Naval cruises as the U.S. Navy calls them span the world, into each and every ocean you can imagine. In each area Americans and their Navy do missions that range anywhere from war to peace, and do them well. Sailors spend long grueling hours, working, refueling, and more at the Captain’s and their countries request and demands. Few niceties are given in return to sailors, because they know they signed a contract and have to obey or end up with a dishonorable discharge, no benefits, that all sucks. So most do their duty and perform at least to a par level. They have to in order to get that discharge that says Honorable or the rest of their life is ruined by a bad one and jobs are impossible to get.
One of the Benefits of being a sailor is seeing the world and traveling from one country and continent to another. How many people not in the Navy or Military of the USA who are Americans get to see other countries and meet other nationals of said countries. Very few unless your rich can do that.
I was in for 16 years and traveled the globe doing my duty, for Uncle Sam, I saw all of Europe, The North Atlantic areas, and South America as well as Saint Thomas and the islands. Each mission of course was long hours and hard work, but also allowed us to have liberty in these port and to interact with the people. Americans are over all, well at least when I served, loved by most other countries. We give, help and support many of the world’s countries, if they are of an open government. We were always looked at as walking diplomats in a way and behaved that way for the most part.
In Amsterdam, the people are indeed very friendly and open , especially sexually and their country is beautiful to see. Then when you enter Europe you face The British and their stiff upper lip style, but they love us still and as the whole world knows they are indeed a big ally of ours. Slowly you drift around the Med touring the countries as you work. Each country is a little different in style, people and culture. As far as Europe goes Germany is a fun place to go, I spent a year in Frankfurt injured in a hospital there, the medical staff were great and so were the German people. Hamburg is a wild city and full of fun also, and carries a red light district all fenced in and with prostitution legalized and they carry medical cards certifying themselves healthy too. Most sailors like to brag about having a woman in each port, because it usually happens that way, they all want to come to American and be American.
But the special cruise, is the South American one, I did it three times. Brazil is a country of fun, wild beaches, Rio and wild times. But, it also has it’s ways, and if you break the rules even an American can get hurt. As I traveled South America, Peru is a amazing country, with amazing people and an amazing culture and history. Peaceful and fun loving, yet serious at time Peruvians are the nicest people I think I have ever met. Very friendly, very open, honest and their country is beautiful. Peru is also a place of love and caring, it people are warm and loving I know.
The Islands and Saint Thomas area is beautiful also, but a lonely place, while they have their gambling places and such, no big money no big fun is the rule really. But like I said I traveled many places, the worst for all sailors is Cuba and the Navy training base there. The heat is nasty, the temperatures high and the humidity too. And the base has no one really on it except naval support people. One year I was in Cuba for Thanksgiving, when much to our surprise, we have a visit from the country singers The Judds. I will never forget that it was the one thing about Cuba that year that made one smile. The Judds are great singers of country music and they came to Cuba on a USO Tour to entertain the troops. They ate on my ship that day, I sat no more then two tables from them. They are two beautiful ladies indeed and friendly too.
But, each trip of cruise you take in the Navy is an adventure they say and for all my years all I did was try to do my job and enjoy what I could.
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