Cruising in the 1970s and 80s! A Fun and Revealing Look at How it Used to Be!

Step aboard our time machine to the 1970s and 80s, to see just how cruising looked in those days!
It's was a carefree and liberal time, when anything went, and having fun was the order of the day!
We look at the major cruise lines of the times, as well as those that didn't make it! We'll look at the lavish midnight buffets, the silly activities available, the daft fashions, and which cruise lines were most outlandish!
We look at the famous ships of the time, and what became of them. Including the famous Love Boat, from TV
Links mentioned in the video:
Our Instagram:
/ ritzytravelguide
Part One of our Vintage Travel Series on KZbin, 'How Cruising Used to be' in the 1950s:
• The Golden Age of Crui...
We look at :
Carnival
Mardi Gras, Tropicale, and Festivale
The Love Boat
Cunard
Queen Elizabeth 2
Cunard Princess
Commodore Cruise Lines
P&O Oriana
Aurora
Pacific Princess
Sitmar
Chandris Cruise Lines
Celebrity Cruise Lines
Holland America
Azamara Cruise
Golden Age of Cruising
Cruise documentary
Great Ocean Liners
Love Boat
Tom Hanks
Hi, welcome to Ritzy Travel Guide, my name is Bill, we are here bringing you our latest travel reviews from around the globe! We'll be travelling right around the world on cruise ships, all inclusive resorts, tropical destinations... and the deals of the day.
In this video :
00:00 - Intro
02:50 - The Rise of the American Cruise Ship - Carnival
05:15 - British cruise ships - P&O Oriana
08:27 - Ports of Call - 1970s style!
09:31 - You Can't do this now!
10:24 - Cruising in the 80s - Carnival Style
12:22 - Sailing with Cunard on the QE2: Queen Elizabeth 2
14:33 - Cunard Princess
16:27 - Chandris Cruise Lines - Britanis (Later Celebrity)
17:46 - Commodore Cruise Lines - Caribe
20:00 - Cruise Ship Graveyards
20:35 - What Happened to the Love Boat from the TV series?
21:20 - Sitmar Cruise Lines
22:58 - Azamara Cruise Lines
25:21 - Final Thought to Carnival!
-------------------------------------------------
Contact us, and FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Email : [e-mail]
/ ritzytravelguide
ABOUT ME:
Hi, my name is Bill! Together with my family we have lived in 5 countries around the world, and spend our life travelling, in both a professional and recreational capacity. The aim of this channel is to give an honest, practical viewpoint, showing exactly what we found, and what tips we may be able to offer. We do not sell vacations, and the objective is to give a fully independent, and real picture. We hope you enjoy the reviews we post. Please do feel free to comment and share. Thanks!

[@CatMom-uw9jl]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

You're right, Flaming Baked Alaskas! That brought back the memories, I don't think I've had that one a cruise for at least twenty years! Bring them back!

[@jeffearle8172]

Here is a photo of me, age 9, and my mom, dad and sister heading to dinner on the MV Italia in June 1968. The Italia would later be renamed Princess Italia and was one of the first , if not the first, cruise ships to travel from LA to the Mexican Riviera and back on a 14 day excursion. As I remember, the ship was very small compared to today’s cruise liners, but was beautifully constructed and decorated. Thank you for your wonderful travelogues; I am anxiously waiting your next one!

[@ritzytravelguide]

@jeffearle8172 Hi Jeff, that journey from LA to the Mexican Riviera in the 60s would have been very special! Beautiful memories!

[@jeffearle8172]

@@ritzytravelguide So sorry, I thought that I uploaded a photo but it didn’t transmit. It was a fun time capsule from a distant time past.

[@ritzytravelguide]

@jeffearle8172 Yes, unfortunately KZbin doesn't permit, but thanks for trying!

[@jeremy1350]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Jeremy, thank you so much for taking the time to share your stories from the past. Fascinating to read. As you say they were the days you could wander aboard and experience it all, then saunter off before sailing! A wealth of stories and first hand accounts. Thank you

[@lvthud]

It was very much a different time. My father started out on the QE2, went over to the Countess, got fired from Cunard after, well stealing the ship with a bunch of UK union seamen and taking her to Jamaica. He then went to RCCL, I was still young then, but I had a slightly different perspective of turn around day. A group of senior management from CCL, NCL and RCCL would get together every Sunday afternoon at a bar down by South Point Park. I was just a kid then, but it was funny to watch these grown men have a late lunch, a few drinks then around 4pm start betting on which ship would be first away from the dock. If ownership was there it got very serious, I got to hang out with the Arison kids (I will admit I had a serious 10 year old's crush on Shari) and later on I got to baby sit Nick. I don't even want to think about the amount of money wagered over those lunches, or the repercussions for captains who were slow to get their ships away from dock. It really was a different time.

