Evening star., 1953-02-01
I Travellers Notebook
New Luxury Liner for The Sun Route
Makes the Days Pass Like Hours
By Jacques FutrelIe. Jr.
n Tt r I..

roveI Editor
ing personnel. Or should one
take up Italian?
Although the Andrea Doria
boasts of such modern ship de-
sign as a 25-knot speed, lido
decks for each of its three classes
and simple lines in it's interiors,
there was a sigh of relief among
the 40-odd members of the press
party on learning that changes
being made in the Italian Lines
Vulcania will preserve the older
liners Grand Hotel" appear
ance. The Vulcania's January 3
departure from New York was
part of the closely dovetailed ar
rangement that permitted the
press party to see Rome and
Naples before sailing on the
westbound maiden voyage.
And they settled into the con-
tinental atmosphere of mahog-
any gingerbread, golden curley-
cues and private verandahs as
comfortably as into an old shoe.
The dignified Vulcania, which
can be lively enough at appropri-
ate times, had an air that one
could imagine as crying out if
such modern things as a tele-
vision set were introduced. This
didn't happen, and though it
would not have been so gro
tesque, the Andrea Doria lacked
this absorbing bit of modern
living. No one seemed to mind,
although three weeks of tele-
vision programs were blacked
out.
More Goblin Space
The limited-to-E o-English pas
sengers appeared to get along
with less language difficulties
with attendants in each of the
Vulcania's departments, and
there was genuine regret that
the ships temporary absence
from the Sun Route" run would
scatter its personnel. For in
stance, it's not easy to learn now
the ship which drew one Gen.
naro Ombra of Naples. He is a
waiter who guided more than one
delicate stomach to serene
January 3 crossing. Perhaps, as
he speculated, he will be assigned
to the Andrea Doria.
But others who have a deep
affection for the Vulcania may
be assured that the ornate pub
lie rooms will possess the same
splendor and the little private
balconies overlooking the sea-
scape will still provide a sunny
spot for charmingly-late break
fast. The major change in the
Vulcania. as far as accommoda-
tions go, will break up its dormi-
tory space into cabins. It will
be back on the "Sun Route"
again in late May, in time for
Europe's high season.
Not Far OFF
To Italy and officials of the
Italian companies that financed,
built and now operate the An
drea Doria, the new liner rep
reSents a great stride toward
recovery of that country's ship
ping. To the traveller, it affords
another Shipload of space for
a pleasant approach to the ex-
ploration of Europe. To this
end, Italian and French rail-
roads are gearing up schedules
for the coming SeaSon-and with
spring and summer weather
coming earlier to the Mediter-
ranean region, the season is
not far off.
Despite some overcast days
and rough water, the trip on
both the Vulcania and the An
drea Doria did a good selling
job for the so-called Sun
Route" It was mid-January, yet
on several days each way pas
sengers sat in chairs on deck
and let the salty winds pour
upon them, without benefit of a
protecting steamer rug. Prime
contributor to the pleasant tenn
perature was the Gulf Stream,
which also provided some of the
Smoothest sailing.
Such a day, for calmness and
a degree of sunbathing, was
inauguration day. Earlier, we
had received word that broad
cast of the ceremonies would
be picked up if possible and
piped all through the ships
loudspeaker system. At 3:10 pm.
(Ship'S time) the radio officer
tuned in and travellers on the
promenade deck, in the lounges
and at the several bars clearly
heard the oath administered to
Vice President Nixon, to Presi-
dent Eisenhower, the inaugural
address and other highlights of
the program.
Into the Storm
But late that afternoon, the
captain was required to end his
evasion of stormy waters and set
his course into the edge of a
blow.
Perhaps you have already
heard what happened. A few
passengers and crew members
were slightly injured when high
waves began to heel the liner
over at unexpected intervals
about five minutes apart.
The rolling seas came at an
awkward hour-dinnertime. The
press crowd proved to be a pretty
good bunch of sailors, and most
of them and other passengers
had gotten through the soup
course when the first china
wrecking wave struck broadside.
That's when tableware began
gathering to the floor. At least
10 such waves followed, getting
higher and more powerful.
When the chairs began to