Royal Viking Line

Does anyone here REALLY miss that excellent company?

My 1st cruise with them was on the RV Star, back in 1989 to Bermuda. That was how I got hooked with them!

Then, the so-called bubble got burst when the line decided to fold.

Those roomy cabins ... the friendly crew ... the excellent food.. Leona Helmsley being thrown off the ship......

Ahhhh... great memories!

:)

.. Leona Helmsley being thrown off the ship......

Ahhhh... great memories!

:)

Do tell! What's the story of LH getting tossed?

Do tell! What's the story of LH getting tossed?

Yes, I second that - what got the Queen of Mean the boot?

Do tell, Vic :) !

Yes, Royal Viking Line was the premier luxury line in its time. But, even so, fares were more reasonable than one might expect.

June, 1980: aboard Royal Viking Sky, a trans-Atlantic voyage from New York to Copenhagen connecting with a North Cape cruise round-trip from Copenhagen was less per day than my return crossing on Queen Elizabeth 2 in Tourist Class! And, that QE2 voyage was the most disappointing of all of my cruises.

This was told to me by a bartender on the Royal Viking Star.

She was on board for a function of some sorts in Fort Lauderdale,and the barkeep had the misfortune of being assigned to the drink duties in that lounge.

After serving her requested cocktail, she told him "It's not mixed right!" ... My barkeep friend replied "Madame, I've been doing this for 15 years, so I'm sure it's mixed properly"

Her reply was "You're fired!"

Barkeep: "You can't fire me, I don't work for you!"

LH: "You don't know who I know!"

Barkeep: "Go ahead .... I'm not going anywhere"

LH: "I'll have your f#$%&*ng ass for this!"

He concluded by saying her last remark left him in tears of laughter, as she went to find the captain.

3 hrs went by, and no sign of her.

It turned out the bartender wasn't her only victim on that ship. Word got around that she was terrorizing the other passengers in her typical, charmimg way.

Last he heard, she was being escorted off the ship by security.

Royal Viking Line, Royal Cruise Line & NCL were, at the time owned by Kloster Cruise. Kloster was deperately trying to compete with Carnival and RCCI...and losing. Cash problems and an uncanny ability to mismanage products while laughing in the face of their clientel led to their demise.

For some unknown reason, Kloster felt the NCL product was the ONLY cruise product and infiltrated the quality / luxury brands of Royal Viking & Royal Cruise line. Rather than understanding the products and clientel of RVL & RCL (they LIKED a quality, quiet and social cruise product), Kloster dismissed them as old fogie products and continued to transfer flippant NCL management and staff to these brands.

I was aboard RCL's Crown Odyssey as her last RCL CD and witnessed the disprespect NCL management had for VERY loyal RCL clientel. It truely was torture to witness crew strikes, and passenger rebellions to NCL 'management' sent aboard to address the line's imminent absorbsion into NCL. They basically tuned their backs on a fixed clientel and continued to bleed both RVL and RCL to support their primary focus of NCL. I cannot tell you how many times I heard the NCL way was the way to do it...only to irritate RCL repeaters. I remember NCL Onboard Revenue Managers proclaiming to Crown Odyssey passengers "WHY do we WANT a library onboard...it would be a GREAT place for a TShirt Shoppe!" I still shudder.

RVL was the 1st to be disbanded. Some of the fleet was absorbed by NCL. some into RCL. But eventually even RCL was to be consumed into the density / volume product Kloster was churning with NCL.

Alas, NCL was bought by Star Cruise, and at least has infused money to the brand. I am not convinced the NCL arrogance has dissipated.

It was so sad to see RVL & RCL go. They truely were bastions of traditional, global cruise travel (One with a renowned Scandinavian flair, one with an earthy Greek style). They have yielded to the floating circus mentality. I too had worked for NCL, and respected the product. It has a market. But it is not the ONLY market, and the only style of cruising. Not that I am a huge fan of Carnivalization, but at least they understand different strokes for different folks and attempt to cater to them respectively with an array of cruise products / brands.

I miss you RVL & RCL. Beautiful ships, beautiful products, beautiful memories.

We also cruised on Royal Viking and the Royal Cruise line. I miss them both. My husband and I still talk about "Julie" and the harp that was played in the upstairs lounge each day at "tea time". Sailing out of New York was wonderful.:)

We also cruised on Royal Viking and the Royal Cruise line. I miss them both. My husband and I still talk about "Julie" and the harp that was played in the upstairs lounge each day at "tea time". Sailing out of New York was wonderful.:)

And, sailing out of New York is STILL wonderful!

:)

Oh how I miss this cruise line. My first cruise was on the Royal Viking queen.

Such service...such food..such interesting travel companions. We were on the RVSun when she hit the reef off Sharm el Shiek...The service was maintained even with no electricity or hot water.

