A Journey Back in Time: What was it like on a Cruise Ship… in the Golden Days!

Welcome aboard a time machine… a journey back in time, delving into the opulent and glamorous world of cruising, and ocean liners, during the period spanning the 1920s to the 1960s. Join us as we unveil the allure of this bygone era, exploring what it was truly like to travel on an a ocean liner, and then later on as a cruise ship, during the golden age of ocean voyages.

We look at the original, and magnificent Cunard liners, Including the Queen Mary, and the Queen Elizabeth, and other luxury ships of the era.

And the battle for the trans Atlantic route with the SS Normandie, and the SS United States. This is a light hearted documentary, looking through the archives at how world travel really used to feel like!

Up until the 1950s and 60s the majority of these famous ships were in fact Ocean Liners, going from point A to point B, as a means of transportation; later on, as the aviation industry cut into their business, and they were in financial danger, they evolved into travelling for leisure. Circling the globe for vacations. And thus ‘Cruising’ was born. The ship and hull designs changed, and they became more leisure resorts at sea. Some of the existing ships converted, and the cruising mentality developed.

Picture yourself stepping onto these magnificent vessels, where every detail was meticulously designed to offer the utmost comfort and style.

Our immersive journey will vividly paint the picture of life aboard these majestic ships. From the grand ballrooms hosting glamorous soirées to the sumptuous dining experiences that defined culinary excellence, every moment was a celebration of refined living.

The 1920s marked the resurgence of ocean travel, with liners like the RMS Queen Mary and SS Normandie setting new standards of elegance and speed. As we progress through the decades, witness the evolution of onboard entertainment, from classic orchestras and Broadway-style shows to the emergence of cinema and onboard activities that catered to every passenger’s taste.

But beyond the luxury, the golden age of sea travel and cruising was a melting pot of cultures and stories. Passengers embarked on these voyages for various reasons – be it exploring exotic destinations, socializing with fellow travelers, or simply experiencing the thrill of transatlantic crossings on ocean liners.

Join us as we uncover the reasons why revisiting this era is more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Understanding the historical significance of the shift from ocean liner transport to leisure cruises sheds light on the evolution of travel and its impact on modern-day cruising. The nostalgia and romanticism attached to this period continue to influence the cruise industry, making this exploration both a historical narrative and a reflection on contemporary travel trends.

This video promises an enriching experience for history enthusiasts, travel aficionados, and anyone intrigued by the evolution of luxury travel. Dive deep into the past and discover why this form of travelling holds a timeless charm that continues to captivate and inspire.

Join us on this voyage through time and witness firsthand the elegance, luxury, and allure of cruising during its most glorious epoch.

Don’t miss the chance to embark on this nostalgic journey and gain a newfound appreciation for the legacy that continues to shape our modern-day travel aspirations.

Remember to subscribe, like, and share this video to spread the love for the golden age of cruising and to explore more fascinating historical content!

We look at:
Cruise ships in history
Transatlantic crossing
Buffet
Cruise cabins
Room Service
Ports of Call
Looking at the various Cunard ships in history

Cunard Queen Mary
Cunard Queen Mary 2
Cunard Queen Elizabeth
Normandie

In this video :

00:00 – The Great Ocean Liners
01:24 – Cruising in the 1950s
02:22 – Embarkation back in the Day
03:44 – The Layout of Old Liners
04:44 – The different Cunard Classes
07:39 – The Forgotten Cruise Lines
10:21 – Cruising to the Colonies!
13:00 – Cruising in the 60s
15:00 – The start of the World Cruise!
20:15 – The Swagger of Cunard!
25:00 – Flying in the 1950s
25:17 – Low cost Cruising in the 50s & 60s
27:18 – Cruising in the 1920s and 30s
28:28 – The Beautiful Normandie
30:10 – The SS United States
30:23 – How to end a cruise!
31:32 – Upcoming videos
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ABOUT ME:
Hi, my name is Bill! Together with my family we have lived in 5 countries around the world. The aim of this channel is to give an honest, practical viewpoint, showing exactly what we found, and what tips we may be able to offer. We do not sell vacations, and the objective is to give a fully independent, and real picture. We hope you enjoy the reviews we post.

