Here are some of the most extravagant first class cabins and amenities throughout history, from the Titanic to the Celebrity Edge

James PasleyFeb 4, 2023, 20:57 IST

William Wawick, captain of the QE2, in a mock up of a typical tourist class cabin in London, February 1968.Tom King/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Luxury vessels were designed to be so impressive the passengers would forget they were crossing an ocean.
Cruise ships in the past had Turkish baths, cafés, dog kennels, heated swimming pools, and tea gardens.

Ocean liners might not be the quickest way to get from one place to another, but they've often been the most luxurious.

This is no accident. These luxury vessels were designed to be so impressive the passengers would forget they were crossing an ocean.

They were a way for the wealthy to live like royalty.

Here are some of the most luxurious ocean liners and their cabins in recent history.

In 1901, the Prinzessin Victoria Luise was launched from Hamburg. This was the first ocean liner built specifically for luxury cruises, though it looked more like a yacht than a classic ocean liner.

An interior shot of the Prinzessin Victoria Luise.Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In 1901, the Prinzessin Victoria Luise was launched from Hamburg. This was the first ocean liner built specifically for luxury cruises, though it looked more like a yacht than a classic ocean liner.

In 1907, the Cunard Steamship Company launched the Mauretania and the Lusitania. These were two of the largest and fastest ocean liners in the world. They were the first of the "Grand Hotels" of the sea.

Men at work on the propellers of the RMS Mauretania.Firmin/Topical Press Agency/Getty

In 1907, the Cunard Steamship Company launched the Mauretania and the Lusitania. These were two of the largest and fastest ocean liners in the world. They were the first of the "Grand Hotels" of the sea.

At the start of the 20th century, a number of famous ocean liners were launched, including the RMS Olympic in 1910, featuring an elegant main staircase, as well as the Aquitania in 1913.

The entrance and main staircase of the RMS Olympic.Smith Collection/Gado/Getty

At the start of the 20th century, a number of famous ocean liners were launched, including the RMS Olympic in 1910, featuring an elegant main staircase, as well as the Aquitania in 1913.

Here is one of the rooms on the Olympic, known as the Chamber De Lux. The wallpaper appears to match the lining of the chairs.

Chamber De Lux aboard the RMS Olympic in 1914.Smith Collection/Gado/Getty

This one was called the stateroom. Mirror and drawers were provided, as well as a bunk bed to the right.

A stateroom on the Olympic in 1914.Smith Collection/Gado/Getty

If guests were tired of their rooms, there were a number of places they could go. Men could drink at one of the bars on the Mauretania.

Passengers drinking in one of the bars on board the Mauretania.Topical Press Agency/Getty

Guests could relax in salons, including this one known as the Louise XIV salon for first class members aboard the SS France.

The first class salon aboard the SS France.Neurdein/Roger Viollet/ Getty

Guests could play games out on deck. This was a high jump contest on the Franconia.

Passengers compete in a high jump contest on the deck of Franconia.Topical Press Agency/Getty

It wasn't just the men playing either. Women boxed aboard the Berengaria.

Two women passengers boxing aboard Cunard liner Berengaria.Topical Press Agency/Getty

In 1912, the Titanic, arguably the most famous cruise ship, set sail.

The first class living room of the White Star liner 'Titanic', circa 1912.Roger Viollet via Getty Images

First class passengers on the Titanic had it all — Turkish baths, a Parisian café, dog kennels, heated swimming pools, smoking rooms, and tea gardens. They could expect sparkling rooms on arrival, like this one being cleaned on the Mauretania.

A cabin class private lounge of the Mauretania receives a final polish.Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty

First class passengers on the Titanic had it all — Turkish baths, a Parisian café, dog kennels, heated swimming pools, smoking rooms, and tea gardens. They could expect sparkling rooms on arrival, like this one being cleaned on the Mauretania.

As the industry developed, details on the ships continued to evoke beautiful hotels. Here, an art deco door separates the smoking room and the grand saloon of a French liner called Normandie.

The art deco door between the smoking room and the grand saloon of the French liner Normandie.Fox Photos/Getty

As the industry developed, details on the ships continued to evoke beautiful hotels. Here, an art deco door separates the smoking room and the grand saloon of a French liner called Normandie.

