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French Line

s/s France

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Reviewed by: Jacqueline Danos
# previous cruises: 8
Date of Trip: 1960's
Itinerary: Transatlantic

I began cruising at 2 years old. My mother worked for the French Line and so received cruises as a benefit to employees. The fondest memories I have from childhood are my trips on the France. Saying goodbye to it when it became the Norway was exceptionally sad. I found myself crying along with several dozen others on the pier in NYC.

The entire ship was built for luxury and relaxation. As a child on board I was treated as a princess. The movie theatre and library were two of my favorite places. They were simply beautiful. Of course being a show off I loved making grand entrances by going down the staircases, often.

Midnight buffets I always heard were wonderful. Of course I was too young to indulge. I also was a bit odd and brought my Fruit Loops on the ship for breakfast which caused many a question from the waiters who brought me warm milk for my cereal. Sneaking into the dining room before dinner I would steal the petit pains, nibble the ridge off, make a hole at one end eat the inside out and then put them back on the plates. Craig Claiborne gave the France rave reviews every time he sailed. So did Salvador Dali.

The only noise I would hear when I went to bed were the engines far off in the distance and the water rushing by. It lulled me to sleep. We always had an outside cabin that had more than enough room for my brother and I.

Horse races, they are hard to explain, were fun. There was always some form of entertainment going on in the different lounges. I was young so didn't get to enjoy them too much. I did love the costume parties and contests though. I watched "Singing in the Rain" a bunch of times on one cruise and bowled a lot in the ice cream fountain area.

We went to Haiti, St. Thomas and several other islands on various trips. We also went on transatlantic crossings NYC to La Havre. They had a children's playroom but I was never left on board. My parents always took us with them when they went ashore.

An assemblage of interesting, usually elegant, well traveled people. There were not many children. I was usually the only one on deck doing homework. My parents still talk about some of the people they met. Of course my Mother also knew of the celebrities and such because of her work in the public relations department. If the France was still operating as the France I would take my son on a cruise in a heartbeat. The experiences I had are unforgettable.