[@Kparc1212]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

I really must try to get some good footage of the Big Red Boat for a future update of the video

[@vickiking8276]

I did too! But that was in the early 90s. We got caught in a tropical storm and everyone including crew was so sick. Took me 10 years to set foot on another cruise!

[@cynthiaarrowsmith5709]

I also cruised the Big Red Boat in 1993! Stayed at the yacht club at Disney a few days too.

[@Lisa-je5bb]

I did that one.what fun that was! 2 vacations in one!

[@bobeachus]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

I can imagine!

[@lizarichards2243]

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!

[@ritzytravelguide]

How lovely you got engaged on the ship!

[@Kparc1212]

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!!!!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Very true, I should have added that to the section 'you don't get this anymore'.... The Captains Table

[@Lisa-je5bb]

Unfortunately,we don't get to tour the ship anymore either...and I miss those amazing midnight chocolate buffet s.

[@ritzytravelguide]

@Lisa-je5bb I agree, ship tours were great fun

[@seannielsen6587]

I just got a one hour Bridge tour on the Symphony of the Seas. We could not thank the Bridge Officers enough. That is why we are Loyal to Royal.​@ritzytravelguide

[@ritzytravelguide]

@seannielsen6587 That would have been really interesting. Love a good Bridge Tour! Where are you cruising right now?

[@anamarianunez1563]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

33 cruises, well done!

[@VintagepaperdollcuttingC-wq5ql]

I detest using my phone to get seated at dinner and figuring out what is going on.

[@sircharlesmormont9300]

I never get the wifi package and just stay disconnected when I cruise. It's great!

[@latebloomerabroad]

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.

[@neilcharles2520]

The Carnival ship you saw was The Mardi Gras...

[@christopherclarke6642]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

That's great to hear. I didn't travel on Sitmar. It's so nice to read here from those that did !

[@sheilavillano818]

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”.!!!

[@ritzytravelguide]

I don't know that song! How funny it's still in your mind

[@pauletteyoung112]

I still have the passenger list they gave to everyone and all the menus.

[@cynthiaarrowsmith5709]

Was this the ship that was later cruising as the Big red boat?

[@pauletteyoung112]

Yes

[@jeanmunro4824]

I don't remember a song! I sailed on the Oceanic in the summer of 82 with college friends.

[@brianstuart1867]

My wife's mother used to sail on Shaw Saville ships (British) in the 60's. Their flagship in 1955 was the Southern Cross which used to take immigrants to Australia. After several owners and name changes we sailed on her as Ocean Breeze in 1997.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, I was very much hoping to show some of the Shaw Saville ships in this video, but couldn't get hold of clear footage. I hope to be able to do so, (together with some other lines) and put out an update episode later in the year.

[@nickibanks5185]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much Nicki 🙂

[@melanieschloemer1622]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much Melanie!

[@swjumbo747]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

That's a very good point.... will future generations look back at us right now, cruising in the 2020s, and say 'those were the halcyon days of cruising'?! I'm not so sure!

[@suave-rider]

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.

[@mrk131324]

But today everything is included as well, except excursions. Just stay away from the US cruise lines.

[@robingriffith769]

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."

[@mattiemathis9549]

Maybe check out Cunard. The queen Mary 2 seems to have that vibe. Probably not the same, but you won’t have to see a thong while you eat. 😂

[@smurphy7266]

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.

[@christophercarr4008]

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!

[@Bullfeathers]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

I remember going on the Volendam too, in the late 80s. Great ship!

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

How funny!

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

@@ritzytravelguide Your channel brings back wonderful memories!

[@ritzytravelguide]

@mitchellbarnow1709 So glad, thank you

[@saratullas5509]

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 😢

[@patrickdyer430]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Fantastic! Which cruise ship was that?

[@jameshamm7911]

Funny: Carnival then and Carnival now don't seem to have actually changed that much, lol (and I am platinum).

[@ritzytravelguide]

I was thinking that about Carnival too!

[@wkelly3053]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, great to hear your vivid recollections from back in the day. Thank you!

[@lindalacampagne5436]

Sitmar was the best! Sailed Fairwind, Fairsea and Fairsky! Nothing today compares to the food and Italian service; especially in the dining rooms! Glad our first experiences were with Sitmar!!!

