Cruise Talk: How many of you were in the Navy?

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Disney Cruise Line announced today that the honorary role of "godparent" for its new ship, the Disney Treasure, will be held by The Walt Disney Company cast, crew, Imagineers and employees around the world. The profound declaration is a heartfelt tribute to the more than 200,000 dreamers and doers who make every Disney entertainment, vacation and at-home experience possible. Disney Cruise Line is proud to celebrate...

Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line is adding to its line-up of 2026/27 deployment with sailings from New York City on Carnival Venezia, and more Long Beach sailings on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Radiance. “Our two Carnival Fun Italian Style ships offer great options from the east and west coasts, conveniently connecting New York and Long Beach to popular destinations, while delivering unique experiences on board...

Latest News...Vacationers are in for more ways to make memories across Royal Caribbean’s latest combination of tropical and Northeast 2026-27 getaways. The lineup of 12 Royal Caribbean ships rounds out a variety of adventures across Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the Northeast for every type of family and vacationer to get away any time of year. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » How many of you were in the Navy?

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: How many of you were in the Navy?

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 05-19-2000 08:39 PM

Here is a good question, just curious. How many of you that were
in the Navy that enjoy sailing on
cruise ships today? We've talked
to several people in the past and
most Navy men have this attitude that they have had enough of the
sea and won't go on a cruise because of their experience at sea? I for myself think that is so
sad, because their wive's don't get to go on a cruise.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

Molly
First Class Passenger
Member # 853

posted 05-19-2000 10:38 PM

I couldn't convince my husband to go on a cruise for a long time because he spent four years in the Navy on a ship. I finally booked a cruise on my own and told him it was a surprise and he loved every minute of it. We are looking forward to our next one. Navy ships and cruise ships don't compare.

Posts: 68 | From: Norman Park, GA USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

CruiseHappy
Just Boarded
Member # 1209

posted 05-19-2000 10:58 PM

My husband was in the Navy many years ago but he is all for cruising. He has many good memories of the different ports he visited and maybe this is a plus. That, and the fact that our first cruise last year was the first time we had gone somewhere without the kids in about 15 years. We are going on the Paradise in September and are really looking forward to it. Especially nice is that it is a smoke-free ship.

Posts: 6 | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Molly
First Class Passenger
Member # 853

posted 05-20-2000 09:51 AM

CruiseHappy,
My husband was in the Navy during the Viet Nam War and the ports he visited such as DaNang, etc. weren't a good place to be. He loves cruising now because he doesn't have to work on the ship! Cruise ships are more than a lot of gray metal too!!!!

Posts: 68 | From: Norman Park, GA USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

CruiseHappy
Just Boarded
Member # 1209

posted 05-20-2000 12:02 PM

Molly,
My husband entered the Navy when he was only 17. Just days after the Bay of Pigs incident occurred, my husband's hitch ended. He has told me of water skiing off the coast of Turkey and taking in the sites of the World Fair, I believe in New York. He did have one close call when he and his friends were on liberty and were out boating near Cuba and inadvertantly crossed into Cuban waters. They were promtly surrounded by Cuban military, and with guns fixed directly on them, escorted back to international waters.

Cruise ships are definately the way to go! Better food, safer ports (hopefully), and, in many cases, a bed companion.

Posts: 6 | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Molly
First Class Passenger
Member # 853

posted 05-20-2000 04:11 PM

CruiseHappy,

Mine was 18 and just out of high school. It was during the time that the only way a male didn't receive a 1A classification from Uncle Sam was if he was a full time college student. Young people were being drafted as soon as they graduated from high school. His memories of the Navy ships are lines. He said you stood in line to eat, to get paid, and even to go to the bathroom. The cruise was a different story. Once we were on board, there were no more lines until we were ready to leave. Now, he won't stand in line at a restaurant! He really was reluctant to cruise the first time. He loves it now.

Posts: 68 | From: Norman Park, GA USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

harborman
First Class Passenger
Member # 1248

posted 05-20-2000 05:25 PM

I was in the good old USN 34 years ago and did WestPAC cruises (that included stops in
Vietnam) but I must say I think that started my love for curises.
We visited many wonderful ports, in Japan, Hong Knog, Australia & New Zeland, plus I was home ported at Peral Harbor. Several of us shared a place in Waikiki, tough job but somebody had to do it.
I really developed a love for the sea back then and that set the stage to begin cruising.
Both my wife and I enjoy cruising, how could you not, everything on a cruise ship is so nice, you even get your own room.
I said to my wife, when I was in the Navy we slept 24 guys in a space the size of our stateroom. Now I have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy.
I've meet several old time Navy folks on some different cruises and they all feel the same way.

