What Was Royal Caribbean Like Back in the Day?

[seetosea]

Our first cruise was in 1976 on RCI's Song of Norway. We shared an INSIDE cabin with my parents (that's all we could afford) and at that time said we couldn't understand why people would pay for a balcony or cruise longer than 7 days. RCI chartered planes from SF and LA to bring cruisers to Florida for a Caribbean cruise. People partied on the plane all the way there even though it was a red eye. You then got on a bus and they took you to a restaurant for lunch before depositing you at the ship.

 

We now cruise in a balcony every chance we get and our cruises are at least 14 days, if not longer, our longest being 41 days.

 

Soda was FREE back then. Prizes for games were very nice (we still have a set of 8 glasses with the RCI logo on them). There was a midnight buffet EVERY night. And if you stayed up past 2am you became a member of the "Night Owl Club".

 

Our first waiter's name was Jacob and he was a Jewish Rabbi. Best waiter we've ever had.

[OCruisers]

Having the same wait staff in the dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday.

 

Yes, and it was "fixed" dining for breakfast, lunch , and dinner -- you went at your assigned time.

 

That I do not miss. :D

 

LuLu

[aloha43]

What a wonderful thread! Keep the stories coming!! PLEASE! :D

[Grandprix]

I remember driving over the bridge in Miami to embark on the SS Norway and the first ship to greet us was the Sovereign of the Seas. I remember standing on the deck of the Norway and just watching the SOS, then turning to DW I said that is next. We loved the first cruise on Norway but we fell in love with cruising the next year on the Sovereign.

 

The people you meet have been the most lasting memory for us. The couple we sat with on the Norway have cruised with us for 25 years now. They are some of our most cherished friends, in fact they just left our house for a great visit. Another couple we met on the Song on Norway 2 years later formed the

3rd part of our group. We have done birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, and most everything in between. This continues to this day with the meet and mingle, SO SIGN UP!!! You could meet people that will become your best friend.

 

 

Bravo and well done!

[Grandprix]

Growing up, my next door neighbor was the chief purser for NCL. He would come home on Saturday for 2/3 hours. Give the wife a pickle tickle and head off again. He was part of the crew of execs who turned the SS France into the SS Norway. Months were spent in Bremerhaven. He always had nothing but praise for the high level of service at Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Godspeed Mr. Perkins.

[fhp123]

My first cruise was probably 45 years ago. I was probably 8 years old on the Home Lines Oceanic. There were very few kids on the ship. I remember wanting a "fruity drink" and I'm not sure if they didn't understand that no alcohol was supposed to be put in the drink. So I was either a little drunk or a little seasick. But I did not feel well to want to eat dinner. The next night when I went to dinner I was upset that I missed the steak dinner. The wait staff could not have been any nicer and of course being the rare kid on a cruise, they got me anything I wanted.

 

We sailed to Nassau and the staff had the day off and were at the same beach we were at. Missing their family they played In the ocean with me. They loved serving us.

[loug1601]

Our first cruise was in 1989 on the Sovereign of the Seas. Labadee had been skipped for the 6 weeks prior to our visit due to unrest. When we got off the tender, we went past armed military police. Yikes!

 

Before we left the ship, all cruisers were given a small draw string pouch containing a few tokens called dabloons. They could be used to purchase drinks at the bar on the island. Labadee back then was nothing like to Labadee of today. There was just about nothing there. It was great!

 

There was also a free wine tasting activity on board for anyone who wished to attend. Still have the little gold tasting cup that hung around your neck.

 

One night at dinner, the ships Doctor joined us...he picked up the tab for all drinks, and had a group photo taken of all of us. A copy of the photo was given to each couple. He then came out to party with us after dinner!

[cruizers]

Our first cruise was on the Sovereign of the Seas. Dining Room dress was much fancier Formal night was truly formal - - long gowns and tuxedos. We miss the Ship Shape program and earning all those dollars to buy gifts and meeting lots of other people while exercising. We miss the chocolates on our pillows each night. Entertainment was fabulous! We enjoyed Charo,Peter Noone, Fred Travelena, the Platters and Jerry Lewis was on the ship taping his Labor Day Telethon! The waiters performed. Cherries Jubilee made at your table! Great memories!

