Cruising in the 1970s and 80s! A fun and revealing look at how it used to be! 

worked on the Fairstar on the sitmar line as a photographer in the 70s. Quite an experience working in the darkroom on rough seas

My parents went on multiple cruises in the 80s, and I remember Mom talking about when all the waiters brought in the flaming Baked Alaskas. She adored cruising. My dad earned a couple of cruises through his work. One was themed Bahamarama! and had a special cocktail. You got to keep the glass, and Mom brought back several, lol! We watched the Love Boat and Fantasy Island every week, and they aired back-to-back. She loved the shopping and excursions, while Dad had served in the Coast Guard and loved ships and all things nautical. If he could get a tour of the engine room or the bridge from a crewmember, he was over the moon. He also loved people watching on the decks. I wish I’d been able to go with them, but it probably would have been too expensive or crowded in the cabin. Plus, it gave them time together.

In the 80s everything was included except drinks and shore excursions. A much simpler time before Cruise Lines started acting like budget airlines and charging for certain components separately.

We first cruised in the late 80’s and 90’s. I remember there was a Captain table, where the captain would sit with passengers and we sat with the “Hotel Manager’s table”. He was in charge of the cabins in the ship. Thanks for the memories!!!!

Hello, I grew up in Miami in the 70's and 80's. I became a travel agent in high school (82-85), and afterwards. Back in those days, it was common practice to go aboard any ship, in any port, very easily. It was the Festivale that sparked my cruise passions as a young boy. We used to sit on Dodge Island at the Chalk Airways sea port, directly across from Port Miami, and watch the ships sail away. Chalk, later shuttered and other buildings were later built on that site. During the holidays, in the 1980's, when ships were in Fort Lauderdale, making preparations for their world Christmas cruises, it was very exciting indeed. We got aboard the two Cunarders: Princess and Countess. Island and Pacific Princess, The Stella Solaris, just to name a few. We ate, drank way too much, and I remember standing on the pier, with my boss, and friends, serenading the Solaris as she sailed out to sea. In Miami, in the early days of Song of Norway, Sun Viking and Nordic Prince, we could rock up on a turn around day, show some ID, then just walk aboard any ship we pleased. We could eat and drink, then saunter around the ships, like a passenger, and then quietly walk off, when the announcement was made for all NON passengers to please disembark. I'd also seen the very old now, Song of Flower (She is now in Asia) I think. And the Scandinavia - the Car Ferry/Cruise Ship, that later became many other ships when that market did not materialize. I did not get aboard a Carnival ship until I became a travel agent, for some reason, that was one cruise line we did not "Crack" for food and drink. But as the Fantasy ships came online, I got aboard all of them because I had friends who worked at Carnival. In the early 90's during the Sovereign ships roll out, I was working at RCI down at Port Miami. When Sovereign, Monarch and Majesty were introduced, and it was employee MAYHEM. You'd never have known that days prior to their inaugural cruises, (Monarch and Majesty) that the employees of RCI totally TRASHED those ships, because of the free food and drink parties that were held onboard a few nights prior. Furniture went into the sea, carpets were thrown up all over, cabins destroyed, elevators were destroyed as well. It was quite the fiasco. So the crew had to retrieve the furniture out of the ocean, repair the ships and clean them fully, before revenue paying passengers ever got on board. Those were the days of the Britannis, the Sunward II, The SS Dolphin IV, The Emerald Seas, and the Galileo in the 2/3/4 day markets. I sailed aboard Sunward II, the Dolphin, and the Galileo. The Dolphin IV was my favorite little cruise ship. I could sail every weekend if I wanted to. It was kitschy, and simple, and no-frills, but the food was excellent. And I did not need flash and pomp. (go carts, water slides, and a ship within a ship) were never even thought about back in the day. At least in the circles I ran in. In later years I was in Orlando during the Premier Cruise Line craze, and the 3/4 day ships sailing to the Abaco Islands and Nassau, before they went belly up. One of my RCI memories was when the Royal Yacht Britannia sailed to Miami. They berthed her right behind the building where that far side cruise berth now sits, for the boutique ships.

I am going on my 33rd cruise in 2 weeks. My first cruise was in 1994. I miss the days when cruising was an escape from the real world. Now we are totally connected with our cellphones and electronics.

We’ve been cruising since the 90s. There is a lot I miss. The culture is completely different now. Cruising has become a lot more affordable and the crowds that sail now aren’t what they used to be. BUT, I prefer the mega ships now with so much choice no matter if you want to be busy or do nothing at all. Food isn’t what it used to be and people even wear jeans to formal night. I’ll never get used to that 😢

I sailed on the Sitmar Fairwind in 1981, for a two week Caribbean cruise that sailed into and back out of the Panama Canal. I really enjoyed the blend of classic liner with modern cruise ship. At the time, at 20,000 tons, it was considered a big ship. It had a great personality.

