Thank you, Janice, for the idea of blogging cruising then and now.
I started cruising in 1979. I worked for an airline and we could get great deals on cruises. One of my co-workers, Marg, asked if I wanted to go on a cruise with her. When I mentioned it to my mom she wanted to come and after all the dust settled, my mom, her two sisters and my cousin Nancy all wanted to cruise. My mom chose the SS Norway and we got a good airline employee deal. If they were in our room, they got the deal too. So, Marg, and Winnie (middle sister) and her daughter were booked together. I was booked with my mom and her oldest sister Trixie! We had two triple ocean view (a small porthole as the ship was old) staterooms. When we got on the cruise, I moved in with Marg and Nancy and Winnie joined her other sisters. That would not be possible with today’s technology.
Beer and wine were reasonably priced. I didn’t drink hard alcohol so I couldn’t tell you how much that was, but I know it wasn't expensive as they said, “at sea we pay no taxes”. Bingo was cheap and fun. So many people played bingo the theatre filled up. The entertainment was enjoyable but nothing like the calibre we have now. The food in the dining room was amazing! Every vegetable had a rich sauce. They would walk around and give you second helpings of vegetables if you wanted. Dinner was an event! No such thing as open dining and everyone dressed appropriately.
I’ve watched things change over the years. Cruise prices have kept low and the cutbacks are very noticeable. In the early years you got to know your stateroom attendant by name. He would carry on a good conversation, letting you know where he was from and how he was supporting an entire family. Of course, you would always tip him well. They would always tell us when their next furlough would be and how much they missed their family. Today on the Caribbean Princess our room wasn’t made up until after 2. We know that because we came back to our room before “The Voice at Sea” and he was almost at our door. He started at 8 AM. He is very nice but far too busy to have a conversation. He always says hello, does an excellent job but we don’t know anything about him.
Then, tips were given out, in cash, on the second to last night. It was always nice to hand it to someone who did an excellent job. I always wrote a little thank you note and signed my name and room number. I was always thanked. Now, they add them to your stateroom account every day. They keep going up. These people deserved to be tipped and I liked handing it to them. You can add more at the end of the cruise if you so wish. They always say it does get to the right people, but you do wonder. I know people who would tip on the first day. That would get you excellent service the entire trip.
In 1979 beer was 75 cents. Now it’s US$7.00 for American beer, more for good European brew. Now they offer the “Premium Beverage Package”. The price is steep and unless you’re an alcoholic, it’s not worth it! You need to figure out how many sea days and how many port days. If you are at port for 10 hours, that cuts into drinking time. If you get ill on the ship and can’t drink, they don’t care, they still charge you. They pay no taxes while at sea! I understand while in port, they do pay the applicable tax.
I always advise people now to pay for your alcohol as you order it. All cruise lines allow you to bring on one wine bottle per person. If you open it in your room, you don’t pay corkage. Your room steward will bring you glasses, and you can have a “party” in your room at sail away or pour a glass and take it in the dining room!
Don’t get sick on a ship unless you have great insurance. In 1999, on Royal Caribbean, I paid US$300.00 for a bladder infection! I diagnosed myself and told them what medication to prescribe! I was in the clinic for less than 20 minutes. I got all my money back from BC Medical and my travel insurance, but the insurance paperwork took more time than the appointment.
Before, Holland America would have hot appetizers in their bars. Those are gone and if they put out pretzels it’s a good day. Every ship has so many “upsells”, it’s annoying. On this cruise the spa people sit outside the buffet trying to sell their appointments. The picture taking is another cash grab. Most photos are $20 on this cruise. Royal Caribbean does not print the photos, they are all online and you can view all your photos in your cabin. If you want to purchase any, you do it on your television. They use picture recognition. Princess has a huge wall of photos and when they are not purchased, they are destroyed. What a huge waste of photo paper!
I have cruised on every line from Carnival to Crystal. Everyone asks what I prefer, and they all have something different to offer. Cunard has the best ballroom dancing on the seven seas. Royal Caribbean is the best for children and has the most entertainment for adults on their Oasis class ships. Crystal is pure luxury and you pay nothing extra; it’s all included. You get what you pay for. Princess and Royal Caribbean are the two lines I’ve cruised the most. We went on the Allure of the Seas and never got off the ship. The ship was our destination and we loved it. Princess has the best past passenger program. This is my twentieth Princess cruise. I got 250 free internet minutes, 10% off on the shops, free dry cleaning, free laundry and a two-hour cocktail party every night. We get priority when we board, disembark and went ashore on the tenders in Sydney.
On this cruise and most others, we’ve been on we’ve noticed the dress code is not being enforced. People are wearing whatever they want into the dining room including shorts and ripped jeans. Lexie and I did not dress formally, but we also didn’t go in the dining room. That was our choice. We wore nice clothes, but not formal clothes. Cunard enforces the dress code and you know before you leave home what is expected. It was nice on formal night because everyone dressed nicely.
I hope I’ve given you an insight into the changes over the years cruising. We are looking forward to our next cruise, wherever that may be.
