What first class looked like on cruise ships before the era of airplanes

Before airplane travel became commonplace, cruise ships were the only way to travel vast distances. And if you had money, then these ships, on which you had to spend weeks and months to get from point A to point B, became the personification of the highest class and luxury. 

Of course, today's cruise liners can boast planetariums and huge pools on board, but these modern floating shopping malls lack the elegance and taste of bygone years. 

Traveling across the ocean was not a cheap pleasure.

That's what people who could pay for tickets to the upper deck got.

During the construction, special attention was paid to the smallest details, the ships tried to make exact copies of luxury hotels.

The suitcases of first-class passengers were sorted by a maid.

On board such a ship, you hardly remember that you are in the middle of the ocean.

Luxury was everywhere.

Greta Garbo and Moritz Stiller during a trip from Europe to the USA, 1925.

There were gyms on such ships.

Swimming pool with fountain.

People spent whole months on the ship, so they had to come up with some activities.

Even boxing matches were held during the cruise.

The dinners during the voyage were very long.

And the canteens were worthy of kings.

The dining rooms looked like a theater or an opera.

For dinner, people dressed accordingly.

Live music and dancing.

These are the recreation areas.

Library and reading room.

Passengers could call home from their cabin.

And also take your clothes to the laundry.

And buy the necessary medicines at the pharmacy.

A playroom for children.

The bedrooms were comfortable and cozy.

The beds were single even for married couples.

The non-first class bedrooms also looked good.

The regulars of cruise trips were celebrities of that time. Pictured: Cary Grant.

Jacqueline Kennedy.