Nothing in our cruise experience has come close since.

When we went to a TA and asked them to recommend a cruise, our first, she told us that everyone should cruise RVL at least once. We took the cruise, Alaska, and cruised with them five times before they folded. Our last cruise was on the Star before it went to NCL. We did the North Cape to Spitzbergen on the Sun when it was new. Third cruise for it I believe.

The captain was Olaf Harshiem who made you feel like he was operating your yacht. He was later on the World of Residence Sea. Don't know where he is now. Great memories. Nothing half as nice since. No pretty Norwegian cabin attendants. No European waiters.

Next cruise 25 days on Oceania in November.

What nice things to read. My husband and I sailed as crew for RVL. He was in the dining room for 9 years and I was in the Purser's Office for 5.

Wonderful memories of Elizabeth Taylor, Vincent Price, Rock Hudson etc.

We've done many cruises as passengers since, and nothing is quite the same.

Those truly were the days of cruising. They looked so beautiful and I remember sometimes coming back from a day in port and approaching the ship and feeling so proud that I was part of RVL. It was indeed a most special community and we were very lucky to be part of it.

Hi-

I read your blurb about working on the RVL. I totally agree with your statement about feeling proud when approaching the ship from various ports of call.I worked on the Star, Sky and Sea for about 5 years. It truly was exciting and wonderful. I don't believe there is anything quite like it these days. What great memories! Maybe we know each other. I worked onboard from 1974-1981 signing off for good in Maderia.

Gail:)

Hi-

I worked on the RVL- Star, Sky and Sea from 1974-1981. The adventures on and off board were exciting- truly an experience of a lifetime. I don't believe there is anything quite like Royal Viking Lines- she remains in a league of her own.

What great memories! All of us that had the pleasure of sailing with her were most fortunate. Maybe we know each other?

Gail:)

Hi Gail

I joined the Star in December 79 and was there until 82. Joined the Sea for a short time and back to the Star until December 1984 - signed off in Hong Kong.

Which dept were you?

Dianne

Hi Dianne-

I signed on in December of 74 and worked as a night cleaner for 10 months then signed off in London for an overland journey with a Swiss group to Africa. I signed back onboard in 1976 with another Swiss crew member- Renata. We took back our positions as night cleaners. I worked for 13 consecutive months at that time before signing off for holiday. I then signed onto the Royal Viking Sky for a Christmas cruise and proceeded to sign onto the Sea for the next few years- again as night cleaner.

How about you?? Were you a stewardess?? Are you American??

Thanks for replying- those were really some golden years of fun and adventure weren't they? Lucky us.

Gail:)

I wason one of the RV triplets back in the late 1970's & loved it.

I just sailed on on the HAL Prinsendam for a 14 day crossing NYC - Barcelona -I this ship was built as the RV Sun I believe.. Even with the changes made to the ship by the post RV owners - it was apparent the quality that was built into the ship. It had a "private club " feel to it & the original cabins & suites were great. The dining room (aft) is beautiful - watching the sunset through the floor to ceiling windows each evening while we crossed is a high lite!

Too bad the cruise lines of today can't see that theses ships can be profitable & desirable.

PS - she sailed beautifully all across the Atlantic!

Yes, the RV Sun is now the HAL Prinsendam.

I sailed on her for segments of three World Cruises (mid 90's) and she is one of my favorite ships. Captain Harsheim and the entire crew were marvelous and it was indeed like a "private club".

When first acquired, Carnival placed the RV Sun under the "Seabourn" label and then after a year or so, "downgraded" her and moved her to Holland America.

I sailed her as RVL Sun, Cunard / Seabourn Sun and Prinsendam. Although I doubt any product will again offer what RVL was, I cannot say her current life as Prinsendam was a 'downgrade'. In fact, her condition before the transfer to HAL was, in my opinion, quite shabby. I believe HAL has spent quite a sum to 'upgrade' her as Prinsendam. She retains much of her original architecture with the HAL style and furnishings.

I personally, am thankful HAL found a niche for this fine ship and has spent the effort to improve on her condition. She sails globally still, low density with an attention to detail not offered on larger ships. I was glad to have sailed her in all incarnations.

Ah, good 'ole Royal Viking Line. I miss 'em. My very first cruise was in 1984 on the Royal Viking Sky Christmas cruise. It was a 14-day cruise from San Francisco - Ft.Lauderdale. Being that I was 7 years old, my parents only booked a 7-day segment from San Francisco - Acapulco. I still remember sailing out under the Golden Gate Bridge under the darkness of evening and had the most incredible week. And, alas, my cruise addiction was born. Ironically, I was onboard the Royal Viking Queen in 1994 when it was announced that Royal Viking was being absorbed into Royal Cruise Line and NCL. That was a ship full of sad passengers and crew! I will never forget them.