This episode we take a look at the Glory Days  of Cruising! We’re whisking ourselves back in   the day when cruise ships had stature and purpose,  there was Glitz and Glamour, Narrator: ” Evenings   filled with gaiety and good companionship!”  When cruising felt like a big event and you  

Ate like royalty! “The Sandringham and the  Balmoral feature international cuisine in a   Leisure and festive mood.” And the journey was an epic adventure in itself….   “Each morning at Sea you wake refreshed and breakfast at leisure”

And where you even brought your own limousine on board with you. This is the Golden Age of Cruising! Welcome back to the Ritzy Travel Guide, my name  is Bill, and in this special one-off episode we   take the opportunity to have a smile and look at  how cruising used to be…

“California Here We Come!”   And there’s some fabulous material to look at… “If you have even more energy to expend,   and sea air gives you plenty, you’ll want to  take a workout in the gymnasium equipped for   every type of exercise.” At times you’ll be  surprised, you’ll laugh… and most of all,  

A tiny little part of you may wish that you’d  been there, to be a part of it all. In fact,   some of you watching right now may have been  there… so take a look out for yourself! Right, let’s smarten our cravat, put our shoulders  back, let’s imagine we’re in 1958…

“Today, the Cunard passenger fleet are the  world’s largest ships. Beautiful Queen Mary   is known and loved by perhaps more Travelers  than any other ship in history. The Queen   Mary is matched in popularity and surpassed  in size only by her sistership the mighty  

Queen Elizabeth. The largest ocean liner ever  built! So let’s join the the eager throng and   experience for ourselves a modern North Atlantic  crossing. Our ship is the Queen Elizabeth,   and what a ship she is! With a graceful  prow, towering high above the cars and  

Taxis far below. Travelers are often amazed at  the speed and ease with which more than 2,000   passengers are embarked.” Right, we’re giddy with  1950s enthusiasm let’s get ourselves embarked “No two first class rooms are alike, each is an  individual Masterpiece of the decorators art,  

Truly a luxurious setting for a happy journey; and  you’ll delighted to discover the many unexpected   personal services which make your travel easy and  comfortable. Even while you’re asleep at night the   service which makes your voyage pleasant, goes  on. The shoes you leave outside your door are  

Meticulously shined and back in place again  before morning. But now we must go on Deck,   our friends will want to see us off. Hundreds  of people crowd the Visitors Gallery. Eager   thousands on ship and shore search for their  friends to wave farewell. With the last gang  

Way down and the final Moorings thrown off  the Queen Elizabeth is ready to sail! A   signal from the bridge goes by telegraph to the  distant engine room. The Queen stirs into life,   everybody seems to be on deck waving to friends  who have come to see them off. For sailing is a  

Thrill! A majestic sight indeed!” Okay, so we’re  safely on board, in this case it’s the Cunard   Queen Elizabeth. Let’s get ourselves familiarized  with the ship, how would we find our way around? ” Now we’ll have time to catch our  breath and learn to find our way around 

In this floating city. Handy deck plans show  exactly where you are and make it easy for you   to find your way about. A Cunard Passenger  List is a veritable who’s who of travel.   You’re sure to see names you know. Later,  on the Queen’s broad decks, caressed by  

Sunshine and salty winds, ‘Promenading’ becomes  an exhilarating experience! And for perfect,   carefree relaxation… what can compare  to basking in a comfortable deck chair   and making a record of those leisure hours, to  show the folks back home. Here too on the wide  

Tourist Class deck there’s plenty of room  to take it easy in the sunshine.”   OK, so a quick side note on the various classes for  Cunard ships back in the 1950s, because you just   heard a couple of references to ‘Cabin Class’  and ‘Tourist Class’, let’s explain how it worked

The most premium, and therefore pricey, was  needless to say First Class. The prime, midships   space on the higher decks. ‘Cabin Class’  was one notch down in price, and occupied   the aft of the ship. And finally there was  Tourist Class, that was right at the forward,  

The most bumpy part of the ship. It was  no longer called Steerage in those days,   but as a Tourist, you had the cheapest seats!  So whatever facilities were on board… there   were two or three versions of  them, depending on your class.

