Because the Japanese held it and the Japanese soldiers there would have fought fanatically which means unnecessary losses for an insignificant and non-strategic target. The KMT were able to invade Taiwan just fine. The CCP will need a couple of years and they can build a navy with Soviet help that can defeat the KMT which is no longer being supported by the US.
THE FRENCH LINE TL: SS Normandie survives fire converted into a WW2 troopship.
- Thread starter oca2073
- Start date
It wasn’t invaded, it was transferred to the KMT. Mao was considering buying a bunch of landing craft from the Soviet Union and crash them into Taiwan but he put the idea down because he knew it was a stupid idea.
Very well, but it's not impregnable. Maybe 1950 is too early but I'm willing to bet without the Korean War, the CCP would have taken Taiwan simply because the US wouldn't be interested in protecting it. Btw this actually weakens the CCP in the long run. First they don't have Taiwanese firms helping with China's opening up and investing/building factories on the mainland. Second, it takes away their nationalist card and US bashing somewhat in terms of effectiveness.
Yup, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan were very important to mainland China as companies there helped build up the PRC.
Floating Hotels
In 1961, the long serving French liner SS Ile de France was retired at the end of the year. Preparations were already underway for the SS Bretagne to enter service and she was undergoing sea trials, due to make her maiden voyage in a few months. Originally, the plan had been to sell her for scrap as was usual. But the Ile de France was a significant vessel having served for 34 years with great popularity. She was the first ship to pioneer the new modern Art Deco style that turned the ocean liners from being floating historical palaces and museums to having a style of their own as "ships." In the 1920s-50s, she carried a vast number of famous clientele, especially film stars.
The French Line was also deep in debt due to the unfathomable 100 million USD price tag for the SS Bretagne and although revenues were also high, they decided to spend a bit more money and take a risk to increase revenues. They would go on to pioneer the first floating hotels business. They chose Cannes, which was the site of France's premier film festival and a magnet for directors, actors and actresses. They would transform the Ile de France into a famous hotel and museum ship, which in addition to her magnificent Art Deco interiors, would showcase famous photographs of all the celebrities and film stars that travelled on her over the years.
The floating hotel Ile de France was considered to have the best French restaurant in Cannes.
And so the Hotel Ile de France began her extremely successful second life. Celebrities and film stars flocked to stay on her still attracted by her glamorous legacy. During the "off-season", she was also frequented by wealthy tourists staying in the French Riviera who often made sure to book a night on the Ile de France. Her success was greatly encouraging to the French Line who had discovered another lucrative avenue for increased profits. When the monumental SS Normandie was finally retired at the end of 1973, the company entered a joint venture with Prince Rainier of Monaco to turn the ship into a hotel and floating casino. As the years went by, the Principality of Monaco would become associated internationally with its greatest tourist attraction. And likewise when one spoke of the Casino and Hotel Normandie, Monaco immediately came to mind.
The monumental dining room of the former SS Normandie transformed into the main cardroom of the casino and hotel, by far the most famous image from the moneyed Principality of Monaco.
Wealthy gamblers can take a break in Normandie's superb winter garden with real rare plant exhibits and birds.
Cunard also took notice and when its pride ship the RMS Queen Mary was retired in 1967, she would be converted into a floating hotel, exhibition space and tourist attraction in the resort town of Brighton. The ship would become the most famous tourist attraction of the town and would go a long way to restoring Brighton's former status as a premier seaside resort as visitors all over England flocked just to see arguably Britain's greatest liner, still the proud holder of the Blue Riband to this very day.
Queen Mary in all her unchanged glory still docked in Brighton's famous palace pier that was expanded just to accommodate her.
Even the US caught on to the new popular trend of ocean liners being turned into popular attractions and floating hotels. The US-made SS America, the greatest liner ever built in that country with all its remarkable elegance would find a gentle retirement home in Long Beach, California in 1978 after being sold to Chandris and serving the Europe-Australia immigrant route as SS Australis. She was repainted in her old colours, refurbished and restored to her original interior look, and rechristened to her former name before retirement.
