The dawn of the Jet Age brought about a change to the SS United States operating schedule. America's Flagship began operating holiday cruises in the Caribbean over Christmas and New Year's. It was on one such cruises that David Lipsky formed a lasting connection with America’s Flagship.
David, along with his parents and sister, took the holiday cruises on the SS United States in 1966, 1967, and 1968. While David was only 8, 9 and 10 years old when he traveled on the Big U, he clearly remembers the grandeur of the interiors and the formality of the dining room. He stated that even though the meals for children were fairly basic, he appreciated the elegance of the space, and also recalls the “Midnight Buffets” on the Promenade Deck.
Interactions with the ship’s crew are also remembered fondly. Because David’s parents sailed on five consecutive holiday cruises, they were remembered and “were given those extra touches that made these experiences feel really special.”
"Stepping back onboard the ship in Philadelphia in 2013 with Susan Gibbs and my family was a real throw back in time. Though the interiors is no longer intact, I could see and hear it all, especially seeing the deck names at the foot of the staircases,” David recalled.
