I registered on the forums today as stumbled across them and was impressed with the quality of posts + i love nostalgia!
The main reason i write is that I was lucky enough to work on the ship from Jan-July 1988 in the gift shops. I can honestly say that i had the time of my life! The crew , the passengers, the ship and especially the ports made for a great working life.
I was in my early 20s and joined the ship flying from Manchester England to San Juan via London and Miami. I did not realise that I had to go through Customs in Miami, so my luggage was impounded and I joined the ship for a 6 month contract with no change of clothes!!
We used to get most port time off (as shops were closed) and enjoyed many warm days in St Thomas, St Martin and one of my favourite places..Barbados. Hiring mopeds, jeeps, relaxing on beaches (Crane Beach was my fave), booze cruise on the Jolly Roger! Life was just idyllic. We worked hard on the 2 full sea days but we were like family and enjoyed most deck privileges, but were not allowed to dance in the disco! unlike the Italian officers!
I loved the ship, it was old fashioned but had loads of character, nooks and crannies form fwd to aft! The pizza in the midnight buffet tasted great with a can of ornajeboom or heineken!
The ship was a party ship but with a real mix of pax. Lots from the mid west, upsate New York, Philly etc. Most liked our English accents and many friendships were formed.
We used to work 6 month contracts , the only downside being away from home and loved ones for so long , especially in Pre Skype days! I also worked on MS Tropicale and did 2 stints on SS Canberra, including a 3 month world cruise, before workinn on ferries in Ireland and France as a way of me 'coming home' and settling down...
What happened to Carnival's Festivale?
in What Ever Happened To........???
Posted
Hi all
I registered on the forums today as stumbled across them and was impressed with the quality of posts + i love nostalgia!
The main reason i write is that I was lucky enough to work on the ship from Jan-July 1988 in the gift shops. I can honestly say that i had the time of my life! The crew , the passengers, the ship and especially the ports made for a great working life.
I was in my early 20s and joined the ship flying from Manchester England to San Juan via London and Miami. I did not realise that I had to go through Customs in Miami, so my luggage was impounded and I joined the ship for a 6 month contract with no change of clothes!!
We used to get most port time off (as shops were closed) and enjoyed many warm days in St Thomas, St Martin and one of my favourite places..Barbados. Hiring mopeds, jeeps, relaxing on beaches (Crane Beach was my fave), booze cruise on the Jolly Roger! Life was just idyllic. We worked hard on the 2 full sea days but we were like family and enjoyed most deck privileges, but were not allowed to dance in the disco! unlike the Italian officers!
I loved the ship, it was old fashioned but had loads of character, nooks and crannies form fwd to aft! The pizza in the midnight buffet tasted great with a can of ornajeboom or heineken!
The ship was a party ship but with a real mix of pax. Lots from the mid west, upsate New York, Philly etc. Most liked our English accents and many friendships were formed.
We used to work 6 month contracts , the only downside being away from home and loved ones for so long , especially in Pre Skype days! I also worked on MS Tropicale and did 2 stints on SS Canberra, including a 3 month world cruise, before workinn on ferries in Ireland and France as a way of me 'coming home' and settling down...