ON BOARD THE EXPRESS SANTORINI (EX-CHARTRES)
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Click above for a 1974 Chartres deckplan
Above: Beginning our tour in the forwardmost space on the lower of the two main passenger decks (C Deck or Deck 5 as it became in Greek service), this is the Salon Avant on board the Chartres as it was when she entered service in 1974. A bright, modern and rather funky space it curiously combines a generally modern ambience with traditional style murals on the aft bulkhead. Typically for a railway ferry, it has a clock as a centrepiece.
Above: The same space on board the Express Santorini in 2005, the door on the left hand side in both pictures being the same one. By this stage of the ship's career this lounge had been appropriated as the lower of two Distinguished Class lounges although on quieter sailings it was the upper bar, the former Salon Panoramique, which was in use with this space closed off. The original fittings have all alas been replaced by typically bland Greek fittings.
Above & below: Two more views of the lower forward lounge showing the bar servery area with Everest branding.
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Above: The lower forward lobby on the Express Santorini, just aft of the former Salon Avant. This is the view across to starboard.
Above: The centre section of the ship's C Deck originally contained traditional side lounges as the Chartres with a small shop located centrally around the engine casing. The information, bureau de change and passport offices as well as a separate boutique were also located here. After moving to Greece, this area received a severe redesign, with the whole space being opened up into wider port and starboard lounges with individual seating around small tables. This view shows the starboard side looking forward with the new information desk in the centre of the picture.
Above: The port side of this centre section on the Express Santorini in 2005 showing the Everest bar counter at the forward end.
Above: Another view on the port side, this time looking aft.
Above: Looking across to starboard in the C Deck/Deck 5 aft lobby with a baggage space on the right hand side remaining from her English Channel days.
Above: The Greeks have not entirely managed to rob the ex-Chartres of evidence that she was a child of the 1970s and her stairwells, such as this green one off the lower forward lobby, still show bright colours and simple but practical design.