First-Class Passenger Luxury Liner

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 153, 24 March 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

First-Class Passenger Luxury Liner

SUMPTUOUS APPOINTMENTS OF THE DOMINION MONARCH

Magnificent Public Rooms And Spacious Decks

MODERN HOTEL FEATURES AND COMFORT AT SEA

7F S a wholly first-class passenger ship, the Dominion Monarch can truly be described as a ‘’luxury liner.” / \ The passenger accommodation has been planned to give the maximum of comfort tinder all temperatures f \ and other conditions at sea, whether in-the tropics or the cooler latitudes that will be traversed by this magnificent ship. The cabins and public rooms, planned, decorated and furnished by eminent firms of long experience, embody all the requirements of presentday sea- travel and the latest features in modern ship design. Accommodation is provided for 524 first-class passengers; no other class will be carried, so that travellers in the Dominion Monarch will have the freedom of the ship. Very few ships afloat today will have such great expanses of promenade and sports decks as are provided in this great motor-liner.

IN the general design and lay-out of the public rooms, full advantage has been taken of the generous size of the passenger decks and the great breadth of the ship to give them spaciousness and comfort, with a general sense of dignified luxury. Modernity is the general keynote of the decorative and furnishing schemes, but nothing is ultra-modern, and it can be said that the designers, builders and decorators working in close cooperation have achieved great things. Choice and extremely beautiful wood veneers have been employed extensively in the panelling of the public rooms on the Dominion Monarch, and these, used in conjunction with finely-wrought metal and glass in the decorative effects, combine with the exquisite fabrics and luxurious furnishings and carpets to produce a sense of luxurious comfort and well-being.

The Handsome Foyer. The passenger accommodation in the Dominion Monarch extends over five decks, Lofty and spacious, the foyer is a strikingly handsome apartment. The decorative treatment, as in the other entrances, is simple and refined, relying on the exquisite beauty of the g'ftey-brown English chestnut and elm burr of the panelling for its main effect, which is enhanced by the generous lighting, provided by a great ceiling skylight by day and concealed electric lighting by’ night. - -The cocktail bar, on the port side of the foyer, matches in detail the shop on the starboard side, the interiors being panelled and fitted in -.sycamore, ebony and tinted glass. The hairdressing salons, adjacent to the shop, are treated similarly. The lift is flanked by wide stairways, with panelled walls, giving access to the upper decks. The foyer, like the dining saloon and hairdressing salons, is air-condi-tioned, thereby maintaining the temperature at a constant level tinder all climatic conditions. Magnificent Dining Hall The dining saloon on C deck, adjacent to the foyer, a great hall of magnificent proportions, is about 87 feet in length and extends the full width of the ship—more than 84 feet. It provides seating for 300 persons.

The central portion of the ceiling of the dining-room is raised to form a coned dome, illuminated by concealed cornice lighting, forming.

with the magnificent cold buffet forward and a large and handsome decorated feature aft, a focal point of interest in the room. The decorative feature is the work of an artist, Mrs. Hinder Davis, who has carried it out in metal foil on a choice background of prima vera, a beautiful wood that has been used also in the general panelling of the whole room.

Comfortable armchairs in sycamore, upholstered in leather, are provided, and the tables are arranged for groups of from two to eight passengers.

The columns of the fore and aft beams of the dining-room are sheathed in copper and flanked by engraved glass pylons extending the full height to the ceiling. This effect is also maintained in the use of copper to flank the illuminated mirrors over the dumb waiters in the outboard bays. As a contrast the metal work of the sidelights and and electric fittings is executed in silver bronze, as are also the entrance doors forward and the metal work on the cold buffet.

The cold buffet with its display counter, 17 feet wide, has an interior lined with vitrolite and silver bronze fillets and a door in turquoise green lacquer to tone with the leather upholstery of the chairs in the saloon.

J'inally. special care and attention have been given to the ventilation of this room which is air-con-ditioned to secure the utmost possible comfort of the passengers.

Special Apartments for Children

Fortunate, indeed, are the children who will travel in the Dominion Monarch, for the same unremitting attention has been given to their accommodation as to that of adult passengers. For the sole use and enjoyment of youngsters there is at the after end of A deck a large nursery and playroom, in the arrangement and furnishing of which their welfare and happiness has been the main consideration. The gaily coloured cane furniture and the great array of toys and games complete what to the children is the best place in the ship. Adjoining the playroom is the children’s own dining-room, with comfortable seating for thirty, and beautifully decorated and furnished en suite. More than this, there is a large area of deck space specially reserved outside the playroom, where the youngsters can romp and play to their hearts’ desire without fear of disturbing their elders.

