The Great Liners (2024)

22/01/2024

The Ritz-Carlton Restaurant | MAJESTIC
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Poised to ensure transatlantic dominance for Germany, the three ships designed by Albert Ballin were larger and more luxurious than any ships afloat. More than 70 feet longer than the Titanic, the Imperator class vessels utilized improved steam turbines for all four propellers. The interiors of the ships were revolutionary as well. Exhaust vents from the boilers to the funnels were routed in a way to allow for long expansive interior spaces yet unseen on the ocean. As the world's largest ship, the Majestic has a claim to distinction apart even from that of her celebrated associates, while the proportions and elegance of her passenger accommodations are in consonance with her size and dignity.

Ballin absolutely decided to leave the speed records to other shipping lines and instead invested in the more meaningful long-term goal of passenger comfort. Building an ocean liner of such size and splendor cost 40 million marks and each mark spent was evident in the luxury on board the Imperator Class of liners.

It was now safe to say that passenger ships had come a long way: from the small diminutive Britannia of 1840. Of course technically, with their palational public spaces and top-level interior-design but as well considering the impeccable service offered on board. They were now deservedly called Floating Palaces. Indeed they matched the likes of e.g. the Ritz Carlton hotels but this was only true for a specific part of the vessel, namely first class, where the rich and famous bathed in luxury.
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21/01/2024

First Class Palm Court | MAJESTIC
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The lofty heights of Majestic's First Class public apartments continued aft on the Promenade Deck (Deck B) through the foyer into the Palm Court. This large room was located forward of the Á La Carte Reataurant and connected to it by a wide staircase, creating a sweeping view through both rooms. The ivory white ceiling of this room was supported by imposing plaster Corinthian pillars. The entire apartment was exceptionally bright and airy. It was decorated with great palms and furnished with cane seating arranged intimately around small tables.

The windows extended almost the full height of the ceiling and were draped in light muslin fabric. After-dinner coffee was served in this room both for the connecting Restaurant and the main Dining Saloon. During the day, the Palm Court served as a winter garden where passengers could while after the afternoon in conversation or take light refreshments.
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Cabin Liners © |

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20/01/2024

1st Class Staterooms | MAJESTIC
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The stateroom accommodations offered to Majestic's First Class passengers were unsurpassed in their comfort and spaciousness. The two 'Regal' suites, located slightly forward of amidships on Deck C, were the largest of the numerous suite arrangements available. Embracing eight rooms in total, these two suites each comprised two large bedrooms with connecting bathrooms and toilets, a living room with private sun verandah, an additional bathroom, a wardrobe room, and a maid's room. The bedrooms of these suites were decorated handsomely with inlaid wall panelling. The White Star Line boasted that each bedroom was fitted with luxuries seldom found at sea such as vanity cabinets with full-length triple mirrors, spacious wardrobes fitted with electric lighting, and modern bathroom amenities. Every room in the apartment communicated with the private verandah extending to the side of the ship. It was fitted with paved flooring and furnished with cushioned cane furniture. Flower gardens were fitted along the windows which opened directly onto the sea, proving an idyllic sheltered space away from the promenade decks.

The Majestic was fitted with an impressive number of suites in different arrangements. Further aft of the 'Regal' suites were two 'Parlour' suites comprising two bedrooms, sitting room, private bathroom and toilet, and wardrobe room. These were located adjacent to two smaller suites, almost identical except that they embraced only one bedroom, providing a suitable suite option for couples or free-spending single passengers. A further six of such suites were available on Deck D. In anticipation of the growing demand for private bathroom facilities, a further twenty staterooms on Deck D were fitted with en-suite bathrooms, including two single berth rooms, a rare feature even in First Class travel. Comfortable fitted bedsteads were installed in every room and Pullman berths were fitted to only four of the staterooms on the upper decks. All staterooms were furnished with full-height wardrobes, capacious sideboards and dressing tables, upholstered armchairs, and washstands fitted with hot and cold water.
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19/01/2024

1st Class Pompeian Swimming Bath | MAJESTIC
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The grandeur and spaciousness of the Majestic's public apartment were no less pronounced in her leisure facilities. Her Swimming Baths were located in a double-height apartment entered from the main foyer forward of the First Class Dining Saloon. Evoking the atmosphere of Roman baths, this apartment was decorated in a Pompeian style using a series of rich marbles and elegant red mosaics. The room was supported by impressive Doric columns whilst the gallery on the upper-level was surrounded by green metal banisters topped with gold handrails. Passengers entered the Swimming Baths from the upper-deck and descended to the pool level down a sweeping staircase. The lower landing of the staircase was adorned with an impressive water fountain carved from white marble.