[@ritzytravelguide]

@lindalacampagne5436 I would have loved to have tried Sitmar. Since I posted this video so much love for Sitmar!

[@jeffearle8172]

@@ritzytravelguide

[@KhaleesiStJames]

Those were the days my friends!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ritzytravelguide]

They were indeed!

[@michellelogreco3351]

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!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Have an Amazing time on Azamara! We're just completing our cruise with Azamara now, and we'll have our review soon

[@MB-uy5kh]

@@ritzytravelguideAzamara is one of my favorites. Sailed on Journey a couple of times. We enjoy the port overnights and late departures, when compared to other ships. More relaxed than Regent cruises.

[@ritzytravelguide]

@MB-uy5kh Azamara has a lot going for it

[@denisbryce8746]

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.

[@renadenham4250]

My first cruise was on Princess in the mid 80s. Wonderful times! I loved the themed dinners where the waiters would dress up and parade. The midnight buffets were divine. You certainly never see an ice sculpture anymore! I did skeet shooting and golfing off the aft end. Fun! Even the ashtrays were elegant.

[@ritzytravelguide]

A different era!

[@kennixox262]

What a hoot back to that era which I vividly remember. As for "The Love Boat' it was mainly for guest actors on their way up and those older stars on their way down. As a teen what that was aired, it did look like a fun time. Compared to today's ships, those were rather quaint. The only ocean going vessel I've traveled on were ferries over the Channel from Calis to Dover.

[@mattiemathis9549]

I’m convinced that show is the reason I want to cruise. 😂 That Gillian’s island and fantasy island. 😂

[@user-xb3wz3hw3p]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Really, by the Vatican? I had no idea

[@brianrobson5208]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

What an amazing experience for a kid to sail to Africa! Fabulous

[@AlphabetSoup64]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@seannielsen6587]

You made another wonderful video!! Thank you so much. Our first cruise was in 1996. It was on the Big Red boat. The theme then was Warner Brothers. Bugs Bunny and the G ang. We loved it but we did not cruise again until 2018. Wow did things change. They still had the Midnight Buffet then with Sculptures made out of butter. It was a fun cruise. Now we cruise 3 or 4 times a year. The Big Red Boat is very missed by us now. Loveed the Carival footage.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Sean, so glad you enjoyed it. Yes, we all miss the midnight buffet!!

[@smb2a587]

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.

[@jillfallon8497]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, I very much wanted to include Shaw Savill, but couldn't get the footage. Hopefully in the next video update!

[@cruiseforever1281]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so very much! Really your lovely comments!

[@sandraoettle1476]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, thank you, and so glad you enjoyed it

[@ClaireD-bg8lu]

Loved this, thank you

[@ritzytravelguide]

Very welcome!

[@MB-uy5kh]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

You have a vast catalogue of experience, across such a diverse range of cruise lines. It's great that you continue to try different Lines. Variety is the spice of life!

[@snackdaddy5770]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

The RCCL Songs were great ships of the day

[@dawne8851]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, you are spot on, ice carvings and midnight buffets were absolutely the order of the day. You still get them now, but not to the same extent!

[@LetsAllCruise]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

It is fun looking back, isn't it!

[@johnnieves8719]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you John, very kind

[@kategibb5245]

Another brilliant video,a great window into the past

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks so much Kate, it's fascinating to take a dip into the archives!

[@lauraf7904]

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

[@laughremixsquad]

Always enjoyable to hear you present! ❤

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you 🙂

[@popeduck]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks so much!

[@joanfreestone1707]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you Joan. We're on the Azamara, as I type. Set sail last night. Heading up the Italian coast

[@CrazyCanuckFitness]

Thanks for the information.

[@edwardgramauskas5866]

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

[@rosemariedurant3645]

Hi Bill, great show but I was wondering why you started with Carnival for the U.S. portion instead of mentioning Home Line’s S/S Oceanic, Homeric, and Doric that graced the Caribbean routes before Carnival.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Rose Marie, I would love mentioning so many other lines, sadly getting the video source material can be quite challenging. If I get some for Home Line I'll gladly add it to a future update

[@autobotdiva9268]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

She might be!

[@jomama5186]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Great to have you along 😊

[@robindrew3471]

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.

[@ericlauzon5222]

Love these videos ❤

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you!

[@cinematone1]

I was a musiian/entertainer on the SS Monterey in the 1970s. The Monterey and her sister ship, SS Mariposa, were the last of the famous Matson Lines American flagged ocean liners in trans-Pacific service from California through Hawaii to Auckland and Sydney with stops at many exotic ports along the way. Would be nice to see Pacific passenger ships featured.