[novalab]

This fun question is for the veteran cruisers who've sailed with Royal Caribbean for 20+ years. I would enjoy and appreciate hearing anecdotes or stories about what cruising with Royal Caribbean was like back then?

 

Some questions I have are: Were passengers more well-dressed and/or behaved? Was the general atmosphere more refined or even stately? Was there more passenger interaction? Were two-tops as popular then as they are today? What shipboard activities do you miss? What venues or customs have gone the way of the dinosaur? What was Labadee like in 1986?

 

 

Our first cruise with RC was back in 1998 when our DD was 11. We sailed on one of the 2 largest ships sailing the Caribbean at that time, Majesty Of The Seas. Her sister ship Monarch OTS was the other large cruise ship. We sailed the Western Caribbean itinerary back when Labadee did not have all the extras that it does now. We actually had to tender into the port. There was just the main beach and from there you could walk to Dragons Breath to watch the ocean spout up like a geyser. No cabanas, just umbrellas and there was just one outdoor dining venue for lunch. No souvenir stands.

 

We dressed up each evening for dinner in the MDR. We all sat at large tables with at least 6 other people (don't remember if there were tables for 2). There weren't very many children on our sailing (July) but they did have a nice children's program that our daughter really loved.

 

Passengers were very well behaved on our cruise. At the time, it seemed passengers were more friendly & polite overall. Bingo was a very big deal. We only played it once, during the last night of the cruise. It was a coverall game & we actually won! We had to share the $10,000 pot with one other person. They paid us in cash & because it was the last night, they had already cleared out their safes (no in-room safes just a main one at Customer Service) so I had to carry all that cash around in my little evening purse all night!

 

They had a wonderful midnight buffet. We took lots of pictures but ate very little. We thought the food was very good. No specialty restaurants.

 

It was a little different back in 1998. Fun thread! Thanks for starting it!

Edited June 28, 2015 by novalab

[Sam.Seattle]

1969 or 1970 - NCL Skyward = first cruise. My sister and I were the only two kids on-board. We created our own fun. Purchased a stuff animal in the gift shop. Tied a string to the animal and one of us hung it over the rail and dropped it to the dinning room windows and then one of us would run (yes run) to the dinning room to see the reaction of the folks eating. Yes, back then the dinning room was on an upper deck.

 

!972 SS Song of Norway. I have a photo album that shows about 14-kids on board now. Back then there was talent show the passengers put on. With my dad's creative touch, we used sheets and sewed them together. Then hula hoops were fastened every three or four feet apart. So, the 14-kids became a long centipede that danced around the stage.

 

1973 - Maybe... Nordic Prince. The crown lounge... No elevator! Actually the only way to get up there was to go outside and then walk up an exterior stairs.

 

Haiti - Before Labadee, you would call on Cap-Haiten. I remember a dirty city with poverty and very nice people. Our shore excursion was a donkey ride to the Citadelle.

 

Some random memories...

* Lots of smoking in the dining room.

* We actually enjoyed the ocean at night and would just watch the stars and talk.

* Of course... Midnight buffets.

* The captian stood outside the bridge with a walkie talkie giving docking instuctions.

* Everyone was on-time for dinner. No small tables.

* Condomients - Potatoes, Vegies etc were served table side.

* All men worked the dining room. I also think, but not sure the waiters were mostly Jamican. The Maitre d was usally ango european.

* The envelopes and tips that was a last night ritual.

* Invites from the staff to see their cabins and actually party below the deck with the crew.

* No such thing as internet minutes. :-)

* Passengers were more friendly to each other. Back then, being on the ship was the great equlizer.

* Booking a trip meant a trip to the travel agent to pick up the catalogs. We would usually book a year in advance and spend hours reading the catalog over and over...

