How It All Began!

Working in a factory in cold wintery New Hampshire in 1982 I thought often of warm tropical places. I would dream of living somewhere warm. One early spring day I overheard a conversation that changed those dreams into reality. The conversation was about a Caribbean cruise. Ladies that I worked with were discussing going on a cruise. I commented that it sounded like fun. One of the women, Jenny L. asked if I would like to go. I told her yes, and asked for more information. She invited me to her home for the next Saturday afternoon. A local travel agent was coming to speak to them about cruising.
Saturday afternoon I arrived at the home of Jenny L. There were women there, some I knew and some I was meeting for the first time. We had coffee and discussed where we would like to go. None of us really knew much about the Caribbean. None of us had ever been there. Tom, the travel agent arrived. He was loaded down with brochures for us to look over. Eagerly we pored over the brochures. We were excited and ready to go. Tom spoke to us of different ships and cruise lines. He spoke of the warm places with soft sandy beaches. We were all picturing ourselves sitting on those beaches sipping tropical drinks and enjoying the sun. Our winter break from the cruel cold climate in NH. Eventually we narrowed the brochures down to one. Now to choose the ship and itinerary. We decided on Carnival Cruise Lines TSS Festivale. The Festivale sailed to Nassau, Bahamas, San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
At that time Festivale was the flagship of the Carnival fleet. At 38,000 tons Festivale was the largest of the Carnival fleet. Carnivals fleet at that time consisted of four ships. TSS Festivale,TSS Mardi Gras, TSS Carnivale and Tropicale. A far cry from Carnivals fleet of today. At last count it was around 22 ships.
We booked the trip for February 25, 1983, we had nearly a year to wait. What would we do to make the time pass? How could we stand the wait? I took home a brochure and put it on my bedside table. I pored over that brochure nightly. I think I could recite every word in it. By the time I cruised the brochure was worn and dog eared. Spring slowly came to NH and we thawed out. We made plans to get together often to discuss our upcoming cruise. We had cook outs at each others homes. we planned shopping trips and outings just for lunches. Of course we all carried our worn brochures with us. We discussed "shore excursions" and what we would like to do in each port. Eventually the weather turned cool then cold and the snow began. I think it was the first time I did not mind the snow and cold. Winter meant that my cruise was coming soon.
February 24th 1983, today we were flying to Miami for our cruise. We were all traveling to Logan Airport in Boston together in a van. One of the ladies husbands was taking us. We arrived in Miami all excited and found our way to our hotel. We spent the after noon exploring the area around the hotel. It was the first time any of us had ever been to Miami. We had dinner that night in our hotel restaurant. Too excited to sleep we spent most of the night in our rooms talking.
Finally!! The big day arrives. We were up early and dressed and ready to go. We went to breakfast and took our time as we watched the hands of our watches crawl along. Finally it was time to go. We found the busses to transport us to the ship. Excitedly we looked out the windows taking in the sights of Miami. We arrived at the port and looked for our ship. There she was!! I was so excited tears were forming in my eyes. At that point I was addicted to cruising. To this day I still get weepy when I see "my" ship for the first time. We piled out of the bus and claimed our luggage which we promptly turned over to the porter. We watched as they loaded out suitcases on to the conveyor belt. In those days the ships had conveyors from the pier to the belly of the ship. If you were lucky your luggage made it in to the hold. some luggage fell off into the water. That system seems to be gone now and luggage is loaded in to containers then transported by forklift into the ship. Knowing our luggage was safely in the ship we went up the stairs to Carnival check in.
Check in was a huge room with a few chairs here and there. We were given forms to fill out for immigration. This done we made our way to the check in lines. I got into the line for people with last names begining with A-C. surprisingly this did not take very long. Soon we were all crossing the gangway to the ship. We finally made it! We stepped on to the ship and were welcomed aboard then we got in line for our boarding pictures.
We were here finally, after the months of anticipation and waiting. It was cloudy that day in Miami. We stood on deck and watched everything. The Goodyear blimp was up floating around over the port. Sail away came and we had brought confetti which we tossed as the ship slid away from the pier. Music was playing, people all around us were laughing and dancing. It was everything and more than I had imagined all those months I had waited.
