SS Veracruz

Our first Cruise was the one day SeaEscape, which wet the whistle. We booked a few years later on the Veracruz out of Tampa. The standing joke was “You have to go outside of your room to change your mind” was not far off. We were down in the guts of the ship watching a movie, smelled smoke, the lights went out (I don’t remember any emergency lighting) and being a firefighter, waited a few minutes for crew to appear, when that didn’t happen, I led everyone in the theater to the first outside deck. No one on the crew we met spoke English; we came to realize we were dead in the water, in the dark. I asked a few more crew members what happening, finally a man in greasy coverall’s (Philippines I think) said – “ship – she broken” we drifted for about 2 hours while they tried to get the engines going again. So it was an adventure, and the Veracruz next to the ships from Carnival and RCL looked like a dwarf. From what I understand the Veracruz and the SeaEscape for that matter, both have bit the dust.

I was Chief Purser on the Veracruz I for a while, and sad to see her go. For more info, visit the following URL:

 

(http://www.oceancruisenews.com/bm11.htm).

i dont know if we are talking about the same vera cruz but when i worked for this cruise ship as a musician, our chief purser was an oriental and her wonderful :)assistant was a canadian named janet, the ship captain was a german. i was on board the vera cruz way back 1979. i would like to know whatever happened to this ship too. i worked on that ship for a year and i am very curious to know what ever happened to my former crew mates there.

I dont know if you remember, there was a filipino band playing during that cruise. I happen to be the keyboardist of that band. The famous English jazz pianist you were referring to was George Shearing.:)

I was in my early 20's and took a 2 weeks cruise out of Barbados and had 11 port of calls.

One of them was Haiti and I went through the Pamnama Canal. I do recall we had a day or two of really rough sea and the bartender helped me by giving me ginger ale.

 

I don't recall the cabin being small. I think when I signed up, I was supposed to share the cabin with another female but ended up alone. Do remember having a fruit basket in the cabin and the room stewart was really great.

 

Just before going on my second cruise with my husband, I discard the mementos from this cruise. Do anyone have info on this cruise.

:)paul, i hope you still remember me. my name is boyet from the filipino band that performed on the vera cruise (i was the keyboard player). so nice to see vic (trombone player...mario our bass player and jun our drummer. surprised to see cliff our English entertainer. jeez, these pictures brought a lot of memories. hope you are doing fine. my email (jojosacramento@yahoo.com)

SS Veracruz patch from my collection.

Hi Boyet,

You guys adopted me, we had some very wild times!!! I was on the piano in the casino, a trio and I would split the evening. It was truly amazing fun!

I was Chief Purser on the Veracruz I for a while, and sad to see her go. For more info, visit the following URL:

 

(http://www.oceancruisenews.com/bm11.htm).

Do you know what ever happened to Vic Serra who was the Cruise Director on the VeraCruz in the early 1980's?

Thanks

I was on the Veracruz during March break in 1978. I remember partying with the staff and crew and the wild time. I also entered the "talent" contest, and did my juggling act. When I look back at the pictures all the women seemed to be enjoying it, and after that night I had quite a few comment to me, "hey aren't you the juggler - you did great! For an 18 year old thats quite a boost. As I said I had a blast.:cool::D

My turn to resurrect this post. I feel like I was one of the original Veracruz cruisers. Went on my own in 1977 from Jamaica to Acapulco. I was 21 at the time and clearly remember the awe of seeing the Panama Canal (must return sometime sooner rather than later). It's been so much fun seeing all the posts. As much as I love cruising now as a grandmother with my second husband, the memories of the small ship, interacting with the crew -- the parties on deck was great to revisit. I even have my itinerary still and the excursions were about $8. So much fun - sorry to hear how her cruising life ended.

My wife and I cruised on the Veracruz out of Tampa in 1982. We did the Western Caribbean itinerary, but for the life of me, can only remember us stopping at Key West, Playa Del Carmen, and Cozumel during the 7 days.

At the time we were on the ship, Jens Thorn was the Captain. The cruise director was a guy named Cliff Nelson and the "Social Director" (never heard that title before or since that cruise) was a guy named Lombardino...which was confusing as the featured singer's name that week was Lombard.

Anyway, besides remembering everyone's names (and I have no idea why I remember them), the most vivid memory is of the size of the cabins. My wife and I had an inside cabin and were stunned at it's size (or lack thereof!). Another memory I have was seeing Captain Thorn on the bridge wing of the ship dressed only in a bathing suit (no shirt). I asked if I could take his picture and he (in less that diplomatic terms) refused. Said that he had to be in uniform before he would pose for pictures. Oh well...

Garnett

I was on the Vercruz in February 1987 with my 2 sisters. It was our first cruise and we have been avid cruisers ever since.

We had a blast!! We took the Western Caribbean route.

We still talk about it; how small our room (especially the bathroom) was, how the ship was stopped after we left Key West to let a passenger board. He missed the ship because he was sitting in Sloppy Joes all day and was too drunk to make it to the ship before it left! :D:D I do not believe that would happen these days.....:p

All of the people and staff were great fun. We have fond memories of partying with everyone at the bar at the back of the ship. :)

This brought back great memories, thanks!