Michael

I may get beat up for this but after my May transatlantic - which I was most happy to do - I loved the ship & its facilities. That being said the service & food left a great deal to be desired.

The HAL product certainly isn't on par with RVL levels & I had better food & service onboard MSC OPERA(Feb 2005) & the QE2.

The Prinsendam's wonderful facilities & club like atmosphere were most comfortable - under RVL it must of been sublime!

I would agree. HAL is not RVL. They are different caliber products, particularly in service and dining details. That said, I still believe this ship is looking better as Prinsendam then last I saw her as Cunard Seabourn Sun.

Sorry for not replying sooner. I keep forgetting to check.

I'm an Australian. Joined as Purser Asst. Then became Post Mistress and then Hotel Manager Asst.

Husband is Austrian and was dining room waiter, headwaiter, then Asst. Maitre d'.

We still love looking back at the photos and still in touch with many "old" crew.

Sailed with Elizabeth Taylor and Vincent Price. They were the best in the world those days.

13 months in a row!! Wow!! Impressive. I used to enjoy chatting to the 'night people' when I was on the midnight to 8 shift in Reception. Perhaps our paths have crossed.

Regards

Dianne

Hate to get emotional, but this all put a lump in my throat! Yes, we do miss RVL. Although we've cruised alot, probably 50+ at this point, RV Star and Sea were our absolute favorites. RV Star to Bermuda out of NY was our daughter's first cruise, she was 7 at the time, (she just graduated from college this year and fondly remembers it as well) and it was so memorable in many ways......Someone mentioned Julie and her harp. Before dinner on a formal night, we went up to that wonderful observation bar in the bow of ship (forgive me I can't recall it's exact name, but you know the one I mean!). Julie was dressed in green tafeta and our Elizabeth had on her best velvet dress. She was fascinated by Julie and her harp, as we all were! Julie asked Elizabeth to help her play something and put E on her lap while the two of them played the harp together.....something we'll never forget!!! ALF was the bartender up there and made the best, most wonderful drinks.......a bloody mary served in a fresh, carved green pepper, fresh strawberry concoctions for our daughter........stuff you just don't find anymore!

Other happy memories include seeing some of the ships staff dressed in dirndls with balloons on the bow of the ship before sailing.......

Crew shows with scandinavian dancing......

Ice cold freshly shucked oysters in ice out by the pool on a sea day (oh gosh, so yummy !)

Beautiful glassware given for being a SKALD member

Hearing "SKALD" ring out thru the dining room

Enough happy memories.......but you get the idea......we loved RVL too!

I too keep forgetting to check the boards here.

You and I could very well have crossed paths Dianne as I was responsible for cleaning the offices in the reception area. I worked in that area from about 12:30am to 1:30am each night.

As a side note: I actually lived in Australia from 1984 to 1985 in Queensland- Yandina and Coolum Beach:)

Elizabeth Taylor and the Vincent- incredible! Would love to see some of your photos. If you don't mind me asking-What crew members are you in touch with?

I recently connected with nother X RVL crew member after 22 years. He lives in San Francisco and actually met the fellow who created the name "Royal Viking Lines" and emblem of that beautified red bird.

What great memories to treasure- we were truly blessed to be part of those Royal moments in time:)

Kindest Regards to you:) Gailhttp://boards.cruisecritic.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=4316690#

Sorry for not replying sooner. I keep forgetting to check.

I'm an Australian. Joined as Purser Asst. Then became Post Mistress and then Hotel Manager Asst.

Husband is Austrian and was dining room waiter, headwaiter, then Asst. Maitre d'.

 

We still love looking back at the photos and still in touch with many "old" crew.

 

Sailed with Elizabeth Taylor and Vincent Price. They were the best in the world those days.

 

13 months in a row!! Wow!! Impressive. I used to enjoy chatting to the 'night people' when I was on the midnight to 8 shift in Reception. Perhaps our paths have crossed.

 

Regards

Dianne

Nice to hear from you again.

We lived on the Gold Coast and returned there in 1985 after signing off the STAR December 84 in Hong Kong.

In touch with fellow Purser Assist Jodi Ramsey (American) and Maitre d'Hotel Arnold Deutschl. Rudi Querzola and wife Helen, Salvatore Casu and wife Synnoeve, Chief Purser Tor Bang and quite a few others that we contact at Christmas. Was always hoping somebody would start an RVL website so we could all chat about the "old" days.

Captain was Ola Harsheim and Hotel Manager Ulrich Baur. Think Cruise Director was Derek Mann. Are these names ringing a bell. Housekeeper Rosanna Campo? Look forward to hearing from you.