Cruise Talk: Did you cruise in the Navy??

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Topic: Did you cruise in the Navy??

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 11-10-2011 11:33 AM

Besides being an avid pleasure cruiser have you served in the Navy(any country) ? If so when and where did you go?
I went on 2 carriers (Ranger and Yorktown 57-60. )7 months on each, deployed with 2 squadrons.VAAW35 and VAW11.
Went to the Far East. WESTPAC.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Westerdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 2093

posted 11-21-2011 03:47 PM

I served on the USS Shreveport LPD-12 from Mid April of 1997 until March of 2001. In total I did two deployments of 13 months to the Med, Black Sea, and the Persian Gulf. There were also a few trips to Canada and Florida inbetween deployments. It was an interesting experience to say the least!

Westerdam/Nathan

Posts: 329 | From: Waukegan, Illinois | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 11-21-2011 05:53 PM

My family lived in Rio de Janeiro for a couple of years in the late 1960's and we had lots of visits from US Navy ships. The sailors always seemed to be having a good time when they came ashore.

I am wondering what you guys thought were the best ports to have liberty and why?

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 11-22-2011 03:54 AM

Where the best girls were

Isn't that most places?

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 11-23-2011 01:12 AM

I only served 12 years. Some of you may remember THIS THREAD where I posted a few pictures I took during my years in the US Navy.

As far as favorite 'ports of call'? Most of the countries home to my favorites ports fall in Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. I think it had to do with the amazing culture, great food, and beautiful people. All wonderful. All amazing.

I also loved Hawaii. We stopped there at the beginning, and end, of each of my four Pacific deployments.

Other favorite ports of call include Mombassa (photo safari to Amboseli National Park), Diego Garcia (gorgeous atoll), and Rio de Janeiro (during Carnival).

Any some favorite places I visited during my tour in the Navy: Egypt (10 days of breathtaking history), Italy (stationed there for 2 years), Germany (twice during Octoberfest), and two 2-week long Eurail Pass train rides through Europe (loved Amsterdam!) and Paris (ooh la la).

I must say the Navy was good to me when it came to world travel. And it was at one time their recruiting motto:

Join the Navy, see the World!

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

Westerdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 2093

posted 12-12-2011 01:09 PM

@ Joe One of the best ports I was ever to was Valletta Malta. My ship docked there for the 1999-2000 Christmas/New Year Holidays. It was a non stop party while we were docked there. Especially on New Year's Eve. I have never seen anything like it before or since. That night the majority of the locals were dressed in either suits or dinner jackets for the men and the women were all in cocktail dresses or evening gowns. It was just a non stop party everywhere you went! Needless to say I will never forget it as long as I live!

A second port that was really outstanding but for different reasons was Aqaba, Jordan. I was required to do lots of work with the locals there and spent lots of time with them. It really gave me an in depth look at the area and the local culture.

@ Pam M Yes, there was lots of that for many along with where was the nearest place to get a drink. It was a shame as all many did was go out and get drunk or find the nearest place where they could find a girl "on the game" if you will and they never saw or did much of anything beyond that. To each his own I suppose!

Nathan

Posts: 329 | From: Waukegan, Illinois | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

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