In the 70s, I used to be able to drink alcohol on board when I was a teenager. By the 80's, that had changed. I started cruising in 1974, and I think that Royal Caribbean was more popular with American cruisers than Carnival. I remember seeing a Carnival ship in St. Thomas in 1974 and none of us knew what cruise line it was. We then went on Royal Cruise Line (only 10,000 gross tons but a nice ship; it fit as many passengers as could fit on a chartered 747 that flew to Athens from L.A.) and then Sitmar for the first time in 1976. That was my favorite!! The ships were older, but the staff was mostly Italian and the food was to die for. Sitmar and Princess were the only ships that cruised out of L.A. and Sitmar was less expensive, so I always went on them until Princess bought them out.

I worked as a house musician for Sea Escape Cruises in the late 80’s. I remember Golf, Trap shooting and Horse racing. Oh the good old days before technology took over!

Enjoyed several cruises on the Oceanic in the early 1970’ as a child. Those happy memories are clear in my mind today! I can still sing the Oceanic “song”.!!!

We sailed on THE BIG RED BOAT, Premier Cruise Line, that had a contract with Disney. You stayed at Walt Disney World for a few days and then on the Ship. A precursor to Disney Cruise line today. We also sailed on the USS Constitution that sailed around the Hawaiian islands and was the same ship that ferried Grace Kelly over the Atlantic to marry the Prince.

My first cruise was on Sitmar with the family. I was 12 yrs old. We went on the Fair Sea Fair Sky Fair Wind. It was an amazing time playing Bridge with my Grandmother. I brought my prom dress to wear on formal night! They had real keys to the cabins. It got me hooked and in my adult life, cruising is my happy place.

My husband and I actually got engaged on the Pacific Princess while she was still sailing. The staircase used in the series was still there... as was Isaac's signature bar! Too bad she didn't make it. She was a grand ship!

The opening of Dog Day Afternoon has an aerial shot of what looks like an early cruise ship. It oddly gave me chills. I love seeing the history of things.

Cruised with my grandmother and younger s in 1973. I believe it was on celebrity cruise line, out of New York. AHH the memories. NOTHING like now, where everything is commercialized and money hungry. Everything was so elegant and you really had to dress up for captain's cocktail party well as most dinners, which were solely in the main dining room. I was sigificantly disappointed in our latest cruise in March 2024, after over 30 years hoping to look forward to splurge on the opulence remembered. It did not meet my expectations. STILL had a good time on royal caribbean but it was definitely a down grade from the "good old times."

My son works on a cruise ship me and my wife went on the cruise ship to meet him and cruised around the med for 7 days probably the best holiday of my life and I feel very fortunate to be able to experience it

This was back when my parents were cruising on Sitmar cruises. We even had an Italian member of the dining room staff come to visit us at home. I am sure that my mother was very attracted to him because I found him to be simply beautiful and extremely nice.

In mid seventies and early eighties we went on several cruises with Holland America line, Rotterdam, Volendam and Veendam. All cruises from NY to Bermuda and the Caribbean. Excellent food, great crew and fantastic times.

As a fan of The Love Boat, it's fun to see what cruising was really like then. Love your dry humor also!,

Another entertaining video. These just keep getting better and better. I do wonder if people many years from now will look back at us in envy. Thank you Bill and keep up the good work.

my bff mom is going on the Celebrity Reflection after not cruising since "Dynasty" was on TV, big hair, overdone makeup, shoulder pad chandelier dresses. She will be in a complete shock this September.

I cruised on the Fairstar & the Oriana here in Australia in the 1980's & although I loved those cruises, I have to say, cruising is far better now than it was then.

I went in my first cruise in 1979. Was great ! Not too crowded had lots of time at each port stayed all day and into the night , the ship left the port at midnight, traveled thru the night while we slept arriving at the next port by the next morning … Disnt go in another cruise until around 2004. Omg what a difference! Packed ship, rushed excursions, crappy entertainment. No more cruises for me unless it’s Vickie g or something .

I was looking forward to this episode & it didn't disappoint. Well done 😊 💯 Love the choice of back in the day clips along with your narration. It all makes for very enjoyable entertainment

We first sailed on RCCL's Sun Viking in 1982 and then in later years, RCCL's Song of Norway, Nordic Prince, and Song of America. What a great time to be had by all.

My mother loved the casino cruises.

