Holland America Blast from the Past

[FJB]

Sorting through some pictures this weekend and I thought I would post pics from my first cruise.  This was from 1989 on the Nieuw Amsterdam, departing from Tampa, Florida.

 

[FJB]

Nieuw Amsterdam pool deck.

 

[FJB]

Remember the deck parties with a full buffet and ice sculptures and watermelon carvings?

 

[FJB]

Here is our original contract, itinerary, and pricing.  This was a "business trip" through a seed corn company that I was a customer of.  

 

[FJB]

The Nieuw Amsterdam anchored in Georgetown, Grand Cayman.

 

[FJB]

This was our first time doing Dunns River Falls in Jamaica.  We had no idea what to expect.  We just jumped in a taxi and told the driver to give us a tour of the island.  As you can see, we were not really dressed appropriately.  No internet back then to do any research - fly by the seat of your pants adventures, which was probably more fun than today with the over planning we all do.  Notice my mother with her rain poncho and her purse underneath.  All we knew upon entering the park was that we would probably get wet.  My mother, being the girl scout she was, was prepared with her poncho in her purse.

 

[FJB]

This would be rare today - a picture of Dunns River Falls with no people climbing up!

 

[FJB]

If you care to bore yourself with the entire album of our trip, have a peak here.

[FJB]

One more post.  This is one of the daily newsletters from our cruise - the only one I saved apparently.  Notice the cocktail special on the second page - only $2.75 for a Banana Bonanza!  Unfortunately I was only 20 years old when on this cruise so I could not partake in the adult beverages.  

 

[LukeJ]

I love these photographs. I love the film feel of a photo rather than the digital these days. I agree it's far easier but nothing tops the look of a proper film and print.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@FJB Wow, this is just the most epic blast from the past! I loved looking at all of these photos. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful recollections that formed the foundation for your long-lasting love of cruising! Things have changed so much since then for the cruise industry, from watermelon carvings (that I miss dearly) to the balloon arches across the pool area. What an outstanding post that displays some of the best and greatest eras in cruising history! I'm very impressed by the way you were able to save these memories and get them on the computer so clearly. I agree with @LukeJ the film-like look just feels more real. No photoshopping allowed in these!

[PaulB]

@LukeJ I tend to agree. I studied photography many years ago and learnt the old tradition of film, then develop the film and print individual in a bath of chemicals. It felt amazing and you could spend hours in the darkroom working on one photo, it just felt real. There is something different about film photography that digital will never replace.

[LukeJ]

Wow. I'd there much call for film anymore? I know people say digital is the way forward, and I tend to agree with the practical side of it, but maybe there is a comeback due for film to return?

[Cruising Caribbean]

@LukeJ I love these film images! I wish there was more of it. I have noticed that Polaroids have made a large comeback. It's truly an art form! Digital art is nice, but it just doesn't seem as authentic to me. I got the unlimited digital photo package and as practical as it is, I loved the freebie printed photo more. In fact, the print is nicely displayed on my fridge instead of in the cloud. 

[LukeJ]

You can't beat film. Digital is convenient thats all, and the bigger the cameras MB, the sharper and clearer the image, which again is better for manipulation of the picture, but film will always be the overall winner in my eyes. 

[Balmy Jones]

Wow! That ice carving. I have not seen those on my Holland America cruises dating back to pre-pandemic. (Sans carvings, the Lido buffets are world class.)

[Cruising Caribbean]

@Balmy Jones I agree! It was so nice when cruise lines did such activities for its guests. Many of those specialty things have gone by the wayside. I wish I would see more carvings while cruising, including fruit carvings. It's a blast from the past now. I remember high tea hours too. I haven't seen one of those on an itinerary for quite from time. Those were great times. Have you attended a tea time onboard an itinerary before?