The pool itself extended over eight-hundred-and-twenty square feet, with its depth varying between three and nine feet. As was customary for ship design of the age, the pool was filled with warmed salt water pumped from the sea. The total volume of one-hundred-and-twenty tons of water could be filled in approximately twenty-five minutes. Large light-fixtures on the ceiling, secured behind a vast glass panel, flooded the pool with generous amounts of light despite the absence of any natural source. Dressing rooms for passengers were located around the side of the pool itself. The Swimming Baths were also complimented by a wider range of leisure facilities including a suite of Turkish and electric baths. A barber's shop and ladies' hairdresser were located on Deck C. The services of a masseuse, manicurist, and pedicurist were also available to First Class passengers adjacent to the Swimming Baths.
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Cabin Liners© |

British Titanic Society

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18/01/2024

À La Carte Restaurant | MAJESTIC
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In addition to the main Dining Saloon, passengers in First Class could purchase some of the finest food at sea in a seperate Á La Carte Restaurant. The Restaurant was located on the Promenade Deck (A-deck), directly aft of the Palm Court and connected to it by a curved staircase. This open plan arrangement provided a two-hundred-and-fifty feet long vista in total from the forward end of the Lounge to the farthest aft wall of the Restaurant. The decorative scheme of the Restaurant was Empire style, the walls being decorated in cedar mahogany panelling with gilded detailing. Corinthian columns supported the ceiling. The room was crowned by a dome adorned with delicate plaster detailing. Tall windows draped in rose and green silks provided the room with natural light as well as sweeping views across the deck outside. The floor was covered in plush carpets in rose and olive colours whilst the tables were laid out in intimate arrangements of two, four, or six seats. Individual table lamps provided diners with softer lighting.

The Restaurant accommodated one-hundred-and-thirty-three diners. As meals taken in the Restaurant were not included in the price of a ticket, passengers were expected to arrange a table reservation by contacting the company office or restaurant manager. If the passenger elected to take all meals in the Restaurant rather than the Dining Saloon, an allowance ($25 in 1928) was taken from the passage rate. It was expected that the passenger would arrange this prior to boarding or, provided that adequate space was available, with the Purser no later than twenty-four hours after sailing departure. Meals in the Restaurant could be obtained at any time between 8am and 11pm.
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Cabin Liners© |

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17/01/2024

First Class Dining Saloon | MAJESTIC
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The First Class Dining Saloon was located on F-deck. Like most of Majestic's principal public rooms, it was an extremely spacious room with noticeable height and airiness. The room could seat six-hundred-and-fifty-four diners (1928) at tables accommodating anything from two to eight persons. Dining was arranged across a single deck but the room extended in height into a lofty open-well above the middle of the room. This central hall was supported by a series of imposing Ionic pillars which extended into large archways surrounding the room, creating a gallery on the upper-deck. A musicians platform was fitted at the aft end of the gallery from which the ship's orchestra played for the benefit of the passengers dining below. The gallery was fitted with green metal balustrades and surrounded with generously sized curved windows allowed additional lighting to enter the room from the adjoining corridors.

The decorative scheme employed in the room was fresh and dignified. The walls are plastered in white and cream. Large windows hung with rose silk surrounded the room, providing diners with plenty of natural light during the day. The most impressive decorative feature was the fresco-painted dome which took the total height of the apartment to 31 feet from floor to ceiling. Electric lighting was abundant throughout the dining saloon to ensure a bright and airy atmosphere at all times of day. In addition to light fixtures around the ceiling, numerous tall lamps with soft pink shades were fitted to the dining tables. The dining chairs were upholstered in floral patterns in light shades of pink and green whilst crisp white linen was adopted as part of the table service.
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Cabin Liners© |

