We've also all seen an abundance of her interior photos, but not much from her open decks. I've put together an album of photos taken aboard CARONIA during a West Indies cruise in March, 1949--she had only been in service for two months and you can see how green she really was. All deck houses, ventilators, king posts, masts, and fittings were painted green! These images are from slides in my collection, taken by a long-departed friend:
http://www.travelserver.net/travelpage/aspgallery/view_ad.asp?Ad_ID=2689

Thanks for posting these fabulous pictures! However, I should point out that the picture above was not taken in 1949. It was probably taken in 1966 after the major refit when the aft docking bridge was removed. In its place can be seen the new screening of the extended Lido Deck.

Regards,
Steve (Peter S.)
Webmaster : Caronia II Timeline

[ 12-31-2006: Message edited by: Peter_LT ]

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Originally posted by Peter_LT:
I should point out that the picture above was not taken in 1949. It was probably taken in 1966 after the major refit when the aft docking bridge was removed. In its place can be seen the new screening of the extended Lido Deck.
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You're right, the exterior view was not part of the 1949 batch of slides--that was actually taken in the 1960s, in the Solent, I believe. I just included it as one of my best photos displaying what CARONIA looked like externally for those who may not know her.

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Originally posted by Cunard Fan:
I personally love the green, but where is the 4th green. Theres the hull then the superstructure then the line between the two. So where is the fourth green shade? I always thought the QE2 might look good in that livery. I am probably alone with that.

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The hull has two shades of green, then there's the dark green line, and the deck houses were another shade.

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Rich wrote:
The hull has two shades of green, then there's the dark green line

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The four shades of green were...
3rd lightest shade up to darkest shade cheat line;
from cheat line above to promenade deck inclusive was 2nd lightest shade and;
lightest shade above that.

Oh, and green wasn't used just outside. The only relief from it down below, was cream above a black line along the working alleyway - I am, of course talking about the crew quarters.

There was very little evidence of green in the passenger accommodation. The only enclosed space for them in green being the promenade deck and garden rooms. Everywhere else was late 1940's art-deco chique, including the finest rare wood veneers - until the 1965 refit.

From that point there was a rather incongruous mix of styles. The main deck suites were "modernised" only to step right back when exiting them, or visiting the main lounge which featured a confusing mix of old and new.

The 1965 re-fit also introduced blue plastic seats alongside the traditional Cunard steamer chairs on the new Lido Deck. That was a colour mix that could induce sea-sickness.

Lets kill the myth that Cunard Cruising Green did it - the colour choice was inspirational at diffusing sun glare in the tropics!

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Originally posted by NAL:
BTW, when in liner service which dining room was the cabin class one? Which cabins were cabin class. I have a deck plan, but it's for cruise service and doesn't specify which class is where.

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I assume that forward foyer was used for First Class passengers so the Balmoral Restaurant was used for the First class.

The Sandringham Restaurant and Aft cabins would be used for the Cabin class on Trans Atlantic Voyages.

[ 01-02-2007: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

Well, I've just spent the past few days in a state of pure delight! The reason being that Rich has very kindly allowed me to use his 1949 photographs on the Caronia Timeline site.

The sheer quality of these pictures has provided me with the impetus to expand the previous 2 pages of transcribed shore arrangements information into 6 pages of a new Virtual Caribbean Cruise. Of these, 2 have been devoted to a regular cruise activity for passengers - the Deck Hike.

If you've got your shorts and plimsols on, then I invite you to clamber around Caronia's upper decks - and don't forget to bring your "cozzie"!

I'd just like to sincerely thank Rich for his kind permission to use these photos; they have brought back many memories for me, as they will for several others who also trod those hallowed teak decks.