God forbid that a Tourist Class passenger  would go in the First Class Library! Okay so now you know your place, back to the ship. “The big Cabin Class sports deck  is one of the finest on the ship,   and the Tourist Class Sports deck offers  plenty of room for healthful recreation.  

The spacious decks provide for every kind of  open air fun! And after a workout like this,   what could be more fun than a saltwater plunge in  one of the big swimming pools. This Cabin Class   pool on the Queen Elizabeth is one of the most  beautiful on any ship. All served by experienced  

Attendants who here as everywhere on the ship are  carefully trained for their particular service.” Wowsers, you even had a lady to towel you down  after your dip in the pool. Such decadence! “Two shipboard Motion Picture theaters present  selected feature films, often before they’ve had  

Their premier showing on land. This beautiful  modern theater for First and Cabin Class   passengers seats more than 300 people in luxurious  comfort. Forward on the Promenade Deck, is another   favorite gathering place: the Observation Bar. Its  expert bartenders can provide any refreshment you  

Like. But of all the gay gathering places on  the Queen Elizabeth are not for grown-ups only.   There are other spots strictly for youngsters  and what fun they have! All the youngsters   have the time of their lives at the Children’s  Party and brilliantly colored balloons to play  

With. Fortunately, there’s a quiet retiring  place in the Smoking Room for Dad, where he   and his companions can relax and enjoy their  favorite refreshments… liquid or otherwise! And wow did Dad probably need that stiff  whiskey after all the turmoil aboard!

By the way, if you’re enjoying this  video please do give it a THUMBS UP As it lets us know you’d like to  see more of this type of material. Right, we’ll be going back to the 1950s in just a   moment where we’ll see the restaurants  and the entertainment on board , the  

Feasts and the gastronomic delights  that were served, and room service. Back here in the 21st century, cruising to  the Caribbean is a very much everyday affair,   all of the cruise lines are offering trips, but  back in the 1950s it was considered a little bit  

More pioneering. It wasn’t just the big name  Liner companies offering cruises, there were   some cruise lines in the ‘ 50s that don’t even  exist anymore, one of which was Grace Lines. For a while back in the 1950s Grace  Lines was extremely popular with  

The American cruising public. So let’s  take a look at how it would have felt. “There’s a spirit and a special feeling to  those first few minutes on a cruise ship,   the band on deck sets the mood. The Sea calls.

A sense of the adventure that is to come. We  leave behind the demands of 20th century life,   the noisy traffic jam, the ringing telephone  and we look ahead to the days of idleness   and pleasure. The modern Voyager is surrounded  by luxury, a feeling of well-being that can be  

Found nowhere else. The pace of living slows  perceptibly, you begin to feel like yourself   again. Care free days. Tropic Waters! The fun is  interrupted only by our modern Call to Arms. A   thousand Specialties prepared to please the pallet  of the most Discerning Gourmet. The first evenings  

Are spent in just getting acquainted with fellow  Passengers. The Hours pass in easy conversation,   the evenings glow in a magic panorama  of soft lights and softer music. Time…   a Priceless Commodity. And now you’ve learned to  enjoy it again, every moment is pure pleasure! Fourth Port of Call… Jamaica [Music]

The gay music of Jamaica gives way to  the sound of the drum. Today it is Haiti. 13 days of Enchantment, tropic airs,   and Caribbean skies! A time to remember.  A time of pleasure. Moonlight and romance! Ahhhh! Moonlight and romance, a time to remember!  Very shortly we’re going to be going back to the  

1920s and 30s, which in some ways were even  more glamorous and that’s coming up very   shortly. But don’t forget that cruising in the  ‘olden days’ wasn’t just for the ‘well heeled’   and rich. The cruise lines knew they also had  to make money out of the ‘everyday’ customer,  

Slightly lower down the social scale, and  the were cruises for those who weren’t rich;   and a look in the archives delivers a very  quirky and offbeat promotional film luring   people to the Delights of Australia, and as you’ll  see from this footage they very definitely weren’t  

