Page eight: REGAL EMPRESS Tour, Continued (final)

Facing aft from the REGAL EMPRESS' long, graceful fo'c'sle. Even in this out of reach area, the teak decking is well cared for. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1996.

Upper Deck level commences at the fo'c'sle, a crew only area that contains docking machinery, the number one hold, and a crew pool.

Facing port in the sitting area of Suite F. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The former tourist class Drawing Room and Almack's/Card Room were converted into four of the ships finest suites in 1982/3. Correspondingly identical in layout, Admiral Suite E (non smoking) is on the starboard side, while Suite F is port. With the original inboard and forward paneling left intact, these rooms are among the most extraordinary afloat with their Tudor-meets-Edwardian atmosphere. The sitting areas have sofas that can accommodate third or fourth passengers.

The bedroom of Suite E, facing forward/port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The bedrooms have king-sized beds, a writing desk, and wood-framed glass paneled shutters over their brass windows, relics of the OLYMPIA's tourist class decor.

Deluxe Mini-Suite U91 facing starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The inboard bulkheads of the passageways leading aft contain more of the same paneling. On the port (Drawing Room) side, there is an original oil painting of a river scene. On the starboard (Almacks/Card Room) side, there is an oil depicting "face card" royalty and jokers. The two cabins immediately aft of Suites E and F are Category 2 deluxe mini suites: U91 (non smoking) and U90, respectively. The starboard suite, U-91, has another surviving Card Room oil depicting Jack, Queen, and King. The aft bulkheads of both U91 and U90 are the remnants of the former Drawing and Card Rooms. These staterooms have a pair of large brass windows framed with wood and brass shutters of the same design in the Admiral Suites.

A very spacious Deluxe Mini Suite, Category 2, facing starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

More excellent accommodation follows, with five more Category 2 Deluxe Mini-Suites on either side, however these are more modern in look. These staterooms were also converted from an old OLYMPIA tourist class public space, the Calypso Room, which was originally the Zebra Room. They have similar amenities to U-91 and U-90, with double windows and sitting area, but no wood paneling.

An inside Category 7 cabin. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Nine Category 7 staterooms occupy the inboard portion of forward Upper Deck, and, while less opulent than the deluxe mini-suites, are still comfortable and well-equipped.

Facing starboard/fat in the REGAL EMPRESS' Upper Deck Purser's Lobby. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The forward Upper Deck Purser's Lobby begins immediately aft of the main stairtower, itself a study in classic ocean liner wood paneling, indirect lighting, and original fixtures. The Purser's Office is in its aft quadrant and a beauty parlor and massage room are on the port side. Accommodation follows on either side with forty-five Category 4 outside staterooms, thirty-two Category 7 inside staterooms, and one Category 12 inside upper/lower.

The Mirage Disco facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The now single level 76 seat Mirage Disco surrendered its balcony to Stu's in 2000. It still has it's forward double deck height and is also used as a cinema (its original designation).

Facing aft/starboard in the Grand Lounge. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The 550 seat Grand Lounge spans the width of the ship and is home to the REGAL EMPRESS' gala shows, horse racing, bingo, shore excursion lectures, and even midnight movie screenings. Its permanent booth seating is comfortable, but certain areas have compromised sight lines. The stage area is centrally located aft and there is a large bar serving the entire room in the aft/starboard extension. Upper Deck continues aft with sheltered deck space, Pietro's Pizzeria, and the Infirmary.

Facing port in the former First Class Entrance Hall, Restaurant Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Forward Restaurant Deck contains storage areas and crew accommodation followed by Admiral Suite HS, one Category 3 superior outside cabin, 18 Category 4 outside cabins, four Category 7 inside cabins, 15 Category 8 inside cabins, and four Category 12 inside upper/lowers. The Main Lobby was once OLYMPIA's first class entrance and still contains many original brass and wood fittings.

Facing forward in the former Small First Class Dining Room, left. Right, a detail of one of the original marquetry inlays of a fish. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

While the Large First Class Dining Room was converted to cabins during OLYMPIA's 1970 refit, the Small First Class Dining Room has somehow managed to survive. Accessed via the starboard portion of the Main Lobby, it is now used by the REGAL EMPRESS' officers. The chairs are new and there is a television and other modern amenities, but the original paneling with inlays of various edible animals survives, along with the windows that look out onto the starboard Photo Gallery.

