'A'-Class Liners 1922 Cabin Class

Cabin Class on the "A"-Class Liners

R.M.S. Antonia - R.M.S. Andania - R.M.S. Ausonia

Cabin passengers have the run of the ship, and the best public rooms are for their exclusive use. It provides many advantages hitherto associated only with first class travel.

Designed to carry only Cabin and Third Class passengers, the first three sisters of Cunards 'A'-class fleet were among the first liners to offer Cabin Class as the highest category of travel. Although their Cabin Class facilities would be reduced in size due to the introduction of Tourist-Third Cabin in 1927, their design set a precedent for quality purpose-built Cabin Class travel which would set the tone for an entire era of ships to follow.

Cabin Class Writing Room & Library

The Writing Room & Library was the furthest forward of the suite of public rooms available to Cabin Class passengers on A-deck. This handsome apartment was situated at the top of the main staircase connecting every deck of Cabin Class accommodation. Although this appears to be a peculiar choice of location for a room designed to function as a quiet environment, it had the advantage of being separated from the main Lounge and Smoking Room by two long corridors in order to provide a more secluded space for reading, correspondence, or even a quiet game of bridge. The room itself was notably light and elegant in design. The ceiling was raised above the room into a vaulted dome fitted with large lunette windows. Combined with the tall picture windows viewing out over the promenade deck, this provided the room with plentiful natural light and ventilation. The decorative scheme was the late Georgian style made popular by the work of the Adams brothers, most evident in the plaster wall panelling adorned by a series of classical fluted pilasters. The walls were painted in light grey which harmonized with the tones of navy and old gold of the curtains and soft furnishings. The furniture consisted of mahogany armchairs, writing desks, and occasional tables of the same style period. The aft wall was fitted with two glass-fronted bookcases which housed the ship's well-stocked library of books and periodicals.

Cabin Class Lounge

Cabin Class Lounge. "Cunard Cabin Services, Popular 'A' liners" brochure; c.1925.

The Cabin Class Lounge was located amidships on A-deck and reached from the main Staircase and Writing Room by either of two long corridors on either side of the ship. This spacious apartment was designed to be the centre of social activity for Cabin Class passengers. It was popular for conversation, daily entertainment, and the service of afternoon tea. Continuous with the connecting Writing Room, the Lounge was decorated in English Georgian style but in more vibrant colour tones of lavender and old rose. Large casement windows around the room provided open views out across the promenade deck and the sea beyond. The central portion of the ceiling was raised into a vaulted dome supported by a series of classical columns arranged in pairs. This created a sense of openness whilst allowing for more secluded corners elsewhere within the room. An open fireplace was fitted with a cosy recess in the forward wall. Its plaster surround was flanked by a pair of curved niches holding large potted palms.

After the introduction of Tourist-Third Cabin to these ships in 1927, this room was advertised as the Smoking Lounge to compensate for the loss of the original Cabin Class Smoking Room which was transferred to Tourist Class. The Writing Room thereafter provided the non-smoking alternative space as a Drawing Room. The surrounding promenade decks on both sides of this room were also fitted with two spacious Garden Lounges, providing an additional lounging spaces where light refreshments could also be served.

Cabin Class Smoking Room

Cabin (later Tourist) Class Smoking Room aboard R.M.S. Andania and R.M.S. Antonia. "Tourist Class by Cunard" brochure; c.1932.

The original Smoking Room for Cabin Class passengers was located to the rear of the Lounge, immediately forward of the Verandah Cafe at the far end of A-deck. The decorative scheme adopted in this room was that of the Italian Renaissance with design influences drawing broadly from the architecture of Florence. The walls and ceiling beams were panelled in walnut, with a large marble chimney-piece fitted to the forward wall. Aboard Antonia and Andania, the ceiling was raised into a flat central section fitted with iron-framed picture windows. This raised portion was supported by a series of walnut panelled pillars crowned with dull gilt capitals. Ausonia adopted a different design with a wagon-headed ceiling containing a skylight built into a white enamel frame. This created a more open atmosphere compared with the cosy atmosphere of the rooms aboard her two sisters. The aft end of this room connected directly to the Verandah Café, with a large window connecting light between the two rooms.

