Regal then and Regal now - Letters - Letter to the Editor

Cruise Travel, March-April, 2004 by Kenneth R. Herst

I just finished reading the October 2003 issue of Cruise Travel. I wanted to add my two cents worth to the comments of Harold Sherrington (August 2003) and Anthony Mangano (October 2003) in regards to the Regal Empress (Formerly the Olympia).

I, too, sailed on the Olympia. In July 1960 (when I was a lad of 17), nay family was in Europe. We bought a car in Paris and drove through France, Andorra, Spain, and Portugal. Then we loaded the car on the Olympia in Lisbon and sailed back to New York via Nova Scotia. That sailing introduced me to cruising, and I've been hooked ever since.

What I remember most about the ship was that the elevators actually had human operators and mostly a Greek crew. I was so proud because I learned how to count to five in Greek. I also learned that there was an infinite number of meals that could be made from pasta and olive oil.

My wife and I have now been on many cruises on many different cruise lines, but the Olympia started it all. Long may she sail.

Kenneth R. Herst, Springfield, VA