Tourist Class Ocean Travel: Contracts and Tickets from 1925–1956
📌 Explore rare Tourist and Tourist Third Cabin passage contracts from the golden age of ocean travel (1925–1956). Discover stories of migration, education, and transatlantic exploration—ideal for teachers, students, genealogists, and historians.
All Tourist / Tourist Third Cabin Passage Contracts and Tickets available at the GG Archives. These unique contracts represent primary source documents of the voyage of many immigrants. Our collection includes a variety of types and classes and provides an invaluable account of the cost of passage.
🧳✨ Review & Summary: Tourist / Tourist Third Cabin Passage Contracts and Tickets
"The Middle Path Across the Atlantic: Stories from Tourist Class Travelers" 🌍🚢💼
The Tourist / Tourist Third Cabin index page at the GG Archives offers a fascinating and often overlooked chapter in the history of ocean travel. Nestled between the grandeur of First Class and the hardship of Steerage, these contracts provide a unique window into the mobility of middle-class travelers, students, immigrants, and tourists from the 1920s through the 1950s. These documents are primary sources rich in personal, political, and economic significance — perfect for educators, family researchers, and maritime historians alike.
SS Bremen Passage Contract Manifest (1925): A Tourist-Class Journey from Germany to America 🇩🇪➡️🇺🇸
The SS Bremen Passage Contract Manifest, dated August 15, 1925, is an exceptional historical document that provides a detailed account of a transatlantic journey aboard the Norddeutscher Lloyd liner, SS Bremen. This passage contract, issued to Rosa Brise, a 50-year-old U.S. citizen, offers a rare insight into tourist-class travel, passenger rights, and transatlantic migration in the 1920s.
For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this manifest serves as an invaluable primary source, showcasing the contractual agreements, travel expenses, and accommodations provided to passengers of the era. It also highlights the evolution of ocean travel as passenger liners began catering to more middle-class travelers, beyond just immigrants and luxury tourists.
In a world still reeling from the Great Depression, this vintage receipt dated April 11, 1932, for a round-trip ocean voyage aboard the SS Hamburg (eastbound) and SS Deutschland (westbound) is far more than a transaction—it’s a snapshot of educational travel, aspirational mobility, and mid-century global connectivity.
🛳️ Crossing the Atlantic in the Great Depression: 1932 SS Leviathan Tourist Cabin Passage Contract
The 1932 Tourist Cabin Contract Ticket for Miss Joan Marechal aboard the grand SS Leviathan is more than just a passage receipt—it’s a vivid snapshot of a world in flux, captured through the lens of a transatlantic voyage. This primary document, issued by United States Lines, illustrates not only the structure of interwar sea travel but also offers a compelling story of identity, resilience, and mobility during the Great Depression era.
The SS Deutschland Passage Receipt and Contract from 5 June 1933 offers a compelling snapshot of European immigration during a pivotal era—just months after Hitler rose to power in Germany. This prepaid receipt, arranged by a Maryland-based relative, reflects not only the personal stories of transatlantic relocation but also the broader currents of 1930s migration, economic sacrifice, and the complexities of international travel by ocean liner. 🧳📜
Crossing the Atlantic: 1935 Tourist Class Passage Contract for the SS Stuttgart
The 1935 Tourist Class Passage Contract for the SS Stuttgart, issued by the Norddeutscher Lloyd (North German Lloyd) Line, is a historical gem that offers educators, students, genealogists, and historians a window into the protocols, expectations, and risks associated with mid-20th century transatlantic ocean travel. This document highlights the personal journey of Mr. H. A. Hawgood, who booked his passage in Paris for a westbound voyage departing Boulogne-sur-Mer to New York on 6 September 1935.
Voyage by Contract: A 1935 Tourist Class Ticket on the SS Rex from Naples to New York
The passage contract for Dr. Charles Lombardo Bartholomew's journey aboard the majestic SS Rex in Tourist Class offers a captivating snapshot of 1930s ocean travel during the golden age of transatlantic crossings. This vintage document is more than just a ticket—it's a firsthand account of the formalities, expectations, and legal boundaries that shaped a traveler's experience aboard a world-class Italian liner.
🛳️ SS Galilea 1936 Passage Ticket – Trieste to Haifa Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Lloyd Triestino's Route from Trieste to Haifa — A Mediterranean Journey in a Tumultuous Era 🌍📜
This Tourist Class Passage Certificate, issued on 11 September 1936 for M. Freimann, offers an insightful glimpse into a personal voyage from Trieste, Italy to Haifa, British Mandate Palestine aboard the SS Galilea. Though seemingly simple in design, this ticket is steeped in geopolitical complexity, social history, and maritime evolution—making it highly relevant for educators, genealogists, and historians alike.
