Published December 1, 2003. All images and text copyright Peter Knego 2003 (unless otherwise noted).

Page Five: ATALANTE Up To The Minute Tour

Owners: Paradise Cruises, Limassol, Cyprus

The observation area on forward Aeolos Deck, facing port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The transformation of Promenade to Aeolos Deck involved the addition of a large superstructure component forward to accommodate ATALANTE's new showroom, the 200-plus seat Atalante Club, which would extend all the way to and encompass the observation platform atop the forward A (now Apollo) Deck windscreen. Just forward of the Atalante Club, a small observation platform is a well kept secret to all but the savviest passengers and can be accessed via the forward port side of the show room. From the platform, outside stairs lead down to Apollo and Hermes Deck accommodation.

The Atalante Club, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The Atalante Club, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The Atalante Club is a good venue for the ship's entertainment, which is on par with or better than most of the lavish but less substantial fare offered aboard US-based ships. A multinational staff of singers (during my cruise, the trio of excellent leads was from Bulgaria), dancers, and musicians work hard to please and are nicely enhanced by good sound equipment, good sight lines, and a variety of lighting effects. Song selections ranged from Greek folk classics to Peggy Lee and Madonna. The forward portion of the room contains a bandstand and small stage and adjacent dance floor. Aft and on the port side is a friendly bar with well-trained servers. The Atalante Club extends the full width of the ship and features nice daytime vistas from its banks of picture windows.

This room replaced the magnificent Panoramic Lounge with its fine wood paneling and vintage fixtures. Although attempts were made to salvage some of its finery, the shipyard workers accidentally left the removed fittings out in the rain and the panels were destroyed. The Atalante Club is one of the new features that keeps the ship viable in a very competitive market, so the sacrifice has been well worth the price.

The starboard Aeolos Deck promenade, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The port Aeolos Deck promenade, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The starboard promenade features teak decking, slot machines, and casual seating areas. The port promenade features teak decking and handsome wicker furniture in addition to a row of "one armed bandits". Both promenades have stairs forward that lead to the Boat Deck and continue aft to the pool area.

The Casino, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

On the starboard side of the Aeolos Deck lobby, a small, beautifully paneled vestibule leads aft via ornate iron and glass doors to the men's and women's lavatories. A step or two further aft via another such door, we find the Casino. On most ships, such facilities are drenched in fiber optic madness with accompanying neon and computerized cacophony. This space is nothing short of exquisite, and while modest in its gaming options with just three card tables, it is a supremely elegant vintage space with beautifully molded ceilings, original fixtures, smoky paneling, and the important inboard MM mural of Indochina and Parisian monuments.

The atmospheric and wondrous Pub, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The Pub, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The Casino's port side complement, the Pub, is one of the most important and perfectly preserved vintage spaces afloat. The paneling and ceiling molding are breathtaking remnants from an ocean liner era that died out decades ago. The only thing missing is the original mural in the forward starboard corner, which presumably was removed in the ship's 1994 conversion. The forward doors are the same as the metal and glass doors found at the entrance to the Casino. The entire port side of the Pub is a wood and glass screen that still unfolds and opens up onto the promenade. It is a very popular place with German and British tourists who appreciate the vintage atmosphere and also serves as the hub of the ATALANTE's festive Greek party where ouzo and delicious appetizers are served in plenitude. A pantry aft also serves the Dionysos Bar.

The Dionysos Bar, facing forward/starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

In recent years the Dionysos Bar has been utilized as a Casino. However, it is still largely original and recognizable as TAHITIEN's open air pool bar. The bar, itself, is in the forward port corner. A door adjacent to the bar leads to the pantry that also serves the Pub and a door on the starboard side leads down to Apollo Deck.

The Aeolos Deck pool, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The Aeolos Deck pool, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The aft open air portion of Aeolos Deck is sheltered on either side by glass screens and the after extensions of Boat Deck. Here, an inviting patio surrounds the former first class pool, which is quite original, well-maintained, and deep enough for a real swim. Stairs on either side lead down to the expansive open lido and a second pool on aft Apollo Deck.

Please click for page six: ATALANTE Tour, continued

[ATALANTE page one]   [ATALANTE page two]   [ATALANTE page three]   [ATALANTE page four]   [ATALANTE page six]   [ATALANTE page seven]

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