SS America, the pride of Long Beach, the state of California, and the nation
And of course the self-proclaimed greatest city in the world, New York, had to have its own ship. Thus in 1973, when the Dutch liner SS Nieuw Amsterdam was finally retired, she was sold to the city of New York over the vociferous protests of Dutch patriots who wanted their ship to come home. But the Americans had placed the higher offer and New Amsterdam WAS the former name of New York. She would find great success as one of New York's noteworthy establishments with a great hotel, beautiful interiors, and an excellent restaurant complete with a well-built theatre and performance venue.
New Amsterdam, the toast of New York high society.
But the Dutch would get a ship of their own much later. In 1997, when the liner SS Rotterdam was retired she would return to the port of her birth: Rotterdam. In the same year, the by-then legendary SS Bretagne would also find a home in the city of Nice.
Rotterdam returning to Rotterdam, in her original state that she was launched in 1959, to the great joy of all of the Netherlands.
These seven ships: the French Line's Ile de France (Cannes), Normandie (Monaco), Bretagne (Nice), Cunard's Queen Mary (Brighton), Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam (New York City), Rotterdam (Rotterdam), and US Lines' America (Long Beach) stand as the only seven surviving liners from the ocean liner era. But they give visitors an excellent insight into the realities, but also the beauty of the old liners, so that we may never forget our common history and the hard work of its designers. And they still prove to be quite profitable for their owners.
The French Line was also deep in debt due to the unfathomable 100 million USD price tag for the SS Bretagne and although revenues were also high, they decided to spend a bit more money and take a risk to increase revenues. They would go on to pioneer the first floating hotels business. They chose Cannes, which was the site of France's premier film festival and a magnet for directors, actors and actresses. They would transform the Ile de France into a famous hotel and museum ship, which in addition to her magnificent Art Deco interiors, would showcase famous photographs of all the celebrities and film stars that travelled on her over the years.
The floating hotel Ile de France was considered to have the best French restaurant in Cannes.
And so the Hotel Ile de France began her extremely successful second life. Celebrities and film stars flocked to stay on her still attracted by her glamorous legacy. During the "off-season", she was also frequented by wealthy tourists staying in the French Riviera who often made sure to book a night on the Ile de France. Her success was greatly encouraging to the French Line who had discovered another lucrative avenue for increased profits. When the monumental SS Normandie was finally retired at the end of 1973, the company entered a joint venture with Prince Rainier of Monaco to turn the ship into a hotel and floating casino. As the years went by, the Principality of Monaco would become associated internationally with its greatest tourist attraction. And likewise when one spoke of the Casino and Hotel Normandie, Monaco immediately came to mind.
The monumental dining room of the former SS Normandie transformed into the main cardroom of the casino and hotel, by far the most famous image from the moneyed Principality of Monaco.
Wealthy gamblers can take a break in Normandie's superb winter garden with real rare plant exhibits and birds.
Cunard also took notice and when its pride ship the RMS Queen Mary was retired in 1967, she would be converted into a floating hotel, exhibition space and tourist attraction in the resort town of Brighton. The ship would become the most famous tourist attraction of the town and would go a long way to restoring Brighton's former status as a premier seaside resort as visitors all over England flocked just to see arguably Britain's greatest liner, still the proud holder of the Blue Riband to this very day.
Queen Mary in all her unchanged glory still docked in Brighton's famous palace pier that was expanded just to accommodate her.
Even the US caught on to the new popular trend of ocean liners being turned into popular attractions and floating hotels. The US-made SS America, the greatest liner ever built in that country with all its remarkable elegance would find a gentle retirement home in Long Beach, California in 1978 after being sold to Chandris and serving the Europe-Australia immigrant route as SS Australis. She was repainted in her old colours, refurbished and restored to her original interior look, and rechristened to her former name before retirement.
SS America, the pride of Long Beach, the state of California, and the nation
And of course the self-proclaimed greatest city in the world, New York, had to have its own ship. Thus in 1973, when the Dutch liner SS Nieuw Amsterdam was finally retired, she was sold to the city of New York over the vociferous protests of Dutch patriots who wanted their ship to come home. But the Americans had placed the higher offer and New Amsterdam WAS the former name of New York. She would find great success as one of New York's noteworthy establishments with a great hotel, beautiful interiors, and an excellent restaurant complete with a well-built theatre and performance venue.
New Amsterdam, the toast of New York high society.
