rest. Thank you so much for sharing your stories. What uplifting reading under such sad circumstances. My sincere condolences also. Brigitte

[TenerifeSharon]

Sharon, if that story was about Bernice Walston, that is my mother. Could you possible send me a copy? She lived on Tenerife after she left Greece. Please, please let me know if that is the story you read. Patty

Ships,

I'm sorry, but it turned out not to be a biography of your mother. The similiarities, though, are almost uncanny.

The founder of the German & International school on Tenerife was named Rosemarie von Levetzow and founded the school in 1966 after moving to the Canary Islands. The very moving story about her mother was written by her daughter, Resa v. Levetzow.

I apologize for making the wrong connection, but the story published here sounded so similar to your lovely reminiscence about your mother that I simply jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Thank you for sharing with us and heartfelt sympathy to you. I know how hard it is to lose a parent since I went through it 4 years ago - both parents within 10 days of each other.

Sharon

[dellas1000]

Hi it was nice to read about your Mums days on Chandris as it was then and that she lived in Athens. My Mums side of the family is in Pireaus and I go every year. Athens has changed so much since the Olympics and it is very much cleaner and modern these days, I wonder what your Mum would think of it if she saw it now. . My dream was to take my late Grandmother on a cruise and the year before she died I took her on a 4 night cruise from Miami on Majesty of the Seas with a balcony stateroom, she was 84 then and she loved sitting on the balcony watching the waves as we sailed to Nassau and Key West. Im so glad I did that and the photo's I have are something that I will always cherish.

 

I agree with everyone else '' One life live it to the full'' !!!!!

[Ships R Great]

Ships,

I'm sorry, but it turned out not to be a biography of your mother. The similiarities, though, are almost uncanny.

The founder of the German & International school on Tenerife was named Rosemarie von Levetzow and founded the school in 1966 after moving to the Canary Islands. The very moving story about her mother was written by her daughter, Resa v. Levetzow.

I apologize for making the wrong connection, but the story published here sounded so similar to your lovely reminiscence about your mother that I simply jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Thank you for sharing with us and heartfelt sympathy to you. I know how hard it is to lose a parent since I went through it 4 years ago - both parents within 10 days of each other.

Sharon

 

Sharon, no apolgies are necessary. Actually, my mother tried to open a school on Tenerife in the mid to late 80s but it did not work out. She had a friend who owned land there and had a resort. They wanted to have a school for the children of the vacationers. It seems they stayed long periods of time. The lady she knew there was named Rashida Tarafdar, I think.

Might you know her?

 

It has been so comforting to read of others who have shared a love of cruising with their parents, and who were able to sail together. Please, if anyone has a thought in the back of their mind to do just that, don't let anything stop you before it is too late. I shall continue to carry my pictures of Mama and Michael to quiz crew about them. I know I shall meet more who remember her.

 

Dellas---she did love Athens. She was known as "that crazy American woman" back then. She thought nothing of walking miles to find a particular item of furniture and then lugging it all the way home in her arms. She even had a young Greek who wanted to marry her so he could move to the USA. She said she probably would have done it if it had not meant giving up her Social Security. She substituted in the American School there for years. Ohm dear, i must not run on.

 

Thank you all for helping me through this difficult time. Patty

[brigittetom]

Please, if anyone has a thought in the back of their mind to do just that, don't let anything stop you before it is too late. Patty

 

That is the best advice that can be given.

 

I started cruising because my mom said it was the best vactation ever and I have to try it. I did take many cruises on my own and many with my mom. The ones with my mom were not my all time favorite including the QE2. My mom liked to do things her way, when she wanted, how she wanted, and if she wanted. She had a disabilitating stroke 4 years ago. I have no guilt because I did things when she wanted, how she wanted, and if she wanted. What I wouldn't give to get on a cruise with her now to have her tell me what to do and when to do it. Mind you, that wasn't abusive, I'm just a daughter who never learned to say no to her mom. :)

[gooch47]

I'm sorry that I just now ran into this thread. My sympathy on the passing of your mother.

