Published October 19, 2003. All images and text copyright Peter Knego 2003 (unless otherwise noted).

Page Seven: Top to Bottom Tour, continued.

The Las Vegas Casino space, shown facing forward, is currently being used as the Library. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The enclosed meeting/meditation space in the aft portion of the Library, facing starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Upper Deck continues aft of the Windjammer Lounge with what was originally the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN's tourist class public rooms. An athwartships vestibule separates the aft etched glass panels of the Windjammer from the forward etched glass panels of what is now called the Las Vegas Casino. Once the tourist class smoking room, it evolved into a dedicated casino during the CARNIVALE years. Since a casino is not of use to the current charterers, this was an optimum space in which to set up the ship's Library. Temporary shelves were installed in the forward entrance and a special meditation or conference room was erected in the aft section. Some original paneling and bronze friezes have survived the many transformations this room has been given over the years.

Hemingway's, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003

Back on the starboard side of the Library, Hemingway's has been given a more eye-pleasing look than the one it sported from the early 1980s, when it was modernized and opened up onto the starboard promenade. Until that period, it was largely unchanged from its tenure as EMPRESS OF BRITAIN's tourist class bar.

The Shopping Arcade, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Originally the tourist class lounge, the Shopping Arcade took on its current look in the 1997 conversion. From the Carnival period until that time, it had been an aft extension of the Casino.

Le Cabaret, facing aft from the stage. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Le Cabaret was rebuilt from the 180 seat Cinema in 1997. The configuration had to be changed in order to make the space serve successfully as a dinner theater. In the process, the original paneling and doors were removed. Now Le Cabaret is used for meetings and presentations.

Facing aft from starboard in the Broadway Show Lounge. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The 550 seat Broadway Show Lounge has been redecorated many times over the years, but still fulfills its intended function as the main show room. Dating from the QUEEN ANNA MARIA conversion, it extends all the way aft to encompass the ship's rounded stern structure.

Aft from the fo'c'sle following the addition of the modular cabin units on forward Upper Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1998.

Main Deck begins with the fo'c'sle area, itself largely unaltered, although the view aft took on an entirely new look with the addition of the new cabins and the removal of the original loading gear.

The Reception area facing starboard in the forward section. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

A nice selection of former first class cabins occupies this level, which also contains the Reception area. The forward portion was once separated for first class use and, while it no longer boasts rich wood veneers, still has its elegant brass-trimmed stairwell recess.

The aft portion of Reception contains a semicircular desk. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The aft portion of Reception contains the purser's desk, which was added in the conversion to THE TOPAZ in 1997.

In addition to cabin accommodation, Allegro Deck features the Beauty Salon forward and the Medical Center aft.

The Topaz Room, facing starboard from forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Bolero Deck is dedicated to cabins forward, while a galley spans the width of its midships portion. The 575 seat Topaz Room and entry lobby follow aft, leading to more cabins. The Topaz Room serves as the ship's formal dining room, and while it has changed greatly from its original wood-paneled incarnation in the ship's early years, it is now a much more pleasant and refined space after Topaz International toned down its latter day Carnival look.

The Topaz Room entry doors, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The dining room lobby, facing starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Presumably to comply with SOLAS '97, the original wooden wine shelves were removed from the dining room lobby and replaced with a circular reception desk. Still, and quite thankfully, the nickel and glass entry doors were left intact.

Concerto Deck contains more cabin accommodation, while the indoor pool and spa area below have been closed off to passenger use and are now dedicated storage spaces.

The ship's cabin accommodation has a wide variety of new and classic, ranging from brand new modular units to original inside upper and lowers. During the ship's Thomson period, the cabins were divided into eight categories: Suites, Premier, Superior Outside, Superior Inside, Standard Outside, Standard Inside, Two-Berth Inside, and Single Inside.

Suite 638, facing port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

There are five suites on Main Deck, featuring separate sitting area and bedroom. The four adjacent to the Reception area are partially original, although they have been significantly upgraded over time. Much of the woodwork is hidden underneath the various paint schemes.

Cabin 648, facing starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1997.

Twelve Premier cabins follow the suites on either side of Main Deck. Although they do not have separate sitting areas, they are still spacious and feature beautiful paneling and large brass-framed picture windows.

One of the new modular superior outside cabins, 707, facing port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1998.

A modular w/c as found in one of the forward Upper Deck cabins added in 1997. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1998.

There are thirty-nine superior outside cabins, sixteen of which are the new modular units added to Upper Deck in 1997, and twenty-three of which are former first class cabins on midships Main Deck.

One of the modular superior inside cabins on forward Upper Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1998.

THE TOPAZ has twenty-two superior inside cabins on forward Upper and midships Main Deck.

A standard outside cabin, number 449, facing port. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1998.

The ship has 149 standard outside cabins on Main, Allegro, and Bolero Decks as well as 185 standard inside cabins on Main, Allegro, Bolero, and Concerto Decks.

A two berth inside, number 6042, facing forward. Photo and caption Peter Knego 1998.

The inside categories also include sixty-two berth and nineteen single insides on Main, Allegro, Bolero, and Concerto Decks.

Our tour ends here. For further information on the ship and her forthcoming itineraries, please contact Peace Boat.

Maritime Matters wishes THE TOPAZ, her owners, officers, and crew continued success and many more years of happy service.

THE END. All rights reserved, copyright Peter Knego October 2003

Special thanks to: Martin Cox, Captain Paris Katsoufis, Glenn Smith

Addendum 2008.

On April 13, 2008 industry sources reported the 1956-built SS THE TOPAZ (ex EMPRESS OF BRITAIN, QUEEN ANNA MARIA, CARNIVALE, FIESTA MARINA, OLYMPIC) had been sold for scrap. The venerable liner would complete her final Peace Boat voyage on April 28 in Yokohama and proceed from there to an undetermined Indian shipbreaking yard. THE TOPAZ' place in Peace Boat service will be taken over by 1970-built CLIPPER PACIFIC (ex SONG OF NORWAY).

The End of an era, TOPAZ prepares to depart from Sydney for the last time. Photo (c) Phil Masaad.

TOPAZ's final departure from Australia. . Photo (c) Phil Masaad.

[THE TOPAZ page one]   [THE TOPAZ page two]   [THE TOPAZ page three]   [THE TOPAZ page four]   [THE TOPAZ page five]   [THE TOPAZ page six]

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