Since I was three...that's right since 1962

Since I was three...that's right since 1962

While cleaning out my parents home, I came across some old cruise photos and paperwork.  My parents always took us because they refused to leave us with people while they travelled.  We would be the only children on the ship most time.  Many times we would be fussed over and sometimes even used as part of the entertainment. We would get really bad looks from other adults who seem disappointed that there were children onboard.  I find this funny now..... because I prefer to travel when school is IN session for the same reasons.... I suppose!

I remember one cruise, the main entertainment was a puppeteer named Victor Charles.  He used marionette type puppets and his partner played the piano for sound effects.  That was the main show, no kidding!  No Broadway shows or dancers, no singing.  He performed two nights and I got called up to the stage both nights to assist him. Definitely no babysitting services...our parents had to take us everywhere or switch off.  

Once, when my dad was in charge of me, I feel asleep in the top bunk and he slept below.  When my mother returned from her shopping excursion she thought I had left the cabin. She had the Captain stop the ship and everyone was looking for me.  You see, I had fallen inside the wall where the bed went, behind the mattress, while sleeping.  No one could see me.  Thankfully I woke up after causing a commotion and 30 minute delay!

The ships would hold hundreds, not thousands.  There were not mega cruise lines with multiple ships. I also remember real wood staircases, red velvet drapes and the Purser was always a very good looking young man.... that I would have a "crush" on every time.  Now, we see a lot of stainless steel instead wood and hardly any drapes at all.

I recently sailed a "throwback" cruise.  I missed the auctioning off of the "horses" for the race.  It is sad that I was told they don't do it because passengers abused it.  I missed the "flaming" Baked Alaska but I was told the due to insurance they cannot offer it.  Oh, how I wish, we really could go back in time.

I am attaching some photos.  Imagine this today?????  They won't even give out a cabin number now because they have to protect us from twisted people.  SAD!

1. Imagine... not only are our names listed, but our cabin numbers...and we children have our OWN cabin...no adult assigned.
2. I did a count and there is 140 passengers on this sailing of the Cabo Izarra and our Captian was Jesus.  
3. Can you imagine now if they listed this?  All the people rooming with someone they maybe shouldn't be?  LOL
4. Although I miss so much...I still love to cruise!