Welcome to Your Favorites, where you have the opportunity to share your travel experiences with fellow Internet Travelers around the world.

French Line

s/s France

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Jean-Claude Lessard
# previous cruises: 1
Date of Trip: November 1966
Itinerary: Caribbean

In November 1966 at the age of 20 I left Montreal for New York City. Thinking that I could work my way on a ship to Rio, Brasil so I could go visit my uncle who lives there. While pacing the docks of New York I had the crazy idea of stowing away on the SS France while it was doing an "escale" from the Caribbean Islands on its way to Le Havre via Southampton. Got on the ship unescorted and remained for the duration of the trip--5 days. The tricky part was the fire drill on the next day. To this day I can't for my life believe that such a thing be doable/possible. If you want to know more please email me.

Spent the night in public washrooms. Had to move from washrooms to washrooms so as not to get detected. While waiting on the throne I read books borrowed from the on board library which was excellent. During the day I would lounge in the long chairs on the deck and fall asleep.

The main living room--which was converted into a dancing room in the evening--had a good supply of sandwiches, peanuts and chips....not to mention tea and coffee. Enough food to keep me alive and alert.

Of course I had no cabin which prove to be a bit tricky on fire drill day since I had no life jacket.

Did not have the guts to dance with the many many pretty girls because I was afraid one would ask me the location of my cabin and be caught in a lie.

On this trip were two famous passengers: Le Baron of Rothschild (France) and Jean-Michel Cousteau who gave a lecture in the theatre room regarding a survival trip he had done earlier in the South Pacific...if I remember well.

I don't think they would have enjoyed the type of dinner I had but food on board was excellent I'm sure.