The Titanic and her sister ships made up the ‘Olympic class’ vessels of the White Star Line. This revolutionary new fleet of liners were specifically designed to cater for an elite class of passengers. To this end, only the very best décor and fittings were used in the liner – and, by any standards, the Titanic was a highly luxurious and grand passenger liner.
From the Officers’ Quarters and Wheelhouse to the Sun Deck, dining areas and bedrooms, only the very finest in fixtures and fittings were used during the construction and decorating of the Titanic. The staterooms were richly decorated in a selection of ornate period styles, including Louis XVI, Louis XV, Georgian and Queen Anne.
The White Star Line described the first class parlour suite B57 on the Titanic as follows; “The Staterooms in their situation, spaciousness and appointments will be perfect havens of retreat where many pleasant hours are spent, and where the time given to slumber and rest will be free from noise or other disturbance”.
The third class accommodation was also vastly improved in comparison to older liners. There were 84 two-berth cabins available for third class passengers on the Titanic. Each cabin had bunk beds for the use of between 4 and 6 people, some small storage space and a sink with fresh water. Six occupant cabins were used to accommodate families.
The third class two-berth stateroom on the Titanic was described by The White Star Line as follows; “The accommodation for third class passengers in these steamers is also of a very superior character, the public rooms being large, airy apartments, suitably furnished, and in excellent positions, and the same applies to the third-class staterooms and berths”.
Naturally, the difference between first class and third class dwellings differed somewhat – however, it was the aim of the Titanic to set a new trend in the décor and size of passenger liners.