How did Carnival used to do things?

[batman1975]

Hi Everyone...

 

We got back from a cruise recently onboard the Carnival Freedom.

 

The first time I cruised was in 1991. Our recent cruise was my third cruise, the second being the summer of 2008.

 

My first cruise on the Festivale. My parents remember they took our Canadian passports away upon embarkation, and would return and collect them at each port of call.

 

Now it seems that the ports don't really rely on the passports (probably assume the cruise lines have done the necessary security checks?). Any photo ID is fine.

 

How did things work before the sail and sign cards? How did they keep track of who left the ship and when? How would one buy drinks back in the "olden days" (1991 and earlier)?

 

I know auto tips are a fairly new thing in Carnival's history.

 

I guess I am just curious as we have just re-discovered cruising.

 

Looking back at the pictures its interesting to see what has changed in the ports of call (ie. St Thomas did not appear to have the skyride in 1991).

 

Thanks to all who reply!

[tef43]

I sailed on the Festivale in 1984. What a great ship that was.

 

See below in red.

 

How did things work before the sail and sign cards? How did they keep track of who left the ship and when?

You had a paper boarding pass that you had to present when re-boarding. They were, of course, unable to "track" comings and goings as they do now.

How would one buy drinks back in the "olden days" (1991 and earlier)?

Cash.

 

[Cruzman]

My first cruise was in 1978 and as I recall, onboard accounts were in vogue even then. Obviously, the electronic cards were not available, but each person did have a charge card for on board purchases. As for knowing who was and wasn't on board while in port, I don't think they did.

[Essiesmom]

My first cruises in 1972/73, there was no onboard account...you used cash and checks. I didn't even have a credit card then, other than dept. store cards. I don't even remember how they kept track of us leaving the ship...We didn't need passports then, nor were they strict about proof of citizenship. They just chided you at immigration for not having any. EM

[St.Michael]

In the early 80's you could walk up to the bar and order a drink. Then they would ask you your room, "monte carlo 182" and you would walk away. At 18 (drinking age then) I was a little deceptive about which room I was in:(. When all the other 18-20's y/o's caught on it was a free for all. Many other stories of the good ole days of cruising:rolleyes:

[Cotton]

My first cruise was on the Festivale in 1987, out of San Juan. Everything was paid for with cash, I think, as I don't remember any cards at all. I do remember having to give my cabin number, but don't remember why. Hey, that's a LONG time ago.

 

I know there was no charge for any Cokes, etc., because I was a Coke fiend back then and drank them all day long.

 

The tips were at your discretion and several envelopes were provided the last day. A suggested $ guideline was included w/the envelopes.

 

SO long ago, and TOO many changes.:D

[DandytheCop]

First cruise Tropicale June 1991. I remember a Senior class from Georgia. The drinking age then was 18 you could not have paid me to chaperone that trip. I competed in drinking games every night as a college student on his honeymoon against high school kids. Everything was done with paper and the cash flowed. We had passports but never used them. Paper boarding pass without pictures. You showed a piece of paper and walked on board. How the times have changed. 49 days unitl cruise #2. First for the kids.

[Fungusgnat]

1991 Ecstasy

 

Cash only and I had no idea there might be gambling. Casino area was about 15-20 slots, no tables. I divided up my discretionary cash - which was minimal - x amount for each day. Started w/ cash in left pocket, put winning coins in right pocket. When left pocket was empty, my daily quota was done. I actually came home with more than I spent in the slots - nothing outrageous - but at least a winning.

 

Tipping for us was as described above - an envelope in your room on the last day. Suggested guidelines. As I recall, they would not accept checks - too much trouble for them.

[mom2girls]

My first Carnival cruise was on the Fantasy in 1990. Back then drinking on cruise ships was 18 and over, but we didn't have an onboard account. We paid cash directly to the bartender. They also, had all of the fou-fou drinks in glass containers rather than plastic. I'mthinking many people got hurt on broken glass, so they switched to plastic.

[Catrin]

Our first cruise was our honeymoon in 1992 - on the Ecstasy.

 

Just simple things....

• You had a waiter and a busboy. The waiter was just that.... took your order, served you etc. The busboy filled your water, cleared your dishes and SCRAPED the CRUMBS with that little crumb tool!
  
• Bread and Butter were at the table.
  
• Midnight Buffets nightly.
  
• Separate courses for Appetizers, Salad, Soup, Cheese, etc. Not just "Starters".
  
• Flaming Cherries Jubilee and Flaming Baked Alaska
  
• Other than the "Flaming Food" parades, they sang HOT HOT HOT one night in the dining room... but no other singing.
  
• They had Beer Drinking Contests and the Greased Pole Contest!
  
• and don't forget the Male Nightgown Competition! Which was and is the funniest thing I have ever witnessed!
  
• There were no towel animals... but the stateroom service was unbelievable. Sometimes, I wish there would be less emphasis on towel animals, and more on actually taking care of my room!
  

But.... we basically pay NOW, what we paid for then..... and with with inflation and the economy, you still get a bang for your buck on Carnival!

Catrin

[VentureMan_2000]

In 1987:

 

One of the activities was driving golf balls into the ocean off the back of the ship...

 

Another activity was Trap Shooting...

 

7-day cruises included a masquerade party...

 

They has welcome aboard rum swizzles parties...

