My First Cruise Experience in 1980

During the summer of 1980, I was a bright-eyed 23-year-old eager to explore the world. My future was wide open, and I was ready to travel and discover more about this vast planet we inhabit. As a single woman in my twenties, I was determined to visit exotic destinations I had never seen before. A group of seven of us, all single girlfriends, decided to plan a cruise together. I still keep in touch with two of them, who remain dear friends, while the other four have drifted away over the years. It would be fascinating to find out where life has taken them all. It's intriguing how our journeys unfold, leading us to meet so many different people along the way. Reflecting on this time, it feels like a lifetime ago (and it truly was!), and I had no idea of the many paths that awaited me. Each one has been a unique adventure, to say the least.

My inaugural cruise was a Dinogo cruise, and we were all bubbling with excitement as we planned our journey, eager to discover new places. By that point, I had already visited the Bahamas and found it to be a captivating and beautiful destination. I could hardly wait to explore more of the Caribbean. My parents weren’t keen on traveling to distant locations, so embarking on a fun adventure with friends was the ideal way to spend my twenties.

It was 1980, so you’ll get a kick out of the hairstyles and fashion trends of that vibrant decade. Here are two of my best friends, twins Donna and Wanda. Wanda and I became friends at 21 and have supported each other through thick and thin ever since. We felt ready to conquer the world as we set off on our first major international adventure, feeling very cosmopolitan indeed!

We flew to Miami and made our way to the port, where we boarded the impressive ship, the Festivale. Back in those days, it was undoubtedly the pinnacle of luxury for Dinogo. How much the ships have evolved over the years! I’m eager to experience the Breeze on my upcoming cruise.

The ship resembled a massive floating island, brimming with exciting possibilities for us to explore. We were not let down and cherished every moment of our cruise adventure.

Waking up to a new port every few days was thrilling and exhilarating. I recall stepping out to the front of the ship to see where we had docked. Our first destination was Nassau, Bahamas. I believe this might be in St. Thomas, which was also part of our travel plans.

The ship boasted several pools, and we took full advantage of the sunny Caribbean days, soaking up the warm rays. Oh, how youthful we were!

This sign in Nassau provided the perfect backdrop for a photo op. I thought our pictures from back then were amazing, and look how much has changed since! Grainy images! Nowadays, we capture beautiful photos instantly with our phones.

Wandering through the straw market in Nassau, Bahamas. It’s delightful to collect souvenirs while traveling and to bring home a piece from each destination we visit.

This view was unmistakably from St. Thomas.

A breathtaking view of Magens Bay in St. Thomas. The water there, like much of the Caribbean, is truly stunning, making it an ideal winter getaway. However, this photo doesn't capture its true beauty. I'm looking forward to taking much better pictures on my upcoming trip to the Southern Caribbean.

I believe this was during our stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which was a delightful destination. We attended a Flamenco show there that evening, and it was a blast.

We also took some time to explore the old town of San Juan and do a bit of shopping.

Our cruise ship was anchored nearby, and you can see just how enormous it was.

Exploring the shops in Old San Juan.

Cruise ships always capture moments of their guests during the voyage, and they took plenty of photos of our group of single girls. Naturally, we had to purchase the pictures! I’m so glad I did, as their photos turned out much better than mine.

Caught on camera during formal night. I believe we have two formal nights on our cruise this year, but I’ve heard they aren't as formal as they used to be, so I’ll likely choose cocktail dresses instead.

Another formal evening. Weren’t we all such fashionable ladies in 1980? Those were the days of big hair and short shorts!

We had such an amazing time, and I distinctly remember feeling a wave of sadness when it was time to disembark. The crew treated us so well, and we felt like we were the only passengers on the ship. That’s how special the experience was. When it came time to pack our bags and leave, I realized that another group would take our place the following week. While that was a bit disheartening, it made me appreciate just how much I loved cruising. I went on another cruise in 2003 with my niece, Lauren, and this upcoming trip will be my third.

I’m not sure why I’ve waited so long between cruises, but I can assure you this won’t be my last. I think cruises offer fantastic value for an exotic getaway, allowing you to see and do so much, not to mention the incredible experience aboard the ship itself. And the food—oh, the food! I can hardly describe how wonderful that aspect is. I’ll be sure to update you after my cruise on January 16th, sharing all about the new ships from Dinogo and the many changes that have occurred. When I reflect on 1980, it’s hard to believe there were no cell phones, no internet, and none of the social media we have today. This upcoming cruise will be a completely different experience compared to my first at 23, and I’m eager to relive it, this time as a middle-aged woman! I can hardly wait!