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These Rare Photos Reveal What the Inside of the Titanic Really Looked Like

From the smoking lounge to first-class bedrooms, explore the ship like you've never seen it before.

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pure luxury awaits the passengers of the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

The public's fascination with the Titanic spans generations — and there's no question as to why. The $7.5 million (over $200 million today) luxury ocean liner was a representation of grandeur and, for many, was a beacon of hope. Construction began on March 3, 1909 and, when it was completed, it was the largest ship its kind (roughly three football fields long and as tall as a 17-story building!).

On April 10, 1912, the Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage from Southhampton, England to New York City. But a few days into the trip, the ship hit an iceberg and sank within hours. Approximately 1,500 people died in the tragedy. Today, it lies at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, but there's still photographic evidence of the impressive vessel. Get a closer look at one of the most beautiful ships to ever exist with these rare photos.

1

First-Class Bedroom

luxury furnished rooms aboard the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

There were 840 guest bedrooms — 416 in first-class, 162 in second-class, and 262 in third-class. The transatlantic liner carried approximately 2,200 people on its maiden voyage, 1,300 were passengers.

2

Luxury Cabin Sitting Room

titanic
ullstein bild Dtl.//Getty Images

The most opulent suites on the ship, the Parlour Suites, included fireplaces and private sitting rooms. There were only four ⁠— and tickets cost an astounding $4,350 ($115,060 today).

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3

Second-Class Sleeping Cabin

cabin on board the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

Many of the second-class amenities were on par with first-class rooms you'd find on other ships at the time. So, what did it cost to sleep in a room like this? Approximately $60 (roughly $1,700 today).

4

Another Second-Class Cabin

sleeping cabin on board of the titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

Here's another look at a second-class accommodation, which could sleep one to four people. While they were less opulent than first-class cabins, they still featured finer furnishings (something third-class bunk rooms lacked).

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5

Grand First-Class Staircase

staircase to restaurant on the titanic
Krista Few//Getty Images

Arguably one of the most iconic interior features of the ship, the Grand Staircase was an opulent centerpiece that serviced the ship's first-class passengers. The stairs boasted intricate wood carvings, an ornate clock, wrought iron railings, and a glass dome overhead.

6

The Stairways

stairways as a connection between the decks aboard the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

Given the size of the ship, it should come as no surprise that there were a lot of staircases on the Titanic — approximately 25. Most were divided by class, while some were strictly for staff.

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7

Elevators

first class passenger lifts on the white star liner, c 1911
Science & Society Picture Library//Getty Images

First-class passengers were treated to three gilded electric elevators. Located right in front of the Grand Staircase, the lifts served decks A-E. There was also another slightly less lavish elevator available to second-class passengers.

8

Smoking Lounge

pure luxury awaits the passengers of the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

Beautiful stained glass was incorporated into the design. Fragments of stained glass window frames can still be found at the ship's wreckage site over 100 years later.

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9

Main Dining Saloon

main dining room of the titanic
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The passenger liner had four restaurants. The largest was the 10,000-square-foot first-class dining saloon, which could seat 500 people at once.

10

First-Class Food

the luxury dining hall of the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

The elegance of the dining hall was on par with the decadent meals. One night, guests were treated to a 10-course meal, which included poached salmon with mousseline sauce, lamb with mint sauce, and chocolate and vanilla eclairs.

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11

Veranda Café

teatime on the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

First-class passengers could also venture to the Veranda Café — a tropical-themed eatery fit with imported palm trees to set the vibe.

12

Parisian Café

titanic pariser cafe
ullstein bild Dtl.//Getty Images

Among the dining options on the ship for the first-class was the Parisian Café. The quaint eatery, styled to resemble a sidewalk café in Paris, even had French waiters to stay on theme.

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13

First-Class Lounge

luxury lounge on board the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

Following dinner, it was customary for the first-class men to retire to the smoking room. There, they would be treated to spirits and fine cigars.

14

Third-Class Dining Saloon

third class dining saloon
Science & Society Picture Library//Getty Images

These passengers slept in bunk beds in tiny cabins, and had an understated dining hall.

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15

Deck A Entrance

staircase to deck a of the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

Many of the first-class amenities, including cabins, the smoking lounge, the restaurants, and more were decorated to emulate the styles commonly seen in the estates of the passengers who would be using them. It was a goal to make the elite guests feel as much at home as possible.

16

Deck A

promenade deck
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A couple enjoys a stroll along the upper promenade of the ship, also known as Deck A. Even the outdoor spaces were separated by class — this would have been an area only accessible to first-class.

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17

Promenade Sitting Area

sitting area with wicker chairs arrangement on the lower deck of the rms titanic
United Archives//Getty Images

Here's another example of a promenade. Several of the ship's Parlor Suites (the most expensive guest rooms onboard) came with a private promenade deck.

18

Gymnasium

gymanasium titanic
UniversalImagesGroup//Getty Images

In addition to gym equipment most might be familiar with, such as row machines and stationary bikes, the Titanic's gym had the "electric horse," pictured here in the back corner.

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19

Swimming Pool

swimming pool, titanic
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Exclusive to first-class passengers, the pool was roughly 30-feet-long by 20-feet-wide. Admission to use the pool cost approximately $0.25 per person ($7 with inflation).

20

Gymnasium

gymanasium titanic
UniversalImagesGroup//Getty Images

The hours of operation for the gym, which served first-class passengers only, were divided by gender and age. The facility was overseen by physical educator Thomas McCauley and was open to women from 9 a.m. to noon, children from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and men from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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Alex is an entertainment and lifestyle writer who has a penchant for pineapple pizza, paranormal podcasts, paddleboarding, and alliteration. 

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