 

SS Norway - Sailed her 3-times and there was something magical about her.

 

Well, those first few cruises that have turned in to 57 now.

 

Several people mentioned all the "free stuff" in the past. Maybe there was more included in the fare, but is sure was not free as the fare was much higher.

 

Overall, the main thing I miss is the feeling of just relaxing and not looking at my watch wondering what I should be doing now.

Edited June 28, 2015 by Sam.Seattle

[waterbabe40]

My husband and I took a honeymoon cruise on Song of America in 1983. We stopped at Nassau, St. Thomas and San Juan. My only knowledge of cruising was from watching "The Love Boat". Our inside cabin was TINY. Our cabin steward was on call 24/7 and had an uncanny knack for knowing when we were gone so he could make up the room.

Back in the day, one could get RCCL match books and I have one in my collection. Great thread for reminiscing.

[CruiseMore1]

 

Before we left the ship, all cruisers were given a small draw string pouch containing a few tokens called dabloons. They could be used to purchase drinks at the bar on the island. Labadee back then was nothing like to Labadee of today. There was just about nothing there. It was great!

 

 

Oh my gosh! I had forgotten about those! They were called "Labadee Dollars" when we used them, and I believe we were charged $1 each for them. Think we still have a couple of them stashed away somewhere.

 

Do you remember the casino chips that were decorated and had the name of the ship on them? We also have some of those.

[lawgirl]

I haven't cruised as long as some, but in the past 13 years even so much has changed! I agree with everyone's thoughts....but the one thing I miss a lot is live music at dinner. They always used to have a pianist or strings playing on the landing area between the dining room floors... It made it special.

 

Cruising used to be full of little niceties that really made it unique. Now it is more like a hotel with up charges and fewer little free perks. The chocolates, buffets, ice carvings.

 

They went from the midnight buffet to these mini desserts passed out by wait staff throughout the ship (can't remember the name of that program... Something like tasty bites). Then that was discontinued.

 

The waiters used to come after dinner with these metal colored shot glasses filled with an after dinner cordial and say "yummy yummy for the tummy". We still have tons of those shot glasses.

 

Does anyone remember the swoozy glasses? You could get your drink in these heavy martini glasses... With a blue swirl in the glass... Then keep the glass. They were called swoozy glasses and we still use ours! Drank a martini out of one a few nights ago!

 

The horse races were great!! Everyone dressed them up and brought their horse to dinner and all over the ship until the final day when the big race occurred. And we would constantly look at the Compass to play games or activities to get cruise bucks.... Used them to get free tshirts, key chains, etc.

 

I wish RCI (and all cruise lines) would bring some of that stuff back. I would almost rather pay a few bucks more to cruise and have it be full of little special things than see all the cost cuts.

[num1crewsfam]

Our first ship was Monarch back in the 90's. Along with what everyone else has stated...

 

Our cabin attendant's always laid out my pajamas when they would turn down the bed at night. There were times that this was quite embarrassing, but always made us laugh.

 

The cabin was always kept spotless and whenever ever we'd leave the room, it would be refreshed upon our return, including the shoes in the closet. It was always so hard to get back to reality when the cruise was over as the service was impeccable.

 

This is a great thread...thanks for starting it!

[Nado44]

Great posts.

 

I can't imagine boarding any RCL ship and being escorted by crew, while holding champagne, to a cabin adorned with fresh flowers. That would be a royal welcome!

[Sam.Seattle]

Great posts.

 

I can't imagine boarding any RCL ship and being escorted by crew, while holding champagne, to a cabin adorned with fresh flowers. That would be a royal welcome!

Actually, if you booked the Royal Suite there is an esort. Once RCL identifies you are in the terminal they take you to a designated person who processes your ticket and provides you your room card. Then the Concierge appears and walks you on the ship and takes you to your suite. No champagne in hand, but the suite will have fresh flowers to welcome you.

