RMS Queen Mary

The famous Cunard ocean liner, enjoying the evening sun at her final resting spot in Long Beach, California, along with the Soviet submarine B-427.

This was the final sight we visited during our first day in Los Angeles, with Neil (~acela) serving as our tour guide and driver.

I really have a soft spot for these old ships, but I guess that's not very surprising to hear from a guy who still listens to vinyl records. Comparing a classic ocean liner to a modern one is a bit like comparing current cars and trains to ones that were built decades ago. Yes, the new ones are technically superior in every way, faster, more efficient, more spacious, safer, you name it. But a certain something always seems to have gone missing, something that's pretty much impossible to define properly. Some call it flair, others call it soul, or character, but all agree that it's something modern ships most definitely lack. Perhaps it's also because they look like floating apartment blocks from the outside and like theme parks from the inside.

To be honest, I quite like the idea of going on a cruise on an oldschool ship (with the right person of course). It may sound extremely boring, but in today's world of non-stop connectivity and entertainment, the thought of going on an old style cruise has its very own charm. Sure, there are no twenty pools with waterslides, or ten 3D cinemas, and there certainly isn't any wi-fi. But a tastefully furnished cabin, good food and the serenity of being in the middle of the ocean with a pile of books in the drawer, now that really speaks to me. Perhaps that's because I'm on the interwebs way too much for my own good, so a forced break from that always seems like a neat idea.

How about you?