SS Norway, Norwegian Cruise Line, was one of the great olde ships I've always wanted to go forward. They had seven-day cruise on the Day of Thanksgiving in Miami to the Caribbean. It's a Big Band Cruise with dance and is home to four well-known swing bands of the past. Perfect - I love the old jazz and big band music and I like to dance, but often have a good dance partner. I signed up.
Sailing in Norway proved to be a trip back in time. Which was built in 1960 asthe famous SS France, more than 1,000 meters long, a beam of 110 feet, and nearly 2,000 passengers and a crew of 900 worldwide.
He felt the great tradition to get on the board. Norway continues to maintain a style and grace reminiscent of previous cruise. The boat has been renovated several times, but the art deco-style murals, mosaics, hand-laid, polished teak rails, and nautical antiques cruise past have been carefully preserved, and howwalking on the promenade deck that felt like I was cruising somewhere in time. As we ate, we knew we were having dinner, where famous stars had dined, and we look at the murals and original art, knowing they were there in those early days when the other before they sat in the room, he saw the wall itself, and participated in the same kind of lively conversations with other people like you are doing now. Later that night, I half expect Cary Grant, elegant in his tuxedo, walking across the bridgeand tilted by chance in the lane next to you.
You need a "time to find your way around. Norway is 10 blocks long and 12 decks. There is a cover lined with cafes and international boutiques, the bridge is the Olympic gymnasium with glass walls so you can exercise while watching the sea, on a lower floor is a decadent Roman spa offers massages, aromatherapy, body wraps, saunas, steam rooms and an indoor pool for water exercise. In several bridgestwo pools, a jogging track, seven bars, six lounges, a ballroom, a cabaret, a large casino, disco, ice cream parlor, library, piano bar and a theater for the premiere of classic films and old. If needed, a hairdresser, laundry, dry cleaning, massage and medical services.
Norway has 1039 cabins, each with air conditioning, private bathroom with shower, TV, radio and telephone. Some suites have a separate lounge andbedroom and a double bedroom. Most penthouse suites with private balconies. One night we were invited to a party at the owner's suite. "It was spectacular, with a wraparound balcony, living room, bedroom, dressing room and jacuzzi. Our guest - a former police officer from Illinois who won the lottery and the objective of offering the celebration was. We had a cabin less spectacular, with an eye small ox.
The more work each day - the choice between things to do. NoBroadway shows, exercise classes, dance education, basketball, golf and sailing, paddle, table tennis, shuffleboard, skeet shooting, scuba lessons and tours, volleyball, fashion shows, wine tasting, auctions of art, lectures, a tea for grandparents, a mixer for singles, and a champagne party for the newlyweds. There were many children on board this cruise, but there is usually a program for youth, with games for children, child and adolescent activities, excursions and special.How can someone say they are bored on a cruise?
We left Miami in the afternoon and started working immediately. Some passengers went straight to the casino, hoping to be open when we arrived outside the statutory miles. The casino was created for blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, slot machines and 200 sets of something new that I had not heard of. I was happy on the deck, listening to music, snacks welcome aboard buffet and see the coast disappearaft.
I was glad I had taken this decision. I felt like a different person. The race vacation land does not apply here. I watched the waves crashing on the side of the wake behind the boat and road. The air was cool. Holiday fatigue? - Puf. The only bottleneck in this case would be the first people in line waiting to enter the room to dig at another meal. The only decision that could make purchases on board, port, or both, or play golf or tennis, go swimming at a level of peacetropical beach or hard work for fishing at sea. And tonight I had to decide whether or snails shrimp fritters, muffins or fresh blueberries or bread, or stuffed quail or grilled swordfish or coconut meringue pie or sweet "death by chocolate." Or a bit 'of each. And I never had to find a parking space!
The first night we were meeting people, and dance had already begun in earnest. I've never seen so many people enjoyed adancing so much and knew a lot about jazz and big band. You can wander from room to ballroom dancing, and among the international platform that you can sit and talk with passengers, compared recollections and memories, listening to a CD tribute to the 24 hours jukebox wide selection of years of recorded jazz big band.
Four bands played this week, alternating two each night: the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Buddy Morrow, and Zentner IfOrchestra, Bob Crosby Orchestra conducted by Ed Metz Jr., Harry James Orchestra directed by Art Depew. And every night at the Cafe International, which happened to be my favorite place was the drummer of the band playing background music from the old movies with Fred Astaire. They still played the old familiar drum brush chords of "going out with my baby" and "Top Hat and tails. I met the six gentlemen dance hosts in their blue jackets and white pants and danced myfirst dance.
