Ice sculptures and champagne fountains – what was it like to cruise in the 80s?

Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. This week we turned to Reddit where cruisers shared stories of their cruises back in the ‘glory days’ of the 70s, 80s and 90s. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters. 

Cruising has changed dramatically over the last five decades. Cruising once conjured images of ballroom gowns, shrimp cocktails and Champagne towers. Nowadays, it is much more relaxed – and there is a style of cruising for everyone.

Today, millions of cruisers enjoy the more accessible and laid-back nature of modern cruising, but many also lament the days of a truly all-inclusive cruise, where Champagne fountains and fancy dress were all part of the fun.

Cruise Passenger’s recent episode of Cruise TV revisited this glamorous era, as part of celebrating 50 years of Princess cruising in Australia. The Cruise Passenger team runs back through the magic and mystery of 70s cruising, as the now-legendary Pacific Princess sailed into Sydney Harbour.

You’ll even hear the story of a passenger who once had affair on the real life ‘love boat’, and now actually works for Princess today. The Love Boat, a 70s and 80s tv show filmed on cruise ships in Australia perfectly summarises that era of cruising and the aura it still carries today.

A group of Reddit users shared their experiences of the cruises they took in the 70s and 80s, as well as a few in the 90s and their descriptions certainly paint a picture. While many of the cruise lines such as NCL and Carnival remain to be the same that are sailing today, it’s truly a distinct experience and cruisers have plenty to say about how they feel about the changes.

User The-Golden-Rose even notes that how these days, Cunard is the line that most feels like cruising used to.

“I did my first cruise as a child in 1982, and really have never stopped.

“My early memories of cruising include being one of the only children on the ship, having to sit at large tables with strangers and behave and make conversation (while adults often looked annoyed to be seated with me!), and watching the ballroom dancers in beautiful gowns and tuxes/suits on the dance floors, usually with live music. I remember my (then single) mom getting asked to dance by cruise hosts.

As others have mentioned, I remember midnight buffets, ice sculptures, chocolate buffets, baked Alaska with lit sparklers carried by parading waiters, tiny cabins (even tiny suites) with twin beds and most furniture attached to the floor… I remember fewer large production shows with dancers and singers and more individual “headliners.” I remember outdoor rectangular (saltwater?) pools that were always sloshing around and getting closed and drained.

“We’re on Cunard right now, and in some ways it reminds me of cruising in my youth. (My mom reminded me that one of those cruises was actually Cunard, which I had forgotten.) We did a lot of Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity while our kids were younger, and it really felt like a completely different experience.

User PilotoPlayero says old-school cruising more closely resembles modern day luxury cruising.

“My first cruising experience was on Cunard in the early 1980’s (out of San Juan when they were doing 7 night Caribbean itineraries aboard Cunard Countess and Cunard Princess). I was 8 years old at the time.

“The experience resembled more what luxury cruising is today. Small ships, much more strict dress codes, long drawn fancy dinners, minimalist entertainment including lectures and talks, well behaved fellow passengers, etc.

“One of my early memories from cruising was walking into the dining room, having a staff member ask for our names, and then introducing us by name to the Captain. It felt like we were meeting royalty.

“Even though I was a kid, and there was nothing to do for me besides going to the pool (today’s kids would’ve probably died out of boredom back then), I loved it, and it started a life long cruise addiction that I still “suffer from” decades later.

“Was it better? For some it was. I know that my parents and grandparents loved the glamour and opulence of cruising back then. But the vast majority of today’s cruisers would’ve hated it.”

User 10S_NE1 recalls ports that were barely ready for tourists and even special singles programs onboard, as well as contrasting the more laid back cruises of back then with the modern amenities available today.

“I took a couple of cruises as a single back in the early 80’s. Carnival had this “Charisma” program for Canadian singles. They put 4 of us single girls (strangers) into an inside cabin. They had special parties for all the singles and included wine with dinner on the formal nights, and some singles excursions at certain ports.

“On the oldest ship, the Festival, we didn’t even have power outlets in the cabin; we had to go down to a room down the hallway with a bunch of mirrors and plugs so we could blow dry our hair. There were no balconies, no specialty restaurants, no upselling. 

“I bought a bottle of Bailey’s in the gift shop, took it down to the bar, and the bar tender brought over glasses and an ice bucket for us (imagine that!)

“St. Thomas and St. Maarten were barely set up for tourists and they sold hand-made crafts on the pier. People took formal nights seriously and it was super elegant.

“I had the time of my life on those cruises, but I certainly do appreciate modern ships with large cabins, balconies and lots of power outlets.”

User Lalaeky said: “I cruised in the early 90’s. No drink packages or upselling. No pay restaurants.

“You were assigned a table in the main dining room, often with strangers, and assigned a dining time. There were also buffets, midnight buffets, and the occasional CHOCOLATE BUFFET.

“Fewer kids on the main cruise lines. Also no water slides, or other family and kid-oriented rides and activities. They had child care, a game room, maybe mini golf and shuffleboard. The pools were more relaxed. It was great! Just different and more adult-oriented.
“I really dislike the constant stratification of the cruise experience now with all the VIP packages and areas.”

FearlessKnitter12 shares a long look into cruising in the 80s.

“I took my first cruise in 1986. I wasn’t even 10 yet, and my dad won a cruise through the Panama Canal. It was while Halley’s Comet was passing by, and being further south made it easier to view.

“I remember ice sculptures, midnight buffets (hard to stay awake for that), the ship bragging about having one of the first pizza parlors at sea. The MDR was dressy EVERY night, and Mom made sure that my brother and I behaved.

“Our assigned table-mates had made faces when we were seated the first night. The waiters marched through with flaming Baked Alaska on a theme night. Yes, open flames, being walked through a dining room!

“There was a talent show and a costume contest. The kids section was just a big room with toys, and sometimes they’d schedule kids’ pool time. There was a TV that usually didn’t work. When it did, we watched The Love Boat!

“I would say it was different, but good. I don’t think many of those elements will return, they were a product of the time, but I’m glad I have the memories. By the time we cruised again in 1993, things were already more casual and family-oriented.”

Please keep those comments coming!

WE VALUE YOUR COMMENTS AND ENJOY READING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR STORIES. PLEASE KEEP THOSE COMMENTS COMING ON THE STORIES – AND WE’LL PICK OUT THE BEST EACH WEEK FOR THIS NEW COLUMN