Cruisers Recall Midnight Buffets and Earlier Voyages
Reddit users shared memories of cruising in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s as a Cruise TV episode marked 50 years of Princess cruising in Australia.
Reddit recollections have offered a look back at cruise travel during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The stories were gathered as a recent Cruise TV episode revisited an earlier era while celebrating 50 years of Princess cruising in Australia.
Reddit user The-Golden-Rose remembered midnight buffets, chocolate buffets, ice sculptures and baked Alaska presented with lit sparklers. The user also recalled small cabins and suites with twin beds, along with furniture attached to the floor.
PilotoPlayero said their first cruise experience came in the early 1980s aboard Cunard Countess and Cunard Princess on seven-night Caribbean itineraries departing San Juan. Another user, 10S_NE1, recalled Carnival operating a Canadian singles program called Charisma during the same decade. The user also said Festival had no cabin power outlets, requiring passengers to visit a separate room equipped with mirrors and plugs to dry their hair.
Looking back at early 1990s cruises, Lalaeky recalled assigned dining tables and meal times, as well as buffets, midnight buffets and occasional chocolate buffets. FearlessKnitter12 remembered taking a first cruise through the Panama Canal in 1986 while Halley’s Comet was passing, adding that the more southerly location made viewing easier.