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Originally posted by Amerikanis in another thread:
In the 1980's i cruised with Ships of the Black Sea Shipping Company (most Times), "The Victoria" of "Chandris"...

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Just a couple of days ago a friend sent me this lovely photo he took on 30 May 1992 in Dover. What was the cruise experience like? & has anyone else sailed aboard as The Victoria?

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Originally posted by PamM:

What was the cruise experience like? & has anyone else sailed aboard as The Victoria?

Pam

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I sailed aboard THE VICTORIA for a week in 1985, through the Southern Caribbean. It was like a trip back in time, even though the ship was largely the result of her re-build in 1960. Lots of wood panelling, teak decks and the velour-covered furniture that was so typical of ships of this vintage. The Chandris ships in particular encouraged a homey (homely) atmosphere, where people could come into one of the lounges with a lunch tray, settle in just like their own living room, and feel at home. The ship was small enough so that you encountered everyone throughout the cruise, and a very cohesive feeling was present which you cannot possibly feel on a huge, modern ship.

I especially recall dining at the Captain's Table under the barrel-vaulted 2-deck-high ceiling in the Dining Room, very grand for a small vessel. I was fortunate enough (and determined enough) to sail on many of the older liners during the '80s, knowing their days were numbered as a wave of new ships was coming on line. I also sailed on AMERIKANIS, BRITANIS, GALILEO, CARLA C., INDEPENDENCE, RHAPSODY, CANBERRA, FLAVIA, EMERALD SEAS, CARNIVALE, MARDI GRAS, BERMUDA STAR, FAIRWIND, etc.

In spite of being lucky enough to have sailed on many great new ships, most of my fondest memories are of the old classics, now gone, which I experienced.

Rich

[ 02-20-2006: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

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I also sailed on AMERIKANIS, BRITANIS, GALILEO, CARLA C., INDEPENDENCE, RHAPSODY, CANBERRA, FLAVIA, EMERALD SEAS, CARNIVALE, MARDI GRAS, BERMUDA STAR, FAIRWIND, etc.

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quote:

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Originally posted by elad:

how was the Mardi Gras?
did you have a good time onboard her?

Elad

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Well I worked for Carnival during those years, so most of my sailings were as either a staff member or shoreside supernumerary. I saw the ship from both passenger and crew sides, and she remains one of my all-time favorites. I sailed literally dozens of times on both the MARDI GRAS and CARNIVALE. There was a lot of Canadian Pacific decor still on board during those years, and she was filled with exotic wood panelling.

I remember that in each of the original First Class cabins, a small Bakelite tag next to the light switch featured the name of the wood used in that room, such as "White African Oak", "Burgundy Burlwood,", etc. (These are fictious names I just invented; can't recall any of the actual names but they were similar to these examples.)

Rich

[ 02-20-2006: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
Does anyone know what her fate is?

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Cabin J 10 on the Jade Deck.

It was an comfortable, nice, at that Time 47 Years old Ship.

Great Food and Service in the Roman Restaurant, with more Choice than today and better.

I also like the El Patio Lounge and the Teak-Decks.

The Price in the Brochure was 4900 German Marks West for 1 Person in the 2-Bed-Inside Cabin.

Really paid: 1.733 each in German Marks.

At that Time: 666 Dollar US.

This is the Price for 14 Nights.

Thank you Rich [you are the envy of many having the opportunity to sail all the 'classics'] and Amerikanis. Hard to believe that in 1985 she was already 47 years old, another 7 years before that photo above. Did different 1st class cabins have different wood in their panelling then Rich? I am intrigued by the tags; have not heard of similar before.

Just goes to show Amerikanis, that cruising 20+ years later is so much cheaper in real terms. But I guess you weren't charged every second for the 'extras'.

Pam

[ 02-20-2006: Message edited by: PamM ]

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
Does anyone know what her fate is?

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PRINCESA VICTORIA, cruise ship, IMO 5379717. In April 2004 she was renamed VICTORIA and sold for scrap to Alang, India where she arrived in late May and the demolition began in August. http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=71352&cid=52

AJL

[ 02-20-2006: Message edited by: AJL ]

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Originally posted by PamM:
You are wicked lasuvidaboy!

[ 02-20-2006: Message edited by: PamM ]

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Originally posted by PamM:

Thank you Rich. Did different 1st class cabins have different wood in their panelling then Rich? I am intrigued by the tags; have not heard of similar before.

Pam

[ 02-20-2006: Message edited by: PamM ]

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My reference to the tags naming the various woods was on the MARDI GRAS. ( I know, I've dropped so many ships' names that it's confusing!) Besides sailing numerous times on her, I was on board her every week in Miami, and later twice a week in Port Everglades, giving me loads of time over the years to explore every inch of the ship. My recollection is that each first class cabin (mainly on Empress Deck) had a different type of wood panelling.

The VICTORIA of course was a one-class cruise ship, at least since she became the VICTORIA in 1960. I have never seen the tags describing wood types on any other vessel.

By the way, I just remembered that the tags on MARDI GRAS were attached by special screws with grooves that only turned one way (tighter). They could not be undone and removed (or else I might have several on hand to help my memory)

Also an classic Ship, former Baltica, Starlight Express, Danae, Therisos Express, Port Melbourne.

Last Year in October i had an Cruise of 14 Nights on the ATHENA.

It was an good Experience on an classic Ship, no weak Points.

Food and Service are o.k., the Cabins relatively big with an real Bathtube (i had an Comfort-outside Cabin, paid was an Inside), nice furnished, the Entertainment Program was good for the Size of the Ship, good Musicians and Performers, nice Lounge.

This Ship goes now to the British Market.

But: we get in Germany instead of this Ship the Princess Danae from the same Company: Classic International Cruises with Portuguese Flag.

I expect an good Product, the Ship is now in Lisbon in Shipyard for Renovation.

Vivamare as Charterer of Athena last Year was o.k., and they charter now for an Part of the Season the Princess Danae.

Price is at the Moment € 1190 for an 2-Bed-inside for 17 Nights to the Capeverde Islands, starting Lisbon as an Roundtrip.

On the Athena we meet again our former Cruisemate

Otto B. Hartmann, the Owner of Music Media Service in Lugano.

www.mms-online.ch

He is also an experienced Cruiser of more than 50 Cruises and prefers classic Ships.

I also like them, and some are on the Market for this Season.

Besides Athena and Princess Danae is also of Interest for me the Funchal, and the Marco Polo, on which i had an Cruise in November 2004.

That was also o.k.

quote:

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Originally posted by Linerrich:

I especially recall dining at the Captain's Table under the barrel-vaulted 2-deck-high ceiling in the Dining Room, very grand for a small vessel.

Rich

[ 02-20-2006: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

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Chandris 1986 brouchures contains deck plan but they did not shown the table configulation in the Romain Restaurant, but in the 70s there were two tables for 8 perons just under the barrel-vaulted 2-deck-high ceiling. the other tables were for 4 or 5 persons.

[ 02-20-2006: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

[ 02-21-2006: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

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Originally posted by Linerrich:
My reference to the tags naming the various woods was on the MARDI GRAS.

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Sorry my fault, I didn't notice the heading

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By the way, I just remembered that the tags on MARDI GRAS were attached by special screws with grooves that only turned one way (tighter). They could not be undone and removed (or else I might have several on hand to help my memory)

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A few more photos of The Victoria on that day. The bottom one shows how small she was compared to a bog standard XChannel ferry of the time; who incidently is still around, I sailed her the other day.