Interesting trip

[Derek Rigby]

In 1956 my ship, Caltex Dublin, went to Sumatra to take on Minas crude. This involved a passage along part of the Siak River from the Panjang Strait.
The oil was delivered to us by small river tankers that could navigate the shallower upper reaches of the river. I remember how happy the crew members of these vessels were to come aboard our ship to socialise. They told us how grim it was shunting up and down the river and what a boring existence they had. It was hot and sticky with no air conditioning and the insect life was horrific with everything oversized. Unlike the quick turnarounds of the Persian Gulf where we could be in and out in a day, this took a lot longer as the little tankers didn't have much capacity. Fortunately we only made this trip the once but it was still exciting for a young man of 18

[RomanOlson]

Joining the British Merchant Navy community seems like a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and delve into maritime history.

[j.sabourn]

#2 Roman see by your cv you entered this world in 1996, most on this site were long gone from the maritime world. But as most parts of human life people cling to the past thus are usually congregated together as such and a lot of us cling to the past which is something tangible to us all. A lot of what you read on here maybe strange to you but on the whole is the history of the past British Merchant Seaman as seen through their eyes. Is good to hear that people outside that circle read and appreciate the real life style and his likes and dislikes 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 and in some cases 80 years ago from the actual beings mouth who was there and done this or seen that. Maybe make people in some cases appreciate what they have today. Only remember seamen were not saints and had the usual shortcomings of everyone else, the main thing was they all faced the same problems and endured all the bad things as well as the good. Regards JS

[Johnny Kieran]

Just back from a little cruise, it reminded me very much of the old Vindy days. You know, the food, the illness on board. Went on the same boat just before Christmas, and got the covid, so it was a great reminder of old times.
Why do we do these things? I suppose it's booking up too many ahead, and not being able to cancel, or lose all the dosh.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Johnny.
Mate as long as you enjoyed the rip and shelved a few memories for later on that's the good part, the one where you caught Covid you can now forget about.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

On many a cruise there has been an outbreak of Nor Virus, but you go with the flow and do not worry about it.

But yes we try when we can to keep the history of the great BMN alive for as long as possible.

Look at some series made that are said to show history, yes they do but bits are either added or removed to suit the plot.
The day may well come when some guy decides to make a doco about the MN, it will contain some truth, but sadly some non truth.
the problem is the generation seeing it will think it is all true.

[Johnny Kieran]

I think the trouble with cruising these days, is the number of people on board. They pack in as many as possible, making it difficult to relax and chill out in comfort. I used to love the Oriana, where you could move about without actually touching other people, or lay in the sun in a little spot with no elbow touching. Now it's all geared up for having fun, with loud, thumping bass music echoing through the whole ship.
We've one more booked for a couple of weeks time, and I reckon that'll be that. Might go to Butlins for a bit of peace and quiet next.

[happy daze john in oz]

A lot depends on which cruise line you choose.
Friend of ours is going with Silver Seas, only 350 guests, personal butler for you along with many other extras.
So for the price of an arm and a leg all will be yours.

Do Butlins still exist?

[Les Woodard]

I think the trouble with cruising these days, is the number of people on board. They pack in as many as possible, making it difficult to relax and chill out in comfort. I used to love the Oriana, where you could move about without actually touching other people, or lay in the sun in a little spot with no elbow touching. Now it's all geared up for having fun, with loud, thumping bass music echoing through the whole ship.
We've one more booked for a couple of weeks time, and I reckon that'll be that. Might go to Butlins for a bit of peace and quiet next.

Mate that has been my view all along. Better of just going to a holiday camp or stay at a casino. The only difference being that they do not move. Can just imagine being stuck with a crowd of seasoned cruisers and spending all that money just to hear about their past cruise experiences. Bit like the old days when we would exchange tales of our last ship with fellow ship mates lol. Sorry but I am of the age where I just want to experience new things without hearing about everyones past experiences hey.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Les
I spend most week afternoons relaxing in my room, either on this site or listening to the old classics with ear phones on, favorites, "The Shadows', takes me back to my young days at sea.
Cheers DEs