What was it like to be in first class on the R.M.S. Titanic?

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That's difficult to describe: by the standards of the day, it was the ultimate in luxury. By our standards, not so much. Pretty primitive, actually. Also, compared with modern cruise ships somewhat small and cramped in overall size.

Allow me to explain: I was cruise-expert for a travel agency. As such, I did a lot of cruises on various cruise lines. Among them the Rotterdam V, Queen Elisabeth 2 and the Big Red Boat. All of them were pretty much dated. Cabins were (relatively) small, with pretty spartan accommodation and facilities. However, the passengers of the Titanic would have been amazed at the large size and amenities of the cabins.

That's because I could compare them with, for example, the Rhapsody of the Seas, or the Queen Mary 2. Those were (then) brand-new ships, with the latest of the latest in features and gadgets. Today there are even much bigger ships with more on board. (Actually all cruise ships are currently laid up due to the covid pandemic.) Some cruise ships have rock climbing walls on the chimney, and an ice skating rink with a zamboni. The QM2 had a planetarium, which I really liked.

Short story: your great-grandparents had the time of their life in first class. Until the accident, of course. The idea of having an indoor ice skating rink on board would have been ludicrous to them.

I'd like to add that the Titanic was an ocean liner, not a cruise ship. An ocean liner is designed to transport people on a scheduled service across oceans, in every season. Modern cruise ships are designed to entertain people as floating hotels. Speed is not an issue, and bad weather is avoided as much as possible.

Aforementioned Rotterdam V, QE2 and the Big Red Boat were all converted ocean liners. As far as I know, no ocean liners are in service today, except for the QM2 (sometimes).

The big difference is that your great-grandparents were travelling from A to B. The luxury was an extra, and to pass the time. The journey itself was not the destination. Compare it today with a first class train and the Palace on Wheels. The latter is not a form of transport, but a destination on its own.

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