The Great Liner's Arrival

By Harold Winchester; 28th December 1940.

Early in the morning of the 27th of December 1940, the glorious Liner, Allurious made her arrival in Bonhaven at around 6 o'clock A.M. Some of the richest Aerahwuts traveled amongst this vessel, and some many immigrants looking for a new home came along as well. We spoke with  Captain Cousteau of the Allurious.

"The Allurious broke records," said Captain Cousteau while standing just outside the bridge of the Allurious on the Promenade Deck. "She broke the size record and we've arrived here faster than any ship that has crossed the Great Ocean. The Gold Star Line and I am sure a lot of Aerahwuts are proud as well!"

Captain Cousteau who was born and raised in Sparta and was a sailor in the Spartan Navy was hired by Gold Star Line to be captain for their liners in the late 20's. And after being a great Captain for twenty years Cousteau was asked to be the captain of the Allurious, he tell us that he was honored to be the one in charge of the new and biggest Vessel in the seas. We asked him what his thought about working with Gold Star Line was like, and he said, "They took care of me very well, they even helped get my daughter into University. Gold Star Line is the best thing that ever happened to me."

Captain Cousteau then took us to see the Connoisseur Club (Deck 10), This was the ship's cigar bar which is also a spot where cigarette smokers can smoke indoors. The club is comfortable and features leather couches and chairs as well as cigars for sale. Order a cognac and enjoy the quiet atmosphere. There we met Dr. Geshwatter who was an archaeologist for the University of Nimskraus, we asked him how his stay was and he replied, "Wonderful! Best Liner I have been on! Most Beautiful and Luxurious!" His reply was full of excitement and we were quite alarmed by his enthusiastic expression, he continued, "I must say, it was quite a lovely and smooth voyage. If you wanted me to give it a rating I would say 10 out of 10! It was just spectacular!"

We then were taken to the Travelers Lounge (Deck 5), here on most nights, this Lounge hosts live music acts, such as jazz bands or guitarists. The venue, decorated in dark blues and blacks, features a bar with seating around it, tables for two and velvet-covered chairs, a small stage and a dance floor. This is the spot onboard for occasional karaoke.
I was given a chance to try a gourmet drink from the bar, and I must say, it was pure perfection! Captain Cousteau, then took us to see the Enriched Compass (Deck 5), this was the ship's main dining room, the Enriched Compass is a large space just off the ship's atrium. It's decorated with an ocean theme, it features a color palette heavy on sea blues, white and light grays. The columns are adorned in mother of pearl. But the nod for the most impressive feature here has to go to the main blue crystal-and-glass chandelier, which is massive and features hundreds of blue crystal droplets. It's so splendid, you might overlook the brilliant -- though smaller -- amber chandeliers scattered throughout the dining room. Most of the tables here seat two or four, though several can accommodate larger parties. Dining here is open, meaning there are no set seats or dining times; just show up and eat any time the restaurant is open.

Breakfast is served here most days and features items such as eggs cooked to your preference, pancakes, waffles, yogurt, fresh fruit, bacon, and sausage. Fresh juices are offered, as is coffee and tea. The Enriched Compass generally isn't open for lunch. (Instead, visit Cunard's lounge for a sit-down afternoon meal.) The same menu is offered every day for breakfast. (If you don't see an item you want, such as eggs Benedict, on the menu, just ask your waiter; chances are you can get it.)

At night, the Enriched Compass serves a multicourse dinner, with appetizers such as foie gras terrine or vegetable tian. Pasta courses are offered as well, with selections rotating nightly. Try the ravioli stuffed with fontina cheese or seafood risotto. Entrees might include butter-roasted chicken or osso buco. Dessert might be cheesecake or a tart, for example, while options such as ice cream and sorbet are always available.

Menus identify a "balanced selection" option: a three-course meal that is lower in calories and fat. Calories, fat and fiber content for those dishes are written on the menu, so you won't be guessing. Passengers also can request any dish be prepared plainly or with less fat or sodium. Additionally, proteins can be prepared grilled or poached, and passengers can get virtually any item without sauce.

A tasting menu, called the Executive Chef's Menu, is available each night as well and includes a perfectly portioned six-course menu.

Gold Line Favorites are always available and include items such as Buraccan crab salad, egg, and truffle, gratinated Hurtzenburg escargot, Uzima lobster tail, King sea scallops, filet mignon and roasted chicken. Menus have vegetarian options and include a tasty vegetarian bean chili or a Great Sea squash and zucchini quinoa salad. Vegan, strict vegetarian, and gluten-free diets can be accommodated; passengers who have dietary restrictions should notify the cruise line when making reservations and confirm with the maitre d' once onboard. We were impressed with the way the Allurious crew handled passengers with allergies; the staff leaves the next day's menu in the cabin, and the passenger can select the items he or she wishes to eat. They'll be prepared apart from everyone else's, ensuring no allergens cross-contaminate the meal. Wait staff also know which passengers have which allergies, and if a passenger accidentally orders something with that allergen in it, the waiter or waitress will advise.

