oceanicmyfirstlove

Dan - was this a picture of the Emerald Princess Dolphin Deck D732 mini suite? Am interested as we have booked it for a November 2015 cruise. Thanks for any help.

Sylvia

Hi agile dogs - I hope you enjoy your first cruise. My cousin and I who travel together have booked this mini suite as we will have her sister in law cruising with us. For me this will be my 43rd cruise but my first with Princess but my cousin has cruised with her husband and friends on Princess. I would really appreciate your view on the cabin space-wise for 3 women and let me know if there is good storage. Hope to hear back from you. We are not going until November of this year as there will be a group of us going to celebratd a 50th wedding anniversary. Bon Voyage🚢❕

Oh how I agree that the ships are getting way too big! They take the cruising out of cruising. It's just that they hold way to many passengers. It's the logistics of getting 3000 passengers who all want off at the same time especially at the time of disembarkation on the final day. The pools are way to small to accommodate this many people and at breakfast and lunch times, the lines in the buffet are just too long.

I have been on 43 cruises, starting back in 1965 and cruising was great until the mid 80s early 90s with all of the bigger ships being built. But I am probably a minority in that I absolutely love a ship that has less than 1,500 passengers.

I also dislike all of the different restaurants. When I started to cruise there were 2 sittings and only once did I ever find that I really didn't like the people I was seated with and as a result I changed tables and was seated with a wonderful group. I still have friends that I have stayed in touch with and one that has resulted in a friendship that has spanned 47 years and new friendships with 3 people from a cruise in 2012, which will undoubtedly not span 47 years, as I won't be alive that long, but hopefully will span at least another 20 years and if lucky more. If we hadn't of had those designated dinner times, we probably would never have met and that would have been unfortunate.

Also with the number of passengers on a cruise ship being so high now the probably of airborne diseases increases.

I will try to cruise on ships that don't carry huge numbers of passengers so that the pool area can be accessed and buffet lines that don't take a great deal of time to get through.

I want a ship that has great entertainment that can involve the passengers. I'd also like to have cruise lines where they have agreements with various airlines to provide a "cheaper" air fare to get to the designated embarkation pier.

As a Canadian, it is very expensive when the Canadian dollar isn't worth as much as the US dollar. For the past 3 years or so, our dollar was on or near par with the US which made a cruise affordable. Cruise lines have to remember that all Canadians have to get to the Port in order to cruise. I realize that there are many Americans who also have to travel to get to the embarkation port, but the air fares in the United States are much lower than the Canadian ones and they are in US dollars.

We also have to pay for everything in US dollars, i.e., drinks, gratuities, tours, gift shop items, etc., which again just add a lot more to our final costs.

Cruising is a wonderful way to see the world. It allows one to visit places where you might want to go back to vacation at another time. But cruising also is for me, a place, where I can simply relax and enjoy being at sea. And with the bigger ships, it is becoming increasingly harder to find a comfortable and peaceful place to just chill out, as all of the spaces on a ship are being filled with rock climbing walls, water rides, sky diving chambers, etc.

To those who enjoy the bigger ships, enjoy, however, we will not meet as I will continue to sail on the smaller ones where I am most comfortable.:)

I began cruising in 1965 with Home Lines on the SS Oceanic. This was an Italian line and was far ahead of its time. It even had a magnadrome roof that could be closed in inclement weather. Part of the fun in cruising for me was always meeting new people. Some relationships have lasted for over 40 years and had us travelling to each others homes. I have never met people that I didn't like at my table. As a matter of fact in 2012 I was on a Transatlantic cruise and initially my cousin and I were seated at a table for 8 people. The first 2 nights there was only another lady at the table, then we had 2 wonderful sisters from Ireland join us for the remainder on the 3rd night. On the 5th night, two more people joined us and we had the best table in the Dining Room. We have all become friends and have kept in touch. We've stayed with our friend in Ft. Lauderdale on several occasions and the last couple who joined us lives just north of Ft. Lauderdale, and they are going on another Transatlantic and needed someone to pet sit. As a result, I am going to their home to look after their little guy. They have a pool, so I'll just be absolutely in my glory. I'll be there for 27 days! So, you see if you don't take the chance, you may never meet wonderful people. I'm looking forward to this trip and again on my 2 week Caribbean cruise this coming March with our friend from Ft. Lauderdale and my cousin. Thanks to cruising I've met many many wonderful people! As everyone says, if you don't like the people, then you can change, that's what the couple that I'm pet sitting for did and all us had to admit that we all were so lucky in that we had the pet table mates ever! We have all become great friends even though my cousin and I live in Canada, then there are the 2 ladies from Ireland and of course our American friends. But, if you want to be alone, then go ahead and book a table for 2.