Aiming at the ‘well heeled’, in fact you might  say they were slightly dumbing things down! And the video starts by telling us  that the Australian Government were   encouraging people people to emigrate  to the beautiful glorious country. “Each week in the city of Sydney Australia  the government Lottery Office sells 700,000  

Tickets in lotteries carrying prizes of up  to £100,000. But honestly what is there here   to really interest a man? So you find the money and the time and you get moving. You, and thousands of other happy wanders  go sailing off. That first step onto  

The deck you feel that this is how you were  meant to live. Keyed up, deliciously alert! When things get a bit slack on board,   there’s always the physical features  of the landscape to interest you!” Okay having done what you were told, and  checked out the ‘physical features’ aboard,  

You’re ready for some good old fashioned fun. “Handfuls of grease, lavishly  applied and your end is slippery, and sudden. The Aquatic Sports give the  girls a chance to be openly aggressive.” And having beaten the living daylights out of  each other, it was time to smarten up for dinner.

“You’re in the holiday spirit most of the  time aboard ship, what kind of food you get   on board? All this should make it clear that  you don’t need to bring any picnic baskets! And what might the Australians be offered  for their after dinner entertainment?

“A night at the races, but it’s frogs instead  of horses, and the secret is to coax them along. Meanwhile up on decks, the  teenagers Rock themselves to sleep [Music] [Applause] Okay, so bearing in mind this video  is a promotional movie made by and  

For the cruise lines to attract people onto  their ship’s… slightly strange activities   they were suggesting we’re going on board  with the teenagers. Okay so far we haven’t   looked at the grooving 60s and trust me  there was some fun to be had on the sea!

And ship designs and activities took on  a different tone. Everyone, it seems,   tried to look like James Bond and sip a Martini. “She likes people. You sense she likes you!  A little tug, and you’re off on a sun soaked,  

You’re riding high on a ship that’s graciously  groomed fortnite’s dream holiday a flat in   a hotel that offers every one it’s every  ounce of enjoyment. Lazy days in the sun,   lazy ways of having fun, this is a perfect  voyage, but there only a few footsteps   From one amenity to the next

And if you’ve eaten just too well, spend a few minutes in the gymnasium You’re 16 there’s space to be 16. There’s  room to move in the groove… to feel alive   and Jive to a beat your feet can’t resist! Too  much Deck Tennis? Then soothe those surprised  

Muscles! This is the holiday of your dreams,  and everything and everyone fits into your   dream and the dream never fades, when you open  your eyes. If it’s too hot for you outside, step   into the shade of the library, you just can’t  help enjoying yourself! Just choosing the food  

Is the hardest decision required of you. Wherever  you go aboard the ship, you delight in dining, you   delight in the decor, you delight in days that  languidly leave the rush of life behind. The days sail by until suddenly you awake to find…  Sunshine! You feel you should have been up to  

Welcome this lovely day, so peel a peach for  breakfast, then join them in their fun!”   Always fantastic advice… peel a peach. Love it! Now, whilst we were all grooving and twisting the  

Night away in the 1960s, a new concept was rapidly  gaining popularity… and that was taking a World Cruise Around the world! The dream of explorers  ever since man first learned to sail the sea  

The Caronia, this graceful liner inviting you to  come aboard and see just a few of the highlights   of the great World Cruise! 33,000 miles of pleasure  cruising. Our voyage of more than a 100 days will  

Take us to Trinidad and Brazil across the South  Atlantic to Tristan da Cunha, and Africa over the   warm Indian Ocean to Zanzibar and the Seychelles,  to India and Ceylon… we’ll sail to Singapore to   Thailand and romantic Bali. We’ll visit Manila  and Hong Kong and Japan in cherry blossom time  

Mexico and Panama. 23 ports in 17 countries, a  smooth sailing luxury vacation resort headed   for strange and Far Away places. The largest ocean  liner ever built especially for round the world   cruising, the Caronia adds a new dimension both  to traveling and to living