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16/01/2024

The Smoking Room | MAJESTIC
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The First Class Smoking Room was located at the forward end of the Sun Deck (Deck A), reached from the Promenade Deck (Deck B) below from the sweeping forward-staircase. Perhaps the best location for observation anywhere aboard ship, the room's large front windows provided passengers with stunning views over the bow and the sea ahead. The decorative scheme of this spacious room was based upon the great halls of Tudor mansions. The walls were panelled in carved English oak and hung with large paintings. A rafter ceiling was supported by oak panelled pillars and the decorative frieze surrounding the room was hung with the arms of the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge universities. Turning back towards the entrance, passengers would directly face an imposing stone fireplace complete with a real log-burning fire. Models of English crusaders dressed in chain mail sat on either side of the fireplace overlooking the large settees beneath. The room was furnished with heavy oak and mahogany tables accompanied by leather-covered chairs. Stained glass designs adorned the inner panels of the windows and doors. This impressive apartment created the atmosphere of an exclusive private members' club and it was principally used by gentleman for smoking, drinking, and playing cards.
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Cabin Liners© |

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15/01/2024

First Class Drawing Room | MAJESTIC
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Located forward of the Lounge and directly beneath the Smoking Room was the Drawing Room, sometimes also referred to as the 'Library' or 'Reading & Writing Room'. This apartment was decorated in an 18th century style reminiscent of the stylistic features of Wedgwood porcelain. Its walls and ceiling were decorated with delicate plaster detailing which was painted in ivory white and soft blue tones. The wall panelings were decorated with large paintings and the room was furnished with plush armchairs, settees, and library chairs in the Queen Anne style.

Large individual writing desks were provided around the Drawing Room, supplied with a plentiful supply of stationary and writing paper. The room was also fitted with large glass-fronted bookcases from which an extensive number of books could be browsed and borrowed by passengers. Lighting was provided by tall floor-standing lamps fitted with blue silk shades as well as small frosted glass light fittings on the ceiling. Natural light was provided by the large windows, providing views out onto the enclosed promenade deck. The overall impression of the room was like an elegant drawing room or library in a private mansion.
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Cabin Liners |

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14/01/2024

The 1st Class Lounge | MAJESTIC
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The main Lounge for First Class passengers was certainly one of the most impressive public apartments aboard Majestic. Lofty and spacious, the room extended two decks at a height of twenty-six feet (eight meters) topped with a wrought iron dome extending over an area of thirty-six-hundred square feet. The dome was filled with crystal panes and brightly illuminated at night by concealed light fixtures behind. The walls were panelled in oak adorned with hand-carved decorations in French style. Extending around the room were tall French windows which allowed plentiful natural light to flood the room during the day.

Unbroken by any walls or pillars, the view from one end of the Lounge to the other was that of a grand hall, arranged in perfect symmetry. The forward end wall was fitted with a large stage which was easily visible from anywhere in the room. Music and dancing were especially popular pastimes on Majestic and an impressively sized grand piano was placed on the stage for the entertainment of passengers. The Lounge was also fitted with a dance floor which filled the middle of the room. The plush carpets were rolled back each evening to allow the room to be used as a dance hall after dinner. Almost five-hundred passengers could be accommodated in the room for concerts, the dance floor having space for one-hundred couples.
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Cabin Liners |

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13/01/2024

Foyer & Entrance to the 1st Class Lounge | MAJESTIC
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The room was accessed from the foyers on either side through large wrought iron and glass doorways. The main foyer aft of the Lounge allowed access to the sweeping main staircase. Two impressive mezzanine galleries looked down from the Sun Deck above and electric elevators provided access to every deck of First Class accommodation.

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Cabin Liners |
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12/01/2024

another view of the First Class Entrance & Lobby | 𝘔𝘈𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘛𝘐𝘊
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White Star Line would operate the world's largest liner from 1922 until 1935. Launched as the S.S. Bismarck for the Hamburg-America Line in 1914, she had been the largest of Albert Ballin's trio of superliners designed to surpass his British competitors. History was unkind to Ballin's vision. Bismarck remained incomplete upon the outbreak of war in 1914, only to be appropriated for the British Government by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Rechristened as R.M.S. Majestic, the giant vessel finally sailed on her maiden voyage from Southampton on 11th May 1922. From unhappy circumstances, White Star Line found themselves with a new flagship, not only the largest, but also one of the best appointed and most popular ships on the North Atlantic.