Posts: 147 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

kbozman
First Class Passenger
Member # 642

posted 05-21-2000 11:40 AM

Hi everyone,

One of my best friends was serving in the
marines in WW II and made several crossings.
These were more than your average sailing
trips.they were on troop carriers and the
Washington. He was on these ships a average
of 25 days on his way to Guadacanal.

Not only does he hate beaches, but he would
not be willing to go on any ship now. I think
the post trauma he has gone through has
killed any longing for the sea. When he
talks about it you can tell by his tone of
voice that there are things that left a bad
immpression on him.

On two of his trips, he tells of
laying in a hammock against the bulkhead
just waiting for a Jap torpedo to slam in
to the ship. This was a constant threat
along with aerial raids. The sad thing
was that after crossing on this voyage from
hell he now got to charge the beach dodging
a hail of gunfire. I think I can understand
why he does like sailing or spending time
at beaches. It gives you a whole new perspective when you are on a ship, or beach
and you watch your best friend die......

Sorry for the gloomy story,but thats
the way it really was, at least for him.

kbozman

Posts: 154 | From: Hanover Pa, USA | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 05-21-2000 02:37 PM

I have not been in the navy yet and probably will never be. Here in Luxembourg we unfortunately don´t have much sea around...
But I was lucky to visit an American navy ship, the USS TRENTON, in Korfu / Greece. First it was a very strange matter when we arrived with our ASTOR at the other side of the pier. The Americans straightly closed their pier-side and putted soldiers as security posts when they saw our beautiful Russian cruiseliner docking next to them... Russians maybe could put an eye on American war technics... It was really a strange atmosphere. But finally we reached an agreement that passengers and crew from our ship could visit the TRENTON in groups of around 10 people and crew from the TRENTON could visit our ASTOR.
So I saw the TRENTON from behind the scenes a bit and I just have to say that I was very surprised in which small rooms and beds they have to sleep and what such a ship has all onboard what you can´t see from outside. But very interesting. As well my group was lucky to see the procedure when they took down the American flag at the aft of the ship. I never thought they would do such a procedure due to a flag.
Anyway, I think there are 2 interesting ship-types at sea about which everybody will look: A beautiful white cruiseship or an imposant warship.

Posts: 1680 | From: OSC Luxembourg | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 05-21-2000 02:44 PM

I joined the US Navy right out of high school at the age of 17! Ironically, my interest in ships sort of waned while I was at sea. I did, however, get to see both the CANBERRA and ORIANA when stationed onboard the USS LOCKWOOD (FF-1064) and USS TARAWA (LHA-1). The LOCKWOOD was a small and cramped ship that rolled like a sick headache. The TARAWA, while larger, was not much more seaworthy, though, to the LOCKWOOD's credit, could go up to 35+ knots. The LOCKWOOD was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. I would catch the train up to Yokohama and visit the HIKAWA MARU, the sole surviving ship of the Japanese merchant fleet after WWII. Many of her cabins and lounges have been preserved, but you can't go in them because of glass partitions. Is it still there? Does anybody know? My favorite ports were Hong Kong, Sydney, Perth and Pattaya Beach, Thailand. Singapore was gorgeous, but I was afraid to do anything for fear of being arrested - it seemed that EVERYTHING was illegal.

When I got shore duty (in Coronado, California, with the Navy SEALS), I became obsessed about passenger ships again, and made two San Diego-Ensenada cruises, once aboard the VIKING SERENADE and then the AZURE SEAS. I was barely out of my teens, and I remember little about the trips, except for the food, the girls, and partying. Four of us shared two inside cabins, my friend, his wife, my then fiancee' and myself. I fell in love with Ensenada and after my cruises, would drive down a couple of weekends every month. We would go down to the snack stand at one of the piers, and gorge ourselves on shark meat tacos, washing them down with Coronas (to this day, I seldom drink other beers). That was the life!

After my shore command, I went to one more ship, but by then, I was so sick of the Navy, I opted to get out. To be frank, I HATE Navy ships and never was really interested in them. I never got seasick, but quickly grew weary of the gray, ugly, stability-challenged old tubs they put me on. And living with a bunch of sweaty and smelly sailors did not exactly enamor me to the Navy life either. Also, I found it to restrictive and confining. For some reason, I found that the Navy, more than the other US service branches, attracted the redneck types. People from the Midwest who had never been near water, or near other cultures, and did not know how to act around them. I don't mean to knock people from the Midwest, I really don't, but a lot of the fracas caused on liberty were guys from that part of America. Oh yeah, and guys from New York City.

When people ask me about Navy ships, I tell them I have forgotten everything I know about them (and basically I HAVE). I did, however, get to see most of the Orient, and would not trade those experiences for the world. There is nothing better than seeing how other cultures live and work. It really opens up your mind. I think only a cruise can really do that for a person.

[This message has been edited by Rex (edited 05-21-2000).]

Posts: 1413 | From: Philadelphia PA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...