And what’s the best way to start the day? why of course in bed! “Each morning at Sea you wake refreshed and breakfast   at leisure enjoying the luxury and service  traditional with Cunard liners for more than   a 100 years. As you get acquainted with this big  floating resort you’ll find elevators serving  

Every deck and you’ll discover all the facilities  services and conveniences of any city anywhere in   the world. Those who prefer games for exercise  may have their choice. Of course, afternoon tea   is an old British tradition. You enjoy it at your  chair anywhere on deck, in your state room or in  

Public rooms including the big main lounge with  the pleasant music of an orchestra to entertain  you. As we cross the Equator, King Neptune rises  from the sea to welcome us into the ‘Ancient Order of the Deep’  Now occasionally you’d like to get off the ship. What were excursions like back in the day?  

It’s an easy drive to Krueger Park, world’s  largest Game Preserve ,where we live in comfortable   rest camps; a skyscraper giraffe may casually look  us over, or a dangerous black rhino charge across   our path. The tribesmen of Africa make exciting  pictures too. They love to dress up and go into a dance

It’s easy to see where Rhythm was born! Before dinner we may find our way to The  Verandah Cafe, the Raleigh Room, the Smoking Room or   this intimate forward cocktail bar. Cocktail  hour is a traditional interlude of genial   companionship before dinner. The distinguished  twin restaurants, the Sandringham and the Balmoral

Feature international cuisine in  a leisure and festive mood. There’s fresh   fish from every sea we sail, game birds and fowl,  and the world’s finest roasts of beef from the   best herds of Scotland and America. Dessert maybe Crepe Suzette or Cherries Jubilee or  

Whatever your imagination may suggest, for the  pastry chefs are busy with their their magic   until the last dessert is served. Yes this is  pleasant living, in a happy ship!    Big, bustling Bombay will be the Caronia’s home for an entire  week. Giving us time to travel in India, Pakistan  

Or Nepal; wherever you go in India you find the  color and hubub of crowded bazaars. Here, sacred   cattle roam unmolested among the throngs. Your Hong Kong sightseeing will take you to the fishing   

Village of Aberdeen. Our Sampan water taxi is rowed by  a Chinese mother and her daughter, each with a tiny   baby on her back. This is the surging life of the  Orient. Do we say goodbye to the Orient and Aloha Hawaii

There may be a fancy costume parade with  all kinds of prizes or a headdress parade where   everyone makes his own Chapeau. There’s never an end to the fun! There never is an end to the fun is there!

Now do you remember a little earlier in the video we were looking at Dad on   the Cunard ship having a drink in the bar, let’s get back to him “fortunately there’s a quiet   retiring place in the smoking room for Dad where  he and his companions can relax and enjoy their  

Favorite Refreshments, liquid or otherwise. Here in  the Smoking Room there is a unique mural map. Tiny   electrically driven models move across the map to  show the positions of the two Queens, at every hour   day and night, and look at this moment they’re  almost together.” Hang on a minute, how clever is  

That! Little boat’s going backwards and forwards  on the wall! I think we should reintroduce that   immediately to cruise ships now. “Perhaps on Deck we  might be lucky enough to witness the rare event of  

The two great ships passing within sight of each  other in Open Sea. Yes there she is! A few moments   ago a mere speck on the horizon, the Queen Mary  speeds towards us, white foam curving from her prow  

With all the miraculous instruments of modern  navigation it still takes Men!….. men raised in the   finest tradition of the sea to guide the Queen Elizabeth. Sorry about that ladies! Apparently   in those days it took men to guide the ships…  which is a little bit ironic because the new  

Cunard Queen Anne which is imminently coming out,  is being captained by a… Lady! And her name is Inger Klein Thorhauge. Okay back to our time machine…  “It still takes men! Always alert for the safety   of her passengers, to guide the Queen Elizabeth, the  largest moving structure in the world. Passengers  

Stroll the decks secure in the knowledge that  this gigantic ship is in good hands. There’s so   much to see and do aboard a Queen that one  trip just isn’t time enough! Before you know   it it’s time for lunch. Perhaps you’ll choose the  lovely Verandah Grill. Not only a favorite place for  