Dinner that first night was fun for us. I was enchanted by the ice sculptures in the dining room. Every night was an adventure in dining for us. All those new and exciting foods we tried. To this day I do not think I ever chose anything that I did not like. We ate most of our meals in the dining room that cruise. Back then the Lido was not as it is today. They would just set up tables on the deck and put out salads and sandwiches and desserts. Very lite fare on deck back then.
Nassau. It was a rainy day in Nassau the day we were there. We took a city tour and toured a fort. I do not remember the name of the fort after all these years. On the way back to the port the driver offered to let us off to shop the famous "Straw Market" If we left the cab we would have to get back to the ship on our own. We elected to get out and shop. One of the group protested that we would get lost and be late for sail away. We could plainly see the ship from where we were. We spent time in the Straw Market and browsing the other stores. Finally in the rain we walked back to the ship.
San Juan Puerto Rico. I again took a city tour and saw the sights of San Juan from a bus. We stopped to tour the fort again. I really enjoyed this tour. It was a sunny day and there were places in the fort to explore on our own. Again on the way back to the ship we were given the option to leave the tour or be taken back to the ship. We opted to shop. We were dropped in "Old San Juan" We toured many shops and were offered complimentary cocktails. The ship would be in port until 2:00 AM. Some of our group went to a show at one of the hotels that evening. I decided to explore the shops in the port building. Alone I went off the ship and down the stairs to the shops. I looked around and bought some souvenirs and gifts for friends. As I left the shops and walked back to the stairs a man was walking behind me. I began walking faster and faster. Still this man was behind me. by the time I reached the stairs I was nearly running. I went up the stairs and was relieved when the I spotted the crew by the gangway to the ship. The man behind me turned back and ran down the stairs. I boarded the ship. I learned a lesson that night. I will never again leave a ship alone to go walking in a strange area.
St Thomas. Charlotte Amalie is a busy place. full of the visitors from the 3 ships that were in port that day. We went into town in the morning and shopped. So many wonderful stores. There were beautiful courtyards between the buildings. Many cool shady places to sit and relax a while. We went back to the ship for lunch and then off to the "Kon Tiki" tour. We were taken to an isolated beach where we swam and relaxed in the sun. I spotted a woman that looked familiar. I realised that she was Mamie Van Doren, an actress that was famous in the 50's. She sat there talking to her son. Finally I asked her if she would mind if I took her picture. she was gracious and posed for me and gave me her autograph also. On the way back to the ship they offered free rum punch. Many people took advantage of the offfer and the party began. Lots of lively caribbean music and limbo contests. I quietly watched. It was a fun afternoon.
Back on the ship we prepared for sail away. It was a sad time for me as I knew we were headed back towards Miami and home. To this day I still get sad leaving the last port of the cruise. We still had 2 lovely fun filled days at sea. We participated in deck games by the pool and went to shows and other events around the ship. Back in Miami we prepared to leave the ship and make our way to the airport for our flight back to Boston.
That is where it all began, my first cruise. I fell head over heels in love with the cruise vacation. Within a week of getting home I was booked for the same week the next year on Carnivals Mardi Gras.
Over the years I have seen many changes in the cruise industry. Carnival which focused on partying in those days has turned around and now focuses on a family vacation with lots of fun things to do. I remember in the early days there were a lot of pool contests that centered around drinking, all that is changed now. There used to be waiters pushing alcoholic beverages. Not so much anymore. To be sure, alcohlic beverages are always available for those that want them. I love the turns this company has taken. I am finding the cruises to be more relaxing and offering something for everyone. From the sedate shore tours to the adventurous ones. The lido has expanded over the years to feature menus to suit every taste. everything from a burger and fries to ethnic varieties of food. If you are looking for a great vacation that has it all, try a cruise. Everything is there for you. Food and room all included in the price. Lots of fun activities and great shows. For me that first cruise aboard Carnivals TSS Festivale opened up a whole new world for me. That cruise was where I became an incurable cruise addict. I have not cruised as many times as I want but I cruise every chance I get. I now live in Florida. I moved here to be near family. I am also near the ports and can drive there when I cruise. Many of my cruising friends that I got to know on cruise related websites live here. Some I have met at various dinners. some I have met when we cruised together in groups. They are all good friends.