3. Mauretania (1907)
In 1930, Cunard Line, facing the Great Depression and declining passenger numbers on its Atlantic runs, transformed Mauretania into a dedicated cruise ship. Low fares, made possible in part by Mauretania’s massive capacity, introduced the joys cruising to an entirely new class of passengers—the middle class. The experiment didn’t last long, however. The aged ship went to the breakers in 1935.