Lunch but later in the day a gay spot for dinner  supper and dancing. okay not sure you could call   somewhere a ‘gay spot’ these days… well not in that  connotation anyway! … “Puts you right in the mood for  

Another age-old tradition of the sea: afternoon tea  served on the broad enclosed Promenade Deck, with   a bountiful assortment of the Pastry Chef’s famous  confections, to tempt your appetite. Most passengers,   especially the ladies, look forward to a change  of dress for dinner. If perfect dining is one of  

Your special joys, dining aboard a Queen will be a  happy memory indeed! Few restaurants in the   whole world, at sea or ashore, can surpass the  Queen Elizabeth’s Main Dining Salon; either in   size or elegance; as you enter the main restaurant  the buffet will give you an inkling of what awaits  

You, a taste tingling sight when the appetite  is sharpened by a day at sea. Here you’ll find   delectable foods. 780 passengers may be served  at the same time. A moment of pleasant indecision   awaits you as the hors d’oevres table is brought, or here  must be every tantalizing titbit that ever tempted  

A traveler’s taste. Your selection is almost  endless, perhaps tender sirloin, or a filet mignon,   or perhaps for your meat course tonight you’ll  choose game, grouse, or pheasant, prepared as only   Master Chefs can prepare them, and served as only  an artist can carve them! Or flaming Crepe Suzette   prepared at your table

Ok, so once you’re full of guinea fowl and flaming peacock you like to be entertained perhaps we should imagine we’re at  a casino in Monte Carlo After dinner, the varied program of evening fun gets underway. If you feel lucky maybe you’d like to play the horses.  

And the double! Each time a horse’s number comes up  he moves ahead, but it takes a double or better to jump a hurdle Number three is the winner! and there goes  a happy young lady to cash in her ticket

And now,  let’s strike up the band! evenings filled with  gaiety and good companionship, everybody likes   to dance, in this sparkling atmosphere no one  can be a Wallflower Yes, no wall flowers allowed!   Incidentally, while doing research for this video I  came across some fascinating material about flying  

During the Golden Age; if you’d like me to make a  video about the heyday of luxury passenger planes   do let me know by dropping a comment in the box below.  “Control at London Airport…” so would you like  

One more glimpse at the lower end of cruising… so  we can have a little chuckle to ourself?! So let’s go   back to the 50s again and take a look at the P&O Arcadia, which used to take long haul trips to  

South Africa and Australia. It was definitely what  you might call No Frills or Low Frills version of sea travel   “There’s nothing pokey or claustrophobic about this cabin. Plenty of room to   move around and a comfortable bed. Ample cupboard  space; every cabin has hot and cold water and if  

The weather gets too hot, the air conditioning  or mechanical ventilation systems make sure   that all the pass passengers can enjoy a cool and  refreshing night’s rest. And if a life on the ocean   wave doesn’t tempt you to grow a beard or let your  hair grow too long you can still pay that regular  

Visit to the barber shop next door. Every good hotel  has its bar but this inviting looking bar on the   Promenade Deck has one great advantage that won’t  be found in the finest five-star hotel back home  

Drinks and cigarettes are duty free! Hurrah! Duty free  drinks! now whilst you were on board, P&O thought   you might also like to know a little bit about behind the scenes… let’s introduce the Purchasing Manager 

…” Ah Craig, good morning are you ready?  151,000 eggs, 8,500 lbs of butter 48,000 bottles of beer… And as the Arcadia heads East towards  Italy we settle down to a couple of days of   blue seas and sunshine. It’s the lucky holiday  maker who can manage to to relax under such  

Perfect conditions. Even sack racing reveals its  experts. And if you’ve never tried your hand at   ‘Rolling the Bottle’… it’s never too late to begin  Good grief.. ‘Rolling the Bottle!’ Have you heard of   that one before I’m not sure it would gain  much traction if Carnival Cruise Lines was  

To introduce it to today’s crowds! Okay, so let’s  now take a look at the 1930s and the 1940s where   there was a Battle Royal taking place between  the various cruise lines to lure the Ultra Rich Pssenger And the Pinnacle of this was the  Atlantic Crossing route which pitted Cunard  