MS Gripsholm Prepaid Passage Ticket (1951) – A Journey from Post-War Europe to America
The MS Gripsholm prepaid passage ticket from 1951 is a remarkable artifact that offers a window into the post-war transatlantic migration experience. As Europe sought to rebuild after the devastation of World War II, many individuals and families looked to the United States as a land of opportunity and new beginnings. This document, issued to Mrs. Margarete Lenz, a German immigrant from Heidelberg, provides essential details about her journey from Bremerhaven, Germany, to New York City. The prepaid ticket, arranged by Mr. Gunner S. Anderson from Chicago, ensured her passage aboard the Swedish American Line’s MS Gripsholm, which was a well-known vessel catering to immigrant travel.
This contract not only provides insight into the logistics of post-war migration but also highlights the economic aspects of transatlantic travel during this period. The total fare of $193.00, including an $8 head tax, when adjusted for inflation, would be equivalent to approximately $1,920.00 in 2020. The ticket also includes strict regulations regarding passport and visa requirements, as well as policies regarding passengers' eligibility for entry into the United States. These details serve as a valuable primary source for understanding the immigration process, maritime travel, and the economic realities of international relocation in the early 1950s.
🚢 RMS Queen Mary (1953) Passage Ticket – Transatlantic Travel with Cunard Line
The RMS Queen Mary passage ticket from 1953 offers a captivating glimpse into mid-20th-century transatlantic ocean travel, a period when ocean liners were still the primary means of crossing between Europe and North America. This was a time when commercial aviation was in its infancy, and ships like the Queen Mary served as both an essential means of transportation and a symbol of luxury and status. The Cunard Line, which operated the RMS Queen Mary, was one of the most prestigious shipping companies of the era, known for its impeccable service, grand accommodations, and efficient voyages.
This specific tourist-class passage ticket, issued for Mrs. Pauline Bunt, records her journey from New York to Southampton on February 7, 1953. While the ticket cost is not listed, the voyage was part of Cunard's efforts to make ocean liner travel more accessible to a wider range of passengers by offering different travel classes. The ticket details important aspects of the journey, including embarkation at Pier 90 in New York City, specific passenger regulations, and the documentation required for international travel. This document is a valuable historical artifact, shedding light on the logistics, experience, and significance of transatlantic sea voyages during this period.
🚢 SS Castel Felice (1956) Passage Contract – Transatlantic Voyage from Le Havre to New York
During the 1950s, ocean travel was still a primary mode of transportation for migrants, business travelers, and tourists making transatlantic journeys. The SS Castel Felice, operated by SITMAR Line (Societa Italiana Trasporti Marittimi S.p.A.), was part of a network of ships that transported thousands across the Atlantic.
This passage contract from September 1, 1956, captures an era when travel by sea was not just a necessity but also an experience shaped by the ship’s amenities, voyage class distinctions, and ticketing processes. By this time, air travel was growing in popularity, but ocean liners remained a crucial link between Europe and North America, particularly for immigrants and long-term travelers.
This Tourist Class contract, issued for Charles Butler, documents his journey from Le Havre, France, to New York aboard the SS Castel Felice. The ticket was purchased for $195, which included a $5 embarkation fee. Adjusted for inflation, this cost would be between $1,860 and $9,070 in 2020 dollars, depending on economic comparisons.
The contract was issued in New York on June 2, 1956, by SITMAR’s agent, Overseas Charter & Shipping Co. This passage contract provides valuable insights into mid-century transatlantic voyages, the economic realities of travel, and the role of SITMAR as a major passenger carrier in the post-war period.
🌟 Most Noteworthy Highlights & Why They Matter
🇩🇪 SS Bremen Tourist Cabin Manifest (1925)
📄 A Contractual Glimpse into Post-WWI Travel
Issued to 50-year-old Rosa Brise, a U.S. citizen, this passage contract offers a rare and detailed look at mid-tier travel options aboard the SS Bremen. With its legal terms printed on the back and notation of transfer via conveyance, it's a teaching-ready document on passenger rights and 1920s global mobility.
🎓 SS Hamburg & SS Deutschland Educational Voyage (1932)
🎒 Travel as an Academic Experience During the Depression
Arranged by the Intercollegiate Travel Bureau, this receipt isn't just about transportation — it represents education, privilege, and resilience during the economic despair of the Great Depression. A prime example of how youth and education fueled transatlantic connections.