 

Suggest TIPing was $6.25 pp a day... $2.50 for Steward, $2.50 for Waiter, $1.25 for busboy...

 

Sail & Sign was in existence...

 

 

And the toilet's on the Jubilee have been know to suck down a few passengers if they were still sitting on the pot when they flushed... :eek:

[Cotton]

In 1987:

 

 

7-day cruises included a masquerade party...

 

I loved those! I went as Lady Godiva and won! Then we all danced around in a conga line...so much fun.

 

They has welcome aboard rum swizzles parties...

 

I remember having several....and they were good!

[kimberlys]

My first cruise was in 1992, and we used cash for drinks and the shops.

 

Remember the good 'ol days when you purchased liquor on the ship and could take it directly back to your room? ;) You could also bring alcohol bought in ports to your room.

 

Carnival caught on that they could make more money by having you buy ALL of your drinks from them.:confused:

[hauntmeister]

I sailed on the Holiday on 3/31/90. (This made me drag out the old photo album!) "Sail & Sign" was in operation; I have my card in the album! But apparently cash was also popular; I see some bills on the bar in a photo of me and my cabinmates hoisting drinks.

 

No towel animals, although I remember that our room steward presented us with a few rather rude shapes. (We were four guys traveling in the "Singleworld" package.) I also remember that room service would deliver a whole jug of orange juice, on the assumption that you had brought a bottle of some liquor on board and wanted mixers. There wasn't any x-raying of bags on the way in, and it was pretty much expected that you'd stock up on cheap booze at each port.

 

Looking at deck photos, I see a small (single-story) waterslide, a bikini contest, and what looks like a much younger population than Carnival has today.

 

Tipping was with cash in individual envelopes at the end of the cruise.

[hauntmeister]

I remember much better dining room service. If you ordered a slice of melon, the waiter would present it and slice it out for you. I still use that technique!

 

And yeah, a midnight buffet every night, not just pizza and ice cream. Granted, it was just leftovers from the day's dinner and lunch, but it was still very nice to have available!

[Cruise, J.D.]

Great stories! Keep them coming about the good ol' days :)

[Dr. Jack Daniels]

• Bread and Butter were at the table.
  

Catrin

 

Just got off the Legend yesterday and the bread was back on the table.

 

DJD

[MadManOfBethesda]

In the early 80's you could walk up to the bar and order a drink. Then they would ask you your room, "monte carlo 182" and you would walk away. At 18 (drinking age then) I was a little deceptive about which room I was in:(. When all the other 18-20's y/o's caught on it was a free for all. Many other stories of the good ole days of cruising:rolleyes:

 

That is my recollection as well. My first Carnival cruise was in 1983 or 1984 on the Mardi Gras. We ordered drinks in the bar the same way one would order in a hotel. You charged it to your room by giving the bartender your name and cabin number. In all the cruises that I've been on from 1981 (on Commodore Cruise Line) to the present, I don't ever recall paying cash for drinks. We did, however, tip the bartender and cocktail servers in cash, because tips weren't included back then.

[jpg1747]

I wasn't on Carnival back then, but ...

 

On Princess, in addition to a masquerade or costume night, you knew in advance what the theme was for every night and could dress accordingly. There was almost always a 50's/oldies night. I believe Costa still has a toga night. There were passenger shows where there was lipsyncing and some basic choreography was involved.

 

You could visit any other ship in port just by showing your boarding pass and there were bon voyage parties on board with non-guests. We threw streamers off the ship at sailaway.

 

It was up to you to make sure you were on the right ship at each port. Back then they really had no way to check if everyone was on board on time so people tended to take ship's excursions more often to make sure they got back in time. That was the only time the ship would wait. Lots of drunks got left at the pier in Mazatlan after a day at Senor Frogs.

[rhorhorho]

My first cruise was in 83...I remember the name and room # for drinks and purchases, but I also remember that the shop, there was only one, took travelers cheques.

 

I also remember the Flaming Baked Alaskas on the waiters heads, and instead of towel animals they would make things - like shells and pretty shapes. I also remember the bathroom being huge it had a tub even.

[Rusti]

My first cruise was on the Festivale Christmas cruise of 1983.

Free airfare with cruise

Free champagne as you got onboard.

Strictly cash in all the bars and shops

They gave us streamers to throw as the ship sailed away to

"anchors aweigh"

Much better food like Duck al orange

Carnival gave the women perfume for Christmas

They only had one tape of Christmas music so they played it constantly for 3 days until we beggged them to play something else.

The phone was broken, one of the stablizers was broken but I still had the time of my life and was hooked on cruising oh and the shower was this big dark pit we got in and out of as fast as we could. e never did find out how far back it went

[St.Michael]

In '83 they had the midnight buffets and the gala buffet followed the all you could drink captains champagne reception. 8 of us covered an entire table of empty glasses. Your guests could come on board and visit before you disembarked. Drove golf balls and shot skeet off the deck. On the last night the CD would announce over the ships PA "the customs agents will be waiting so if you got it- Sip it , Swallow it, Smoke it, or Snort it" :o

[Catrin]

Just got off the Legend yesterday and the bread was back on the table.

 

DJD

 

Imagine that! Thanks! My kids are going to be psyched.. they are bread hogs! hmmm.... maybe I will ask them to keep it OFF the table!!