The Smoking Room was furnished with leather upholstered chairs of Renaissance design arranged around intimately sized tables. In 1927, Cunard Line made the decision to introduce Tourist-Third Cabin accommodations aboard their A-class liners. In order to provide public rooms for this new class of passenger, the Smoking Room and Verandah Cafe was transferred to Tourist-Third Cabin aboard Antonia and Andania. The main Lounge was thereafter designated the Smoking Lounge for Cabin Class passengers whilst the Writing Room became the principal non-smoking space in this category. Perhaps due to its different design, Ausonia's Smoking Room was divided, with the starboard side joining with the verandah to create an L-shaped arrangement connecting the two spaces.

The Smoking Room aboard R.M.S. Ausonia showing its alternative wagon-headed ceiling design. "Cunard Cabin Services: U.S.A. and Canada" brochure; c.1925.

Cabin Class Verandah Café

R.M.S. Ausonia Verandah Café. "Tourist Class by Cunard" brochure; c.1932.

At the aft end of the promenade, Cabin Class passengers had access to an airy Verandah Café. The Verandah could be accessed either from the adjoining Smoking Room or directly from the promenade through two sets of sliding french doors. These doors could be kept open in the summer months, allowing passengers to enjoy the sea air whilst remaining sheltered from the elements. Large picture windows throughout the room gave passengers views from any angle whilst an internal window to the Smoking Room further increased the sense of spaciousness. The room was furnished with large wicker armchairs and settees arranged around circular occasional tables. Green trellis were fitted to the cream walls and the room was further enhanced by the addition of large potted plants. This room was transferred to Tourist-Third Cabin passengers in 1927 together with the adjoining Smoking Room. After this time, it was variously described as a 'verandah', 'lounge', or even as a continuous section of the 'smoking room'.

Cabin Class Staterooms

Staterooms for Cabin Class passengers were located across B, C, and D-decks. As Cabin Class was designated as the highest class of travel, these staterooms were also situated in the most desirable amidships portion of the ship where passengers could be assured of the greatest stability. The majority of staterooms were fitted to accommodate four passengers, although a generous number of two-berth staterooms were also available. The furnishings were clean and comfortable in appearance, consisting of large upholstered settees, fitted wooden bunks, spacious wardrobes and dressing tables, and washstands supplying hot and cold running water. Although such facilities would become more expected in later years, the three sisters were built prior to the increase demand for private bathroom facilities. Only two large B-deck staterooms were fitted with a private bath and toilet. These two staterooms would also be combined with adjoining staterooms to create a suite of up to three staterooms.

A typical Two-berth stateroom in Cabin Class. "Cunard Cabin Services: U.S.A. and Canada" brochure; c.1925.

A typical Four-berth stateroom in Cabin Class. "Cunard Cabin Services: U.S.A. and Canada" brochure; c.1925.

Cabin Class Dining Saloon

The spacious Dining Saloon for Cabin Class was situated on D-deck at the bottom of the main staircase. This arrangement allowed passengers to made an impressive entrance directly into the room from their staterooms on the decks above. The ceiling of this room opened out into a large open well with a gallery looking down into the room from the C-deck corridors. A musicians gallery was fitted at the forward end to allow the ships' orchestras to play during mealtimes. The Dining Saloon was the largest room aboard the three sister ships and extended the full width of the hull.

Cabin Class Dining Saloon. Postcard; c.1924.

The room was elegantly painted in ivory white with late Georgian decorative detailing. The open well was supported by a series of columns neatly disguised as Doric plaster pillars. The walls of this well were painted with a series of bright frescoes, adding a note of colour to the lighter tones of the room below. A further splash of colour was added by the curtains, carpets, and seating upholstery which were completed in rich blue fabric with gold trim. Originally fitted with long galley tables, the room was later refitted with forty-nine smaller tables seating between four and ten passengers.

Cabin Class Leisure Facilities

R.M.S. Andania Children's Room. "Cunard Cabin Channel Service, New York to Plymouth Havre London" brochure; c.1928.

Leisure facilities aboard these modestly sized vessels were more limited than on their larger fleet-mates. However, Cunard Line made efforts to enhance the provision of spaces for leisure and entertainment aboard. The promenades and open decks were particularly spacious, allowing for spaces for deck games and outdoor sports. For younger passengers, there was a sizable Children's Room at the aft end of B-deck. This room was decorated with mural paintings depicted scenes from Alices' Adventures of Wonderland and furnished with white enamel furniture decorated with brightly coloured designs. However, this room was later lost to become an additional public room for Tourist-Third Cabin passengers. Cabin Class passengers also had access to a barber's shops which was located further forward on B-deck.