After visiting the Enriched Compass the Captain showed us Luu's Cafe (Deck 12), Luu's Cafe is a small, casual venue, which is open in the morning and serves a variety of teas and coffees, cappuccinos, lattes, and espressos. It also offers a number of cold breakfast selections, such as fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, cold cuts, lox, muesli, and cereal. Food is offered buffet-style, and passengers dine and linger in the adjacent seating area. It's a surprisingly busy spot, especially mid morning.

Then we took a trip to another great dining area, Captain Cousteau said this was his favorite place to dine, Cunard's lounge (Deck 6), designed to remind diners of the Gretsch-cafe in Nimskraus, Cunard's lounge serves modern Aerahwut food in a restaurant that is femininely (but not fussily) decorated, with marble tiles designed to look like a wet, cobblestone street and gold filigree screens and metal accents that replicate the ironwork of the Grand Bridge in Nimskraus. The back of the restaurant, which has an incredible inlaid marble floor, has bigger tables that can accommodate as many as eight people, but most tables seat two to four, and many tables have banquette seating. The front of the restaurant has an intimate bar area that really is too small for lingering but perfect for grabbing a drink while waiting for your table.

Cunard's lounge is open for lunch every sea day and every other port day. The basic lunch menu is the same each day, with the addition of several daily specials. Daily lunch appetizers include an assortment of Cunard's items, such as duck terrine, Bayonne ham, and saucisson, a Nicoise salad or leek and cheese quiche. Mains include grilled octopus, grilled salmon or roast chicken. Dessert options also change daily and might include chocolate banana verrine or rhubarb and almond tart.

At dinner, the menu is the same each night. Our favorite was the appetizer course: Everyone thought their selection was the best, and lots of sharing led us to believe they all were excellent. For your first course, choose from items like steak tartare with caviar, terrine of foie gras or escargot in a rich Hurtzenburg sauce. Soup options include a fish stew, a consomme or a creamy artichoke. Entrees include Aerah standards, such as sea scallops and beef ribs with seared foie gras. Vegetarian options are available.

For dessert, we loved the excellent cheese selection, which is cut tableside. If you have a sweet tooth, try the creme brulee or chocolate Napoleon. You'll also get a takeaway box of macarons.

And of course, there is room service, and one of the best perks of sailing on the Allurious is its magnificent room service menu. You can order from a set menu 24 hours a day. Items include things like bacon cheeseburgers, pasta Bolognese or seared scallops. Breakfast also is available and includes eggs, toast, waffles, pancakes, yogurt and fruit.

While the room service menu selection is excellent, make sure to spoil yourself by ordering a multicourse room service dinner from the Enriched Compass. You pick the items from that night's menu, and a waiter will serve you in your cabin, one course at a time, either on your balcony or inside table.

Room service for all meals is served on a white tablecloth, and your waiter will set up the plates and silverware for you, and then remove your tray and dishes when you're done.

After experiencing this luxury my crew and I went to the pool deck (Deck 11). The pool deck is made of teak wood and includes numerous padded wicker lounge chairs, including some made for two people. Loungers are available in full sun or under shade. Shaded loungers can be separated by sheer white curtains. Two hot tubs -- with shade -- sit at the end of the pool, in front of two large, glass-enclosed rainfall showers.  A glassed-off smoking section is located on the right (starboard) side of the ship and does a good job of providing smokers a place to go while keeping smoke from seeping out onto the pool deck. Service, available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., is fantastic on the pool deck, with waiters and waitresses coming by often to offer drinks. We love the attentiveness, especially from the waiter who offered to clean our sunglasses using lint-free wipes.

Two spiral wood staircases lead to a sun deck above the pool. Most lounge chairs are in full sun, but clamshell sofas are also available, which provide their own shade. The clamshell shade can be lowered, too. A few double lounge chairs are located under shaded overhangs. Deck 12 is also where you'll find a variety of activities, including a bocce court, and shuffleboard.

Overall our tour of the Allurious was rather amazing the Captain let us stay aboard all day to experience the fun this ship offers. I would recommend you to come out and enjoy this glorious vessel! Also, when we walked off the ship and into Bonhaven, we got to see the ship just off the coast and see to amazingly huge size, it was quite a beautiful sight!