Sitmar in the 1970's. Fair Sky, Fair Sea, Fair Wind (I think). I accompanied my parents on the Fair Sea on the Alaska Cruise when I was about 12. Great movie theater where I watched James Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy". They also held Catholic Mass in the theater on Sunday, and unlimited ice cream in the kids lounge. White leather dress shoes and plaid pants for dinner in the dining room. Alaska was amazing, even for a 12 year old. Very memorable trip in a different time, as I am now 63. Nice presentation.

Wow!! Seeing what the cruise industry went from then till we started cruising back in 2008 is amazing. Believe me that I fully get the time and era of the past. Thanks for producing videos that show where the industry has came from.

September will be my 128th cruise, going on Celebrity Millennium for Japan cruise. We started cruising in 1982 - first cruise was on Sun Lines Stella Solaris. I am grateful to have cruised on many of the cruise lines, old and new. I currently cruise 3-4 times a year, have preferred lines, but have tried everything from Carnival to Regent. Already have Oceania and Virgin booked for next year. Great job on your video series. Subscribed after watching your first video.

As a child I went on the Italian Line which was owned by the Vatican. It was the best. That was the 1960's.

Really enjoyed this time travel on the seas video. Took me back to 76 when my parents took me and my sister on our first cruise. It was on the Ulysses SS Calypso . Sailed from Southampton to northern Africa . Massive thanks for all your time putting this video together.

Thanks for the information.

Loved this, thank you

This was fun! Thank you for all your research. I enjoyed this very much.

These videos are so interesting to me. I remember my mom and dad going on their one and only cruise (Celebrity) in the 90s, when I was in high school. My mom raved about the endless food; ice carvings; midnight buffets; cute, attentive waiters; and everyone dressing to the nines for the Captain's dinner.

My parents had wonderful pre-departure parties in my parents inside cabin before "sailing" out of the Los Angeles/Long Beach harbors. I remember how low their ceiling was and that it was suspended metal panels with lots of ventilation holes.

Gosh that brought back such wonderful memories. I cruised in 1972 or 73....it was a long time ago😊 on Shaw Savill's Ocean Monarch. I had such a wonderful time with not much sleep! Such fond memories. I still love cruising all these decades later. Your vlogs are fabulous, well done and thank you for always entertaining us. ❤ If you find any footage or information on Shaw Savill that would ve wonderful. My first job was with them in their office in The Haymarket in the late 60's.

Always enjoyable to hear you present! ❤

So fun to see the Caribe!!! That was my first cruise in the mid70s. Wonderful time.

My first cruise was in 1986.....loved it.......wish I started earlier.....the good old days

And it should still be glamorous!! I am going on Azamara in 2 weeks. I have only dress clothes and my best planned to pack!

Amazing! ❤Thank You! This was a great video!

You created a fabulous video. And like many of your others, creative on topics never done before. I’m thrilled to see your numbers growing. I look forward to your future offerings.

Looks awesome. Would have loved to go back in them days

Great video Bill! Really fun to see how things were back in the day.

My mother's line of choice was Sitmar, an Italian line with about four or five ships. They carried1,000, 500 crew and 500 passengers. We belonged to Circolo del Comandante. Our captain new us and always made a point of greeting us. Cheers!

My 1st and 2nd cruises were on Sunquest Carousel and Sunbird. After 18 cruises, I still compare the service from those cruises to todays cruises. They haven't been beat yet.

I started cruising in the late 70’s. Holland America’s Statedam to Bermuda was the first. A lot less to do. The dining room was more like a cafeteria and was also used for entertainment. There were also cabins that shared bathrooms with multiple cabins.

My first cruise was on Home Lines Oceanic - 1973 - 10 nights from NY to the Caribbean. Unreal service and food.

Another brilliant video,a great window into the past

My sweet mama used to take her and I on cruises in the late 80's and early 90's single mama just living life and we had a freaking blast and those are what I consider core memories ❤😮

I went on my first cruise in 1990 at the age of 11, and everything was included even wine and champagne with lunch and dinner. Specialty dining was unnecessary, the main dining room food was some of the best food I've had till this day. They did allow me to have wine and champagne with lunch and dinner even though I was only 11. I miss those days. Everyone had class and there weren't fights.

Memories ! My first cruise Christmas 1972 on the Mardi Gras.....STILL CRUISING! I do miss some of the things from the early years.

You and your channel are so fun! Keep it up.

Excellent, well-researched video!

My family went on a 3 week Chandris cruise end of ‘73 which was fun and still had the old school aspects like Beef Bullion served from huge stainless steel tureens on deck in the afternoon, fancy dress party and the midnight buffet!

