The Veranda Cafe and Palm Court was located on the aft end of A-Deck, divided into 2 separate rooms, located on both sides of the Second Class Staircase and directly aft of the First Class Smoking Room. Reminiscent of an outdoor sidewalk café, its rooms were brightly lit by large windows and double sliding doors that opened onto the aft end of the First Class Promenade Deck. The café was elegantly furnished with wicker tables and chairs, spread out across a checkerboard tiled floor in black and beige. Various outdoor plants filled the rooms, including potted Kentia palms and ivy-covered trellises. It offered commanding views of the ocean but was fully enclosed so that it could be enjoyed in all types of weather, unlike the open-air cafes on the Lusitania and Mauretania. First Class passengers could enjoy a selection of refreshments in the cafe.
The rooms were light and airy, with beautiful, trellised decor and had wicker cane furniture, and large floor to ceiling windows looking out to sea. The rooms shared a pantry with the smoking room forward allowing for light refreshments. Both rooms had sliding doors leading onto the aft promenade, and the doors had the same "Edwardian Manor" design as the windows. The Verandah and Palm Court sported large windows that offered prime viewing of the promenade and sea beyond and a set of sliding doors that allowed passengers to enter and exit directly from the promenade. Small potted palm trees and ivy running along the walls gave the room a very distinct style, and the large windows meant that it would be well lit on sunny days. It proved a highly popular venue among First Class Passengers and saw a great amount of use during the voyage. Only light refreshments were served here, primarily pastries and sandwiches.
The Verandah Café was similar in style on both the Olympic and the Titanic. While there are many photos of the Olympic's café, only one photo of the Titanic's remains today. The room was in the stern and was torn apart by the severe implosions which occurred on the descent to the ocean floor; on the wreck the remnants of A-Deck have collapsed. A fragment of the decorative bronze grille from the upper part of one of the Verandah and Palm Court windows was recovered in 1994 by Premiere Exhibitions and has been displayed in its various exhibitions.
On the Britannic, both of these rooms were connected to the smoke room and were pushed aft until they connected to the fan room.
Differences between both sides[]
The Verandah & Palm Court consisted of two virtually identical rooms located at the aft end of the A-Deck First Class promenade. Designed to emulate the feeling of gazebos found on the grounds of large English country houses, the starboard Verandah & Palm Court was distinct from its port counterpart in that it was a strictly nonsmoking venue. Because of this, it proved fairly unpopular. It soon found another informal purpose as a nursery and playroom for young children. While not at all the intended purpose of this room, it’s service as a playroom was much appreciated since there was nothing similar for children on board. Contrary to the Titanic's, the Olympic's non-smoking section was frequently deserted.
Wreck[]
The starboard Palm Court and Veranda Cafe is smashed almost flat. The port side cafe remains but the roof (Boat Deck) is slightly twisted and sagging aft. The Starboard cafe is smashed as the floor is jammed together, the ceiling is jerked back, and the walls are crushed. Much of starboard A-Deck has been ripped off.
This room was located on the aft end of A-Deck. The room was torn apart by the severe implosions encountered by the stern. The remnants of this room have collapsed completely in the present day.
Popular culture[]
A Night to Remember (1958)[]
The Veranda Cafe and Palm Court can be seen briefly in the background in A Night to Remember, in the scene when the passengers walking towards the Smoke Room.
Titanic (1997)[]
In the 1997 film, this room is shown very well and accurately, appeared when the scenes of Rose DeWitt Bukater, Caledon Hockley, Ruth DeWitt Bukater, Thomas Andrews, Bruce Ismay and Margaret Brown are talking and discussing about the luxury of the Titanic.
In one of the deleted scenes, when the Titanic hits an iceberg, Margaret Brown is seen sitting at the Veranda Cafe and Palm Court, enjoying her drink and asking a steward for some small ice, while a large iceberg is seen behind her.
Titanic: The Legend Goes On (2000)[]
The Veranda Cafe and Palm Court are clearly visible in the animated film Titanic: The Legend Goes On, but are shown to be in the wrong location. In this film, the Veranda Cafe and Palm Court are located on A-Deck landing of the Grand Staircase and the orchestra is seen playing music in this room, which is clearly inaccurate.
Gallery[]
.png "Veranda cafe and Palm court in Titanic The Legend Goes On (2000).png (3.42 MB)")
