TOUR of the S.S. INDEPENDENCE, American Hawaii Cruises, Page 2 by Peter Knego
The S.S. INDEPENDENCE in her latest livery on 30 December 1994. Photo and copyright
Peter Knego 1994.
Farther aft on Kama'aina Deck, the 400 seat Hoi Hoi Showplace (which extends
the full width of the ship) was given a vivid new color scheme in the 1994
refit. Now sporting a "Bird of Paradise" carpet motif, the room is banked on
either side by slightly raised terraces. This view is facing
forward/starboard. Photo by and copyright Peter Knego for P.K. Productions
1994.
The lovely 75 seat Commodore's Terrace, shown in a port-facing view,
overlooks the INDY's glorious fantail from its position on aft Kama'aina
Deck. Prior to the 1994 refit, this piano lounge once sported a
crescent-shaped bar with pastel leather seating. Photo and copyright
Peter Knego 1994.
The 110 seat Ohana Lounge has been "livened up" following the 1994 refit, but
still sports its distinctive 1950's "deco" architecture. Adjoining the
Buffet area just forward and the second swimming pool, just aft, it is
usually quite well-attended. At night, it serves as the ship's disco, as the
ceiling lights would suggest. This view is facing forward. Photo by and
copyright Peter Knego 1994.
Two decks below the Ohana Lounge, on forward Maui Deck, the former first
class dining room is now known as the Hibiscus Dining Room. Shown in a
port/aft-facing view, the 420 seat restaurant has a sunken midsection. Since
it was not desinged with portholes, backlit panels line the outer bulkheads.
The 1994 refit brightened the space up quite a bit with vivid murals and
vibrant new colors. Photo by and copyright Peter Knego 1994.
Linked to the hibiscus dining room via a narrow midsection on the starboard
side (which, by the way, features portholes), the 200 seat Orchid Dining Room
is the former cabin class restaurant. It too was given a new color scheme
in 1994, as seen in this forward-facing view. Photo and copyright Peter
Knego 1994.
Two decks farther down, on the INDEPENDENCE's lowest passenger level, Kauai deck, the 144
seat Kauai Theater is shown in a starboard-facing view. One of the most
popular films shown here is AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER starring Cary Grant,
Deborah Kerr, and the CONSTITUTION. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1994.
Among the INDY's finest cabins are the Solarium Suites, located aft of the
bridge in what was (prior to 1994) a well-equipped gymnasium. Large windows
look out onto Bridge Deck, while the curved ceilings sport skylights that can
be covered with shades for privacy. This photograph is a port-facing view of Suite
II. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1994.
Our visit to the INDEPENDENCE concludes with a look at one of her B category
staterooms, Cabin 292, on aft Aloha Deck. This starboard-facing view reveals
a spacious cabin with king size bed and the ship's cheerful new color scheme.
Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1994.
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