In today's world, there is no such thing as a "Cheap" cruise. There are different lines and you just need to comparison shop if you don't have your mind set on a particular line or a particular itinerary.

I have been on 42 cruises and I truly can only say that when I started back in 1965 to cruise, those were the days when you weren't nickled and dimed to death on board a ship. I travelled with Homes Lines back then and they were absolutely wonderful and the Oceanic hooked me on cruising. The Oceanic was before her time - in 1965, you didn't find ships with a magnadrome roof that could be closed if the weather wasn't good.

Drinks on board back then were in the 25 cent range for a cocktail, etc. and of course, you would go through so many courses at dinner and shrimp were always available as was escargot, filet mignon and lobster, etc. There were so many choices, and if you didn't like something, you just asked for something else.

Coffee, tea, water and soda - no charge - whereas today there is a charge for these and it's one that I don't agree with. I also don't think the price of a cocktail should be as high as it is. Home LInes purchased liquor at a duty free rate and this got passed on to the passenger - today though, prices are in line with restaurants and club prices, yet they purchase at a reduced rate and nothing is passed onto the passenger.

But, if you scour all the lines, book early to ensure you have the cabin you want, then follow the prices prior to the ship leaving and if you find it being offered at a lower price, you can cancel your original and rebook!

Cruising is something that you either love or hate - I really don't think there is an inbetween.

So, just watch for sails and happy cruising!!!!! :cool:

Oceanic My First Love

Forty-two cruises ago, in 1965, I started with an inside and around my 30th, decided to try an Outside (no balcony). But then went back to an inside. Finally tried a balcony on my 42nd cruise, and yes, it was nice, but I really enjoy watching people and talking to people, and when I need to be outside I always find a great spot and I agree with you wholeheartedly - why book a balcony when you spend very little time on it. Yes, it was nice to know what the weather outside was like, but you could just turn on the tv and watch the webcam and it would show what it was like outside. So, the amount of money that I save on booking inside allows me to take more excursions, if I want, or to buy something special for myself, or just save it for the next cruise. Which is already booked for my 43rd with my cousin and we're going on back to back trips to the Caribbean, as the ship is stopping at one of my favourite islands, St. Maarten, and the other week has the Cayman Islands on it. So, we will have saved quite a bit by choosing an inside cabin. Only problem is that it is not until March 2015, so I'm just going to be patient - now my cousin, she's going in November with her husband and another couple, but it's just for a week. She'll be ready to go again in March though as we both love to cruise! Only time I'd book a balcony is on my dream cruise which is around the world!!!

Having started cruising in 1965, I have been on 42 cruises and have a question about the "Entertainment Staff" on board various lines.

I'd like to hear what cruisers are saying about the activities that the "Entertainment Staff" are in charge of, on various lines. Example: On MSC they have a great entertainment staff who have many activities scheduled for everyone. Most nights, unless something special was being done", they would have some sort of skit going on in one of their lounges. The young men and women would get people involved in dancing and would circulate amongst the passengers and would get the single passengers to get up and dance.

They also held a Mr. and Ms. Poesia contest, which usually was absolutely hilarious and they would have the entire lounge laughing.

Recently on a Celebrity cruise, there was very little arranged activities for the passengers and it in some areas no live entertainment, aside from the theatre.

Any suggestions about which lines have an entertainment/activities staff group who have things arranged for the passengers.

Thanks for the help.