But the Dutch would get a ship of their own much later. In 1997, when the liner SS Rotterdam was retired she would return to the port of her birth: Rotterdam. In the same year, the by-then legendary SS Bretagne would also find a home in the city of Nice.
Rotterdam returning to Rotterdam, in her original state that she was launched in 1959, to the great joy of all of the Netherlands.
These seven ships: the French Line's Ile de France (Cannes), Normandie (Monaco), Bretagne (Nice), Cunard's Queen Mary (Brighton), Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam (New York City), Rotterdam (Rotterdam), and US Lines' America (Long Beach) stand as the only seven surviving liners from the ocean liner era. But they give visitors an excellent insight into the realities, but also the beauty of the old liners, so that we may never forget our common history and the hard work of its designers. And they still prove to be quite profitable for their owners.
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Well NYC will always need hotels, that's why New Amsterdam will survive. It has really nice, elegant interiors, but not too fancy, the kind that Americans like. Plus she has a really nice theatre. Perfect for New York as a performance venue. As for Rotterdam, the Dutch will never scrap her. OTL she's still in Rotterdam, doing just fine.
Here's Nieuw Amsterdam's theatre.
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Designing a modern ship
Designing a "modern" ship has always been a challenge in every era. Every generation has its definition of "modern", and Art Deco by 1960 was considered distinctly old-fashioned and staid despite being considered progressive and radical when it was introduced in the 20s. The directors of the French Line mandated that the SS Bretagne should be a showcase for modernist design in its epitome, just as Normandie was the ultimate showcase for Art Deco. They ultimately sided with the purists wanting to uphold the tradition of the ocean liner, refused to make ocean views the predominant feature of design thinking since it supposedly would detract from the quality of their artistic designs of the rooms themselves. Traditionally people went on ocean liners not because they were fond of the sea, but because they were forced to. This forced the quality of room design to be elevated compared to the cruise ships which made sea views the predominant feature of the design of their rooms.
But it was agreed that it was necessary to mimic the new culture of modern informality that had been created from cruise ships. The ship could not be as remote, detached, and standoffish as the old liners. It had to be both forward-looking but also respectful of tradition. To get the best possible designs, the French Line opened an international design competition to garner the widest possible choices for the public rooms and staterooms onboard the Bretagne. Companies and designers from France, Italy, Britain, the US, and Germany had numerous entries.
In particular, the French Line had decided to come down in the middle of the fierce philosophical debate as to what style the ship should be. One side stressed she needed to be elegant and radically minimalist in the mid-century modernist tradition. They stressed she should make extensive use of decorative, abstract as well as impressionistic art and paintings rather than object design to convey sensations to passengers. The other side rejected this stance as self defeating and insisted that the future lay in new space age designs that were flamboyant and futuristic and forward-looking, just like Art Deco had been in the 1920s. Ultimately it was decided that these two contrasting aesthetic principles would be incorporated together in the Bretagne with the idea that they would lend beauty to the other through contrast.
Although Bretagne is now widely considered to be the last, elegant ocean liner built and a masterpiece of contrasting designs, its initial reception from critics was not favourable. They acknowledged she could not be directly compared to the Normandie as she was built upon very different aesthetic principles (apples vs oranges), whereby if Normandie was Yang, Bretagne was the Yin as she was designed to be an aesthetic contrast to her running mate. However, they found her interiors to be much too eclectic. Too many cooks spoil the broth was their consensus. However the passengers had a different view and rated her interiors very favourably. This was because for the first time in ocean liner history, the French Line gave nearly as much care, consideration to design in tourist class areas as the first class.
But it was agreed that it was necessary to mimic the new culture of modern informality that had been created from cruise ships. The ship could not be as remote, detached, and standoffish as the old liners. It had to be both forward-looking but also respectful of tradition. To get the best possible designs, the French Line opened an international design competition to garner the widest possible choices for the public rooms and staterooms onboard the Bretagne. Companies and designers from France, Italy, Britain, the US, and Germany had numerous entries.
In particular, the French Line had decided to come down in the middle of the fierce philosophical debate as to what style the ship should be. One side stressed she needed to be elegant and radically minimalist in the mid-century modernist tradition. They stressed she should make extensive use of decorative, abstract as well as impressionistic art and paintings rather than object design to convey sensations to passengers. The other side rejected this stance as self defeating and insisted that the future lay in new space age designs that were flamboyant and futuristic and forward-looking, just like Art Deco had been in the 1920s. Ultimately it was decided that these two contrasting aesthetic principles would be incorporated together in the Bretagne with the idea that they would lend beauty to the other through contrast.
