Ramblings of a Salty Seadog

It's great when fellow Seadogs get involved and share their story. John Martin tells of the final voyage of Elder Dempster's passenger...

One of the delights of writing this blog has been making contact again with old colleagues from my days working for P&O/Princess back in...

Fellow "Seadog" John Martin tells of his experience working for Elder Dempster Lines and finally joining P&O. Having finished a contract...

Any ship with less than 100 people on board does not carry a doctor as I was to find out when I joined Canadian Pacific Ships for a trip...

It would be great if you could join in SEADOG CHATTER a forum for like-minded fellow seafarers. A recent post was added by Jamie a...

Although Princess Cruises was founded by Stanley B. McDonald back in 1965, at which time he chartered ships. In 1972 Princess Cruises...

In the early 1970’s P&O changed track from voyages and started to concentrate on the cruise market. In 1973 Oriana was converted from a...

When I joined Oriana in November 1973 we were due to set sail on a five week voyage to Australia. Everything was new to me on joining my...

It has been a very sad week for old P&O seadogs. First we hear that Sue Huggins has passed away. Although l never sailed with Sue, all I...

Arrival at the Panama Canal always involves an early start for the ship’s company. Usually arriving very early morning. For the Purser’s...

When taking up a career as a P&O Pursers officer back in the 70’s, you were not just signing up to pen push and count cash you were also...

As catering assistant on Oriana back in 1973 part of my job involved checking the provisions along with the storekeeper and butcher as...

Parts of the training to beome a Purser Cadet was contracted out by P&O.Our induction training was carried out in the basement of...

There was always great excitement on deck when two P&O ships pass by in open water. Mediterranean cruising in 1974 Nevasa passes by...

All the booze and tobacco onboard ship was duty free so on arrival in certain ports of call the main booze and tobacco storerooms would...

I would say the Purser’s office was the heart of the ship, of course the deck department and engineering department might argue...

In the early 1970 work started on El Salado wharf (where the current cruise terminal is located), making Puerto Vallarta the first...

If you remember the early days of Princess Cruises, then you will surely remember Pietro Corsi who was VP Hotel services for Princess...

When I joined SS Oriana as my first ship in 1973, I was informed that a ship was like a floating city and with almost all services...

In October 1975 Pacific Princess departed American shores and headed to the Australia and the South Pacific for the first time. At the...