The most recognizable piece of shipwrecks is without a doubt the ‘Titanic’, and what would a list of the greatest shipwrecks be without it? It is even credited with creating the Titanic genre of movies, and the novel that inspired it, ‘Titanic’, by Eric Ambler, was even made into a movie starring Jack and Jackie O. It is quite the literary and cinematic icon.
But what is most interesting about the ‘Titanic’ is that it set a new standard for the famous ‘unsinkable ship’ design, and it did so by being the first to feature a full-fledged swimming pool on board. This design choice certainly seems all the more exceptional in light of the fact that in 1912, swimming pools were considered rather extravagant additions to a luxury ocean liner. But as we shall see, it was indeed a genius move, and one that paid off handsomely, if not necessarily in the short-term.
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The Aristocrat Of The Seas
The ‘Titanic’ was the product of a design revolution in the early decades of the 20th century. Before it, the only options for those looking for a decent swimming pool on a cruise were limited to either skinny dipping or none at all. The majority of ship designs prior to the ‘Titanic’ featured simple outdoor ‘jacuzzi’ or ‘tee’ (hot tub) pools, usually made of tiled enamelware housed in a faux cabin, with maybe a few oversized plastic chairs for the occasional guest to sit in while taking a dip. These were all pretty standard for the time, and not exactly what we would call ‘sporting’ amenities by today’s standards. They were more of an extension of the ‘grand tour’ aspect of a cruise than really designed to create a memorable leisure experience.
But the ‘Titanic’ set a new standard for cruise ships by being the first to feature a full-fledged swimming pool, fully equipped with a sauna, lighted by day and beautifully illuminated at night. The largest ‘Titanic’ pool even had an area designed for ice skating during the winter months. Moreover, the ship’s architect, Thomas Andrews, chose to clad the pool in marble, tile, and brass and stainless steel, giving the area a very sleek, artistic, and high-end look that was entirely in keeping with the aesthetic of the times and the social status of those aboard the ship, especially the first-class passengers who were the primary target market for his design.
A Swimming Pool For Every Budget
It is quite evident that the pool on the ‘Titanic’ was quite the scene to behold, and it is fair to say that it is still one of the most iconic depictions of a cruise ship swimming pool, if not the quintessential one. Even to this very day, the sight of a swimming pool on a luxury ocean liner is still enough to make most onlookers swoon. It is quite the elegant solution to the problem of where to put a pool on a cruise ship, in my opinion. It certainly beats the alternatives, which include ‘jacuzzi’ or ‘tee’ (hot tub) pools, and certainly makes the area more inviting for the guests who might be tempted to take a dip while on tour. It was quite the stylish and innovative move on the part of Andrews and his team.
It is quite an exceptional design, and one that was ahead of its time because while on vacation in 2017, I found myself in awe of the beauty of an outdoor swimming pool on a cruise ship, imagining how glorious it must have been in 1911.
The Appeal Of A Indoor/Outdoor Pool
Nowadays, the appeal of an outdoor/indoor pool is endless. It can be incredibly relaxing, refreshing, and even fun in the right setting. And who wouldn’t want to enjoy all of those aspects of a pool without having to worry about the sun’s ultraviolet rays causing damage to their skin or eyesight? It’s often said that the ‘Titanic’ was ahead of its time in terms of design, and it was. But it wasn’t just the addition of the swimming pools that made the ship stand out. It was also the innovative use of materials, as much of the elegance in the design comes from the way in which the pieces were put together. Moreover, the ship’s grand staircase, lined with ornamental plaster and marbles, was done in a way that evoked the white marble exteriors of the buildings in New York City, evoking the building’s luxury hotel heritage. Clearly, this was a winning design that drew on the city’s cultural heritage while still paying homage to its sheer size and opulence. It was truly a masterpiece.
So how many swimming pools were on the ‘Titanic’? Were there really 12 of them? As the above illustration shows, there were 11 full-fledged swimming pools on the Titanic, totaling to a grand total of 66,562 square feet of water area. That’s a lot of swimming pools! And that’s not all. There were also some smaller pools located on deck, but they were no less stunning and had their own unique charm. When you are on a cruise, all you want to do is swim, so the presence of a swimming pool never ceases to amaze and delight.
Why Did The ‘Titanic’ Have So Many Swimming Pools?
While we are on the subject of the ‘Titanic’, let’s talk about why it had so many swimming pools. What is it about taking a dip in an indoor or outdoor pool that draws one in like a moth to a flame? It’s something about feeling the spray on your skin as you dive in, the serenity that comes with gazing at the sky as you float on your back, or the sheer decadence of it all that draws one in. Nowadays, the appeal of a swimming pool is quite the opposite. It is all about wellness and relaxation, especially with the help of various health spas and water treatment devices that have made taking a swim a pleasant and even healthy experience.
But back in 1911, it wasn’t so easy to find the health spas and treatment devices that we find today. For example, the water was hard and sometimes polluted, so it was important that the pool is well-cleaned and well-maintained so as not to pose any health concerns to bathers. But mainly due to the high number of infectious diseases that were prevalent at the time, it was also important to ensure that the pool is constantly stocked with chlorine and bromine, the chemicals that make swimming pools safe and comfortable. It was a combination of factors that led to the creation of the ‘Titanic’s’ pools, but mostly it was a way of adding an extra layer of luxury to the steamship line.
The Long And Short-Term Effects
While the ‘Titanic’ is undoubtedly an iconic piece of shipwrecks, it wasn’t created in a vacuum, and it is important to remember that it was the product of its time. This was before wellness spas and relaxation devices were even a twinkle in a health spa’s eye. Therefore, it is quite difficult to assess what effect, if any, the swimming pools had on the line’s financial health. But from a purely cosmetic standpoint, we can surmise that the pools drew quite a bit of attention from the female passengers, especially those traveling first class. While there is no way of confirming this without the help of some kind of statistical analysis, we can safely assume that the area raked in a significant amount of coin due to its secluded and beautiful setting as well as its status as an ‘unsinkable ship’. Hence, it would be fair to say that having a swimming pool on a cruise line isn’t exactly a bad idea. It can even be a rather good one.