Although Bretagne is now widely considered to be the last, elegant ocean liner built and a masterpiece of contrasting designs, its initial reception from critics was not favourable. They acknowledged she could not be directly compared to the Normandie as she was built upon very different aesthetic principles (apples vs oranges), whereby if Normandie was Yang, Bretagne was the Yin as she was designed to be an aesthetic contrast to her running mate. However, they found her interiors to be much too eclectic. Too many cooks spoil the broth was their consensus. However the passengers had a different view and rated her interiors very favourably. This was because for the first time in ocean liner history, the French Line gave nearly as much care, consideration to design in tourist class areas as the first class.
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Maiden Voyage
Bretagne's interiors were characterized by being extremely cosmopolitan as hinted by the name of the ship: many a non-French child on the Bretagne would at first mistakenly believe her to be a British ship, since the French word Bretagne for Brittany was pronounced Britannia. The French Line had no problem incorporating artistic designs of other places if they were designed to be beautiful. This corresponded well to the emerging new French identity (finally moving past the scars of WW2), which was to be cosmopolitan in the modern era. The Bretagne would quickly set a new standard for ocean liners that put Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, the largest liner afloat, in financial jeopardy. SS Normandie remained viable only by slashing prices for the tourist class and the monumental rooms of the first class saved her and allowed her to remain profitable for a few more years.
The American press called her a hundred million dollar gamble expressing unlimited naive faith that ocean liners would be able to survive, in one form or another, no matter how far jets developed in the future. The French retorted that she, alongside Normandie, were the "last refuges of a good life." The impact of Bretagne when she made her maiden voyage in the summer of 1961 (the 100th year anniversary of the Compagnie's history) was similar to the impact of the Ile de France, when she first came into service some 35 years ago. The ship introduced revolutionary new ship interior designs that represented almost a complete break from the past, in this case Art Deco, and all existing ships suddenly felt old-fashioned when standing next to her. In short, for the second time in its history, the French Line launched a ship that fully updated interior ship designs to the most progressive trends of the contemporary age.
The American press called her a hundred million dollar gamble expressing unlimited naive faith that ocean liners would be able to survive, in one form or another, no matter how far jets developed in the future. The French retorted that she, alongside Normandie, were the "last refuges of a good life." The impact of Bretagne when she made her maiden voyage in the summer of 1961 (the 100th year anniversary of the Compagnie's history) was similar to the impact of the Ile de France, when she first came into service some 35 years ago. The ship introduced revolutionary new ship interior designs that represented almost a complete break from the past, in this case Art Deco, and all existing ships suddenly felt old-fashioned when standing next to her. In short, for the second time in its history, the French Line launched a ship that fully updated interior ship designs to the most progressive trends of the contemporary age.
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Touring SS Bretagne (Lido Deck) (1)
This deck can be divided into two sections. The rear section houses the kennels (underneath the funnel) as well as the indoor squash court and café grille towards the aft end of the ship. The front section houses the first class magrodome, and veranda.
Kennels and dog promenade
1st class grill-room
The ship's à la carte restaurant available to 1st class passengers for an extra cost. Actually located on the observation deck above the Lido, the floor downstairs on the Lido deck serves as a kitchen)
Indoor squash court seen from above
Midship, we have the outdoor patio for first class passengers. It is connected with the two appartements de grand luxe on either side named (Cornouaille and Penthièvre). The walkway above the patio is the observation deck level.
First class Patio Riviera (passengers often choose to dine here in good weather)
The lido pool area with the magrodome open (usually during cruises)
There are two pools with splash areas for children. There is a walkway above where passengers can travel past this area below and get a view of the sea from the observation deck. In chilly weather, infrared heating can raise the temperature of the pool water by several degrees.
The iconic lido pool area with the magrodome closed (usually during transatlantic runs)
Note the semi-private dining areas to the side with floor-to-ceiling windows where passengers can have a meal if they want to eat with a sea view. Also popular with romantic couples watching the sea and sunrises and sunsets with some privacy.