I’m so happy you showed the Britanis. That was the first ship I cruised on in the early 1980s. I have very fond memories of her. It was a 5-night cruise out of Miami.

This brings back many memories I worked in the passenger booking hall at P&O head office from the late 60s to early 70s everything was changing they opened up the Pacific for thecruise lines of today shipping was the way we had to travel on our working holidays 50 years on its all changed !

Great video! Worked on Princess during the late eighties and it was surely different than now. The cruise fares were way more expensive than they are now, however nearly everything except drinks and shore ex were included. What I didn't see in the video is that the general cruise public was very OLD. Look forward to your Azamara experience, we keep going back to them as they so remind me of the Princess service during the eighties!

Two words: Home Line. Before the Pacific Princess (neé Sea Venture) with it's domed Lido Deck, there was the iconic ss Oceanic. Other shops included those bearing the names Atlantic and Homeric as well as one named Doric. Also, Princess Cruises Sun Princess (P&O's Spirit of London, conceived as NCL's Seaward) was a near-twin of NCL's Southward and was the original Love Boat from the 1976 TV movie that preceded the series. It was also featured on Columbo among other appearances. 0:53

Another great one Bill! Interesting history of the cruise lines. They should definitely bring back limbo, and maybe skeet shooting.🤣

Brilliant video Bill. Only you could have thought to put this together. Absolutely superb.

Thanks for this video! Brings back memories! Went on Song of Norway, Sun Princess, and Pacific Princess in the 70's. Early 90's went on Song of America, and SS Azure Seas twice (I think that was a Royal Caribbean ship). I haven't been on a cruise since the 90's.

My first cruise was Royal Caribbean 1985. It was lots of fun! Then I spent the 1990’s visiting the islands by plane. Didn’t get back on a cruise ship until NCL 2019. I’ve been on four since and have several more booked. ❤ cruising!

My first cruise was in 1989 on NCL's Seaward ship. and a year later on the very old NCL Norway. Both cruises were ok, but basically boring and the accommodations were spartan. There was very little to do but get a lounger chair and find a spot to relax. The best parts of the cruises were the endless foods and the port stops.

So interesting thanks.

I went on a short cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau on the Regal Empress, I've Googled bits of her history, and if you're looking for content I'll watch because I just subscribed! THX.

I m 70 and was lucky to sail with parents on The Song of Norway. costa Flavia original Sun Princess and HAL. As an exchange student I sailed on sleeper ferries that went from shipping to cruise lines Hutergarten (spelling) and. MSC. MISS some of my early memories but delight in new offerings. Just not the sizes

Ahh took me back to the days of cruising on the Oriana and Canberra back in the early 80's from Australia such fun times and memories.

Thank you so much for showing the Oriana! Went across the Pacific on her as a child during the mid-60s. All those open decks to run around on back in the day! Not anymore; with all the private balconies. I love these blasts from the past and so well done; thatnk you!

Canberra cruised on here in the 70/80’s as a kid and teenager great times

Loved the cruises in 80's

My first time here watching your channel. I ❤ it ! Liked & subscribed. Fantastic stuff !

First cruise was in the late 80's on the Carnival Celebration (the original one). We were hooked. We now have about 30 cruises done and still counting. Laughed at the sket shooting and hitting the golf balls. My husband loved it. Can you imagine doing that now 😅

When my parents and us 5 kids emigrated to Australia in 1963 we sailed on Sitmar’s Fairsky. At that time she was mainly used for this purpose but I recall a more luxurious area that we were not permitted to go. Presumably that would have been first class with paying passengers. Fairsky had no stabilisers so was quite rocky, which I loved. The pool was a square shape around 6 or 7 foot deep, above the hold. On some days it would be only half full so the children and none swimmers could go in. That was really fun when one second you were in knee deep water and the next it was over your head. There was a movie theatre (I watched “To Kill A Mockingbird”) but none of the shows that today’s ships have. I loved my 28 days on board and when I spent several months back in England in 75/76 I again came to Australia by ship, this time on Chandris lines Australis.

Thank you for including Sitmar, they were the absolute BEST!!! Was on the Fairwind in Sept 1978 when it went through a category 4 hurricane, Greta/Olivia. I was 13 years old, had sailed already on HAL and Carnival. Both did not have much for kids to do. But Sitmar, they had an AMAZING kid/teen program, we were on that ship with about a dozen other teen girls, it was GREAT! Always had some fun activities to do while at sea, and homemade ice cream daily, their Rum Raisin was awesome, not a flavor I would have normally picked. I wish they were still around, they had the perfect blend of everything for families. Gameshows, talent shows, costume contest, elegant dining, midnight buffets, ice sculptures, their food presentation was breathtaking! Crew competed to make edible sculptures that the guests would vote on. I can't say enough good about Sitmar, and have nothing bad to say about them. The closest line now to them would be HAL, but they lack a lot of the family fun gameshow stuff we all enjoyed every night. The disco on Sitmar was a lot of fun too, very much like Princess Skywalker lounge, but not quite. Anyways, thank you.... Sitmar deserves some kudos and acknowledgement, even after being out of commission for nearly 40 years, they still hold a special place in my heart.

