[ian keyl]

Well it always starts with these words each year this time comes around.
I dare say there are fewer of us left at this moment in time and i hope those who are still with us and in good health and spirit.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Warm and comfortable Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.
To toast you all good cheer and peace with a wee dram and spice Xmas cake.
hopefully in the New Year I will be able to show you my special Christmas present from a very dear friend it is Ben Line related .wait and see when Santa has been.,

I will be away in the Caribbean on the Britannia for Christmas and New Year so I am trying to tie all loose ends up and tidy the decks drop the derricks and secure the hatches and ring"Full Away".

Take care to you all where ever you be and lets hope your lum for ever reeks.
God Bless to all > Ian

 

[IvortheEngine]

Enjoy your cruise Ian and Long may your lum reek too.

Merry Christmas to you and any other Ben liners on the site.

Ivor

 

[Frank P]

Enjoy your cruise..

Frank

 

[forthbridge]

Seasons greetings to all Ben line men on this site especially any that may remember me (a bit unlikely as I left Ben line for Amoco over 40 years ago

 

[sparkie2182]

Was on Britannia last year in Caribbean. ...... you will love it.
I'm on Oceania for xmas and ny.......Canaries.

Have a great time......all the very best

S2182

 

[capnbobnz]

Have a great time Ian, I'll be having a Christmas BBQ in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Bob.

 

[Stephen J. Card]

Xmas Day at sea.... cruising between Port Canaveral & Norfolk Va in Spirit of Discovery. Joining the ship on Monday at Miami. After Norfolk the ship comes up to New York, 2 days in Manhattan, down to Bermuda, New Year's Eve in Bermuda.... then cross to Southampton, eight sea days, N. Atlantic... some REAL sea time! Then four days in London and BA back to Bermuda.

Merry Christmas at sea. Can't beat it... especially if you don't have to cook or clean up!

Stephen


PS: Heck. Just see this is a Ben Line site! No, problem. Best wishes to Ben Line gang. Two good mates at Ben. Colin Rowden who came over to Denholms and went into tankers and OBO, 1975. First class gentleman! Also Alex Allision. Were up for Second Mates at GCNS, 1974.

 

[Basil]

Was on Britannia last year in Caribbean. ...... you will love it.
I'm on Oceania for xmas and ny.......Canaries.

Have a great time......all the very best

S2182

We've never been on a cruise and I wondered if I'd get bored and end up offering to lend a hand in the engine room workshop. :sweat:

The only one which I once considered was the old 'Minerva' operated by Swan Hellenic which did historical/cultural cruises but they went out of business.

The great thing about the real MN was going to places where there were no tourists. Even going 'around the island' in Jamaica you noticed the difference in attitude in Montego Bay which was full of US tourists cf the other little banana villages such a Bowden and St Lucia where one was just another worker.

Anyway, 'The Boss' doesn't want to try a cruise so that's that!

oops - also didn't notice it's a Ben line thread.
Compliments of the season to all from Fyffes (==D)

 

[Engine Serang]

In Jamaica Royal Caribbean gave us a choice; buy a tour to Dunne River Falls or go ashore and get shot.

 

[Stephen J. Card]

The best islands in the Caribbean have two propellers!

 

[David Wilcockson]

Just back from the Britannia & Caribbean cruise yesterday, can`t beat it at this time of the year,(have to come back to make sure family get a Christmas meal). Saw Spirit of Discovery in St. Maartin on Wednesday,(unless I got the day wrong!). Best wishes for the festive season & 2020 to all.

 

[Stephen J. Card]

Yes, she was there on Wednesday. Key West today. Miami tomorrow. Pity not on board today. Sunday is Roast Beef Lunch Day!

SoD would have looked a bit small against BRITANNIA. No photos?

Stephen

 

[David Wilcockson]

Stephen, yes slightly smaller than Britannia, I did take one photo but not a good angle, she was on the opposite side of the pier/quay & astern of us, once I`ve got my head around being home I`ll see how what I took. We did have a Christmas dinner a day or two back, dummy run for next cruise I presume.

 

[Engine Serang]

Yes, she was there on Wednesday. Key West today. Miami tomorrow. Pity not on board today. Sunday is Roast Beef Lunch Day!

Sunday is Roast Beef Lunch Day!
Lucky passengers, or guests. Roast Beef on Sunday what a treat and worth looking forward to all week.
Sounds as if a Board of Trade ration scale is used. One hundredth of an ounce of pepper for Mr Card today.
I'll give Mr Wilberforce a call to have you released from this ship from hell.