Oh how I agree with you. Back in the 60s, 70s and even 80s, dressing up was part of going on a cruise. It was an opportunity to be treated like a Queen and indeed the service given was A+++++++! I just returned from a cruise on MSC Poesia, which will now be sailing to Europe to do Northern European cruises. It was good - but the room we had (Suite on Deck 15)was the same size as my first ccabin on the Oceanic which was an interior cabin on Atlantic Deck. Silvanno Carnabucci was our room steward and he was an absolute sweetheart! Plus the beds turned into sofa during the day and there was plenty of room to move about! The dining room service was absolutely fantastic - there was always so much to chose from - and if you didn't like what you ordered, they would always bring you something else!

Oceanic even though you're no longer cruising, you always will be in my heart! There is not one ship like you!!

Ciao bella Oceanic!

Perhaps we were on the same cruise at one time - stranger things have happened! I started in September 1966 and on that cruise, the ship only had approximately 800 passengers, and of those 800 passengers, there were about 200 singles. What a cruise we had. Thanks for the link, whenever, I see a picture of the Oceanic, my heart skips a beat -- she was an absolutely beautiful vessel. The service was impeccable and I doubt that there ever will be another cruise line that will be a close match to Home Lines. I'm still friends with a girl that I met in 1968 on one of my two week cruises - 45 years this coming October! I remember drinking frozen strawberry daiquiris, which cost twenty-five cents and we'd be there in the sun all afternoon having one after another - they tasted so great that it wasn't until you stood up, that you realized they had liquour in them!!! And you're right about the cooking by the pool - I had forgotten that until you mentioned it! The food was absolutely superb! Memories - they can never be taken away!:)

I still think that the old days of cruising were the best. Even though you can get "cheap" cruises, nothing can compare to Home Lines' Oceanic. Today, everything that matters is an extra charge. The staterooms are so much smaller - I know my first cabin on the Oceanic was on Atlantic deck and was an inside - but it was huge compared to the inside cabins on today's ships.

The service on the Oceanic was impeccable. So many courses, and so many choices - today - you're fortunate if you can find a lot of choices. Everything is mass produced, no more cherries jubilee at the table, etc.

The fun of travelling on board ship back in the 60s, 70s and even the 80s was the dressing up. I remember going on two week cruises on the Oceanic in February or March and would have 2 big suitcases full of clothing for all of the "Gala" nights. The crew from the cleaners to the officers were all so friendly - always taking time to just say "hello". Today, you're fortunate to even see an officer, yet alone the Captain during a 2 week cruise.

Home Lines will always have a special place in my heart and one that can't be changed. I do sometimes wish I could afford to go on the "higher" priced lines, where there are not as many people and the service is much better than on the cruise ships today - too many people and so many of the crew/staff not trained properly.

Oceanic may no longer sail the seas, but she will always sail in my heart!

Sylvia

Sylvia, the MSC Melody was Home Line's Atlantic and the Homeric now sails as Thompson Dream. The Atlantic never matched the style and elegance of Oceanic which is now in China perhaps in the breaker's yard....information from China about her fate has been difficult to obtain.

I really don't think that there will ever be a ship that will ever compare to the Oceanic. When I look back at the pictures of her, I become very sad at the thought of her being sold for scrap. But, my memories will never be lost and will always be there.

I checked all of the list of all ships going to the Chinese scrapyard. The SS Oceanic is not on that list. But you could check for yourself.

I just checked the maritime web site and it did NOT indicate that the Oceanic has gone to the scrapyard. It just indicated that she is still the Peace Boat. Why oh why didn't they convert her into a Diesel ship, because she could still be sailing on the many oceans where she belongs. It truly will be a very sad day if she is sent to the scrapyard. The only saving grace is nothing can take away the wonderful memories of a fantastic ship and her special crew that sailed on her over the years.

The Oceanic was my first love and will always be. There is no other like her.