 

We have two dear friends. He is 83, she is 80. They were actually our inspiration for cruising so much. But about 5 years ago he developed a condition that made cruising too hard for them and they had to give it. I feel really guilty when we go on a cruise and come back and they want to know all about it. They claim they don't miss it, but I can't see how they wouldn't.

 

About 4 years ago, I weighed 235 pounds. My husband said to me (kindly) that we needed to get all our vacations in soon because he was afraid I wouldn't be able to "keep up" much longer. That inspired me to lose almost 70 pounds. I'm still no lightweight, but our recent Galapagos cruise would have been impossible if I were still at my top weight.

[tbelian]

She was a person who followed her dreams. We must all remember to do that while we can.

 

Condolences on the loss of your mother.

 

Both of my parents died at a much earlier than 90+ age, but sadly, as is always the case, still too early (is there ever a 'right time' for this?). Both were gone within about 2 1/2 years of each other.

 

My father, who practiced dentistry for over 40 years, expressed a regret to me once that he 'should have retired earlier'. Still, they travelled extensively, spent many happy days in 'the sunshine state', and lived a good life.

[Ships R Great]

Thank you all for your kind wishes and condolences.

 

bridgettetom---I would never have dreamed of saying no to my mother about anything, either. I respected her too much for that.

 

gooch47---congratulations on your weight loss.

 

tbelian---you are right. There is never a "right time". I retired after my brother died unexpectedly. My husband had wanted me to retire for 8 years before I did. My brother's passing woke me up to the reality of no guarantees on life. Happily, we discovered cruising right after that.

[wizard-of-roz]

ALL of your stories have been an amazing wake up call!

Thank you so much for starting this thread and for sharing your stories with us!

This is truly the affirmation of living life, NOW!

• "I'll wait till I retire"
  
• "I'll wait till the kids have grown"
  
• "I'll wait till we can afford it"
  
• "I'll wait till I lose weight"

DON'T WAIT! Call your spouse/parent/child/sibling tell them how much you love them!

• BOOK THAT CRUISE!

With all my caring & thanks again for sharing,:p

Roz

[HurricaneSally]

I personally love this thread. So much whining and crying on every board these days. It reminds me about what I really love about cruising.

 

My husband and I are polar opposites. He loves the sun god, for him a great cruise has lots of pool time and exercising. I love reading, playing trivia games, bingo and nickel slots.

 

We both have a great time cruising because there is something for both of us. We do what we want during the day and hook up for dinner and the evening together. You can't do that at and all inclusive. There you both have to love the beach or you're bored.

 

Cruising is what we love and our next cruise is in October on the Zenith repo from Bayonne to Tampa. Thirteen days of fun and sun. Can't wait.

 

I will make a toast to all of your moms. I promise.

[brigittetom]

Same here Sally, We are booked on the Mariner for 14 days in late November. I always feel selfish leaving home for a cruise because it means leaving my mom behind with out the option of picking up the phone 24 hours a day but I have to admit that it is a wonderful feeling for a few weeks out of the year to be stress free.

 

Ships, Your mom was an extraordinary woman. Enjoy, relish the fact that she was your mom and keep her in your heart. There is no bigger compliment.

[Ships R Great]

brigettetom---I know she is looking over my shoulder as I type this. I will have to watch my "ps and qs" from now on. Goodness, but I miss her. She lived in Florida and would not have ever agreed to come to Virginia. I went down there whenever i could. She did not know me the last couple of times I saw her. She is truly in a better place now. Oops, getting maudlin here. I have to remember to be positive. She is giving me one of her "looks" now, for sure.

[brigittetom]

Ships, When I read your first post I had the impression that you were at peace because your mom lived such a wonderful and long life. I don't have that impression anylonger. It's going to be very hard on you and you are never going to stop missing her. I just hope for you that in time you will stop grieving and only remember the wonderful. You obviously were a wonderful daughter to her and hopefully that will give you comfort. Aside from losing a child, losing ones parents has to be the hardest thing to deal with in life. When our parents aren't the parents we knew anylonger is heartbreaking in it self. I wish you all the best. :)