Recreational areas on the Mauretania featured amenities from cane chairs and hanging plants to fireplaces and bookshelves in the writing room.

The library and writing room aboard the Mauretania as it appeared in a promotional brochure circa 1930.Universal History Archive/Getty Images

The luxury ocean liners industry slowed at the start of World War I and, although it picked up temporarily in the 1920s, the industry was weakened for decades due to the Great Depression and World War II.

Guests sitting on a lifeboat during a dance aboard Berengaria in 1929.W.G. Phillips/Topical Press Agency/Getty

The luxury ocean liners industry slowed at the start of World War I and, although it picked up temporarily in the 1920s, the industry was weakened for decades due to the Great Depression and World War II.

Not that they disappeared completely. Here is a first-class lobby of a German ocean liner called the Caribia. Note the guests' formal dress code and the ship's modern art decor.

The first class lobby aboard the German liner Caribia in 1930.Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty

Not that they disappeared completely. Here is a first-class lobby of a German ocean liner called the Caribia. Note the guests' formal dress code and the ship's modern art decor.

An attempt to revive the luxury ocean liners industry was made with the launch of Queen Mary in 1934. Bellhops brought fresh flowers to the guests.

Bellhops bring boxes of flowers to passengers on the Cunard White Star liner Queen Mary.Kurt Hutton/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty

The Queen Mary had a particularly luxurious restaurant. Above the guests dining in the restaurant was a map with a radiating light that pinpointed where the ocean liner was at all times.

Passengers on the new Queen Mary eating dinner in the restaurant.Hudson/Getty

The Queen Mary had a particularly luxurious restaurant. Above the guests dining in the restaurant was a map with a radiating light that pinpointed where the ocean liner was at all times.

In 1969, the Queen Elizabeth II was launched. Unlike the ocean liners of the early 20th century, the QE2, as it was fondly known, was designed to look more modern and sleek — almost like it was something from space.

The interior of the 'Queen's Room' on the Queen Elizabeth II liner.Hulton Archive/Getty

In 1969, the Queen Elizabeth II was launched. Unlike the ocean liners of the early 20th century, the QE2, as it was fondly known, was designed to look more modern and sleek — almost like it was something from space.

Guests could make calls from their bedrooms even while at sea.

A tourist makes a call in a stateroom aboard the Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship in 1975.Smith Collection/Gado/Getty

They could enjoy the comfortable upper deck library.

The comfortable seating of the upper deck library on board the luxury liner the Queen Elizabeth II.Peter King/Fox Photos/Getty

Or have fun swimming in the pool.

Passengers use the pool and sun on the deck of the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2.Nik Wheeler/Corbis via Getty Images

But though ocean liners were still taking people to popular destinations like Bermuda, it was another difficult period as commercial air travel began to dominate tourism in the late 1950s and 1960s.

A group of women on the deck of a cruise to Bermuda in 1961.Graphic House/Getty

But though ocean liners were still taking people to popular destinations like Bermuda, it was another difficult period as commercial air travel began to dominate tourism in the late 1950s and 1960s.

The need for speed was gone — now, the focus was about being on the ship. Ocean liners were converted into cruise ships.

Guests sip cocktails aboard a cruise ship off the coast of Norway.Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty

In 1988, the Sovereign of the Seas, the first of the mega cruise ships, was launched. Eleven years later, the Voyager of the Seas was launched, which offered both rock climbing and ice skating.

Crew members of the cruise boat 'Voyager of the Seas' look out from the gangplank on August 1, 2009, at the harbour of Marseille, southeastern France.PATRICK VALASSERIS/AFP via Getty Images

In 1988, the Sovereign of the Seas, the first of the mega cruise ships, was launched. Eleven years later, the Voyager of the Seas was launched, which offered both rock climbing and ice skating.

From the launch of the Sovereign of the Seas to now, modern cruise ships have provided more and more amenities, including extravagant performances, bumper cars, slides, zip lines, planetariums, casinos, and robotic bartenders. You name it, a cruise ship probably has it.

A magician performs on stage aboard the Princess Cruise ship, Emerald Princess, on June 3, 2016.James D. Morgan/Contributor/Getty Images

From the launch of the Sovereign of the Seas to now, modern cruise ships have provided more and more amenities, including extravagant performances, bumper cars, slides, zip lines, planetariums, casinos, and robotic bartenders. You name it, a cruise ship probably has it.