Hi - My name is Paul and I was Ship's Photographer on the Veracruz in 1980/81. I thought I'd post a few old photos. The colours are faded but then it was nearly 30 years ago. :) Thats me in my avatar but bear in mind I am now much older! The Veracruz was my favorite ship that I worked on. I have some more photos somewhere. I'll try and find them.

 

 

 

Thanks for posting these photos. I was just thinking of the Vercruz and remember being on her twice. I remember captain Jan Laarson on the cruise from Tampa. He was such fun. He even jumped in the pool with his clothes on one warm day. He also drove a "little red corvette" which he insisted the DJ play for him. The first cruise I took was out of Barbados and I really don't remember the captains name, except to say that on both cruises, we were invited to dine at the Captains table. You don't see that anymore. Thanks for the memories.

 

 

 

I can't remember where this was. Maybe Bonaire?

 

 

 

Crew Lifeboat Drill

 

 

 

Veracruz Cruise Staff

 

 

 

Veracruz Cruise Staff

 

 

 

Veracruz Crew & Cruise Staff

 

 

 

Blimey, posting this has bought back some memories. If any old friends see this - I hope you're all OK.

Thanks for posting these photos. I was just thinking of the Vercruz and remember being on her twice. I remember captain Jan Laarson on the cruise from Tampa. He was such fun. He even jumped in the pool with his clothes on one warm day. He also drove a "little red corvette" which he insisted the DJ play for him. The first cruise I took was out of Barbados and I really don't remember the captains name, except to say that on both cruises, we were invited to dine at the Captains table. You don't see that anymore. Thanks for the memories.

My wife and I cruised on the Veracruz out of Tampa in 1982. We did the Western Caribbean itinerary, but for the life of me, can only remember us stopping at Key West, Playa Del Carmen, and Cozumel during the 7 days.

 

At the time we were on the ship, Jens Thorn was the Captain. The cruise director was a guy named Cliff Nelson and the "Social Director" (never heard that title before or since that cruise) was a guy named Lombardino...which was confusing as the featured singer's name that week was Lombard.

 

Anyway, besides remembering everyone's names (and I have no idea why I remember them), the most vivid memory is of the size of the cabins. My wife and I had an inside cabin and were stunned at it's size (or lack thereof!). Another memory I have was seeing Captain Thorn on the bridge wing of the ship dressed only in a bathing suit (no shirt). I asked if I could take his picture and he (in less that diplomatic terms) refused. Said that he had to be in uniform before he would pose for pictures. Oh well...

 

Garnett

We sailed out of Tampa in March of 1982... captain was Jan Laarson at the time. Lots of fun. Intimate group and the captain invited us to dine at this table and one day we met at the beach and he bought us all drinks... He even jumped in the pool with clothes on one day. What a character. fun memories also remember Cliff Nelson... he was another character.

When I was a kid I loved the movie "Veracruz" so I wanted to visit the city and sail on the ship. Alas the cruise didn't happen and the visit to the city hasn't happened yet. Maybe someday.

My sister Janet was an assistant purser on the Veracruz in the 70s.We are Canadian. Does anyone remember the Bar Manager Mike O from Korea or a bartender named Charles from Guyana?

Do you remember a Canadian gal named Janet who was the assistant purser? She's my sister! Janet kept in touch with many of the crew for years - still writes to Caroline in England, and kept in touch with Cliff too.

Hi, I do remember Janet. She composed the magical letter that changed my life's direction!!!! She was my my Guardian Angel on the ship. Please tell her to contact me. I really would like to talk with her again. My phone number is 267-326-7961. Tell her I was the keyboardist from the band. I was playing with Toby (vocalist), Vic (pungay) Jun (drummer) Mario (drummer) etc. Thanks!!!! :eek::)

The Purser was Andy Ahn. Janet definitely remembers you Boyet - I emailed her right away this morning! She was on the VeraCruz from about 1975-80.

I Remember Janet as well. I was the pianist in the casino for a time and have amazing memories of my time there. The entertainment crew were family and treated me incredibly well. I continue to be a working musician in Toronto. Please pass on my regards to Janet, from Paul. Love to all else who read this, Ioli, cliff, Roy and Paul the photogs, Jun, Boyet, etc. I think of you often.

Paul Z

...Janet Jarvie ?

I was on keyboards with a trio called Checkmate, 1977-78.

A great time was had by all.....I think...some of it's a bit hazy......!!

...Janet Jarvie ?

I was on keyboards with a trio called Checkmate, 1977-78.

A great time was had by all.....I think...some of it's a bit hazy......!!

I will email my sister tonight and tell her. What a small world it is. :)

What a fun ship! My sister and I took our last cruise on that ship in 1988. Paul from London was the ship photographer and Cheppi was the bartender! Great memories of that ship! Would love to know

Where it is now?

I have pics of the ship I just can't figure out how to

Post!!

Best cruise ever!!

I remembered we had a rough sea on my first cruise aboard the SS Veracruz. The crews were so kind to me by making sure I was not too seasick. Great memory of the 14 days cruise that started in Barbados!

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We had rough seas also. I remember DH kindly keeping some older women from falling while ignoring me -- LOL.