Caronia Staterooms Revisited
It appears that during her career Caronia's staterooms would be renovated almost on a piecemeal basis with cabins in various areas chosen for refitting at any one time. From feedback that I've received it appears that the railway-coach building firm of Whickhams in Ware, Hertfordshire were somehow involved with this process.
Whether it was they who were commissioned to do each refitting is still not confirmed. So far, my researches on this have drawn a blank. Somewhere in the period 1955-59 it seems the chosen area had been on the starboard side ahead of the Balmoral Restaurant on “R” deck.
However, it wasn't until Caronia's Belfast refit in late 1965 that contemporary furniture started to grace her stateroom interiors. The refit involved adding 8 new suites on Main Deck as shown on this plan.
Suite Plan of Main Deck post 1965 refit
Certainly it was only specific areas that were ever refitted, not the entire passenger accommodation. The picture below illustrates one of these newly refitted cabins, most probably one of the new suites, at a guess Stateroom M52.
Probably the only fitting in this refurbished room that is original is the square stateroom clock. Although fitted with luxury appointments, the furnishings are an anachronism. Gone is the late 1940s chic, only to step right back into it the moment that you vacate the room.
[Image: 1966 Summer Cruise Brochure]
Even the plain deep-pile carpet gives it's 1960s identity away - yes, it really is plain! The vogue of having concealed strip-lighting in the newly clad deckhead was another step backward in my view. Although nice and bright, it did make the room seem cold.
I half chuckle and half cringe at these staged shots taken for the brochures. The thought of a passenger going round offering his guests petit-fours would probably make the Chief Steward go ape! In reality, the gent would be seated with them and it would be his room steward who would do those honours, or else!
|
Suite Numbers |
World Cruise |
Spring Med. |
North Cape |
Summer Med. |
Autumn Med. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 Days | 41 Days | 45 Days | 31 Days | 61 Days | |
|
M36 & M38 M39 & M41 Suite for Two |
$29,000 $302 /day |
$10,200 $248 /day |
$15,500 $344 /day |
$6,100 $196 /day |
$12,850 $210 /day |
|
M44 & M46 then even # pairs to M58 M47 & M49 or odd # pairs to M61 |
$26,000 $271 /day |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|
M42/M44/M45/M46/M47/M48 M49/M50/M51/M52/M53/M54 M55/M56/M57/M58/M59/M61 |
Each for 2 $8,650 $90 /day |
Each for 2 $3,825 $93 /day |
Each for 2 $4,800 $107 /day |
Each for 2 $2,200 $71 /day |
Each for 2 $4,575 $75 /day |
Notes:
- Suites M42 & M45 could be only be adjoined to Suites M38 & M43 respectively
- The single inside staterooms M40 & M43 were usually reserved for servants of passengers travelling in the adjacent suites
- Dollar exchange at the time hovered at approx US$3 to GB£1
- See how much 29,000 1966 USD is worth today
Occupancy
This rearrangement of the Main Deck suites gave far more flexibility in booking. Even so, the suites on board the “Green Goddess” were probably fought over by their potential occupants.
Some passengers, on the longer cruises, even brought their own furniture and art pieces aboard with them. No effort was spared in making them feel at home! Such was the probable competition, suites would have been reserved years ahead.
This whole area of the ship formed a regular clique of passengers so wealthy that the question of “How much?” would never cross their minds. This when at today's prices the North Cape Cruise main suite cost would be the equivalent of over $1,350 per person, per day, only for their accommodation!
If you can contribute any information, do please get in touch…