First and only cruise (plan on rectifying that) was in 1991 on Carnival Ecstasy for New Years, a lot of fun!

I wish I could give three thumbs up for this video! Such great nostalgia. I like your presentation style, too. Ahhh, the Sky Princess, née Fairsky. That was my first cruise. It was right after the merger. Loved the interior footage. ❤❤

Can remember as youngster travelling from Cape Town to Southampton and back on Union Castle line.

The good ole days. Being allowed to play slots in the casino before my 10th birthday (won $200 in nickels on carnival Mardi Gras ship)..... hitting golf balls into the ocean from the back deck...... skeet shooting clay pigeons...... really getting to know your waiter and assistant waiter...... suits and tuxedos were the norm....... I remember it all!

The biggest difference from then to now, how people conducted themselves. It seems in the last 20 years the notion of being respectful and courteous to others has disappeared. Today many are consumed with themselves and don’t care about others!

I remember all those old commercials. Never missed an episode of The Love Boat. I always wanted to go on a Windjammer cruise. Sailing on a tall ship really looked like fun. Unfortunately thats another cruise company that disappeared. I became a travel agent in the 90s and sent many clients on cruises. I do believe I was the only travel agent in the world who never got to go on a cruise though. I have stayed many times on the Queen Mary in Long Beach though. Thanks for putting this video out, it earned a new sub for you. I look forward to seeing many more. 👍

Outstanding post..I’m sure it must have taken a while to collate this…when life was not so controlled..well done!

Really enjoying these videos! I forgot how much smoking there was in the 70s and 80s. We’ve just come off Carnival so seeing this cruise line at the beginning and how it’s changed was funny. Mel and Marcus FlyDriveExplore

I sailed on the Mardi Gras in 1978. It was one of the best cruises I ever had. Sadly, we took a Carnival cruise in the early 2000s, it was the worst cruise of my life. I recommend Royal Caribbean.⚓️

Great video!!

Did Cunard try to change? Granted they had cruise ships like the Cunard Adventurer, Conquest, Dynasty, and Monarch. In 1983 you had only 3 ships in the Fleet The QE2 and the Playboy ships. Then the Norwegians joined the fleet and the company became luxury again! Sagafjord, Vistafjord, Royal Viking Sun and the Sea Goddesses, what a fleet! I miss the early 90’s cruising on converted liners! I’m only 41 but majority of my cruises was on steamships.

Watch the ‘Love Boat’ carefully. They featured free cigarettes on the dining room tables in glasses next to the salt and pepper.

Fantastic video. I didn't start cruising until 2006 but I do remember I was allowed to smoke a cigar on my balcony, haha.

LOVE... EXCITING AND NEWWWW!

Oh so many outfits! I must have had 3-4 wardrobe changes each day!

Good episode

Looking forward to seeing the passengers disco dancing 😆 🤣 👍😎

An excellent video, Bill. Isn't it good that smoking has been reduced to a couple of outdoor areas on ships these days? Nice to see the old days, though, when there was nobody glued to their phones! Looking forward to your views of Azamara.

I very much enjoy the Ritzy Travel Guide video library. Your mellifluous narration combined with suble sarcasm and wit is very entertaining and captivating. Although I had to recently cancel (postpone 😁) my upcoming Jan 2025 Cunard transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton, I look forward to setting sail on the seas with your upcoming chapters.

Fantastic! Really enjoyed this. BTW some of The Love Boat was filmed onboard the ship 🙂. Looking forward to your Azamara experience. I was recently torn between it and Oceania for Christmas/New Year, and Oceania won simply because of there were sailings.

In the sixties airlines started doing more business and fewer people got there by ship. In the seventies and eighties the cruise lines were starting to try different things to get people to go by ship instead of other transit means. Also, before the sixties most people got from place to place by ship. Instead of transportation cruise lines now had to provide round trip vacations for people coming back.

Thank you so much what a wonderful visual image.You surprised me mentioning Commodore Cruise line.The SS Enchanted Isle out of New Orleans was my very first Cruise!!!I 7 day cruise cost me $250 pp.around 1990.Because of that ship I still preferr older smaller ships.

I cruised in the early 90s. Was similar