The area is also popular during evenings with the magrodome closed where passengers can enjoy a late night buffet and swim under the stars.
At the very end, we have the first class veranda. First class passengers can take a break here from the sun.
First class café veranda
This veranda has a simple bar, a piano, and dance floor for music. The veranda is extremely futuristic in its design, drawing the displeasure of some conservative passengers.
Kennels and dog promenade
1st class grill-room
The ship's à la carte restaurant available to 1st class passengers for an extra cost. Actually located on the observation deck above the Lido, the floor downstairs on the Lido deck serves as a kitchen)
Indoor squash court seen from above
Midship, we have the outdoor patio for first class passengers. It is connected with the two appartements de grand luxe on either side named (Cornouaille and Penthièvre). The walkway above the patio is the observation deck level.
First class Patio Riviera (passengers often choose to dine here in good weather)
The lido pool area with the magrodome open (usually during cruises)
There are two pools with splash areas for children. There is a walkway above where passengers can travel past this area below and get a view of the sea from the observation deck. In chilly weather, infrared heating can raise the temperature of the pool water by several degrees.
The iconic lido pool area with the magrodome closed (usually during transatlantic runs)
Note the semi-private dining areas to the side with floor-to-ceiling windows where passengers can have a meal if they want to eat with a sea view. Also popular with romantic couples watching the sea and sunrises and sunsets with some privacy.
The area is also popular during evenings with the magrodome closed where passengers can enjoy a late night buffet and swim under the stars.
At the very end, we have the first class veranda. First class passengers can take a break here from the sun.
First class café veranda
This veranda has a simple bar, a piano, and dance floor for music. The veranda is extremely futuristic in its design, drawing the displeasure of some conservative passengers.
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Touring SS Bretagne (Boat Deck) (2)
The majority of the first class staterooms are located on this deck. The 25 suites onboard Bretagne are named after various cities and picturesque towns of the region: Brest, Morlaix, Quimper, Guingamp, Sant-Brieuc, Rennes, Fougéres, Saint-Malo, Vannes, Lorient, Concarneau, Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, Treguier, Saint-Pol-de-Léon, Dinan, Guerande, Vitré, Redon, Dol, Pontivy, Lamballe, Auray, Carnac, Quiberon.
This is the deck where the lifeboats and their davits are located.
This is the deck where the lifeboats and their davits are located.
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Touring SS Bretagne (Verandah Deck) (3)
The first class enclosed promenade wraps around the perimeter of this deck. It is modelled after the Champs-Élysées. Located underneath the lifeboat davits, it's where all passengers meet for required emergency drills.
At the aft end, we have the first class drawing room.
First class drawing room (Club Internationale)
This room manages to be both ornate and minimalist at the same time as well as incorporating some space age motifs. It is light and airy and relaxing. The room is particularly spectacular at dawn and dusk on a clear day as the changing sky outside does wonders to the ambience of the room. Connected to the first class drawing room is the outdoor salon terrace at the aft end of the ship where first class passengers can take in some sea air whenever they get tired of the indoors.
The first class salon terrace
Between the first class drawing room and lounge is the reading room and library as well as the cardroom for the first class.
First class reading room and the connecting library (Upper Deck Library)
The brightly lit reading room offers mock chimneys as writing desks.
First class cardroom (Salon Monaco) (decorated with various card and game icons)
First class main lounge (Salon Fontainebleau)
The design of this room is simple in the mid-century modern style and is dominated by impressionistic wall paintings which are meant to engage the passengers that sit in front of them. Most famous of all are the paintings modelled after the autumn forests of Brittany. The lights hanging from the ceiling are said to evoke a reminder of hanging autumn leaves and branches, although other don't see this at all and find the room rather boring overall.
First class private room
Perfect for discreet meetings, a side room from the lounge. In the past, luxurious ocean liners would offer first class passengers a fireplace in the lounge, but this is now obviously out of the question due to fire safety concerns. To compensate, the designers created a halfway transparent wall painting with lights that mimic a fire in a hearth.
Also connected to the lounge is the music room.
First class music room (Salon Debussy)
It is an entirely soundproof music studio where one can make very good recordings.
At the aft end, we have the first class drawing room.
