Clive Palmer has always sated that he wants the Titanic II to look and feel as original as possible. Obviously, the ship will have modern engines, modern lifeboats , state-of-the-art control systems and communications equipment, but these will generally be hidden from view.
The original RMS Titanic had three classes of passenger accommodation: first, second and third. She could accommodate 833 fist class passengers, 614 second class and 100,6 third class. This makes a total of 2,453 berths.
Mr. Palmer has stated that the Titanic II will accommodate 2,435, so very similar to the original ship. However it is not clear if he will divide up the three classes in the same proportions.
Modern cruising is associated with luxury and luxury accommodation. However, Mr. Palmer has already stated that there will be no cabin TV’s, but the ship will be air-conditioned, unlike the original.
Given that Titanic’s third class areas were pretty cramped, Palmer may not want it to accommodate the full 1,010 passengers originally designated to this class. He may chose to expand the first class cabin provision and/or the first and second.
First and Second Class Accommodation
Although there were no private balconies onboard the original Titanic, her two grandest first class ‘Parlour Suites’ had two separate bedroom and a dining room and a private promenade – see image below. These suits also came with an ‘inside’ servants’ room. Bruce Ismay, Managing Director of the White Star Line, stayed in one of the Parlour Suites. ( So did ‘Rose’ in the 1997 Titanic movie).
The ‘regular’ first class cabins were the most ornate of the three classes and relatively spacious. They had very elaborate furniture and décor. However most did not have a port hole, so they were effectively “inside” cabins with no natural light. A recreation of these may not prove to be so attractive, to modern passengers, even assuming that a private bathroom was included in the design.
The second-class cabins were smaller and more basic, than the first class. They often had two upper and lower berths (bunk beds). However, I believe that these could also be recreated to look similar to the original designs and still be relatively attractive to modern passengers, assuming a private bathroom was included in the design, which the originals did not have.
It is worth noting that the original Titanic used many exotic woods for her décor, fixture and fittings, such as the Oak ‘Grand Staircase. However solid wood no longer meets modern maritime fire/safety regulations. Veneers must be used instead.
For Mr. Palmer recreating the third class accommodation, often called ‘steerage’, presents a major design dilemma between creating a cabin with modern comforts and one that is authentic.
Steerage Accommodation
Titanic’s third-class cabins were the cheapest, most basic onboard. These were in the least desirable parts of the ship, deeper within the hull, often the bow or stern, near the steerage mechanism, hence the nickname. None of them had port holes and were susceptible to noise, vibration, heat and fumes. (See diagram below: key = Magenta/Third Class)
These steerage cabins accommodated up to 1,100 passengers, in close proximity to each other. These cabins were spread over four decks. The cabins décor was just the riveted metal hull, painted white and the fixtures and fittings were more minimalist, than the second class cabins. There was a sink and mirror, with multiple bunk beds (at least four berths). There were no private bathrooms. In fact there were only a few shared toilets and one bath, for the whole ‘steerage’ deck, used by 1,100 passengers. However, the living conditions and food were actually better than their occupants were used to.
Modern Cruise Expectations
Big modern cruise ships have thousands of balcony cabins. There are normally some more modest (cheaper) inside window-less cabins on offer, but even these are quite comfortable, with aircon, TV’s and private bathrooms (sink, toilet and shower). They are hardly ‘steerage’
If the steerage accommodation was faithfully re-created on-board the Titanic II, I believe that few modern cruise passengers would want to book it. They would not tolerate such low standards of accommodation for a holiday. After all, cruising is associated with luxury.
Most cruise passengers are couples, then families (more than two passengers in a party) followed by some singles.
I can imagine that some couples and the occasional family, who were dedicated Titanic fans, might tolerate a small windowless cabin with upper and lower berths (commonly known as bunk beds) for reasons of authenticity. Assuming that the fare was very low. However they definitely would NOT tolerate sharing a bathroom with other passengers. I wouldn’t.
There are no renderings yet, of the steerage cabins from the Blue Star Line. However, I had heard that Mr. Palmer had created mock-up’s of cabins, for inspection, in the early years, of the Titanic II project. I have also heard rumours that the Titanic’s ‘steerage’ cabins would be of a ‘regular’ modern inside cabin design, with each cabin having two lower berths (or a double bed) and a private bathroom. This is the minimum specification, that will sell reasonably well. However it’s far from authentic.
I do wonder if it is possible to create a steerage cabin that looks authentic, with a hidden door, where the private bathroom is located?
It will be interesting to see how Mr. Palmer and the naval architects, ‘Deltamarin’, resolve the tension between comfort and authenticity.
Malcolm
See my page about the Titanic II dining rooms – HERE
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