Sitmar
Line TSS Fairstar
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With
Reuben Goossens
From
a P&O Holidays brochure
Please Note: The majority of photographs
on this page are by the author or his travelling companions,
unless shown otherwise.
This
page contains a host of photographs, which I hope will rekindle
the flame of delightful memories of the wonderful Fairstar, the
photographs are mostly of her in her final days, and by that I do
mean from 1994 to her final cruise before she was sent to India
name the “Ripa”, for to us, she was a “Ripa”
of a ship!
This
is me aboard the Fairstar in 1994 on one of my many cruises on
her
Sadly
all my wonderful photographs I had from my voyage from
As
we all know, in 1974 she became a full time cruise ship for
Sitmar and countless Australian’s cruised the South Pacific,
Most
images on this “Fairstar Photographic Page” reflect her
as she was during her final four years, for I sailed on her in
1993, 1994 and 1996 when she was the much-loved Fairstar the with
the new Dolphin logo on her funnel and her internal updates!
Below is a complete ships internal and external view together
with descriptions.
Scanned
from a P&O Holidays brochure
As
we already know, on January 21, 1997 the TSS Fairstar departed
Above
& below: The Fairstar seen on our departure day as we took a
ferry from Circular Quay to
on
April 13, 1996 and partook of a 13 night “South Pacific
Discovery” cruise to
However,
photographs on this page do represent more than one cruise, but
three cruises between 1994 to 1996
The
Fairstar is about to depart and she is filled with happy
passengers with streamer flying!
Photographer
is unknown – Please see photo note at bottom of page
The
Fairstar has moved from her berth and we are off on our cruise
Then we will start from the forward part of
Promenade Deck, which will also take us up one level, for there
is only one way in and out and that is via the forward stairs and
then we will slowly head aft! I will then head up to Boat Deck,
again from fore to aft, then to topside, after which I will head
below Promenade Deck to the rest of what I can show you. If
anyone has any photographs you feel that are worthy to add, I
certainly would appreciate it, for I am looking for images of the
Bavarian Beer Hall of the original Fairstar as well as the
Library. In addition some views of the buffet out on deck fart
aft on Promenade deck; I had all those photographs once, but they
were lost when I moved years ago!
I certainly you will enjoy the memories that I
have gathered and comments are more than welcome.
Reuben Goossens.
We commence on the starboard side and there we
locate the main entrance (above) to the wonderful and very
popular Brasserie Delfino, an Italian Brasserie that offered fine
range of Italian Cuisine (below) and of course freshly baked
Pizzas with an amazing range of toppings! The venue was open in
the afternoon and until early in the morning.
From
a P&O Holidays brochure
Here
we see a little more of the interior and the typical Italian
mural on the forward wall
The
kitchen with its Pizza ovens and Grills were all located on the
portside
Located forward of the Brasserie we head inside
where there is a major stairwell that goes all the way from D
Deck up to Boat Deck. However, here on Promenade Deck far forward
was one part of the Dolphin Club known as “The Juke
Box,” which was available to teens that enjoyed music as
well as their computer games. The Dolphin Club also had
facilities for children between 6 and their teens and those under
5, but these were located elsewhere and I will mention them when
I reach the relevant deck.
-----
Having fun in the
Dolphin Club
From a P&O
Holidays brochure
Taking the same stairwell one level up you
reach what used to be the Fairstar’s original “Jungle
Room,” being a Hip Hop style non alcoholic Bar that served
mock-tail’s, milkshakes and spiders and soft drinks. There
was a Jukebox, a dance floor and bench seating along the forward
wall. All the aforementioned used to be on the portside. Whilst
on the starboard side were a host of posts with metal branches
with leaves, making them to look like trees, with an attached
small table and two seats to each of these posts. These were
considered as love seats! I know, myself and my shipboard love
spent some time there!
However, after being converted into a cruise
ship, in due course this space became the “Sharp End
Bar,” which was what we may call the place to rage, and not
the place I ever spent time at. Yes I did photograph it, but it
was just too rough for my liking! Directly aft of the Lobby is
the
Above & below:
The Sharp End Bar, the jukebox remained but moved to port,
and the music had
obviously also changed and the bar was still in its location
The
Looking to aft from
the forward section of the
In order to return to the enter the inside of
the ship, we must go down one level via the forward stairwell and
walk aft through the Brasserie to the main door inside the ship
and in the main forward Main Lobby that has two Lifts that
commences from Boat Deck and goes down all the way to the
Cinema/Theatre mezzanine on D Deck. As we head forward and on the
starboard side there was the entrance to the largest public venue
on the Fairstar, the multi level Zodiac Lounge and Showroom! This
was a huge lounge with a Stage located far forward with a
spacious Dance floor attached in the middle of the room as it was
used for the Production Shows, such as “Trocadero” and
the wicked
The Zodiac Lounge
seen starboard forward with its wonderful mural, the stairs are
just behind the timber wall on the left
The lower level Bar
was located on the portside aft
Stretch and keep fit
classes were held here when it was rather windy outside
This is the wicked
passengers would
have to participate - and yes it would be … to their Horror!
