Thinking of a Cruise

[happy daze john in oz]

Les, to some degree I can understand your feelings. But it all depends on the individual. I found most of the crew on the cruise i took last year were very friendly and once they knew my background wanted to know more. Some passengers hardly said two words to the crew except from asking for something. I get very friendly with the chef and sous chef and got to see parts of the galley that normaly you would not be allowed in. All about how you approach the crew.As for safety, I dont think it would be an issue with the shipping companies of today.

[Neville Roberts]

there is a big diference between cargo boats and liners as far as the camadarie of the crews , with the many crew members on liners and the few on cargo , also when you have passengers they play a big part in the sea going experience, I liked the cruises that I did as a passenger , but dont think I will do any more as ,its too much of a hassle with all the clothes that you have too take ,and getting dressed for dinner and all that .as for the cargo boats I enjoyed the extra time in some ports. and we got too know more about each other ,with only about 35or so crew,

[Les Woodard]

John I can also understand your feelings about it as well. As you where in catering then there would be more interest in it for you as there would be more interaction between the passengers and catering. From my aspect there is no chance of meeting with a load of deck hands that in my opinion would for a start would probably not be able to understand english and besides that I would not like to mar the memories of how I still percieve what we had with new memories as to how it has all gone down hill. Be a bit like remembering ones old girl friend from years ago to meet up later on and find out that she was now a politician. What a ghastly thought. As I say it is different for you as catering would not have changed that much on liners as they would still have to suck up to the passengers.

[happy daze john in oz]

Very valid point les, it was different for all of us I guess. But apart from talking with the crew I also enjoyed being out on the ocean again, partucularly when the sea is a bit rough and most of the bloods are battened down. Out on deck on my own with the sea and wind, mate nothing better. Neville, I found the dressing up a bit of a bore as well, but for most cruises down this way it is only for Captains night you have to go the whole hog. I went to one such night, there they were in all their finery, tuxedos, flowing dresses and me in just a jacket and trousers, no tie and no one said a word about it. I had a great night, not so sutre about some of th estiff upper lip brigade.

[Ian Warren]

There are quite a few cruise ships where you don't have to dress up for dinner if you don't want to. Ocean Village is one example, and all the Norwegian Cruise Line ships. The Norwegian Jewel and the Norwegian Jade sail from the UK as well, so there is no need to fly.

Even on the ships where people do still tend to dress up for dinner, many of them have casual eating venues, so that you can stay away from the main restaurants.

I also love being on board when it is a bit rough, and it certainly brings back lots of memories.

Ian

[Jim Brady]

Les you are right when you say you want to remember it the way it was.
My son is still in shipping and he arranged for me to do a trip on a container ship,(Guest/Passenger)
Liverpool,Antwerp,Liverpool 21 days.I lived in the owners cabin and was looked after very well by the Croatian crew.
If you went back now you would think you were on a ghost ship to what you were used to.As an
example this ship was an ex British Tanker,I looked at the plans on the bridge and the Catering Dept.,
consisted of CHf Steward ,2nd Steward,3 Asst stewards,Pantry boy,Cook,2nd Cook,Galley boy total 9
now carrying 2 Cook,Steward. Deck and Engine also scaled dow to nothing,no watchkeepers just the mate
on the bridge.
I realy enjoyed being up on the bridge all day going up and down the St. Lawrence,and I would wake up during the night right through the trip and just throw a few clothes on and go up on the bridge.
Antwerp docked miles from anywhere Motreal the same,I was lucky I had friends of my son to
pick me up in both ports.
I knew Montreal very well but it was 37 years sinc I had been there.I made my way to the CPR
berth the whole area has been yuppiefied,around to the Liverpool House now an Italian resteraunt along
to Joe Beef,s demolished a big anchor sitting in its place and a Maritime Museum behind it.Over the hill
up the St.Laurent Blvd tobe met a very large set of Chinease gates,China Town ran right upto Saint
Catherine. So where I was looking forward to visiting some of my old haunts it was'nt to be.
Overall I enjoyed it very much but it would've been a lot better had I had a few drinking partners.
You are right Les you can't bring the old times back.

,

[Neville Roberts]

Hi Kong you must have swallowed a lot of spit, after 42 days on a cruise and paying about 3or 4 thousand pounds a head at least . and not having enough $$ to tip the help. cheap, cheap

[jimmys]

As a Professional Engineer I only go on ships when I am paid to do so. Under no circumstances do I pay to sail. I am very wary of passenger vessels and ferries even when I am being paid.
I never eat with the Officers and usually eat in the duty mess. I try to keep away from most of the crew and usually only deal with the Chief Engineer.
I understand Graham's problem regarding eating with Officers.

regards
jimmy

[happy daze john in oz]

Well I am going again, it's her indoors wedding aniversary so she is taking me away again. I am quite happy to mix with the crew, though I will not participate in activities invloving officers. I have a well pressed jacket which sits very well in the wardrobe for the voyage. Of coures if we had to abandon ship I would wear it to distingquish myself from the crew.

[Les Woodard]

When is your wedding aniversary could it be about the same time as her indoors is having hers. Might be the way I read it John.