Welcome to the Observation Lounge

It’s 1929, and the roaring twenties are about to come to an end with a big pre-Halloween bang on the New York stock market.

Don’t feel too badly, though – the twenties have been one big party and binge and the fact that the United States has been prohibiting the manufacture and sale of alcohol since 1920 under passage of the 18th Amendment hasn’t slowed things down one bit.

Though prohibition would be repealed in about four years, thirsty Americans made it a big business on the luxury liners of the age. The RMS Olympic, RMS Aquitania, RMS Mauretania, MV Britannic and others had bars where the alcohol flowed freely as soon as the ship had crossed out of U.S. coastal waters and entered international waters.

Where bootleggers and mobsters controlled the alcohol business in the United States, only one of the very friendly ship’s bartenders stood between you and a good stiff drink before you went to dinner.

So, you’ve got a stool right at the bar and you’re sitting pretty—what will you have?

The Chrysanthemum

  • 2 ½ oz dry vermouth
  • ½ oz Benedictine
  • 1 tsp absinthe
  • 1 orange twist to garnish

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice and stir Serve this knockout by straining it into a chilled glass and add the orange twist.

Discuss the merits of Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney vs. the headache you’re likely to have tomorrow morning.

French 75
  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 tsp simple syrup
  • ½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 oz champagne
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice and stir. Since you’re both Great War veterans, ask the bartender if this drink is really named after the ferocious French 75 mm field gun you were both so familiar with and depended on during the War. (It is)
Highball
  • 2 oz whiskey or Scotch (Scotch is preferred)
  • 4 oz club soda
Combine all ingredients in a tall glass filled with ice and stir. While you work your way around the fizzy club soda and imbibe the Scotch, think to yourself – am I doing right to keep all my wealth tied up in the New York stock market? (You’re about to find out soon just how a big a mistake you’re making)
Next Stop: Dressing for Dinner

The Radio Room

Sign up for news or drop us a line.

Ship's Store

Come in and browse.

Captains Table

See what’s for dinner!

© 2025 Scott Finley. All rights reserved.