19 Pictures Showing What People Did For Fun In The 19th Century On Cruise Ships

Kenneth Coo Published 09/20/2015

Draw me like one of your Frenchgirls, much?

1.
The first cruise ships started around 19th century, before it was about getting from one place to another.
2.
But now it was more about fun so people needed something for the cruise. As you can see pianos were on cruise ships from the beginning.
3.
You could play deck tennis.
4.
Or go to a gym. Yes, this is a gym, and those are early gym clothes.
5.
You could sunbathe.
6.
7.
8.
9.
The meals were also an event as the tables were numbered and every table had a lamp.
10.
You could watch women horse races.
11.
12.
Or do this.
13.
There was a show of regional clothes.
14.
Or play this game.
15.
People loved to sit on the decks even when it was cold...
16.
... but the most popular past time was drinking in the bar, no surprises there.
17.
And the cruise is over, see you next time.
18.
Bonus picture: RMS Empress of Australia in a Southampton dock, May 1932.
19.
Bonus picture: Retiring Commodore Charles S. Williams says goodbye to his crew, September 1958.

1.
The first cruise ships started around 19th century, before it was about getting from one place to another.
2.
But now it was more about fun so people needed something for the cruise. As you can see pianos were on cruise ships from the beginning.
3.
You could play deck tennis.
4.
Or go to a gym. Yes, this is a gym, and those are early gym clothes.
5.
You could sunbathe.
6.
7.
8.
9.
The meals were also an event as the tables were numbered and every table had a lamp.
10.
You could watch women horse races.
11.
12.
Or do this.
13.
There was a show of regional clothes.
14.
Or play this game.
15.
People loved to sit on the decks even when it was cold...
16.
... but the most popular past time was drinking in the bar, no surprises there.
17.
And the cruise is over, see you next time.
18.
Bonus picture: RMS Empress of Australia in a Southampton dock, May 1932.
19.
Bonus picture: Retiring Commodore Charles S. Williams says goodbye to his crew, September 1958.