Cruise History: Looking back at passenger lists – “the bible” of travelers aboard the great liners and cruise ships. PASSENGERS LISTS… When cruise and liners had passenger lists!
Passenger lists were given to all those booked aboard liners and cruise ships up until the 1970s.
From Cunard to the French Line, the Lurline to the Queen Mary – these were an important source of information regarding who would be aboard for your liner voyage or cruise.
Every time I traveled with my parents, the list would include my name – Master Michael L. Grace. The following is a great article by Theodore W. Scull – probably one of the great historians in maritime passenger history.
From CRUISE TRAVEL by Theodore W. Scull
ONCE, WAY BACK WHEN, UPON ENTERING ONE’S CABIN, the first order of business was a quick look at the Passenger List laid out on the table alongside the dining reservation card, telegrams, and the first batch of invitations.
On a two- or three-class ship, the names usually included only those in one’s own class, minus some celebrities or a recluse that explicitly asked not to be listed.
On a one-class cruise, of course, there was but one list.
