Dream cruise - Crossing the Atlantic

As an impressionable youth, between the books I read, the music I sang, and the movies I watched: crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a ship always seemed the most exotic trip. I still find that after more than half a century later, it still ranks up there as my #1 dream vacation.

Although I can't say for sure, I am certain that my desire for an ocean crossing started with the Titanic. Not that I wanted to be on a sinking ship but I think now that it had to do with the glamor of the trip itself.

Both versions of this song share the words but the tunes are different. We used to sing both versions at church camp (many, many years ago) so I was surprised to find these still out there. The CAL State version is hard to hear but it is dated 2010 so people are still singing it and the chorus comes out clearly.

A Night to Remember

1958 Movie

Forerunner to Titanic, this movie captured the imagination of many, including me. As a child, the doomed ship was more than just a tragedy, it was the struggle between the rich and the poor. The very rich who survived, those who drank and smoked and wore fabulous clothes captured my attention. From a middle-class view, it was more about their lifestyle than the loss of life. In 1958, I was 9 years old so we have to excuse my very young thoughts about the movie but what remained was crossing the ocean on a ship.

Years later when I bought a steamer trunk with wooden hangers and six drawers, I thought I was on my way. That's how they traveled.

The Titanic is a great movie and if you watch "A Night to Remember" and then the Titanic, you will find similar dialog in the back story.

I do have two of these. One is the horizontal one with a top drawer. The other stands vertically and opens out to hold 6 drawers on the right and the other side for hanging clothes. Both of these are currently coffee tables but hold all my Christmas decorations for our family tree.

Another disaster movie about an ocean voyage. I like disaster movies too.

"The Queen Mary 2 is the only ship offering regularly scheduled transatlantic service. The QM2 makes cruises from Brooklyn to England. It's the civilized way to cross the Atlantic". Cunard Cruise Line

The Balcony Stateroom has:

24-hour room service

Interactive TV with multi-language film and music channels

Direct-Dial telephone & data port outlet

Refrigerator, safe, hair dryer

Bathrobe & slippers

Nightly turndown service with pillow chocolates

Daily shipboard newspaper

220V British 3-pin and 110V 2-pin sockets

Their description says: "Premium Balcony staterooms feature a panoramic hull balcony with loungers and tables. King-size bed may be converted to twins and a dual height coffee table may be used for in-suite dining."

Oh yeah, I also want to be close to the nearest lifeboat.

It is not a given that I will someday make the trip across the Atlantic but it is and has always been a dream. I haven't given it much thought but guess that I want to end up in the United Kingdom and there are also things I want to see there.

I do not fear the ocean and never get seasick. I would like to know which lifeboat is mine and if I need to buy a dress for dinner. I have the steamer trunks so I am ready.