Most of the pictures on this and the next page were published in the very first Caronia
Deckplans folder, labelled as “Temporary” and printed in the USA. There were three of these
books produced, one for First Class, another for Cabin Class and the third for “Cruising”.
A foretaste of just how lavish the “cruising” aspect would be was that only the cruising
deckplan folder carried photographs, albeit as artist impressions of the ship's interiors.
[Left:]
The advert from Caronia's builders on the back of the circa 1949 Official Clydebank handbook
Clicking on the pictures below will bring up a colour version taken from one of the very
first Caronia brochures printed in the UK.
The Promenade Deck was where most waking-hours activities for passengers took place. Wide glass-enclosed alleyways down
each side provided a walk with a sea view, and the opportunity to enjoy one of Cunard's famous “steamer
chairs” out of the prevailing weather. Most of the public rooms were found on this deck.
The Observation Lounge
The most forward placed public room was the Observation Lounge and just behind was the Cocktail Bar, sited almost
directly below the wheelhouse. The other large public rooms on this deck were the Lounges, Theatre and the Smoking Room.
The busiest and most versatile room was the Main Lounge, known as the First Class lounge on transatlantic crossings.
The regular highlight event on days at sea was service of “afternoon tea”. It was always the gathering place
on arrival at cruise ports, especially when access to the shore was by tender.
A large area of carpet was regularly removed to expose a wonderfully sprung wooden dance-floor. At the aft end was a
bandstand adorned with an exquisitely veneered piano. All the themed balls were held here, with the room always
amazingly transformed by an imaginative crew.
Next along the Promenade Deck was the 1st Class smoking room. Very much influenced by a British “gentleman's
club” this was a spectacular place in which to quietly sit. You could never tire of appreciating the artistry
built into its dodecahedronal ceiling!
Sited at the aft end, on cruises this room was known as the “Raleigh Room”. The port side of the lounge
area formed the “Cruise Office”. This room, of an evening especially, could be compared to a convivial British pub.
With someone from the Caronia's Orchestra assigned to the piano in the adjacent lounge, a party atmosphere was generated
often until the early hours. This being quite unlike its much quieter and far more reserved counterpart further forward.
It's important to note that unlike the bigger Cunarders, when it came to public room access, especially bars, First and
Cabin Class demarcations were not enforced on board Caronia. If, as a First Class passenger, you fancied joining the
regular “sing-songs” in the Raleigh Room after Dinner, then off you went.
On a balmy night at sea, the aft crew deck directly below was a good place to head to if the crew bar was busy or closed.
There were some very accomplished singers in the crew who'd often add their voices to those on the deck above. Try and
imagine a more magical place to practice your craft!
Ashore in Blighty, closing time in a pub was around 10pm; on board Caronia, no-one called “time” and all the
drinks were duty free!
Caronia's Main Deck Suites
Arranged close to Main Deck forward square on both sides of the Purser's Office were the most sumptuous staterooms.
Here, the very best of late 1940s hand-crafted art-deco chic was offered; a far cry from the modular
mass-produced accommodation that's provided today.
There were 7 suites mirrored on each side of the ship, with 6 of them having directly attached sitting rooms. Bath
Cabinet Makers & Artcraft Ltd. were assigned those on the port side, described by them as “Special Cabins
De-Luxe”. One suite a side also had inside accommodation for a personal maid.
The sitting room and bedroom of one of the 1st class suites is depicted below. As you venture through the Timeline
and see photographs of the real thing, you will realise just how uncannily accurate these original artist impressions
actually were.
