Travel de Luxe to the Far East To meet the ever increasing demand for passages to the Far East, the Blue Funnel line steamer Anchises has been added to the number of regular passenger carrying ships plying between Europe and the Orient.
The vessel, which arrived here on the 14th instant, was previously engaged in the Australasian service—a service which does not as rule cater for the creature comforts enjoyed by trans-Atlantic passengers. Single or double berth State rooms on the former route, for instance, are rather the exception than the rule. Thanks, however, to the enterprise of the owners, Messrs. Alfred Holt & Ca., the Anchises has been transformed into a. luxury ship. It is noteworthy that the flat rate of £104 per head for the voyage to Europe will be maintained by the company, whatever increases may be made by other steamship lines.
"We intend to cater only for business men with their families, and although the accommodation on the Anchises is up-to-date in every respect, we are not attempting to pander to globe-trotters or people who require a floating palace',"' said an officer of the company on Wednesday to a "North-China Daily News' representative.
The ship may not be classed as a super-Cunarder. but nevertheless. since she has been re-fitted, it would be difficult to find a more comfortable passenger boat the in China seas.
Att Mopers Improveve:
Every—modern improvement thas been introduced. including what is a new departure im the arrangement of cabin space. There are no "blind" cabins, that is to say, those which are only lighted by elect: vy, as is often the case on many of the tiners afloat. Special. facilities have been provided for children in the shape of a large and airy nursery, on the walls of which are frescoes depicting various incidents from fairy stories. A whole promenade deck is also reserved as a children's playground. Opportunities For deck sports are afforded for their elders, on the unusually spacious upper deck. Hleve there are none of the usual stanchions and winch pipes to tumble over during a "slight sea."
In addition to the commodious and tastefully decorated smoking room, there are two Jounges. A well stocked library and a swimming bath have been newly added.
One feature of the furnishing of the saloons is the use which has been made of natant rubber flooring. Being slightly glazed, it has the appearance of marble, but none of its slipperiness. Save in a typhoon. no one can fall over. Chairs and tables. which are as a rule permanently fixed to the deck,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.