Visit the SS Nomadic to put yourself in the place of one of the wealthy passengers who traversed the oceans by luxury vessel during the golden age of transatlantic travel. See the splendor of the ship’s interiors laid out just as they would have been in 1911 and learn the stories of the many interesting and distinguished people who once walked these decks. In addition, be prepared to gain a moving insight into the tragic fate of the SS Nomadic’s sister ship, the RMS Titanic.
Like the RMS Titanic, the SS Nomadic was built in Belfast in 1911 and was designed by Thomas Andrews. Andrews brought the same decadence to this smaller ship as to its larger and more famous sister. Look anywhere on the SS Nomadic and you will spot some of its countless similarities with the RMS Titanic. Sharing the same luxury materials and style, the two ships were created to complement one another. In fact, the first- and second-class passengers who sailed on the RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage were ferried out to the ship on the SS Nomadic.
While the RMS Titanicdid not survive beyond this first tragic outing, the SS Nomadic continued to operate throughout both world wars and beyond. Get to know some of the thousands of passengers who traveled on the ship through exciting, interactive exhibits. Let your kids dress up as sailors, play at steering the ship and test their knowledge with a maritime-themed quiz.
Explore the different areas of the ship dedicated to passengers of different classes and to the crew. See for yourself the incredible luxury enjoyed by those with expensive tickets and compare it with the meager living quarters for crew members. On the bridge, take photos of the beautiful views of Hamilton Dock and Belfast Harbour.
The SS Nomadic is open most days, but public holidays can affect this. Immerse yourself even more fully in the magnificent world of Irish maritime history by buying a combination ticket that also allows access to the fascinating Titanic Experience, located just a few minutes’ walk away.