Edited June 28, 2015 by Sam.Seattle

[LisaGoeke]

My first RCCL cruise was 8/7/83 on the Song of America (I was 16). We loved the cruise and RCCL became our new favorite cruise line. I remember at sailaway we'd get to throw confetti -- what a fun way to start your cruise! I also enjoyed the Ship Shape program and earning those dollars. My mom and I earned a lot of $$ and got lots of prizes.

[abhb]

Thanks for the memories. We always went to the midnight buffet to take pictures since we were too full to eat! We just got off the Vision and DH got the baked Alaska which got us talking about the good old days of flaming baked Alaska, horseracing, midnight buffets, poolside buffets, better food, more personal service. I said I remembered the passenger lists that were handed out. He said they never did that. Can't wait to show him this thread to prove I was right:D

[willing292]

I asked for mustard at lunch for my roast beef and which. The waiter brought out a silver tray with four or five different kinds of mustard. Those days are long gone!

[IWORK2CRUISE]

My first cruise was probably 45 years ago. I was probably 8 years old on the Home Lines Oceanic. There were very few kids on the ship. I remember wanting a "fruity drink" and I'm not sure if they didn't understand that no alcohol was supposed to be put in the drink. So I was either a little drunk or a little seasick. But I did not feel well to want to eat dinner. The next night when I went to dinner I was upset that I missed the steak dinner. The wait staff could not have been any nicer and of course being the rare kid on a cruise, they got me anything I wanted.

 

We sailed to Nassau and the staff had the day off and were at the same beach we were at. Missing their family they played In the ocean with me. They loved serving us.

 

My first ship, too!

I think the first was 1979? Sailed along with my mother and 2 sisters.

I recall that Dad brought us on and then left. That cannot happen now!

We went to Nassau and Bermuda.

I seem to recall swimming in the ocean on our sea day off of the back of the ship.

 

I loved it so much that I did the same cruise a few years later with some girl friends.

 

Once I was married I worked hard to convince my husband that we should try a cruise.....

We now have more than 30 cruises under our belts on RCCL and other lines.

[zuggie]

Our first cruise was on Royal Caribbean's very first ship - The Song of Norway. It was around 20,000 tons and sailed 7 days cruises out of Miami. This would have been in the mid 70s. Of course that was before balconies, and our cabin was a very small outside with a small porthole. It had two twin beds against each side wall that were couches during the day.

 

What I remember most were the dinners. Each night was a different theme night (French, Italian, Mexican, America the Beautiful, etc.) and they decorated the dining room each night with the night's theme.

 

If you ordered Bananas Foster or Cherries Jubilee, a head waiter rolled a cart to your table and made it for you right there with flames and all. The last night of the cruise was Baked Alaska night, and they turned down the lights and the waiters came out of the kitchen dancing to Caribbean music while balancing flaming Baked Alaskas on their heads. No more of that, of course, as someone must have figured out that a fire on a cruise ship would be bad news.

 

There was a very nice midnight buffet every night, and your room steward put a little chocolate on your pillow. But no towel animals, as I recall.

[Nado44]

I'd love to see a photo of one of the flaming desserts that have been mentioned several times. Anyone have one?

[TerriDHair]

Awesome, and looky who the staff captain was, Captain Johnny! :D

 

Dressing up for dinner was the norm. I was not prepared with fancy evening gowns on my first cruise so I my second one in 1995, I took an all beaded and jeweled cocktail dress that I swear weighted 25 pounds. No way would I have gotten under 50 pound luggage limit on airlines.

 

Something I thought interesting each stateroom got a copy of the passenger list.

 

 

 

 

main dining room breakfast menu

 

 

main dining room lunch menu

[PLEIKU68]

I think Royal should do a Retro Cruise, bring back the old days ! Alas, I think this has no chance of happening as it would cost them money and these days they only want the money flowing one way and that's into their pockets. :eek::):(

[papcx]

I seem to recall swimming in the ocean on our sea day off of the back of the ship.

 

 

Really? Are you sure?