Duncan Barrett

In fact, Titanic actually has two almost identical grand staircases, one near the bow of the ship and another towards the stern. It's the former, which stretches all the way down to the dining saloon on D-Deck, that gets most of the attention. Because this staircase is more than just a means to an end. It's a destination in itself.

In fact, Titanic actually has two almost identical grand staircases, one near the bow of the ship and another towards the stern. It's the former, which stretches all the way down to the dining saloon on D-Deck, that gets most of the attention. Because this staircase is more than just a means to an end. It's a destination in itself.

Veronica Hinckley is the author of The Last Night on the Titanic, Unsinkable Drinking, Dining, and Style.

Veronica Hinckley is the author of The Last Night on the Titanic, Unsinkable Drinking, Dining, and Style.

And then there are the dining facilities themselves. Not just the three giant saloons for first, second, and third class, each with their own all-inclusive set menu. But for the richer passengers, two stylish cafes. The airy Palm Court and Veranda Cafe on the promenade deck at the top of the ship.

And then there are the dining facilities themselves. Not just the three giant saloons for first, second, and third class, each with their own all-inclusive set menu. But for the richer passengers, two stylish cafes. The airy Palm Court and Veranda Cafe on the promenade deck at the top of the ship.

And one floor below on B deck, the French-inspired Café Parisien, with its wicker furniture and white trellises covered in ivy. But the ship's boldest culinary innovation, nestled behind the aft grand staircase on B deck, is the intimate à la carte restaurant. For Titanic's well-heeled elite, paying extra to order off the menu is seen as a mark of luxury.

And one floor below on B deck, the French-inspired Café Parisien, with its wicker furniture and white trellises covered in ivy. But the ship's boldest culinary innovation, nestled behind the aft grand staircase on B deck, is the intimate à la carte restaurant. For Titanic's well-heeled elite, paying extra to order off the menu is seen as a mark of luxury.

All in all, the vibe for the first-class passengers at least is that of a five-star hotel, one that just happens to be floating on the ocean. Somewhere between the Ritz in London and the Waldorf Astoria in New York,

All in all, the vibe for the first-class passengers at least is that of a five-star hotel, one that just happens to be floating on the ocean. Somewhere between the Ritz in London and the Waldorf Astoria in New York,

In the years following the disaster, questions will be raised about whether Harland and Wolff may have scrimped on some aspects of Titanic's build. In fact, thanks to the company's long-standing relationship with White Star, if anything, they're encouraged to overspend.

In the years following the disaster, questions will be raised about whether Harland and Wolff may have scrimped on some aspects of Titanic's build. In fact, thanks to the company's long-standing relationship with White Star, if anything, they're encouraged to overspend.

Every element of Titanic's interior has been debated in minute detail, every high-end supplier carefully vetted to ensure their products reach the highest possible standards. The candelabras that adorn the grand staircase come from Perianco of Bond Street, chinaware from Royal Crown Denby.

Every element of Titanic's interior has been debated in minute detail, every high-end supplier carefully vetted to ensure their products reach the highest possible standards. The candelabras that adorn the grand staircase come from Perianco of Bond Street, chinaware from Royal Crown Denby.

As one senior Holland and Wolf designer will put it later, we spent two hours discussing carpet for the first class cabins and 15 minutes discussing lifeboats. After almost a year in the fitting out berth, at last, Titanic is ready to set sail, joining her elder sister Olympic on the transatlantic passenger route.

As one senior Holland and Wolf designer will put it later, we spent two hours discussing carpet for the first class cabins and 15 minutes discussing lifeboats. After almost a year in the fitting out berth, at last, Titanic is ready to set sail, joining her elder sister Olympic on the transatlantic passenger route.

But first, she must pass a series of sea trials to check that everything is working as it should be. In charge of the operation is one of White Star's most senior officers, Captain Herbert Haddock, no relation to Tintin's hot-tempered friend. This Captain Haddock is a 51-year-old former Navy officer who's been commanding White Star ships for almost two decades.

But first, she must pass a series of sea trials to check that everything is working as it should be. In charge of the operation is one of White Star's most senior officers, Captain Herbert Haddock, no relation to Tintin's hot-tempered friend. This Captain Haddock is a 51-year-old former Navy officer who's been commanding White Star ships for almost two decades.

In other words, a safe pair of hands. Starting at 6am on the 2nd of April 1912, Haddock puts the new ship through her paces. First in Belfast Loch, then out in the Irish Sea. Over the next 12 hours, with the help of a 119-man skeleton crew, Haddock drives the ship at various speeds, practices turning to port and starboard, and even has a go at an emergency stop.

In other words, a safe pair of hands. Starting at 6am on the 2nd of April 1912, Haddock puts the new ship through her paces. First in Belfast Loch, then out in the Irish Sea. Over the next 12 hours, with the help of a 119-man skeleton crew, Haddock drives the ship at various speeds, practices turning to port and starboard, and even has a go at an emergency stop.