My first trip on her was back in 1966 in September. A girlfriend of mine had a friend who had been on her the previous year and said about the great time they had. So we booked a cruise to Nassau and were suppose to stay in Nassau for a week and were then going to sail back to New York the following week when she returned again. We met a lot of single people on that cruise and were having an absolutely wonderful time and both of us really were wishing were weren't staying in Nassau because of the friends we had made.

The hotel we were to stay in was undergoing renovations which we hadn't been told about, and when we met the group for lunch on the first day of docking, they said we were very quiet. We explained about the hotel and since Home Lines had an office on the Main street of Nassau, we went over and found out that we could come back on the next day before she sailed back to New York. We just had to spend 1 day at this terrible hotel. Well, when we came back the next day, several of the crew met us to welcome us back. What a great group. That started my love affair with the Oceanic.

I took many more trips in the fall of the year and again during the winter months and fell in love with one of the crew. I came to New York often to see him, and was able to stay with a girl I had become friends with on one of my cruises and she would always let me stay with here so I could see Gino when the ship came in for an overnight stay.

I went to visit him in Italy for 6 weeks and fell more in love with him. However, there was no happy ending, as I we had an argument over something that had happened before I met him. But he couldn't forgive me. I just couldn't go back on the Oceanic again. I sailed other lines, but none ever compared to the Oceanic. The service was impeccable, meals delicious and the bands on board were terrific along with the shows. A couple of times I sang in the Passenger Talent show and often would stay to closing hours up in the Club where I'd sing with Rolando and his band.

I learned to play chess on board when I went into the library to get a book and found some of the officers playing chess and asked if they would teac me. I had also met another woman and her friend who was with the Chief Radio Officer Andy and became friends with them. However I did lose contact with them over the years.

I am leaving on November 12, 2012 on a transatlantic trip on board the MSC Poesia and since it's Italian crew, I'm hoping that it will be similar to the Oceanic, although I know that there will never, ever be, a replacement for her. I've been on Celebrity, Pacquet, Costa, Festival cruise lines and found that since I started cruising in 1966, I still enjoy the smaller cruise ships. The Poesia is some 90,000 tons and what I call big - hopefully, my cousin and I will find some interesting people on board.

It was strange to find out the other day that MSC had purchased the Homeric which was a sister ship of the Oceanic and is now sailing as the MSC Melody. It's at least a link, albeit, a very fine one to a wonderful cruise line, Home Lines and the Wonderful Oceanic.

Memories are made and can never be forgotten - long live the Oceanic!!!

I will try and find some of the pictures from my early years on board and add them to this site. :)

Sylvia

Oh how I agree with you. The Oceanic was "one of a kind" and even if she is sold for scrap, the memories of her will remain with me forever.

I was an assistent purser on board ss.Oceanic from 1965 to1968.That time I was 28 and I can say that time was the best time of my life.I'm very happy to know that you have appreciated the crew members' work.

I left the ship after the fire accident two days of sailing toward Nassau.

We turned back to New York because the cruise was interrupted. Since then I returned back to Italy and left the ship's life forever.But I must say that I remember those days many times and regret not have changed my mind in order to sail again. I'm now grand father I love my family very much. I also worked on the Homeric first and the the Oceanic

after and I'll never forget those days. The best days of my life.Thank you for what you have said about the ship and the crewmembers.

Ciao

Joseph

I sailed on the Oceanic from 1965 to 1974. You indicated that you were an assistant purser from 1965 to 1968. Was Rocco Macri the Chief Purser at that time. I remember Rocco teaching me how to play chess. But I also dated one of the bartenders Gino and even visited him in Italy. However, things weren't left too well with either of us. I made a mistake and it cost me his friendship and he will always have a very special place in my heart. The Oceanic was truly a beautiful ship and my memories of being on her on wonderful. I still love to cruise and as a matter of fact, I am sailing on November 12th out of Barcelona on the MSCs Poesia on a Transatlantic trip and hoping that the Italian influence will remind me of the wonderful sailing days on the Oceanic. She will always be my first love. I must go through my old photos and post some of them for people to see. I only hope that the Oceanic or now known as the Peace Boat isn't sold for scrap and that she is purchased and made into a ship hotel. I know I would be honoured to once again be on board.