First class drawing room (Club Internationale)
This room manages to be both ornate and minimalist at the same time as well as incorporating some space age motifs. It is light and airy and relaxing. The room is particularly spectacular at dawn and dusk on a clear day as the changing sky outside does wonders to the ambience of the room. Connected to the first class drawing room is the outdoor salon terrace at the aft end of the ship where first class passengers can take in some sea air whenever they get tired of the indoors.
The first class salon terrace
Between the first class drawing room and lounge is the reading room and library as well as the cardroom for the first class.
First class reading room and the connecting library (Upper Deck Library)
The brightly lit reading room offers mock chimneys as writing desks.
First class cardroom (Salon Monaco) (decorated with various card and game icons)
First class main lounge (Salon Fontainebleau)
The design of this room is simple in the mid-century modern style and is dominated by impressionistic wall paintings which are meant to engage the passengers that sit in front of them. Most famous of all are the paintings modelled after the autumn forests of Brittany. The lights hanging from the ceiling are said to evoke a reminder of hanging autumn leaves and branches, although other don't see this at all and find the room rather boring overall.
First class private room
Perfect for discreet meetings, a side room from the lounge. In the past, luxurious ocean liners would offer first class passengers a fireplace in the lounge, but this is now obviously out of the question due to fire safety concerns. To compensate, the designers created a halfway transparent wall painting with lights that mimic a fire in a hearth.
Also connected to the lounge is the music room.
First class music room (Salon Debussy)
It is an entirely soundproof music studio where one can make very good recordings.
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A combination of ships that never get built as a result of POD with SS Normandie surviving + French expansion into Mediterranean liner service.
SS France, SS Eugenio C, Enrico C, SS Canberra, SS Oceanic (1960s), SS Michelangelo/Raffaello, SS United States, SS Oriana, also SS Bremen (modified SS Pasteur by the Germans)
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Touring SS Bretagne (Promenade Deck) (4) (part 1)
The tourist class salon terrace and promenade wrap around the perimeter of this deck.
Tourist class salon terrace and enclosed promenade
Located underneath the first class enclosed promenade. The salon terrace can be used as an alternative dining space for passengers who wish to eat with a sea view.
Next, we will tour the tourist class passengers only sections of the deck which are located to the aft.
We start at the tail end of the ship.
From this level (Lido Deck), you can see the multiple levels. One level below is the Boat Deck (still first class area) which can be reached by stairs from here and connects with the boat davits corridor. Immediately below that (obscured) is the first class salon terrace on the level of the Verandah Deck. One level below that is the Promenade Deck (with the swimming pool dome) which is a tourist class area and where we begin. A Deck, which is one level below the promenade deck, is the level of the tourist class swimming pool itself covered by a dome and extends to the stern of the ship.
Tourist class drawing room (Salon Saint Tropez)
From the bar, one can look out on the open deck area of the promenade deck level.
Tourist class cardroom
The tourist class cardroom is located behind the painting of Notre Dame.
On the other side of the drawing room (across from the painting of Notre Dame) is the music salon located behind another painting.
Tourist class music room (Salon Ravel)
Moving to the fore of the ship:
Tourist class main lounge (Salon Tuileries)
Considered by many to be a masterpiece, it achieves grandeur in its sheer simplicity and is dominated by a section of double-height ceiling with three large chandeliers. This room is said to strip away all the superfluities of grand design and focus only on the bare, most economical elements necessary to give a grand impression. It is located directly underneath the first class drawing room.
Tourist class salon terrace and enclosed promenade
Located underneath the first class enclosed promenade. The salon terrace can be used as an alternative dining space for passengers who wish to eat with a sea view.
Next, we will tour the tourist class passengers only sections of the deck which are located to the aft.
We start at the tail end of the ship.
From this level (Lido Deck), you can see the multiple levels. One level below is the Boat Deck (still first class area) which can be reached by stairs from here and connects with the boat davits corridor. Immediately below that (obscured) is the first class salon terrace on the level of the Verandah Deck. One level below that is the Promenade Deck (with the swimming pool dome) which is a tourist class area and where we begin. A Deck, which is one level below the promenade deck, is the level of the tourist class swimming pool itself covered by a dome and extends to the stern of the ship.
Tourist class drawing room (Salon Saint Tropez)
From the bar, one can look out on the open deck area of the promenade deck level.
Tourist class cardroom
The tourist class cardroom is located behind the painting of Notre Dame.
