TRAVEL IN COMFORT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18459, 28 December 1929, Page 13

TRAVEL IN COMFORT

THE NEW ORIENT LINER ORONTES. The Orontes was built at VickersArmstrongs’ Naval Construction Work-3 at Earrow-in-Furness, and was launched on February 26th, 1929. The Orontes is 664 ft. long, with a beam of 75ft., and her approximate tonnage is 20.000 tons. Like her sister ships, she was designed specially for the Mail Service between England and Australia. She is fitted for the carriage of two classes of passengers only, accomodation being provided for 500 first-class and 1,100 third-class passengers. All the first-class roms have either a window or a porthole and a large proportion of them are single-berth rooms. A feature of the ship is the considerable number of special cabins, each having a private bathroom. The deck spaces are unusually extensive, the boat deck alone having an area of over 16,500 sq.ft. On “C” Deck, is an openair swimming bath. On “B” Deck a space measuring over 2,000 sq.ft, is convertible into an enclosed ball room by means of hinged screens. The Orontes -is the fifth 20,000 ton vessel added to the Orient Line Fleet. As befits the centre of social life on board ship, the lounge is planned on truly palatial lines, both as to area and height. The dark mahogany fluted colums, with their silver caps and bases, farm a pleasing and effective contrast to the Borneo cedar panelling of the walls. The rich dark panelling gives a note of English comfort to the smoking room. A new type of wood, known as zebra wood, has been used for the panelling. The dividing philasters of a lighter wood, are ornamented with carved lions’ heads.

The dining saloon is reminiscent of the seventheenth century English renaissance and decorated in soft tones of ivory with gilding judiciously used. The ceiling is of enriched plaster and has modelled and perforated bronze panels depicting the world’s famous “Navigators.” The room is spacious and exceptionally well ventilated. The reading and writing room is entered from the foyer. It is decorated in tones of white and blue and has large panels of Chinese lacquer of a golden-yellow tone. Plaster is used for the ceiling and for its enriched ornamented beams and cornices. A gay note is struck in the cafe by the novel decoration in blue and gold on a light buff background. The general style of the room is English renaissance. The high centre part has bronze grilles for light and ventilation. There are access doors to the dancing deck and to the smoking room. The games deck has for many years been one of the distinctive features of Orient Line steamers, and the “Orontes” is in this respect an improvement on her predecessors. Few ships have any open space at all comparable. As the direct result of the abolition of the second class, a more generous accommodation, both in extent and convenience, has been provided. In the past five years, five new 20,000 ton liners have been added to the fleet, and third-class passangers now enjoy a spaciousness that has given a new meaning to sea travel. The constant aim of the Orient Line is the comfort and well-be’ng of passengers. Third Class passengers receive medical attention free of charge. Free cinematograph performances are given and the use of an excellent library is also free. There is a well-equipped Hairdressing Saloon and a Shop with a full

stock of everyday needs at reasonable prices. Though comfortable public rooms, excellent cruisir.e, well ventilated cabins, all contribute to the enjoyment of a trip, it is the decks that do most to promote the pleasuie of a voyage. In the Orient Liners the spaciousness of the Third Class decks is a genuine delight to passengers. In the new Liners there are four decks available for the use of the Third Class. Whether it is sport, exercise, recreation or merely contented ease, the great decks provide the exhilarating or restful medium. Dance music is provided by panatrope and there is nothingmore delightful than dancing at sea. Special care has been devoted to secure adequate ventilation, either natural or artificial. All the new ships have the punkah-louvre system, ensuring a plentiful distribution of fresh air. When passing through the tropics, this is of supreme importance.