Facing aft along the Photo Gallery. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Originally a showcase for modern art from both sides of the Atlantic, the former Olympian Gallery is still very much intact today as REGAL EMPRESS' Photo Gallery. Beautifully paneled in four square marquetry, its port side holds displays of passenger photos while the starboard side looks out (between more photo racks) via large picture windows to sea.

The stunningly beautiful Caribbean Dining Room, facing aft (left) and one of the mirror etchings (right). Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Three rooms onboard REGAL EMPRESS draw superlatives of praise from those who love classic ships: the Commodore Lounge, the Library, and the Caribbean Dining Room. The largest, and possibly, the most grand of all of the wonderful spaces onboard REGAL EMPRESS, this room is in almost every aspect unchanged from its original incarnation as OLYMPIA's tourist class Olympian Dining Hall. Seating 548 passengers, it accommodates REGAL EMPRESS' full complement in two sittings. The only notable changes are the replacement of the damaged forward painting and the addition of carpeting. Mirrored support beams sport etched glass panels of real and mythical sea life, ranging from graceful mermaids to galleons and exotic fish.

More details to swoon over. Left, one of the specially commissioned paintings from the OLYMPIA era, framed by two 50s deco sconces. Right, one of the marquetry panels of ancient sailing craft. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The Caribbean Dining Room's ceiling is gently cambered. The wooden chairs are largely original, and burled wood veneers abound from the thin rounded columns to bulkhead paneling. A large oil of New York harbor is the aft central focal point, while smaller paintings of various Mediterranean and European ports punctuate areas along either side. Conical bronze lighting sconces are the height of 1950s maritime deco. Hand carved marquetry panels of various ancient sailing craft are displayed on the forward and aft bulkheads. All in all, it would be hard to find a more lovely room on any ship.

The forward portion of the Monte Carlo Casino, facing forward. The rich paneling around the cashier's office is the only decorative element to survive from this area's incarnation as OLYMPIA's tourist class Derby Room. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

The Gift Shop (former tourist writing room) and Boutique (former tourist library) follow The Caribbean Dining Room, all of which open onto another wonderful lobby with original wood paneling and display cases. Just aft, the forward portion of the vast 287 capacity Monte Carlo Casino is faintly recognizable as the OLYMPIA's unique Derby Room.

Facing forward/port in the aft section of the Monte Carlo Casino, the former tourist class Taverna. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

OLYMPIA's Taverna is now the aft portion of the Monte Carlo Casino, retaining only the original bar structure, and that is hidden under layers of new decor. The fantail on Restaurant Deck level contains docking machinery.

The forward portion of Main Deck has an interesting assortment of cabins, with eleven Category 3 superior outsides on the port side, eighteen Category 5 outside staterooms, fourteen Category 8 insides, and two Category 12 inside upper/lowers. The midships portion of this level is occupied by the uppermost machinery spaces. Main Deck continues aft on the starboard side (where the old infirmary was once located) with eleven Category 5 outside staterooms, three Category 7 insides, ten Category 8 insides, six Category 11 outside upper/lowers, and seven Category 12 inside upper/lowers.

A Deck is similarly broken into fore and aft portions. Ten Category 6 outside staterooms and seventeen Category 9 insides can be found here. Aft, there are twenty-five Category 6, one Category 7, twenty-five Category 9, and four Category 12 cabins.

B Deck is also laid out in fore and aft divisions. Forward, there are twenty-nine Category 10 insides and four Category 12 inside upper/lowers. On this level, there are no outside cabins. Aft, there are forty Category 10s.

The REGAL EMPRESS is not special for just being a survivor, she has more old world graciousness and style per gross ton than any other active vintage passenger ship afloat. Only REMBRANDT, MS PHILIPPINES, MARGARITA L., AKDENIZ, and FEDOR SHALYAPIN are as original, and all of these ships are lingering in a state of unhealthy retirement. For those who wish to sample one of the very last remnants of a vanishing era, the REGAL EMPRESS calls loudly. Balconied, atria-enhanced cyber ships offer all the creature comforts of home, but they cannot transport their guests to a grander, simpler time when wood was really wood, brass was brass and ocean liners were the mascots of great nations. Now in the hands of Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines, the company which took such good care of OCEANBREEZE, REGAL EMPRESS' future looks very bright.

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