ssMaritime.net
MV Doulos
“A Ship Like no
Other”
Now Permanently Based in
Welcome aboard
the Historic
Greek
for … “Servant Light”
Ex SS Medina, SS Roma, MS Franca C & MV Doulos
Photographed by and © copyright 2010 Stewart Mandy
Please Note: “
*I
wish to thank the Saw family for the information contained on this page, as
well as all the illustrations, which have been sourced from their newly updated
website on the ship that is currently undergoing her refit!
If you have read my “MV Doulos
– A Ship Like No Other” online book, you will be well aware of the
long and rich history of this superb close to a century-old ex cargo ship,
passenger liner, luxury cruise ship and the GBA / OM Christian missionary
vessel and Book Shop. But now she is receiving a total face lift and she will
have a whole new flavour and vital character for her modern day duties as a fulltime tourist facility to be
permanently berthed in the beautiful City of Singapore!
For those
who love all things old and historic, especially things maritime, come and
discover an age-old compass, or a menu from her famous MS Franca-C cruising
days, as well as a cabin that has been totally left untouched. In addition you
will find an original 1914 timber staircase and all of these will give you an
amazing view back into time when she was built in 1914, just two years after
the ill-fated Titanic, yet at the same time we know that this great piece of
maritime history is now assured of a long and a good future as she steps up
into her new role, mostly thanks to the Saw family who purchased he after a
mighty battle by the author Pastor (Dr.) Reuben Goossens, as founder and
president of the “Save The Classic Liners Campaign,” which stopped
her previous owners from selling the MV Doulos to the Indian breakers, as their
own emails told me, at the very last moment!
Thus,
whilst it is said that the Doulos Phos will be ‘all-new’, the truth
is that what the Saw family is really giving world is something that is
historically worthy and monumental, but, she will be made new, yet without
compromising the historic ship too much!
Below are just some of the wonderful features that will be found on the Doulos Phos!
Maritime Museum:
Doulos Phos
is in reality the main display and thus she is the Main Star of the event and
that is why the
The ship
will have a what is called a “walk-through concept” museum, where visitors
will be taken on a guided tour from the hot and noisy engine room down from the
bottom deck of the ship, up to the Boat Deck where lifeboats are poised ready
for deployment, and then to what was in reality the working hearty of the ship
the Bridge where Captains took control of the ship during peace time and during
two World Wars as she continually crossed the Atlantic that was filled with
U-Boats ready to put a torpedo into her hull! But whilst you are on board the
world’s most amazing ship you can get up close up with some very real,
functional marine equipment that was in use from as early as 1914 right up to
up to December 2009. The compass on the bridge was actually built for a much
earlier ship but was not used until the SS Medina in 1914, thus it pre-dates
1914, and it has been left in its original condition, as is so much on the
Bridge, which will make for a very realistic maritime experience!
However,
be prepared the highlight of the tour will without a doubt exploring the 60-m
long propeller shaft tunnel, where you can view the original 1914 solid steel
propeller shaft that runs from the engine room all the way to the stern and her
single screw.
Accommodations:
Accommodations will be based on two decks and there will be some seventy rooms ranging from the basic accommodations to the luxurious, original shipboard to avant-garde, in other words there will be something suit everybody!
The idea is to make your Doulos Phos
experience complete by spending a night or two on the ships hotel, which is the
first of its kind in
In addition to the hotel rooms and suites, there is also a cluster of 6-bedder ‘Longhouse’ cabins, which are ideal for youth groups and other interest groups. Then there are a number of one-of-a-kind “Experience” cabins, which have been left in their original condition from the MV Doulos’ sailing days, thus you also can experience the ship in her original condition and yet save money at the same time!
Food and Beverage:
Inspired
by the multi-national crew of MV Doulos, BizNaz
Resources will offer the spectacular “50 Nations Buffet & Grill” which
will feature the very best of many cuisines from around the world, converging
in a sumptuous, all-you-can-eat buffet! This “Buffet & Grill”
is located up on the Boat Deck level, aft where the famed Doulos Book
Exhibition used to be, “50 Nations Buffet & Grill” will occupy
some of the most precious space on the ship, the same place when she used to be
a super luxury cruise ship, where the pool used to be and holiday makers would
enjoy like at its very best, but now it is food from around the world with a
view which will be sublime, thus two great things will merge, great food and
superb City views! You will get that “top-of-the-ship feeling” from
this semi-al-fresco outlet which by itself is enough to promise you a unique
and memorable dining experience, and this is only the beginning!
Doulos Phos has a good number of F&B outlets, including a wine bar and a café, making the Doulos Phos the perfect sundown destination at the end of a busy day, be it after a day sightseeing, shopping in the Singapore tourist city, working for the local’s, or whatever reason you may have to visit this superb ship, be assured there will be something special to discover the moment you set food on board!
Adding to the selection of unique dining options on board is the air-conditioned restaurant space on the Promenade Deck. With its characteristic low ceiling and the front stairwell descending directly into the middle of its dining hall, this facility makes for an excellent early 1900’s-style themed eatery.
Come sundown, the wine bar on the Lounge Deck, situated close to the bow of the ship, is the place to be at for a drink or two in an atmosphere that is both casual and chic at the same time. Overlooking the forecastle and with its flanks on both starboard and portside, the wine bar promises an awesome view for every seat in the house.
The Bookshop:
In keeping with the MV Doulos tradition of ‘good books for all’, a Lifestyle Bookshop is in the cards for Doulos Phos.
The bookshop planned for Doulos Phos is all about life; about living it to the fullest by being healthy, happy and wise. Catering to a niche market of people who believe that ‘there’s gotta be more to life than chasing down every temporary high’, the hallmark of this bookshop is its good mix of books and activities aimed at enhancing lives and relationships.
Indeed, there’s a difference between living and living well. And a
difference between reading all about it and having the books come to
life… in style.
The Forecastle
Amphitheatre:
Always bringing to mind that famous scene from the movie Titanic, the forecastle boasts one of the most breathtaking views from on board.
Whether you’re an aspiring musician or a renowned soprano, a budding soapbox speaker or an accomplished toastmaster, this is a place you would want to add to the string of locations where you have performed!
Located at the very front of the ship on the Promenade Deck, the Forecastle Amphitheatre is an outdoor performing arts venue which in itself provides all the inspiration you need for a dazzling performance. It comprises a stage with stairways dramatically descending on its two sides and the overhanging wine bar as a backdrop, as well as rows of timber seats ascending right to the peak of the forecastle, for an audience of seventy.
Occupying nearly half of the Lounge Deck, our versatile banquet hall can accommodate up to 250 dining guests, or up to 400 in theatre-style. Complete with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and a business centre that will cater to every need.
The Doulos Phos catering kitchen whips up mouth watering delights befitting of any and every occasion. Trained and skilled in many different cuisines, our team of chefs prepares your favourite food, just the way you want it, making sure your guests have a delightful and memorable experience on board!
From the author’s private
collection
SS Roma a rather spartan migrant & pilgrim
passenger ship
From the author’s Private collection
For a comprehensive history on
this superb ship read:
Visit the
www.riverboat.com.sg and
www.facebook.com/doulos.phos
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If you have enjoyed this feature and you
feel you might have something of interest to add, be it a story or some
photographs, I would appreciate hearing from you!
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