Sealife is a lifestyle, ot only ashore, but also and
foremost aboard an ocean going ship.
by Earl of Cruise
Those ships, that we know as the liners to
coasts far across the oceans - Northamerica with the United States and Canada,
Southamerica with its different Spanish speaking and origined countries and
their natives culture and the wonders of Braszil, Asia with its mystic and cryptic
cultures and Afrika the birthplace of human race and despite brutally
colonised.
Elegance of a bygone era - own collection
Since the beginning oceans had never been a barrier,
but a highway. A highway to connect cultures, people, minds, ideas, goods.
After thousands of years the ship´s power went from
whimsy winds to steam and a more regular crossing did start. And after
overcomming the first difficulties with steamships, when the ships grew in
seize, people discovered its vantages beeing at sea. A culture of travelling did
emerge and reached a century ago its first peak.
Ladies in conversation while crossing in the Belle Epoque - own collection
But when talking about this special culture, we think
of the grand liners, the ships of state which started to emerged to serve a
high sophisticated clientel in the 20s of last century and culminated at the
brick of war in the 30s. Those ships, gave a glamorous stage on the volcano of
world politics for the society to dance and parade on.
When is was common sense to be dressed in style - own collection
A bygone area, we all, or most of us, regret never
exists. Today we lack the style, politeness and refinements of that society - Courtesy is like an air
cushion, there is nothing but air in it, but it mitigates the rudiments of life.
It is this, what mass or volumen
market cruise lines play out, even if they deny to, as they try to be oh so
modern, in all their adverts. Look a bit deeper into all the fun related
adverts, it is the old style they try to capture.
But let ourselves go back in time
and get a feeling what it was, back then on board of a bygone liner of the age
of art of travelling.
A voyage begins at the reception, or you book a land excursion while crusing - own collection
"He drank another Daiquiri,
and as he raised the frosted glass, he could see the clear fluid which remind
him of the sea, underneath the grated ice. And the ice remind him on the
wake of the ship. While the clear fluid was to him like the water, parted
by the bow, when the ship was gliding through the sea."
quotation from my novel, Earl of Cruise
A gay Tea Dance in the Veranda - own collection
Even Hemingway, like any
traveler, especially those know to the art of travelling, knew nothing else was
better to close an eventful day at the
bar. When the sun is setting and vanishing into the sea. Then it is definitely
time to have the day revisited. Underlined by soft music, played by the band,
hearts and tongues open up, and it is easy to make new friends. You enjoy the
evening on quarterdeck with the light wind in the hair ... and look into the
wake of your liner, who´s white band is vanishing into the eternity of the
blue.
The event, where a day at sea is wrapping around: the fancy diner, to been seen and seeing - own collection
But before the last cocktail, you
have taken a diner in an elegant dining room, enlightened to daylight by
thousands of bulbs, and have chosen a meal, delicious and extraordinary, worth
a Michelin rated chef, which was accompanied by a grand wine. If you had the
luck sailing on a German or French liner. But even British liners have been far
away of mashed potatoes as the highlight in those days. Food was the biggest
asset on the French liners, beside their style and luxuries - as good food is
essential to each French! And with the food the German liners did rival their French
competitors, as with the luxuries. That continental battle started early in the
days of AUGUSTA VICTORIA and her sisters, who rivaled the ELBE class.
The socialites catwalk, the promenade deck - own collection
After feeding the ever starving
guests they went into the salons and bars, for dancing and/or Smalltalk. Latest
in these salons underlined by waltz, swing and jazz the champagne flew in
streams, pearled in glasses, cocktail shakers gave free phenomenal creations
savored by the connaisseurs. Couples dancing on the floor, people talking,
joking, laughing, in an atmosphere of liberty, gayety and joy. This atmosphere
did engulf you, covered you and carried you away ...
The Lido area on board the REX, one of the stylisht beaches ever afloat - own collection
Me, I would have been more
than happy, enjoying such a transatlantic party, especially on board the most
famed and glitzy liners of all - le Vaisseau de Lumière, le Deesse de la Mer,
le NORMANDIE!
Le Grand Salle à Manger à board du NORMANDIE, today NORMANDIE´s cuisine would have been rated by Michelin, and would have got minimum a Chain de Rotisseur - own collection
It was back then on each liner an
alternation to the grimes of the raging depression and at the same time a dance
on the volcano of nationalism, hate and emerging war. Despite the society of
those days, the most of, did not let affect them by these threats. Being polite
and courtoise they sailed into the future of the next day.
Preparing for the night on board? Or undressing for the joy of night? - own collection
And the very next day gave you
the chance, especially on French liners, for your special entrance, as if you
are the star. And da capo!
Decktennis on board a liner, in those days a matter of being styled too - own collection
Da capo? There is nothing today
that even comes close to this bygone style and atmosphere, the players are
gone, gone with the wind. And we don´t have any Tara were they may have
retreated. today we have Kardashians, Paris Hiltons and Trumps ...
Passengers gathering in a geat hall on board a liner - own collection
All pictures, except the NORMANDIE dining room, are copies from the inauguration broshure of DEUTSCHLAND, DEILMANN REEDEREI GmbH & Co, 1997/98
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