Before the Titanic struck and iceberg and sunk in the ocean, life was rather brilliant aboard the massive ship. Those who stood by to watch the Titanic set sail marveled at the ship’s size while passengers viewed the luxurious decorations and furnishings that spanned from the dining room to the state rooms.
Dining
The dining room stretched across 114 feet of space. It also spanned across the width of the ship, allowing passengers to see the ocean no matter which table they were sitting at when they were eating. Passengers in the first-class areas of the Titanic were treated to delicious meals throughout the day and even a few treats when they were requested.
Reception space
Passengers wanted other people to notice them. One way they accomplished this was by sitting in the reception area just outside of the dining room. The reception area was filled with colors of gold, ivory, and burgundy as well as many other elegant shades. Similar areas where passengers would often sit to be seen included the verandas and the smoking room.
Cabins
When passengers wanted to retreat to their cabins for some quiet time or to sleep, they were greeted with a comfortable bed and a separate suite if they were fortunate enough to have one of the 39 private cabins. The walls were designed with wood, and the furniture was often made so that each piece looked as though it was customized. Various types of wood were used when crafting the furniture for the cabins including oak and sycamore.
Expenses
When it came to money spent on building the Titanic and making sure it was outfitted with only the best from the front of the ship to the rear, no expense was spared. Over $7 million was spent building the Titanic. This was a rather large amount in 1912 and would be comparable to about $180 million if the ship was built today. Tickets to board the ship were about $2,500.
Third-class
Even though the third-class passengers weren’t in areas as nice as those in the first-class part of the ship, they were still privileged to be on the Titanic due to a limited number of passengers being able to sail on its maiden voyage. Most of the passengers in the third-class areas were immigrants who were trying to reach the United States. They would stay busy by drinking with each other, singing, playing instruments, and playing games.
Second-class
The second-class passengers were able to listen to a live band and were treated to meals that were similar to those in first-class. Their cabins weren’t as extravagant, but they were comfortable compared to the beds passengers had in third-class.
Animals
Passengers were allowed to have animals on the ship. They were usually only kept by first-class passengers, and unfortunately, many of them perished when the ship sank.
Troubling situations
For third-class passengers, they shared a few troubles on the ship. The plumbing wasn’t perfect, leading to clogged toilets. There were two bathtubs that 700 passengers had to share, resulting in short baths and warm water that was in short supply.
