Image: Muriel and Clem Collins on a Mediterranean cruise on board the RMS Carmania, 1970 (SPRA 476.03.01.27)
In the summer of 1970, Clem & Muriel Collins set out on a Mediterranean cruise. Muriel’s mother stayed behind, but Muriel’s frequent letters, rich with details about their journey, allowed her mother to share their experiences without crossing the Atlantic.
Hello my dear!
Do hope that by now you have my letter written our last evening in London. We had a really good flite to Rome. Beautiful sunshine & a delightful view of the Alps as we passed over Switzerland. On our arrival in Rome we were transferred to our buses and traveled to Naples.
The drive itself was a real experience – people in the field (women particularly), little donkeys pulling such large loads, ruins of homes (war), old monasteries sitting on hilltops etc. We arrived in Naples about 7 p.m. & it took 1 1/2 hrs. to drive to the docks – honestly, never in my life have I ever seen traffic like that. They even drive the small cars on the sidewalks. No traffic lights & 1 1/2 million people. We laughed until our sides ached.
On our arrival on ship we had our pictures taken & our luggage was in our stateroom by the time we got to it. We have a lovely little stateroom. A bunk each side – large mirror & drawers in centre. Large wardrobe each & our own bathroom – also wash basin in bedroom. We have our porthole open at nite particularly & it is lovely going to sleep listening to the miles of water slip by.
It is a different world Mom. Luxury dining etc… First nite of course things were rather informal (no luggage unpacked etc.) but last evening was formal. Clem looked so nice in his white jacket etc. I wore my new mauve embroidered white silk & hope I looked elegant…
We are coming into port again & this aft. go ashore on our first land tour – Heraklion, Crete.
Yest. early we passed Sicily & from our porthole you could see all the gorgeous hotels & villas.
When we left Naples the other evening it looked so lovely. The castle overlooking the harbour was floodlighted & slightly further out was Gracie Fields’ beloved Capri all lit up. During the early morning hours we passed Stromboli (the volcano) & Clem & I were fortunate enough to wake & see it.
Well my dear – really must away – will write again later.
Much love,
C&M
2 in a dream
This letter is presented in an abridged form. A collection of letters from this trip and others (Fonds 476.02.01) is available for consultation in the Archives reading room. The letters have been transcribed by volunteer Grace Wideman.
This transcription first appeared in the December 2018 issue of Telling Our Stories.