Interestingly, the class divide on cruises appears to be making a comeback.

Room service on the Seabourn Encore, not the Norwegian cruise line the Haven, in 2017.James D. Morgan/Getty

Regardless, guests can now experience luxury — from private villas with their own private plunge pool to leisure activities as quirky as silent discos — that the owners and designers of the first ocean liners could hardly have dreamed of.

A view of the luxury suite inside the Regent Seven Seas Voyager cruise ship which is currently berthed at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore on April 12, 2016.ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Regardless, guests can now experience luxury — from private villas with their own private plunge pool to leisure activities as quirky as silent discos — that the owners and designers of the first ocean liners could hardly have dreamed of.

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Here are some of the most extravagant first class cabins and amenities throughout history, from the Titanic to the Celebrity Edge

In 1901, the Prinzessin Victoria Luise was launched from Hamburg. This was the first ocean liner built specifically for luxury cruises, though it looked more like a yacht than a classic ocean liner.

In 1907, the Cunard Steamship Company launched the Mauretania and the Lusitania. These were two of the largest and fastest ocean liners in the world. They were the first of the "Grand Hotels" of the sea.

At the start of the 20th century, a number of famous ocean liners were launched, including the RMS Olympic in 1910, featuring an elegant main staircase, as well as the Aquitania in 1913.

Here is one of the rooms on the Olympic, known as the Chamber De Lux. The wallpaper appears to match the lining of the chairs.

This one was called the stateroom. Mirror and drawers were provided, as well as a bunk bed to the right.

If guests were tired of their rooms, there were a number of places they could go. Men could drink at one of the bars on the Mauretania.

Guests could relax in salons, including this one known as the Louise XIV salon for first class members aboard the SS France.

Guests could play games out on deck. This was a high jump contest on the Franconia.

It wasn't just the men playing either. Women boxed aboard the Berengaria.

In 1912, the Titanic, arguably the most famous cruise ship, set sail.

First class passengers on the Titanic had it all — Turkish baths, a Parisian café, dog kennels, heated swimming pools, smoking rooms, and tea gardens. They could expect sparkling rooms on arrival, like this one being cleaned on the Mauretania.

As the industry developed, details on the ships continued to evoke beautiful hotels. Here, an art deco door separates the smoking room and the grand saloon of a French liner called Normandie.

Recreational areas on the Mauretania featured amenities from cane chairs and hanging plants to fireplaces and bookshelves in the writing room.

The luxury ocean liners industry slowed at the start of World War I and, although it picked up temporarily in the 1920s, the industry was weakened for decades due to the Great Depression and World War II.

Not that they disappeared completely. Here is a first-class lobby of a German ocean liner called the Caribia. Note the guests' formal dress code and the ship's modern art decor.

An attempt to revive the luxury ocean liners industry was made with the launch of Queen Mary in 1934. Bellhops brought fresh flowers to the guests.

The Queen Mary had a particularly luxurious restaurant. Above the guests dining in the restaurant was a map with a radiating light that pinpointed where the ocean liner was at all times.

In 1969, the Queen Elizabeth II was launched. Unlike the ocean liners of the early 20th century, the QE2, as it was fondly known, was designed to look more modern and sleek — almost like it was something from space.

Guests could make calls from their bedrooms even while at sea.

They could enjoy the comfortable upper deck library.

Or have fun swimming in the pool.

But though ocean liners were still taking people to popular destinations like Bermuda, it was another difficult period as commercial air travel began to dominate tourism in the late 1950s and 1960s.

The need for speed was gone — now, the focus was about being on the ship. Ocean liners were converted into cruise ships.

In 1988, the Sovereign of the Seas, the first of the mega cruise ships, was launched. Eleven years later, the Voyager of the Seas was launched, which offered both rock climbing and ice skating.

From the launch of the Sovereign of the Seas to now, modern cruise ships have provided more and more amenities, including extravagant performances, bumper cars, slides, zip lines, planetariums, casinos, and robotic bartenders. You name it, a cruise ship probably has it.

Interestingly, the class divide on cruises appears to be making a comeback.

Regardless, guests can now experience luxury — from private villas with their own private plunge pool to leisure activities as quirky as silent discos — that the owners and designers of the first ocean liners could hardly have dreamed of.