A Summer Escape

August in New York 1965; sultry weather, and a chance to escape. A cartoon in the New York Times depicts a car stuck in a sweltering traffic jam and the wife berating her husband with: “Don't wind the window down - we don't want everyone to know this car doesn't have air-conditioning.”

A liner awaits at Pier 92, dressed overall and surrounded by a buzz of excitement. She has crossed the Atlantic specially to collect you. Ahead of you are 31 days, 10,500 miles of sea travel and the chance to visit 13 charming ports.

It's 9am, and your taxi is jostling for position among the myriad of others, all with occupants heading towards this idyllic adventure. There's activity everywhere, as delivery vans also line up to take on board so many bunches of flowers and “Bon Voyage” gifts, you'd think they had emptied all the local shops! The anticipation builds…

Home From Home

Not long after you are matched with your cabin luggage, already delivered to the pier, you are accompanied aboard, being greeted at both ends of the gangway as you hand over your embarkation cards. You glance at your relatives who have come to see you off, and notice the hint of envy in their eyes as they take in where your home for the next month is going to be.

Within minutes, you are escorted to your stateroom, and yes, there are flowers and your own “Bon Voyage” gifts. You're introduced to your bedroom steward who shows you around after offering a cool refreshing iced-tea. However, there isn't long to do some exploring; before you know it, a voice on the tannoy announces that all visitors should now make their way ashore.

Departure From New York

With your pockets stuffed with streamers, after fond farewells with the family, it's time to head up to the open deck and add to the growing cat's-cradle of shimmering ribbons. Then, with a startle from a blast of Caronia's deep Tyfon horns the gangways are lifted away, and one by one ropes are cast-off.

Ably assisted by tugs fore and aft, there's a barely discernible vibration underfoot, as the beautiful “Green Goddess” slowly moves away from the pier and backs into the Hudson River. There's more exchanges of nearby ship's horns as we're turned to head South. Soon, slowly but surely Pier 92 starts to fade into the distance, shimmering in the heat.

Safety Drill

There's barely enough time to start unpacking though. At Midday, there's a tannoy call up to your boat station for the first of the regular at-sea safety drills.

Yet another shared experience, as lifeboats are lowered to the Promenade Deck. You listen intently as the man in the white uniform guides you through what's to happen in an emergency; all the while you're wondering whether you're really going to be asked to clamber into that lowered boat.

A Relaxing Luncheon

No sooner than that is over, it's time for Luncheon. There's yet more quiet efficiency as you're greeted at the restaurant doors, shown to a table which matches your preferences, and introduced to your 2 table stewards.

You open the menu and find that you're quite spoiled for choice. Don't be wondering if you'll ever get so famished after all of this morning's excitements. At 4pm it'll be time to take part in that most British of ceremonies at sea: Afternoon Tea!

If you've chosen to sit at one of the bigger tables, then there are yet more new people to get acquainted with. Aside from the introductions, topics of animated conversation centre around that morning's departure, the warm surroundings aboard the Caronia, and of course, the heady anticipation of the voyage ahead.

Another Caronia cruise is now truly underway - an experience to remember for years to come! Directly ahead are 6 relaxing days at sea, although most of them are only going to be 23 hours long…