This is the upper
level and looking on the port side far forward towards the superb
Zodiac mural
The Bar on this
level was L shaped and by far more intimate and located on the
starboard side.
As we return to the Forward main Lobby with the
grand staircase and lifts on the port side was the entry to the
ships Casino, complete with slot machines and ample tables.
Provided by P&O
Holidays Media Department
Above & below:
Here we see the ships Casino, which was not very large
but enough to keep
those who like to have a gamble very happy!
On the starboard side of the Lobby is a hallway
heading aft of the ship that passes the Casino and next
amidships, where once was the wonderful Bavarian Beer hall, is
now the Ships Boutiques and shops, from perfumes, watches, and
fashions to photographic and musical items, etc as well as daily
needs.
Here we see one of
the Boutiques and shops
As we head aft we reach the aft Lobby that also
has two lifts, that goes from Promenade Deck down to C Deck. But
we have now reached the last indoor public venue on this Deck,
the “Aquarius Night Club.” The venue was not much used
during the day whilst I was on board in her latter days, although
very different in her earlier days when it was a popular daytime
lounge, but now the venue was somewhat smelly, due to smoke and
very dark as curtains were always closed, thus a dark and an
unwelcoming venue. Yet at night, it was party time here, well if
that was your thing and if you did not mind having to breathe-in
a hundred or more people smoking heavily whilst you are there!
This used to be one of my favourite venues back in the 60s and
early 70’s, but in the 90’s I hated this room!
Above & below:
The Aquarius Night Club, the only reason the curtains are open
above is that I opened them
for some light. The
door above is the only way in or out. The Bar was on the same
location but on portside.
Then there is the
Bandstand aft and in the middle, located in front of the swimming
pool’s shaped windows
As we return to the Aft Lobby and head out onto
the Promenade Deck and go aft we will reach the completely
covered and partially shielded from the wind area that was a very
popular place early in the morning, for it was here at the buffet
where tea and coffee would be served. Then it would be time for
morning exercises and the Gym instructor would take her group
through a complete program of movements!
As Olivia Newton
sang … “Let’s Get Physical, Physical,
Physical” on the TSS Fairstar, well she not quite say all
that!
Then there were those fabulous Buffets here,
which were simply spectacular, for there would be Asian Buffets
and other special themed ones, but each had wonderful food and
was beautifully arranged on long tables! Then late at night the
entire area would become the late night “Starlight Disco and
on the very last night of the cruise the Disco would continue
until the ship reached Sydney Heads early in the morning and
finally the party set would head off to make ready to disembark
the ship in a couple of hours, after having had breakfast in the
Dining Room!
From a P&O
Holidays brochure
Above we see the
Carvery at the Grand Buffet and below the night time Disco is
seen in full swing!
We now head up to Boat Deck and as we have
already seen the Mezzanine level of the Zodiac Lounge forward of
the ship, just this time we will commence aft, as there are two
stairs on both sides heading to the Lido Section that takes you
almost next to the Kiosk, which was also the place to hire your
snorkelling and scuba diving lessons and equipment. There was
just one price and the snorkelling equipments would be yours for
the entire cruise, which was great as you usually visited a
number of great
Here
we see the stairs that we would have come up to reach this deck
Now
we can just see the Kiosk on the left, the Pool and the Sunset
Lounge Windows
The entry was inside, and either from the port
or starboard side via the aft lobby and this room was wonderfully
intimate and of course was famed for its wonderful view. The far
was center aft and of an
Aft
section of the
Boat Deck contained Fairstar’s four Deluxe
Suites, on the Port side were the Suites, “Aries” and
“Libra” whist those on the starboard side were named;
“Gemini” and “Taurus.” These were two room
suites, having a separate bedroom and a delightful and a separate
Lounge with a sofa, arm chairs, coffee table and all the comforts
of home as well as both rooms having large one way windows
looking out to the sea. The spacious bathroom came complete with
a bath and a shower. The other then cabins on this deck were all
Deluxe twin bedded cabins, which were more spacious than those on
the lower decks and had additional facilities.
The
lounge of one of the four Deluxe Suites
We will head to the forward Main Lobby with its
two Lifts and head outside onto Boat Deck and we will head aft
towards the 1993 installed “Al Fresco Café” over
looking the aft Lido Deck and the Pool.
A
view along Boat Deck
Above
& below: The wonderful Al Fresco Café is seen along the port
side, the actual café bar is located aft and
tables
are located on three sides over looking a wonderful view, whilst
enjoying a superb Barista Coffee!