A couple of days at sea, the staff began to put on Christmas trees, more than 50 years, about all the bridges. A few passengers helped in some ornaments. In the holiday spirit, holiday classic movie channel video, as well as old movies, big band performances and interviews with old stars known big bands. We all had the Christmas spirit. But this is different. No pressure.
Our first stop was the port of St. Maarten / St. (The island isdivided into two, half Dutch and half French). Dutch Harbor, where he landed is Philipsburg. On the other side is Marigot, the French resort with a little coffee. In between is the Mullet Bay beach with lots of rock formations in the good photographs, swim and explore. There are duty-free shops on both sides, with merchandise ranging from polo shirts cheap expensive jewelry and clothing designers and the French Caribbean. Shore excursions are offered different. In the morning we decidedboating on a 12-meter race was run in the Copa America. In the afternoon we walked along from tent to tent in the sun with the calypso music in the background, then stopped for a drink on a terrace restaurant by the sea, and people in the crowd thought of shopping home.
The next stop was St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, a protected national park. There are some empty beaches and excellent hiking trails. We have once again chosen to navigate, whileothers chose beaching, sightseeing around the island by safari bus, or went on one of several snorkel/scuba dives. Our sailboat took us over to St. Thomas, where we caught up with the ship. Most of the people went into town to do some duty-free shopping so their Christmas shopping would be done when they got home. Others headed for Magen's Bay, most popular beach in the area. Another group went snorkeling at the protected reefs of Buck Island, where feeding fish by hand underwater is a highlight, and others viewed coral and sea life on the Atlantis submarine. We were back on board in plenty of time for a rest and a shower before dinner, and more big band music and dancing.
I have three wonderful memories from the second formal night. One was the group of musicians sitting around the CD juke box, playing the old stuff and reminiscing. "That's Major Holley on bass, with Slam Stewart, one of those wonderful times they played together." "Who's the drummer?" "Sounds like Oliver Jackson." "Right. Remember the night ..." I just sat and listened, grinning, happy to be part of it.
The second memory was the scene at 1 a.m. in the main ballroom. Some of the older people were asleep sitting on the side banquettes, too tired to dance anymore, but too stubborn to leave the good music.
It was after 2 a.m. when I started back to my stateroom, taking my usual walk past the CD juke box to get a breath of sea air before turning in. The reminiscing musicians were gone, but one elderly couple were there, slim and tiny in their formal clothes, with their arms around each other, lost in memories, dancing to an old Tommy Dorsey tune. I had tears in my eyes as I walked back to my cabin.
The next day was beach day on a little island in the Bahamas -- Great Stirrup Cay. I used to live in the Bahamas on one of the outislands, so it was wonderful to get back to transparent turquoise Bahamian waters. I walked the beach, and remembered my five years living in the islands.
At the end of seven days, the ship was sparkling with decorations, ready for the Christmas and New Year's Cruise. They were already totally booked. But, I thought, I can sign up for next year. But time got away and now she will sail no more.
HISTORY OF THE S.S. NORWAY
The Norway was christened the S.S. France in 1960. Length: 1,035 feet, that longest passenger ship then ever built. Along with Cunard's Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, she was one of the grand luxury ships regularly crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
But jet planes came along, and were quicker and cheaper, passenger traffic became unprofitable, and sailings were stopped in 1974. The France languished for several years in the port of Le Havre until pioneer of the cruise industry Knut U. Kloster, bought her for $18 million for his Norwegian Caribbean Line (today known as Norwegian Cruise Line) and renamed her the S.S. Norway. Over the next 10 months some 2,000 workers renovated the ship at the cost of $100 million.
She began her new life in the Caribbean, sailing her first seven-day Caribbean cruise June 1, l980 from Miami, her new home port, with an international crew of 800 from some 40 nations. In 1990 she once more returned to the shipyard, this time for a $40 million refurbishment, including a 6,000 square foot Roman Spa with pampering fitness, health and beauty programs and two glass-enclosed decks of luxury cabins, including two with floor-to-ceiling windows, wraparound balconies, and jacuzzis with ocean view. In 1993 the ship had a $23 million refurbishing and renovation of the 5,000 square foot casino to a mirrored, etched and stained glass Art Deco theme reminiscent of the ship's legendary past.
Her future was unknown for a long time, but now she is headed to be scrap.