R.M.S. Majestic earned the affectionate name, 'The Magic Stick'. Her interiors were vast, employing lofty spaciousness on a scale previous unseen aboard a ship.
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Cabin Liners |

www.cabinliners.com/majestic
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11/01/2024

The 1st class Entrance & Lobby of White Star Line's MAJESTIC
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"The Majestic: A Timeless Icon of Luxury and Elegance" step aboard the RMS Majestic, a magnificent vessel that epitomized the grandeur of ocean travel. Designed and nearly completed by the Germans as the Bismarck, she was ceded to the Britain following the great World War as reparations.

Her size, prestige and luxurious interiors made her of one the mot popular and profitable liners on the North Atlantic prior to the Great Depression. This was era of furious competition when national prestigious was reflection the liners and “biggest,” “longest,” “fastest,” and “most luxurious” could mean the difference between profit and ruin. She crossed the Atlantic in five days, carrying 2,145 passengers (750 first class, 545 second class, 850 third class). The interiors during this period would never be seen aboard passengers ships after World War II.

Shown here is the First Class Main Entrance located at the B-Deck. This majestic ship was a masterpiece of engineering and design. With its sleek exterior and impressive size of 56, 551 tons, it truly stood as one of the largest ships afloat during its time. As you explore its opulent interiors, you are transported back to an era where luxury knew no bounds.
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credits -:

www.mediastorehouse.com/galleries/rms-majestic

www.cruiselinehistory.com/cruise-history-henry-ford-fred-astaire-and-paul-robeson-aboard-the-ss-majestic-cunardwhite-star-line-the-worlds-largest-liner-during-crossing-the-1920s/
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10/01/2024

B I S M A R C K
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Remarkably, the Atlantic liner that was the largest moving object in the world from her launch on June 20, 1914 through October 29, 1932, when the French liner Normandie was launched, never made a voyage under her original name. Originally built for the Hamburg-Amerika Line by the Blohm & Voss shipyard, the Bismarck was six feet longer than her sister Vaterland. The 56,000 tonne vessel began to slide down the slipway, gathering more and more speed as Germany’s latest superliner, and the then largest ship ever created, plunged into the Elbe river. With that, the last of Ballin’s trio of giants had begun its life. Fitting out was due to be completed so the vessel would be ready to sail by the summer of 1915. The Hamburg-Amerika director could look forward to cementing his company’s dominance of the transatlantic trade, and to a bright future where his nation’s commerce and culture, exemplified through his ships, would shape the globe. To Ballin it seemed as if his field really was the world.

But only about a month after her launch, the WW1 broke out. Work on her fitting out slowed and eventually stopped; she was laid up, incomplete and decaying, throughout the war.

Following the Armistice, Bismarck was handed over to the Allies as part of war reparations. In the end, the White Star Line purchased her and renamed her the Majestic.

The behemoth liner was completed at the Blohm & Voss yards to White Star’s specifications, although it was clear that the Germans were not particularly happy about losing their greatest accomplishment to the British. In the end, when White Star arrived to formally take possession of the ship, they found her painted in HAPAG colors, and under her original name and registry, along with a few other surprises. After successfully passing these tests, some more work to complete her was carried out, and she arrived in Southampton on April 10, 1922, now under White Star’s colors, and with her new name.

Once again, the White Star Line had the largest liner in the world in their stables. For the remainder of her career, the Majestic proved to be a much-loved and popular vessel.
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credits-atlanticliners.com

07/01/2024

The Ritz-Carlton Restaurant | VATERLAND
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On the SS Vaterland*, like on her sisters was the “Ritz-Carlton”-run restaurant, and this room specifically drew a crowd. It had been done up in a completely different lay-out and design to that of the early SS Imperator, and the later SS Bismarck. Things seemed to truly be looking up for Germany!