As you can see in the image above there are
stairs going up on both sides of the Café to Officers with the
aft part being called Sports Deck. Located aft of the funnel
housing was the ships Gym and directly behind that were two table
tennis tables, which were very popular and used on a regular
basis.
Here
we see the Gym and table tennis tables, which were under cover,
aft of this was a sports deck complete with nets for ball games.
There is one more deck to visit and this was
Sun deck at the very top of the ship, above the Officers Deck and
the Bridge. The stairs to reach this deck were located amidships,
just forward of her funnel and you had to walk forward along
officers Deck, from Sports Deck and climb up to reach it and
below are a number of views, which I took having departed Noumea
and heading for Mystery island and we were cruising through the
narrow Boulari Havannah Passage in New Caledonia, and therefore
the French flag on Fairstar’s Radar Mast!
Above
& below: Sun Deck looking aft
A
few passengers standing on the starboard side looking at the
Passage
The
ships radar mast is seen flying the P&O Company flag as well
as the French flag
We now return to the interior of the Fairstar
and as we have visited Promenade Deck and all those above, we
will now head down to Saloon Deck which has two vital venues, yes
the Restaurants! Far forward there were 12 outside cabins, being
twin, 3 or 4 berth rooms, and 22 inside cabins, being two berth
or twins or four berth rooms, all but two cabins had private
facilities!
However the two spacious Restaurants were as
follows; the forward one was the “
Above
& below: The
As we head down via the Main Lobby to A Deck we
reach the Pursers Desk and the Lobby is also the Photo Gallery.
On the starboard side is a shop that sold all the basics, such as
sweets and toiletries and books, whilst next door was the
hairdresser and the Cruise Directors office. On the portside was
a bank, a telephone and a waiting area. Originally this lobby was
designed to be the main entrance to the ship, but with berthing
changes, boarding now tends to be on Promenade deck.
The
main Entrance Lobby and Pursers Office with Photo Gallery
Heading just a little aft on the starboard side
was the previously mentioned sector of the “Dolphin
Club” and here was a fine club for activities for those
children between 6 and their teens, and a Playpen for those under
5, as well as a Nursery for the very small ones. Thus in all the
Youth Centre Entertainment Club was divided in three parts!
Of course Decks A, B, C and D Decks were mostly
occupied by cabins, ranging from a single bed cabin, two berth,
twin bedded, three, four and even 6 berth cabins either outside
or inside and with or without private facilities. Personally I
have spent time in a two berth cabin as well as a twin bedded
cabin, although I could only find just one photograph of the two
berth cabin, the twin bedded image is seen as a three berth from
a brochure.
Two berth cabin 540
on B Deck
This cabin can be
sold as a twin, three or a four berth and the one seen is Cabin
104 on A Deck
Far aft on B Deck was the ships Medical Centre,
clinic and hospital. On D Deck forward and could be reached via
the Lifts was the spacious Theatre/Cinema which was simply a
beautiful venue! You would arrive at the mezzanine and then there
were the stalls below on E Deck. Directly forward of the Cinema,
but could only be reached via another stairwell, one further
forward from the Main stairwell, was the most horrid of all
places on board the Laundry, it was a hot and humid of all places
and a most unpleasant place to be, let alone having to do the
laundry. We never did it onboard as we sent it out to be done, or
kept it until reaching home. Today laundries are so much better,
but as I now only sail in deluxe Suites, my laundry is done for
free! However, the very fist time I sailed on the Fairstar in
1964, I sailed in what I consider to be the worst cabin on the
ship. We booked very late, and although my mother had a luxury
cabin as usual, she booked me in a 4 berth cabin with private
facilities down on D Deck, but it was cabin 601 on the starboard
side. If you look at the ship, just look at the bottom row of
port holes and the most forward one, well that was my cabin, and
my pillow was at the bow end, just think of it as the ship heaved
up, and on our voyage, after Singapore we had some really bad
weather, she pitched and tossed like a cork! I will let you think
of my experience, it was my first and lat ever sea sickness
experience. Remember, I had already sailed on many voyages and to
date I have sailed over 200 voyages/cruises!
The author and his
friend Kosta Specis is seen shore side at
Taken with the ©
author’s camera by a friend
TSS Fairstar is seen
returning to
Thus the Fairstar
sails under the
Provided by P&O
Holidays
View her Deck Plans
and a delightful video via the links below!
View an original
12.40 minute P&O Fairstar Promotional Video
TSS
Fairstar Main INDEX
Part
1 …
Oxfordshire
- History.
Part
3 …
Fairstar
History & Page One
Part
4 …
Fairstar
Photo Album
Part
5 …
Fairstar
Deck Plans
Also
Read …
Fair Princess Story From their Cunard days to
Sitmar & P&O ships,
Read…
The
Sitmar Ships covering all the other Sitmar ships.
“Blue
Water Liners sailing to the distant shores.
I watched them come, I watched them go and I watched them
die.”
****************************
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