Promenade and Palm Court

The lower promenade deck, immediately above A deck, is of magnificent proportions and has a complete circuit of more than 300 yards. At the forward end is situated the palm court, which is an unusually attractive compartment and an ideal place from which to watch the progress of the ship at sea. Large windows on three sides give a clear view. At the after end of the palm court is a cocktail bar -which lends an added air of gaiety to this bright room. The walls have painted decorations in white on a pale green ground, the doors being panelled in natural white sycamore. Seating accommodation and small tables are provided for 100 persons, the easy chairs and settees being in cane and comfortably upholstered.

Similar in character and decorative effect to the foyer on C deck, the entrances and staircases to the various public apartments and staterooms are worthy of special mention. Forward, an electric lift running through the main staircase wall carries passengers quickly to any deck level between the foyer on C deck and the lounge deck, while the wide glass-balustraded stairways serve a similar purpose. Greybrown English chestnut is used throughout with cross-bandings in elm. Decorative mirrors and comfortable settees, together with painting's in oils by well-known artists, placed in suitable positions on the stairways and entrances, contribute '

greatly to the luxurious atmosphere everywhere. In the entrance on A deck, writing tables are built into the panelling, making it unnecessary to go to one’s room or the writing room to write a casual note. The after and midship stairways give direct access to the drawing and writing rooms. The ship’s library is situated on A deck, and contains 600 books to suit all tastes. Swimming Pool and Gymnasium On the ocean routes to be travelled by the Dominion Monarch, the swimming pool undoubtedly will be one of the most popular resorts on the ship. Situated in the centre of the wide space at the after end of the lower promenade deck, the swimming pool measures 24 feet in length by 16 feet in width. It has underwater lighting for night bathing and its floor in golden quartzite, which looks very much like sand in colour and texture, makes it perfectly safe as well as very attractive. Outside the blue and yellow tiled surround to the pool and between the dressing-rooms on either side, provision has been made for onlookers or sun-bathers by the coloured cane chairs, tables and other furnishings. Abaft the swimming pool is a large deckhouse forming the ship’s gymnasium. This is equipped with a complete range of the most up-to-date appliances under the charge of a competent physical-training instructor.

Large and Luxurious Lounge

Pride of place among the main public rooms on the upper promenade or lounge deck, must be given to the main lounge. This important room is of imposing dimensions, being 73 feet in length and 58 feet wide, and is flanked on the outboard sides by four magnificent windows, extending the full height of the room, giving a fine expansive view. The room is entirely illuminated by concealed cove lighting in the ceilings which are treated in a simple design. The general panelling is consistent with this note of simplicity, and is carried out in a Canadian block elm veneer, having a unique interest inasmuch as it was submerged for more than 100 years in the pilings supporting Waterloo Bridge, London.

The main feature of interest in the room is the fine large decorative panel by the well-known artist, Mr. Duncan Carse, under which is set a large electric fire, with a Napoleon marble surround, whilst the corresponding panel on the forward elevation is treated with a mirror carried out in a design by an entirely new process, with flanking jardinieres and cupboard space below. The furniture is of ample proportions, having been considered carefully, bearing in mind that this room is the centre of the social life of the vessel. Easy chairs and settees provide all the comfort needed, with the coverings in gay colourings giving an effect of general bright

airiness to the room against the contrasting shades in the curtains. An entirely different atmosphere has been produced in the tastefully designed drawing-room The off-white finish of the perfectly flush panelling lends added charm to mural paintings executed in the Crissaille manner by Duncan Carse in a greyish green monochrome. The most original and intriguing feature is a moulded green glass chimney-piece set in a large brilliant cut mirror, flanked by ribbed pilasters.

White satin dress curtains and silky net give a modern French atmosphere by the method of their draping, and make a perfect setting for the dresses of the ladies which this room will naturally attract. A Tudor Smoking-Room In the planning of the public rooms, it was decided that at least one should be “period” in design and the smoking-room was selected as lending itself most readily to this treatment. This apartment then, is sixteenth century in style and reproduces the distinctive features and atmosphere of a Tudor mansion. At either side of this fine room, which has a width of 58 feet, three large mullioned windows look out over the deck to the sea-horizon.

