From the 1910s, liners added “garden cafés”, airy spots evoking a park. Titanic had her famous Parisian Café, Mauretania her Verandah Café, and by the 30s the trend grew: Île de France offered the charming Café Terrace, while Bremen dazzled with its Wintergarten. A touch of land-side leisure at sea.

The Viennese Café
A retreat along the enclosed promenade, invites guests to linger over coffee, pastries, and light meals while watching the sea drift by. Ivy-covered trellises and a soaring ceiling give it the charm of a garden sheltered from the elements, where sea air and elegance meet.

Libraries were a fixture of the great liners. By the late 1800s, ships like Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse offered quiet book rooms for long crossings. In the Edwardian era, Titanic had an elegant library, while by the 1930s–40s, ships like Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth made them modern, bright spaces.

The first-class library sits amidships on A Deck, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a skylight that flood it with light. Passengers could settle into leather sofas with a book or write letters at small desks — then post them just across the hall at the purser’s office.

As ships grew larger, so did their dining saloons — vast showcases of luxury. SS Normandie (1935) and RMS Queen Mary (1936) were my greatest inspiration, but even earlier liners like SS Vaterland (1914) and SS Paris (1916) reveal how lines used these spaces to push the limits of elegance and scale.

The dining saloon — the largest room aboard, rising three decks high. Gold paneling, an emerald-tiled fountain at its heart, with dining spread across two decks, a stage for music, and a bar for those seeking a lighter atmosphere. Art Deco inspired, it’s reached from the forward staircase on D-deck.

On most prewar liners, lounges were adapted into ballrooms as dancing grew popular. On my ship, I designed a purpose-built ballroom. Inspired by RMS Berengaria but pared back to the modern elegance of RMS Queen Mary, it’s a glamorous space for unforgettable evenings at sea.

Step into the first-class ballroom at the aft of A-Deck. Ocean views framed by damask drapes, a glowing skylight, and a large dance floor set the stage for evening dances. Crimson leather chairs offer space to relax, with a pantry providing drinks. Accessible via elevators and by the aft staircase.

The Second-Class staircase takes cues from Titanic’s (1912) layout but is brighter and more open, shedding the darker oak paneling. Inspired by Imperator’s (1913) grand First-Class staircase, it balances functionality with understated luxury for a welcoming, refined space.

The Second-Class main staircase is simpler than First-Class but still bright, open, and luxurious—rivalling First-Class staircases on older liners. A skylight and open well flood it with light, and it connects B-Deck to F-Deck, providing access to all Second-Class public rooms.

The forward staircase takes cues from Olympic (1911) for layout and Aquitania (1914) for its bright, open feel. Inspired by Bremen (1929) & United States (1952), I’ve simplified the design, creating a streamlined yet functional space that connects key public rooms across decks.

My ship’s forward First-Class staircase spans the Boat Deck down to F-Deck, topped by an illuminated skylight. Floor-to-ceiling windows on both the Boat Deck & A-Deck flood it with natural light. Key spaces like the lounge, dining saloon, bars, and restaurants are easily accessible from here!

My ship’s lounge draws inspiration from Aquitania (1914) & Queen Mary (1936). Like many liners—Titanic included—it’s a thoroughfare, but I’ve streamlined Aquitania’s Palladian details for a 1950s vibe. Floor-to-ceiling windows & a grand skylight create a bright, airy feel!

Welcome to the First-Class Lounge! Located above the three-deck-high dining saloon, this elegant space features floor-to-ceiling windows, an illuminated skylight, and a raised center. Plush marigold carpet, leather sofas, and emerald green chairs set the scene for relaxation and card games.