🛳️ SS Leviathan (1932): A Voyage of Identity During Crisis
💼 Tourist Class During the Great Depression
Miss Joan Marechal’s passage aboard the SS Leviathan is more than a document—it's a symbol of hope and continuity in uncertain times. For researchers studying migration or the psychology of travel in the 1930s, this contract offers incredible narrative potential.
🇩🇪➡️🇺🇸 SS Deutschland (1933): Prepaid Passage & Political Tension
🧳 Migration on the Eve of Turmoil
Just months after Hitler’s rise to power, the Lademacher family's prepaid ticket captures the urgency of relocation and family sponsorship, a critical narrative for genealogists and educators teaching the human side of political upheaval.
🇮🇹 SS Rex Tourist Ticket (1935)
📜 Elegance Meets Economy in Fascist-Era Italy
This contract for Dr. Charles Lombardo Bartholomew merges the discipline of law and ritual with the experience of sea travel, shedding light on Italy’s evolving maritime strategy and the class structures on European liners.
🇮🇱 SS Galilea to Haifa (1936)
🌐 A Mediterranean Journey Amid Geopolitical Change
A voyage from Trieste to Haifa during the British Mandate era, this Lloyd Triestino document is soaked in historical relevance. Students exploring Zionism, Jewish migration, or Mediterranean politics will find this especially useful.
🇩🇪➡️🇺🇸 MS Gripsholm (1951): A German Immigrant’s Post-War Ticket
🏛️ A Personal Passage in an Era of Reconstruction
Mrs. Margarete Lenz’s prepaid voyage, arranged by a Chicago-based sponsor, captures the intersection of immigration policy, economic hardship, and family reunification in the early Cold War period.
👑 RMS Queen Mary (1953): Middle-Class Luxury
🚢 Cunard Brings Prestige to the Masses
Mrs. Pauline Bunt’s ticket represents a shift in maritime economics—tourist class allowed more people to experience ocean liner elegance, bringing prestige and accessibility together. Ideal for teaching the evolution of mass leisure travel.
🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸 SS Castel Felice (1956): SITMAR’s Role in Post-War Migration
📦 Migration Meets Mid-Century Modernity
Charles Butler’s $195 journey illustrates SITMAR’s niche in transporting working-class migrants and tourists at a time when ocean travel competed with the growing airline industry. The pricing and agent details also make this an excellent case study in 20th-century travel economics.
🖼️ Noteworthy Images & Visual Appeal 📸
🔹 SS Bremen Ticket (1925): Printed manifest with legal regulations – excellent for primary source literacy 📜
🔹 SS Deutschland (1933): Handwritten prepaid contract – reveals real-world documentation style
🔹 SS Rex Contract (1935): Printed in Italian – a linguistic and cultural artifact 🇮🇹
🔹 Queen Mary (1953): Bold Cunard branding, symbol of design and status 🛳️
Each document carries authentic handwriting, stamps, agent annotations, and port marks, making them perfect visual aids for classroom analysis or genealogical interpretation.
🎓 Why This Collection Matters – Who Should Use It?
📚 Teachers & Students
Use these contracts in lessons on interwar migration, WWII aftermath, immigration policy, and the evolution of global tourism. The documents offer firsthand evidence and the chance to practice primary source analysis.
🧬 Genealogists & Family Historians
Look for names, ages, ticketing agents, ports of embarkation, and sponsorships. These records are direct links to family stories and essential pieces of any immigrant ancestor’s puzzle.
⚓ Maritime & Social Historians
Study the changing role of third-tier cabins, the rise of the middle-class tourist, and how global events influenced travel routes. This collection also reflects policy shifts across decades, from Fascist Italy to post-WWII reconstruction.
💰 Economic Historians
Ticket prices, taxes, and class breakdowns reflect evolving costs of global mobility, perfect for studying economic access and inequality through historical lenses.
🌟 Final Thoughts – The Rise of the Middle Traveler
The Tourist Class wasn’t just a travel category—it was a social revolution afloat. It bridged the gap between luxury and necessity, offering aspirational mobility to scholars, immigrants, families, and budget-conscious dreamers.
These passage contracts show us how ordinary people navigated extraordinary distances, driven by ambition, education, exile, or curiosity.
🎒📖 Encourage students to build essays around these personal journeys.
🧬 Prompt family historians to connect ancestors to global movements.
⚓ Invite maritime enthusiasts to explore the changing design and service models aboard legendary liners.
These documents don’t just document travel—they chart personal history. Let them be used, studied, and shared across generations. 🌊🕯️📚