However, the Great War which reared its ugly head in 1914 put a stop to the Albert Ballin-owned trio — all of them seeing use during the war, and subsequently being seized, renamed and taken up by different shipping lines, none of them German.
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*note : The first two pictures are of the SS Leviathan. They have been included here as the changes were minimal as compared to ex-SS Vaterland. For any picture removal or objection, kindly message me.
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06/01/2024

entrance to the Ritz-Carlton restaurant | VATERLAND
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A new type of room on these liners—one that was characteristically Edwardian—debuted on German ships at this time: the “a la carte restaurant.” Albert Ballin, the director of the Hamburg-America line, tapped Cezar Ritz (see a trend here?) to operate and manage restaurants on German ships. These restaurants would be billed extra on top of the already exorbitant first-class ticket prices. They were not only a way to make additional money, but also a way for first-class passengers to further exhibit their wealth by ordering extravagant meals. Restaurants quickly showed up on the ships of other lines, from White Star Line to the French Line.
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archive.curbed.com/2017/6/29/15892518/gilded-age-ocean-liner-history-first-class
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05/01/2024

The Winter Garden | VATERLAND
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The lavish First Class Winter Garden / Palm Court on the Vaterland in 1913 could leave anyone spellbound even today. So beautiful was the décor on these liners, so fine the food, so gorgeous the setting - more than the equal of any grand hotel - that the moneyed, voguish passengers felt challenged to live up to it (and each other).
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credits -:

oceanlinersblog.wordpress.com

www.cruiseshipodyssey.com/the-floating-palaces
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04/01/2024

First Class Palm Court | VATERLAND
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Views here is of the Palm Court / Winter Garden, an exceptional first class spaces that existed on the Ballin trio of ships. Vaterland was introduced from the start with lighter interior fittings and better ballast design and suffered little of those stability issues as compared to her predecessor. The main public rooms took advantage of an unusual arrangement of the routing from boiler to stack along the sides rather than center to feature long and unbroken access from a replica of the New York Ritz-Carlton Restaurant main dining room forward to the lounge and ball room aft. Certainly, the ship’s interiors did not disappoint. First Class boasted public areas such as a Winter Garden, Social Hall, Grill Room and Smoking Room. There was also an entire row of shops, a travel bureau, bank and a gymnasium and pool complex.
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credits -:

thegreatoceanliners.com/articles/vaterland

oceanlinersblog.wordpress.com

Alarmy.com
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03/01/2024

First Class Staterooms | VATERLAND
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When the gigantic ship’s fitting out was completed in spring 1914, Hamburg-Amerika could boast the largest rooms afloat; ranging from first-class ‘Imperial’ suites with their own private bathrooms and verendahs, to a series of vast public rooms, spanning the length and width of the entire superstructure. Passengers could walk through each consecutive room via giant double doors, embossed with elaborate gilt-work ‘V’s, traversing the skylit Social Hall, before reaching the Smoking Room, adorned in tooled leather and stained glass inserts depicting the various kingdoms within the German Empire.

The accommodations were richly appointed in keeping with the best liners of the day. First class cabins, for the first time, had hot and cold running water public rooms may properly be described as plush, even extravagant passenger service was attentive and unflawed. Upper deck guests could perambulate as they might at home. There were accommodations for the 750 first class passengers, 535 in second class, 850 in third class, and 1,536 in fourth class.

*As reconditioned the Leviathan will accommodate a total of 3,402 passengers — 976 first-class, 548 second-class and 1,878 third-class.

Note* - The first three pictures shown are of the SS Leviathan. Due to scarcity of available pictures of Vaterland's suites, these have been included as they varied less. For any picture removal or objection, kindly message me.
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credits -:

ggarchives.com/OceanTravel/Brochures/USL-1923-TheSteamshipLeviathan

oceanlinersblog.wordpress.com

www.cruiselinehistory.com/britain-on-the-eve-of-the-great-war
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#1913 #1920

02/01/2024

First Class Swimming Pool | VATERLAND
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Everything about the German flagship seemed to be enormous, perhaps out of scale, on the large side for the times. She was constructed by the famous Blohm & Voss yard in Hamburg for the Hamburg Amerika Line and launched for trans Atlantic passenger service on April 3, 1913. To provide an unhindered passage through the saloons, the smoke diversion to the funnels was laid at the sides. Nothing like it had been seen before.
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credits :-

www.cruiselinehistory.com/britain-on-the-eve-of-the-great-war
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The Great Liners