An inglenook in rough plaster with a broad stone chimney-piece, red brick raised hearth and cosy corner seats are seen at their best against the greyish oak of the panelling. Rich tapestries, Persian rugs and Other furnishings, aided by the large

bay windows on both sides of the room of leaded tinted glass, provide a wealth of colour and interest.

Verandah Cafe and Sports Deck One of the many outstanding features of the Dominion Monarch is the great verandah cafe at the extreme after end of the upper promenade or lounge deck, which, being “stepped” out beyond the moulded hull of the ship, has a width of 86 feet 6 inches. The verandah cafe extends the full width of this deck and for nearly 40 feet in a fore-and-aft direction, thus making it an unusually large enclosed space. Windows of great size provide a clear view aft and of the swimming pool on the deck below, to -which immediate access is given by stairwavs.

The verandah cafe is available as a cinema hall and in a special fireproof room are fitted the latest projectors for sound films. A speciallylaid floor has been put down over most of the wide area of the verendah cafe for dancing. Bright-col-oured cane furniture and numerous small tables, with banks of flowering shrubs, add to the gay atmosphere, enhanced at night time by special coloured lighting effects. The sports deck of the Dominion Monarch is another outstanding feature of this great liner. The topmost of the ship, it is a magnificent open space almost entirely clear of obstructions save the two huge streamlined funnels and one small house. The moulded breadth of the hull of the Dominion Monarch is 84 feet 6 inches, but the two promenade decks and the sports deck have been “stepped” out to give a total width of 86 feet 6 inches.

Thus the sports deck measures 250 feet in length by 86 feet 6 inches in breadth, giving a maximum space of more than 21,625 square feet, or approximately half an acre, for open-air recreation purposes. The ship’s 14 large lifeboats are carried on gravity davits, on which they are stowed clear of the sports deck, giving ample head room under them right to the railings. Many Single-Berth Rooms

In planning the accommodation for the maximum of 524 first-class passengers that can be carried in the Dominion Monarch, particular attention was given to the need expressed at the present day for single-bedstead rooms, and there are no fewer than 169 of these. In addition to two superb special suites, comprising bedroom with two bedsteads, sittingroom, bathroom and lobby, there are 38 bedrooms each with . a private bathroom attached.

All staterooms have cot beds with Vi-spring mattresses. Hot and cold running-water arrangements, desks, drawers and spacious wardrobes, together with all other fittings and furnishings now regarded as essential for the comfort and convenience of passengers. In heating and ventilation of all rooms is under direct control of the passengers by means of electric radiators and adjustable punkah-louvre ventilators. There ii also that much-appreciated feature of modern hotel life; room service, with an individual telephone in each stateroom linked with a central twenty-four hours’ exchange at sea and via that exchange to the shore telephone system at any port of call. Another interesting feature of the passenger accommodation in the Dominion Monarch is the modern air-conditioning system. Hotel Service De Luxe The hotel service of the ship has been planned on a scale consistent with the general luxury of her firstclass accommodation, an outstanding feature being the extent of completeness and general efficiency of the arrangements of the providore department. The kitchen and main pantry, placed at the after end of the dining hall on C deck are fitted with all modern electric and steam cooking appliances on the most generous scale to cater for the needs of more than 500 passengers, in addition to those of the ship’s company. The bakery, butchers’ shops and other departments in which food is prepared and cooked are marvels of modern practice at sea. Separate refrigerated and cool chambers to carry all commodities are fitted immediately below the kitchen. A service pantry on each deck is also installed, and these are in direct communication with the main pantry by means of an interior stairway and an electric lift.

The requirements of so many first-class passengers on the ship’s route out and home have been foreseen in the provision of a fullyequipped and electrically-operated laundry, capable of dealing with the large amount of ship’s linen which necessarily must be carried and with the requirements of passengers. Separate ironing rooms are installed on each deck for the use of lady passengers.

Special attention has been given to the provision of hospital accommodation which is amidships on C deck. There is a consulting room, a fullyequipped operating room and several general and special wards, which are under the charge of the ship’s surgeon and a qualified staff.