First Class Cabins for All

On the ships Titanic and Olympia, First class was not a monolith: while the titans of empires and businesses enjoyed a luxurious experience with multi-room suites and ocean views, many cabins could be assigned to either first- or second- class passengers, with the difference between the two classes being the public amenities available. Notably, the ship was constrained in both food refrigeration capacity and freshwater production. In terms of dining, adherence to the set menu was expected; and outside of top tier suites, bathtubs were supplied with saltwater, and tap water was rationed by cabin stewards. Third class accommodations, mainly occupied by working-class immigrants, were spartan, and meals predominately made of porridge, bread, and potato stew. In the postwar United States, the builders of the liner SS United States considered a two-class arrangement, breaking from the pre-war and European class divisions. Third class was retained, however, to allow economical transportation of enlisted military personnel. Today, on modern cruise ships, class distinctions have fallen away.