On the other side of the drawing room (across from the painting of Notre Dame) is the music salon located behind another painting.
Tourist class music room (Salon Ravel)
Moving to the fore of the ship:
Tourist class main lounge (Salon Tuileries)
Considered by many to be a masterpiece, it achieves grandeur in its sheer simplicity and is dominated by a section of double-height ceiling with three large chandeliers. This room is said to strip away all the superfluities of grand design and focus only on the bare, most economical elements necessary to give a grand impression. It is located directly underneath the first class drawing room.
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Touring SS Bretagne (Promenade Deck) (4) (part 2)
Continuing in the fore direction, we reach the theatre area.
The theatre bar (cabaret) is next to the theatre and generally serves passengers who are looking to attend a show, or after the show. In the night however, it serves as the ship's nightclub for after-hours drinking and dancing. It is open to both first and tourist class passengers.
The ship's theatre (salle de spectacle) looks like it could come straight from Paris. The balcony seats are reserved for first class passengers (entrance from Veranda Deck).
Tourist class library (Bibliothèque de l’Atlantique)
On the whole it is very traditionally modern in its main design, but it does possess some flair with a disguised mirror archway that can't be identified from a distance as well as marine animal sculptures carved into tables.
Tourist class writing room
The writing room is austere, sparse, even antiseptic, but it is also very avante-garde.
The theatre bar (cabaret) is next to the theatre and generally serves passengers who are looking to attend a show, or after the show. In the night however, it serves as the ship's nightclub for after-hours drinking and dancing. It is open to both first and tourist class passengers.
The ship's theatre (salle de spectacle) looks like it could come straight from Paris. The balcony seats are reserved for first class passengers (entrance from Veranda Deck).
Tourist class library (Bibliothèque de l’Atlantique)
On the whole it is very traditionally modern in its main design, but it does possess some flair with a disguised mirror archway that can't be identified from a distance as well as marine animal sculptures carved into tables.
Tourist class writing room
The writing room is austere, sparse, even antiseptic, but it is also very avante-garde.
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Touring SS Bretagne (Promenade Deck) (4) (part 3)
Finally we come to the children's play area where children from both first and tourist class play together with no distinction. It is located on the other side of the ship from the tourist class library.
The entrance to the children's section of the ship and a waiting area for parents in the background.
First we have a room decorated in a precocious Renaissance style for the slightly older children.
Then a spaceship theme room for the younger children.
Here is the puppet theatre room which also hosts children's events and activities with a large mural showing a steamship Noah's Ark.
This indoor playground (next to the puppet theatre) has a slide, see-saw, sandbox, hopscotch, and various other diversions. There is also another playroom that you can see through the rear windows in the background.
And that concludes the tour of the promenade deck.
The entrance to the children's section of the ship and a waiting area for parents in the background.
First we have a room decorated in a precocious Renaissance style for the slightly older children.
Then a spaceship theme room for the younger children.
Here is the puppet theatre room which also hosts children's events and activities with a large mural showing a steamship Noah's Ark.
This indoor playground (next to the puppet theatre) has a slide, see-saw, sandbox, hopscotch, and various other diversions. There is also another playroom that you can see through the rear windows in the background.
And that concludes the tour of the promenade deck.
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Touring SS Bretagne (A Deck) (5)
Descending a level we are now on A Deck. At the tail end of the ship is the tourist class swimming pool covered by a glass dome that allows natural light to filter in. Their are doors at the end of the pool leading to the open air stern of the ship and they are opened during good weather. Like the first class magrodome pool area, infrared heating can raise the temperature of the pool water by several degrees. Changing and shower rooms are to the side and the pool has a small cafe to the left offering refreshments.
Tourist class pool (piscine de l’Atlantique)
As we walk the opposite direction into the interior of the ship, we reach the tourist class pool lounge.
Tourist class pool lounge (Café Rive Gauche)
This room seeks to mimic an outdoor patio design with a bar and dance floor, but is actually within the ship's interior. A gymnasium for the tourist class is also accessible from here.
Continuing in the fore-direction, we reach the very traditionally designed tourist class ballroom with an emphasis on silver, glass, and velvet. Walls are accented by gold leaf, and the room is partitioned by etched glass panels with a fanciful depiction of underwater marine life.