And their ships, against the Normandie. Let’s listen in to some of the News Reels.    ‘Approaching her birth at Southampton close  to that of her big sister the QE the Queen   Mary recently arrived after setting an unofficial  record for the Atlantic Crossing. Also on board the  

QM were half a dozen glamorous American Mannequins over here to show fashion, and very smart they look!  The Queen Mary sailed to Southampton  to enter Dry Dock but it is hoped she will   show a speed of 35 knots, 3 knots faster than  the Normandie, and other testimony accumulates  

Of the Rivalry which is imminent between the two mammoth vessels for the premier reputation of the shipping world!   Doesn’t that news real jingle make you feel all nostalgic ! So as you heard on that video, Cunard and particularly the  Normandie, were battling it out to get the well heeled passengers

During the 1930s it lured people in  with its French way of doing things starting from   the train service in Paris right through to the  experience and the look and feel aboard; in fact   some passengers at the time said the Interiors  were more lavish than any other ship afloat. And  

Looking at these images you can understand why  it’s unashamedly Art Deco. Normandie’s First class   dining hall was the the largest room afloat.  At almost 300ft it was longer than the Hall of   Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.Passengers  would enter through huge 20-ft doors adorned  

With bronze medallions, there were vast interior  spaces, much bigger than other ships at sea. Most   of the public space was devoted to first class  passengers. What’s more she was also incredibly   fast crossing the Atlantic in little over 4  days… an amazing feat for the 1930s   

The decks were equally glorious and together the swimming  pools and Leisure facilities gave Cunard a real   run for their money; and here we can see the  Normandie in 1939 just before the outbreak of   World War II arriving in New York. Grand ocean  liners were often a spectator sport with the  

Public lining the quays, to get a glimpse of the  glitterati aboard as was popular in the day Rich   passengers not only came with their family and  their staff but also their cars. Before the   

Age of air transport, coming by ship was the way  for European tourists to get to the States, and see   the sites. However, the Normandie was never a great  commercial success and was eventually financially   doomed. America did have a cruising Fleet of their  own in the 1950s and one of the most famous ships  

Was the SS United States… we’ll be looking at that  ship in a future episode, so remember to SUBSCRIBE   to our channel to know when that comes out The Lookout cries: “Land Ho!” Even before the passengers themselves are disembarked  their cars are swiftly brought up, deep down in  

The hold and swung ashore to be ready for the road  to Paris or Italy or the Riviera. As our sparkling   Holiday at Sea comes to an end it’s hard to have  to say goodbye to friends who have shared our  

Shipboard pleasures and we disembark with a last  look at the Magnificent liner which has given us   so much pleasure! But whether our own destination  is London itself with its bustling thoroughfares   our memories will carry us back again and again!  Back to those glorious carefree days we spent  

At sea. Blissful moments, the zestful enjoyment of  superb food, charming company, and smiling service   Gay and sparkling as champagne! Indeed how can I say it any better than that… ‘Gay and sparkling as  Champagne!’ Glory Days indeed! OK, now even though  it’s the end of this video I’d like to give you  

A heads up of what’s coming in the pipeline… I  do intend to put together a video on how the   Royal Families of the world travel on cruise ships. Well  spoiler alert: not exactly on cruise ships that you  

And I go on, but their own ship. So remember to be  subscribed and hit the notification bell so you   know when that video comes out. I’m also going to  be putting together a video on some of the more  

Lavish private yachts at sea: starting off with the  super yacht ‘Koru’…. costing billions and belonging to   that zillionaire Jeff Bezos, so watch out for  that one. Now, we’ll also be back in the real   world, on real cruise ships, not in the 1950s, but  in 2024 starting off with our new series aboard  

The Celebrity Ascent.’ It’s the latest billion dollar  ship by Celebrity, and it’s going to be fascinating   to be aboard… so watch out for that one, our new  series on Celebrity. In the meantime thank you so   much for joining us on the Ritzy Travel Guide,  we hope you enjoyed this video, whilst waiting  

For those new videos you might want to watch  this one now, and we’ll see you in that!