[@bprid135]

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

[@ValerieVictoriaVoyage]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there Valerie, lovely to hear from you. And thank you so much for your vivid memories of Sitmar. From your descriptions I can well imagine it all! There's nothing better than being aboard a ship, watching it all drift by, as the ship brings the world to you!

[@purplgrits7916]

Lovely memories of Fairwind, September 1985

[@rodgerguerra2326]

Back in ‘89 we booked the Fairsky. By the time we went in June, Sitmar was bought by Princess and we were on the Sky Princess. Everything on the ship had switched to Princess except the china. All the tableware had the “V” on it.

[@ritzytravelguide]

@rodgerguerra2326 very quick change over

[@Amosandy100]

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. ❤❤

[@ritzytravelguide]

How fantastic you were on the Sky Princess/Fairsky! Is it just as you remembered, or had it been changed by then?

[@Amosandy100]

@@ritzytravelguide Your pictures are exactly as it was when we sailed. We were on an Alaska cruise. I fondly remember sitting in the Horizon Lounge looking forward. I even remember the furniture that is in your pictures.

[@ritzytravelguide]

That's great! Lovely to hear 🙂

[@marcwood5895]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much Marc. The 70s and 80s are a rich treasure trove of material!

[@marcwood5895]

@ritzytravelguide I do love your videos. They are so different from other cruise channels. Keep up the good work.

[@stephendacey8761]

@@ritzytravelguideYou have a way with words. You're a dignified British chap.

[@ritzytravelguide]

@stephendacey8761 Thank you, but I'm sure my wife would tell you, she has to keep a strict eye on me!

[@dianacarragher5845]

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 !

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Diana, looking at the old footage, it really brings back the memories, doesn't it!

[@Duchess_of_Cadishead]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

What fabulous childhood memories. And you went on 2 of the lines featured in the video. Fantastic

[@tylermcneil3630]

Excellent, well-researched video!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much Tyler

[@chris25johnston]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

I can picture it now, the new Fun Ships of 2026: Firepit Limbo on the Aft deck, as the sun sets, cannons firing real cannon balls towards a distant island, Baked Alaska being pushed by on golden trolleys with lit fireworks poking out of the top, steel drums serenading giant stilt walkers juggling bottles of vintage Moet, and the Captain singing Hello Dolly seated on top of the Funnel

[@micheleskeggs2173]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

The days of tank tops, flares, and colourful clothes!

[@Kathy-et2jy]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Those were great ships!

[@julieyoung2536]

Our first cruise was on Premier, the Big Red Boat and then-official cruise line of Walt Disney World. It was the early 90's, not sure how far back Premier was afloat!

[@ritzytravelguide]

I will try to include them in an update!

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

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.

[@robingriffith769]

I remember when the ones sending you off could actually come to your cabin and celebrate for a time until ready to sail!!!! OK!!! I'm really old!!!!!😊

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

@@robingriffith769 That would've been so much fun!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Yes, that really happened!

[@reintvandijk5068]

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!

[@leondebruyn5624]

Oh my goodness... that was funny!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@scottblamer381]

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!

[@jtrjtr5393]

Great video!!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much!

[@andrewtaninecz7324]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Andrew, thank you very much, and I'm sure you'll find another time to get your Cunard crossing in. January would have been a real roller coaster sea month, out on the Atlantic in the winter swell and storms ! Would test the stiffest of upper lips.

[@jtrjtr5393]

LOVE... EXCITING AND NEWWWW!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks so much!

[@abdvantage]

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.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, thank you so much. We just boarded Azamara today, so reviews will be coming out in a few weeks!

[@fiffanj]

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!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Wow, huge gap between sailings!

[@fiffanj]

@@ritzytravelguide yes and huge difference in ships! I do remember buying all new fancy dresses for my first cruise. I spent the first night in Miami at the Fountain Blu hotel. One of my two suitcases got lost but luckily came in time for the embarkation. It really was a wonderful time for a working secretary to be able to go on a swanky vacation!

[@MellissaWilliamsjewellerylover]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Mel and Marcus. How was your Carnival cruise? Which ship did you go on?

[@MellissaWilliamsjewellerylover]

@@ritzytravelguide we went on the Legend. We liked it considering it was an older ship. Our next cruise is on the Queen Mary 2 so that will be a cut above for sure ha!

[@ritzytravelguide]

@MellissaWilliamsjewellerylover Enjoy yourself on the QM2!

