I crewed on M/S Sagafjord for several years around 1980 and had an amazing time. This was when she was still owned by the Norwegian America Line, but I recognise several of the crew members (captain, head chef, pursers and stewards), and the stewardess uniform is the same, so Cunard kept the ship and crew mostly unchanged. And for good reason, Sagafjord and Vistafjord were "five star plus" ships, unmatched except for private yachts. Sagafjord had an incredible crew to passenger ratio of around 320-330 crew and often no more than 500-550 passengers, and the service was legendary. This "version" of the ship features an extra small deck of luxury suites above the bridge and ahead of the funnel, which was added during a major overhaul in Hamburg, I think it was in 1980. This is clearly visible at the beginning of the Panama Canal footage th-cam.com/video/Q-ltKF4sR-8/w-d-xo.html The bridge windows below have a classic backwards rake, while the new deck construct rakes forward; I think it looks a bit awkward, TBH. At the same time the radio station was moved from inside the bridge deck to its own penthouse right on top th-cam.com/video/Q-ltKF4sR-8/w-d-xo.html The radio officers loved it. I went on three world cruises and countless ocean crossings, and I still have my equator and date line "certificates." Thank you for this, it brought back great memories. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it was possible, but it's a bygone era.
She and Vistafjord were the last of their kind. Such wonderful vessels. There was a pride the crew had. I remember visiting them both in the 70s when they were both still original. They were so exclusive and clubby.
I stumbled upon this video. My wife and I took an Alaskan cruise in August 1989 on our honeymoon. This video brings back many fond memories. The crew was amazing. The food was top notch. I loved the fact that the Sagafjord could go into the smaller inlets so you could see everything up close. The monster Princess ships couldn't do that. I feel as though I was transported back 30 years to one of the greatest experiences of my life. Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Homer and Anchorage are even more vivid in my mind now. I am sad that she was taken down. A truly genteel, traditional cruising experience is gone.
Small world. I shot the helicopter aerials on this outside Alesund Norway on June 30, 1986. Route of flight was Alesund-Molde-Andalsnes. Some of this footage was Shot on the Kiel River From Hamburg, Germany-West, Panama and St. Thomas, Long Beach, Ca and Alaska.
I agree a shame she was taking down! I worked on MS Vistafjord from ‘79 to ‘80 a great experience, Mr Kummer was leading the service team The Service Crew was European and the return passengers were thriving the game
Cunard's own vintage champagne. Beluga caviar, only the best of course. Your own cabin steward. They were living the good life back then for sure. Interesting open deck nightclub.
At least it lasted longer than the Sagafjord, though only by 7yrs. I remember going on this ship as a very little kid, to see my grandparents off on a cruise.
I crewed on M/S Sagafjord for several years around 1980 and had an amazing time. This was when she was still owned by the Norwegian America Line, but I recognise several of the crew members (captain, head chef, pursers and stewards), and the stewardess uniform is the same, so Cunard kept the ship and crew mostly unchanged. And for good reason, Sagafjord and Vistafjord were "five star plus" ships, unmatched except for private yachts. Sagafjord had an incredible crew to passenger ratio of around 320-330 crew and often no more than 500-550 passengers, and the service was legendary.
This "version" of the ship features an extra small deck of luxury suites above the bridge and ahead of the funnel, which was added during a major overhaul in Hamburg, I think it was in 1980. This is clearly visible at the beginning of the Panama Canal footage th-cam.com/video/Q-ltKF4sR-8/w-d-xo.html The bridge windows below have a classic backwards rake, while the new deck construct rakes forward; I think it looks a bit awkward, TBH. At the same time the radio station was moved from inside the bridge deck to its own penthouse right on top th-cam.com/video/Q-ltKF4sR-8/w-d-xo.html The radio officers loved it.
I went on three world cruises and countless ocean crossings, and I still have my equator and date line "certificates." Thank you for this, it brought back great memories. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it was possible, but it's a bygone era.
She and Vistafjord were the last of their kind. Such wonderful vessels. There was a pride the crew had. I remember visiting them both in the 70s when they were both still original. They were so exclusive and clubby.
I stumbled upon this video. My wife and I took an Alaskan cruise in August 1989 on our honeymoon. This video brings back many fond memories. The crew was amazing. The food was top notch. I loved the fact that the Sagafjord could go into the smaller inlets so you could see everything up close. The monster Princess ships couldn't do that. I feel as though I was transported back 30 years to one of the greatest experiences of my life. Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Homer and Anchorage are even more vivid in my mind now. I am sad that she was taken down. A truly genteel, traditional cruising experience is gone.
Small world. I shot the helicopter aerials on this outside Alesund Norway on June 30, 1986. Route of flight was Alesund-Molde-Andalsnes. Some of this footage was Shot on the Kiel River From Hamburg, Germany-West, Panama and St. Thomas, Long Beach, Ca and Alaska.
I agree a shame she was taking down!
I worked on MS Vistafjord from ‘79 to ‘80 a great experience, Mr Kummer was leading the service team
The Service Crew was European and the return passengers were thriving the game
What a lovely ship. Worked onboard her in 90-91... shore excursions.
One of The last best designed ocean liners
Cunard's own vintage champagne. Beluga caviar, only the best of course. Your own cabin steward. They were living the good life back then for sure. Interesting open deck nightclub.
My name carlos melgar an work in sagafjord in 1983
Strange. For me @ 13:17 from overhead and behind she remained me a bit in style of the old Andrea Doria.
Pity the vista fiord was scrapped.
At least it lasted longer than the Sagafjord, though only by 7yrs. I remember going on this ship as a very little kid, to see my grandparents off on a cruise.