Song of Norway

[idssms]

I sailed it from PR to Barcelona years ago. Is that the ship referred to as the SS Norway?

 

When we sailed the Song of Norway it was a Royal Caribbean Ship and had been recently cut in the middle and extended.

 

I havent heard about this ship in years, just curious if its the SS Norway.

 

Don

[DFD1]

It is not the Norway. The Norway was originally built by the French Line and known on the North Atlantic as the SS France until taken out of service. After being laid up for several years, she was bought by Norweigen (sp) Cruise Lines, refurbished and sailed for many years as the Norway. She was taken out of service after a boiler explosion at the dock in Miami three or four years ago.

 

I don't know the fate of the Song of Norway, but she was a real beauty and, you are right, she was cut in two and a mid section added to increase her length and capacity.

 

Host Doug, or someone more knowledable can tell us what happened to her. I would like to know as well.

[dougnewmanatsea]

SONG OF NORWAY was sold to the British tour operator Airtours (now MyTravel) in 1997 and renamed SUNDREAM. She remained with them until last year when they indicated that they would leave the cruise business and sell their three ships (the other two being SUNBIRD, ex SONG OF AMERICA, now former MyTravel competitor Thomson's THOMSON DESTINY, and SONG OF NORWAY's sister ship, CAROUSEL, ex NORDIC PRINCE, now Louis Cruise Lines' AQUAMARINE). SUNDREAM went to Cyprus-based Israeli interests and has been renamed DREAM PRINCESS (no connecion whatsoever with Princess Cruises). She will reportedly be used for short gambling cruises from Haifa, however at last report she was laid-up at Southampton.

[idssms]

Thanks both of you guys for the info.

 

In approx 1992 or 1993 we took a transatlantic from PR to Barcelona on the RCL's Song of Norway. It was one of our favorite vactions to this day. We had a small porthole in a small room but something about that ship was magical.

 

We have never bested the time we had on that ship for that 14 day cruise. even though on Celebrity we get some of the nicely appointed suites. The food and service on the Song were outstanding. The dancers and singers would come to our tables at dinner and introduce themselves and we would invite them to meet us for a drink later. It was very close to a family setting between crew and passenger.

 

Well, at least my favorite ship is still alive and hasnt been made into razor blades by Shick or Gillette.

 

Thanks,

 

Don in Fl

[gdayhoff]

We did our first two cruises on the the Song of Norway and Sun Viking in 1978-1980.What beauiful ships. No wonder we are hooked on cruising.

George

[dougnewmanatsea]

I am now told that DREAM PRINCESS has left Southampton and has arrived at Perama, Greece where she is being refitted for the Israeli market as planned

[idssms]

Funny thing happened on that Song of Norway Cruise.

 

Before the cruise I bought a new state of the art Hi8 Sony Video camera just for this cruise. I took two cassettes of Hi8 film which is prob 2 hrs of video.

 

When I got home after the cruise and went to play the videos there was no display at all, it would not work. The video camera was off track and for the life of me I couldnt get the films to play.

 

I had the camera tracking fixed under warranty but the tapes did not play.

 

I still have the 2 Hi8 cassettes but am waiting for some miracle to happen that will afford me the opportunity to see my cruise videos. Since we had this new Sony Hi8 video camera we didn't take a still camera which we regret to this day. I'd love to see my cruise pictures from 1992-1993.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Don

[DFD1]

You still have the memories and they're the best anyway. Happy cruising.

[idssms]

Agreed and sometimes the memories are better than the pictures...

[jbcool]

We saw your comments on the older RCI ships and it reminded us of some great memories too. Our first cruise was on the Song of America in 1984 and our second cruise was on the Song of Norway in 1986. The Song of American was state-of-the-art in cruise ships when we sailed on it. We were engaged on the Song of Norway. We have been sailing RCI ever since. We enjoy both the Radiance class & Voyager class ships and RCI's Crown & Anchor Loyality program.

[canyousayvacation]

Sweet memories! My very first cruise was a wonderful 7 night Caribbean cruise on the Song of Norway in 1983. I, too, remember who wonderful the staff made you feel and the high quality food - making up for the small cabin which I did not spend a whole lot of time in anyway. That trip hooked me on cruising for good!

[idssms]

You are so right. My wife and I met several couples on the Song of Norway cruise and we still trade Holiday Cards with them to this day. Since then we have been on many cruises but have never developed the relationships that we did on the Song of Norway.

 

It was such a romantic cruise for us and my wife and I still talk about it. There were 50% Europeans on the cruise and RCL really did it up food and service wise to impress them since they were getting into the European Market big time.

 

If my memory serves me correct, in 1992.5 we did the cruise with a 3 night stay in Barcelona (air was included back then) for $800 each. Talk about a good deal.

 

Are memories grand???

 

Don from FL

 

Taking a similiar route in May 05 on the Millie (Celebrity) from FLL to Barcelona. This will be the first time since the Song of Norway that we have cruised to Europe. Lets hope its 50% as good as it was then and we will be more then pleased.

[SidneyF]

Jan 95 ten day cruise out of Miami to E. Carib. Ideal weather, smaller ship, good ports of call and included St. Georges , Grenada. I was there shortly after the invasion for 2 weeks in the U.S. Embassy. Remember bad roads, shooting in the night, elec. out for hours. Embassy was an old waterfront resort with barbed wire and bunkers all around it with 50 U.S. Marines for security. Mentioned to a waiter on the ship from Grenada that I had an old acquiantence who use to run the Coconut Groove restaurant there and could serve up good and hot food by candle light when the elec. was out. Come to find out he knew him and arranged for the man to meet us at the pier with a borrowed car and we did a tour of things I had not seen before and all new to my wife. Seems that the older cruises were so much better in ways then nowdays?

