WONDER TOURIST SHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20892, 5 December 1929, Page 14

WONDER TOURIST SHIP.

MATSON LINER* MALOLO. NEW STANDARD OF OCEAN LUXURY. In this day of wonderful inventions, when tlungs are new to-dny and old tomorrow, it is only the very new that grips the attention of the average reader. On Sunday last the new and magnificent wonder tourist ship, Malolo, of the Matson Navigation Company of San Francisco, completed another stage of her round-the-world pleasure cruise when she entered Auckland Harbour. The Malolo embodies features that have set new standards of ocean luxury and comfort, and a description of her should be of great use to the travelling public whose demands arc the model for future construction. The Malolo is essentially a luxury ship; therefore, the luxury features are of primary importance. The travellers’home i?- i • or of sea i 3 stateroom, which, in this vessel, consists of a large airy room with a high ceiling, and larger than the ocean traveller has been accustomed to. A wide and comfortable bod, with telephone and reading lamp at its head, built in individual spacious wardrobe, hot and cold running water, and a complete change of air every four minutes, by mechanical means, arc the steps taken by the owners for the comfort of the passengers in this essential part of shipboard life. t Outside the staterooms, further convenience awaits the passenger—modern electric elevators serve the seven passenger decks, making for speedy access from one deck to another. One deck is devoted entirely to lounge, library, smokes room and similar rooms, which are all furnished in quiet, good taste. In these public rooms, high above the water level on “A” deck, the old-time portholes have been replaced by windows, suggestive of the living rooms of a well-appointed homo. On “D ” deck is a spacious reception lounge, in which is situated the inquiry office—headquarters service on board—where experienced officials are on duty night and day. All the social. activities of the ship centre around this lounge. The dining room is actually similar to the most exclusive of restaurants; all passengers may dine at one time—an unusual shipboard feature—and tables for two or for larger parties are available.

The problem of the child is often to be considered when parents go globe-trotting, and many people are guilty of leaving the little ones 'behind in the care of nurses or institutions. This is not necessary in the case of the Malolo, for special provision has been made for the care of them. Further features are a splendid Roman plunge—Pompeiian-Etruscan in design—where one may play and swim in clean, invigorating salt water at any hour of the day. Ihe pool is in charge of an experienced swimming instructor, and there is an up-to-date gymnasium, in charge of a thoroughly competent instructor, who gives expert guidance. The gymnasium is conveniently situated alongside the swimming pool. -Iho promenade decks are designed for use in all weathers, being completely glassed in. Six times around the deck measures one mile, which gives some idea of the immense size of the ’vessel. The services of the ship include barber’s shop and ladies' beauty parlour, with all the facilities of the best shore establishments. A complete telephone system, having 500 individual telephones, is in charge of competent operators, thus once again giving the best service and the comforts of modern civilisation. The Malolo—Hawaiian for fish—is a vessel of 22,750 tons, is 582 feet long, and is the widest vessel afloat (83 feet). Her steam turbine engines turn twin screws, with 25,000 horse-power, and she has a speed of 23 knots, equal to 20 miles an hour. This extra speed has cut the Journey from San I‘ rancisco to Hawaii by 30 hours, the voyage taking only four days. Jjus iiicftns that tliG traveller niay reach Hawaii in seven days from Chicago and eight from New York. The Malolo has accommodation for 600 first class passenR [- r I)V>? ,U rri o oare or these carries a crew of ■ Tf, of tl,is mammoth liner was 8,000,000 dollars.