Tourist class ballroom (Salle de bal de l'Atlantique)
In roughly the mid-ship section, we have the tourist class lobby, reception and embarkation point.
Next door is the first class embarkation point and reception which can only be reached by stairs (or elevator) from the veranda deck. Taking the stairs down from here takes you to the B Deck 1st class section.
Tourist class pool (piscine de l’Atlantique)
As we walk the opposite direction into the interior of the ship, we reach the tourist class pool lounge.
Tourist class pool lounge (Café Rive Gauche)
This room seeks to mimic an outdoor patio design with a bar and dance floor, but is actually within the ship's interior. A gymnasium for the tourist class is also accessible from here.
Continuing in the fore-direction, we reach the very traditionally designed tourist class ballroom with an emphasis on silver, glass, and velvet. Walls are accented by gold leaf, and the room is partitioned by etched glass panels with a fanciful depiction of underwater marine life.
Tourist class ballroom (Salle de bal de l'Atlantique)
In roughly the mid-ship section, we have the tourist class lobby, reception and embarkation point.
Next door is the first class embarkation point and reception which can only be reached by stairs (or elevator) from the veranda deck. Taking the stairs down from here takes you to the B Deck 1st class section.
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Touring SS Bretagne (B Deck) (6)
This deck consists of the dining areas for the tourist class as well as the first class in different sections of the ship as well as tourist class cabins.
Tourist class dining room (Salle à Manger Versailles)
It is plain, but has an understated elegance. Two tiers, with a balcony, the upper section (B Deck) is a more informal cafe atmosphere compared to the lower level (C Deck). Only the front of the room has decorated frescoes.
Tourist class private dining room (Salle à Manger Privée Trianon)
A side room from the tourist class dining room. It is open to tourist class passengers who have upgraded tickets to eat from the first class menu. It can also be booked for private parties and celebrations.
In the middle and in between the tourist and first class dining areas are the kitchens (located on C Deck).
Children's banquet room and dining room
The children's dining room and banquet room are connected with the first and tourist class dining rooms so parents can choose to dine without noisy children if they wish.
And here is the first class dining section (accessible on B deck), but you actually descend one level to dine on C deck.
First class dining room (Salle à Manger Chambord)
Combining nature (stars and night sky) and artifice (grand lights), this three level high room has its entrance on B deck and you descend one level on C deck to dine. The walls are covered with golden mural paintings depicting the pleasures of life. It can seat a maximum of 400 people. It is located directly under the ship's theatre above.
First class Banquet room
This eye-catching room combines classicism with space age design and balances informality with a luxurious appearance.
First class private dining room (Salle à Manger Privée Louisiane)
Decorated in a French Louisiana style, but with a modern touch of having interesting shadows projected on the walls. Like its tourist class counterpart, it is a side room from the first class dining room and offers greater privacy for diners.
Tourist class dining room (Salle à Manger Versailles)
It is plain, but has an understated elegance. Two tiers, with a balcony, the upper section (B Deck) is a more informal cafe atmosphere compared to the lower level (C Deck). Only the front of the room has decorated frescoes.
Tourist class private dining room (Salle à Manger Privée Trianon)
A side room from the tourist class dining room. It is open to tourist class passengers who have upgraded tickets to eat from the first class menu. It can also be booked for private parties and celebrations.
In the middle and in between the tourist and first class dining areas are the kitchens (located on C Deck).
Children's banquet room and dining room
The children's dining room and banquet room are connected with the first and tourist class dining rooms so parents can choose to dine without noisy children if they wish.
And here is the first class dining section (accessible on B deck), but you actually descend one level to dine on C deck.
First class dining room (Salle à Manger Chambord)
Combining nature (stars and night sky) and artifice (grand lights), this three level high room has its entrance on B deck and you descend one level on C deck to dine. The walls are covered with golden mural paintings depicting the pleasures of life. It can seat a maximum of 400 people. It is located directly under the ship's theatre above.
First class Banquet room
This eye-catching room combines classicism with space age design and balances informality with a luxurious appearance.
First class private dining room (Salle à Manger Privée Louisiane)
Decorated in a French Louisiana style, but with a modern touch of having interesting shadows projected on the walls. Like its tourist class counterpart, it is a side room from the first class dining room and offers greater privacy for diners.
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