[@lynnfranklin5098]

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

[@scottnapier8291]

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. 👍

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Scott, great to have you with us

[@heartbeatoz]

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.

[@darlaapholz6053]

Loved the cruises in 80's

[@edwesby5752]

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.

[@bethsimpson1916]

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 😅

[@ritzytravelguide]

Ha ha yes... the gun would be pointing the wrong way!

[@ltschallengecoins4277]

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!

[@ritzytravelguide]

They let you skeet shoot at 10 years old?!

[@AllRound_GG]

Shame you can't do that anymore. 😢 cruising has really died since they got rid of those fun activities.

[@Zombie-Tog]

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

[@Zombie-Tog]

P.S what happened to Ocean Village?

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks so much. The days of liberal views and outlook!

[@neilcharles2520]

The Windjammer Barefoot cruise line was one of my favorite that sailed out of Grenada..I was a diving Instructor and knew the instructors that worked on the ship..so i dove for free...it was bathing suit,t shirt and shorts ..no dressing up...They did The ABC islands...and the crew were mostly people from Grenada and Trinidad..party 24/7...

[@chrisarnold8226]

In 1988, I was on the Mardi Gras. I remember so much of this. I was 14 years old, and an officer handed me a shotgun, and I shot the clay pigeons off the back of the ship. Wish we could still could. Same with the driving golf balls off the back. That was fun.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, what fantastic memories. Made a 14 year old's dream, gun in hand, on the deck!

[@CapriciousCapricrn]

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!

[@ritzytravelguide]

You're very welcome. How fantastic you were on the Oriana! Was it just as you remembered in the video?

[@CapriciousCapricrn]

@@ritzytravelguide Believe vid portrayed first class but our family of five went tourist. Food was awful, but spoiled as Mom was a great cook with California produce and it was a Brit ship (sorry - that was back in the day😊) WE HAD A BLAST! Everything else, stops in paradise,, etc. excellent. Great memories but too long ago for detailed memories. Sorry. Let me share this with you; which I found fascinating - go to 8:17 for #1! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF6coaOKqbKBbacsi=z7Fz6yr0_eE7kNnL Sis and I made a San Francisco to Sydney tribute cruise in '18 on the Queen Elizabeth. Tmight have mentioned this before.) Another Brit ship. Another line. Another millennium. My last cruise since '65 on Oriana. Also selected cruise strictly for itinerary, felt we started at the top even though "just" Britanna balcony. Get this validation here on KZbin. Oh how I wished my parents were still around to join us on THAT! Excuse me for going on and on.

[@CapriciousCapricrn]

@@ritzytravelguide Thought I just submitted a great reply to you but something must have happened. Let me try again. No detailed memories (so long ago!) but only great memories except for bad food but Mom was a great cook with access to California produce. And that was back in the day. What your vid have portrayed was first class but we went tourist back then in '65 and everything else happy memories with stops in paradise. Scored a porthole too!

[@CapriciousCapricrn]

@@ritzytravelguide Excuse me for rambling on....but there seems to be a problem with longer replies on KZbin lately. Sis and I went on a tribute San Francisco-Sydney cruise in '18 on the Queen Elizabeth. Another Brit line. Many decades later. We choose strictly by itinerary and I can't help that we luckily starting at or near the top, even though "just" Britainnia balcony. (Sorry for my spelling.) The '65 Oriana was my last cruise!!! Hoe I wished we could have taken Mom and Dad on THAT!

[@irishinusa1615]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

😬

[@karmathegiant]

So interesting thanks.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Very welcome!

[@penny1186]

My mother loved the casino cruises.

[@VintagepaperdollcuttingC-wq5ql]

My first cruise was in the early 2000’s. The attire was a lot more classy.

[@joshuastavos4376]

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

[@matthewpiper410]

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

[@MJinFlorida]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

😁

[@Ziggy-Mau]

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.

[@joeln6861]

First cruise was early 90's on the Seawind Crown (Seawind Cruise Line). Shortly after that on Carnival Tropicale (A big ship in it's day!). I still cruise, but prefer the smaller ships of today (about 100K tons), to the old really small ones and not the super mega ships of today.

[@MrPh30]

Good episode

[@ritzytravelguide]

Many thanks!

[@awakeningalchemy5744]

The carnival fun cruise in the 80s looks like the 7th circle of Hell 😅. And Cunard was hilarious but kind of quaint and I loved the old GB money - huge £1 notes. Thanks for posting, love your quirky and informative content.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@bethcolford2513]

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

[@ritzytravelguide]

Rectify that immediately! Get onto your travel agent!