[idssms]

I think it was much more laid back in the early 90's and the cruiselines didnt worry so much about the 'bottom line'.

 

In this day and age with all this pressure from stockholders and analysts to beat the numbers and best the last years income we have seen so much decline in the personal touch that had become accustomed too. The game is all about P & L today in all industries.

 

On sea days now they turn off most of the engines to save fuel and travel slower to make the cruise last 14 days. Back on the Song of Norway we just had a fabulous time and it was glamourous. Every male at the formal nights wore tux's,, lots of men wore very expensive smoking jackets in the casinos at night. All ladies were just dressed impeccably. Children that were on board (few) were in nice suits and dresses at night and it was a completely different atmosphere then it is now. I even had a gold smoking jacket (and I never have smoked). Everyone was polite and there were friends to be made.

 

Now, if only I could rescue my 2 hours of hi8 film and make it work I'd be so happy.

 

Don

[DFD1]

Don, I hear the wistfulness in your voice and I share it. Elegance at sea these days is very expensive.

[idssms]

This thread and the reminiscing about my Song of Norway cruise has gotten me very nostaglic.

 

You are so right DFD and you hit it the exact word for me -- "elegance". I was looking for that word subconsciously. Thanks

 

The cruises are much more expensive today. The ships have huge atriums, fancy bars, discos, strobe lights, karaoke contests, give aways at the stores, private specialty restaurants BUT the elegance is gone.

 

And, thats what my wife and I are looking for.

 

It's great to get heads together here and share information because I have solved the reason why we loved our Song of Norway experience and have never experienced anything equal to it since.

 

Just a question: Is that elegant experience available at a price still? I normally limit our cruises to Celebrity (penthouse suites) and am doing a Princess (Grand Suite) in Sept. I am open for suggestions.

 

Thanks, Don from Fl

[ladycaveat]

Oh my goodness . . . I sailed on the Norway in 1985 and have such fond memories. But then again, I sailed on the Regina Magna in 1974 and just learned that she sank out the coast of China. So sad . . .

[idssms]

Thats terrible. Hope no one was hurt?

 

It looks like we are both sailing in about 70 days from now!!

 

We cant wait for our Millie Transatlantic.

 

Where are you headed?

 

 

Don

[dougnewmanatsea]

Oh my goodness . . . I sailed on the Norway in 1985

NORWAY or SONG OF NORWAY?

 

Thats terrible. Hope no one was hurt?

She was on her way to the breakers' with no-one on board. This is a fairly common occurrence, though of late most passenger ships going to the breakers have gone under their own power and made it.

[idssms]

Host Doug:

 

How do you get to be a host? What are the duties of Host? Is it a fulltime job at an office or do you work at home?

 

Just curious as to the position host. Is Walt a host or is his position higher. I know Laura is the head host or Board Chief. I have been on here for quit a while but have no idea how the organization structure works. I know this board is free to members but someone pays for the storage and programs so I assume there is money coming in somehow.

 

I am just curious. I may want to apply for a host job when one comes available.

 

Thanks,

 

Don from Fl

[DFD1]

Don, You might look at Seabourn or SilverSea cruises. Smaller, very elegant ships, all inclusive of wine, drinks, tips, etc. Considered premier by many experienced cruisers. They also visit some of the less-traveled ports around the world. Just a thought.

[idssms]

In March 06 we are taking an Infinity from Chile to FLL which sounds real exciting to me. I heard that South American cruises are great.

 

I have never been on a huge M Class Celebrity ship and wonder how I will like them compared to the C Class and the Zenith Class. We are going on the Millennium in May to Barcelona from FLL. I should give the botique companys a try and see how they are.

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

Don

 

ps. Still wondering about being a host. Guess I wont get an answer to my post above.

[LauraS]

Hi there! I apologize for the delay....

 

From time to time we'll post a general notice that we are looking for Hosts. However, more often than not we "seek" them out. For example, I'll either approach a member on the recommendation of one of my current hosts, or I'll spend time to snoop around to see if there is anyone who is extremely helpful on a particular topic PLUS understands how these boards work. Of course, I'm looking for folks who appear to have a good working knowledge of our Community Guidelines based on their participation.

 

One doesn't need to know everything about cruising, or about cruising on a particular cruise line. I'm often drawn to folks who simply enjoy helping others on the forums, and perhaps really like to cruise in general...or enjoy a particular cruise line.

 

As you mentioned, I'm responsible for all community content here at Cruise Critic, including the boards and what happens here. All of my "hosts" are essentially volunteers...they do this because they LIKE to....

 

Laura

[idssms]

Thanks Laura for the info!!

 

I dont know if you remember me or not but we did exchange emails on a personal matter about a year ago.

 

I have a number of postings on the board and am really enjoying it.

 

Maybe someday I will get asked to be a host.

 

Don from sunny Fl

[Vanessa L]

Ahhhh, fond memories here :) I sailed the Song of Norway on a Med cruise in 1994. What a great time and you are right, that elegance IS very expensive now. Sigh.

 

I love this "whatever happened to..." board. Such great information, memories and Doug.....you are da bomb!!!!!