The First Class Dining Saloon was one out of four locations for First Class passengers to eat. The room was located on D Deck, measuring 114 feet long and 92 feet wide, the room could seat 554 passengers, set at 115 tables for 2 to 12 people. If they wanted, the parents could allow their children to eat here with them, but not if the dining room was fully booked. The dining room was decorated in wooden panelling, painted white, and the floors were covered in blue linoleum tiles, featuring an elaborate red and yellow pattern. The room’s portholes were elegantly concealed by inner leaded-glass windows, giving passengers the impression that they were eating onshore instead of at sea. For even more atmosphere, the windows were lit from behind during the evening meals. The dining room’s meals were prepared in the First & Second Class Galley next door, which also serviced the Second Class Dining Room, similarly located on the same deck aft of the Galley and pantries.
Breakfast was from 8am until 10am and Luncheon from 1pm until 2:30pm and Dinner from 7pm to 8:15pm. Passengers were alerted to when meals were being served by the ship’s bugler, Peter W. Fletcher, playing The Roast Beef of Old England. The bugle was blown for Breakfast at 8am, Luncheon at 1pm and Dinner at 6pm. Dinner was certainly an elegant affair. With the men in Dinner Suits and the women wearing the latest fashions and imported exotic perfumes and showing off their finest jewelry all while eating a feast fit for royalty.
The only known photograph of Titanic's First Class Dining Saloon
On Sundays, the dining room was also used for the Anglican Church service, which was conducted by the captain or, in his absence, by a minister traveling in first class. The service was accompanied by a quintet which included a piano. The doors were open at the following times:
- 8am-10am for Breakfast
- 1pm-2:30/3pm for Luncheon
- 7pm-8:15pm for Dinner
Wreck
All but the forward quarter of the dining room has collapsed or in the tear area. The outer sides in the aft part of the room are splayed away from the decks. The partition separating the Dining Saloon from the Reception Room has deteriorated.
Popular culture
Contrary to what has often been portrayed in films, the orchestra did not play during meals.
The deleted fighting scene in the Dining Saloon
The Dining Saloon was the setting for the most infamous deleted scene of James Cameron's 1997 Film Titanic. Cal promises Lovejoy the Heart of the Ocean if he can get it out of Rose's coat, which she is wearing right now. Lovejoy loads his gun and searches the flooding Dining Saloon for Jack & Rose, who are hiding between tables. Lovejoy is eventually beaten up by Jack and he and Rose escape.
In the end, this scene was deleted for being too violent for a PG-13 movie.
There is an upcoming video game about the Titanic where the whole ship will be rendered. It's called Titanic: Honor and Glory, and the Dining saloon will be featured as well.
