Programs and Concerts
Steamship Lines printed a wide variety of programs for onboard events including sporting, entertainment/variety shows, movies, social events, music concerts, charity concerts and fundraisers, and many more.
1908-08-21 Allan Line Grand Charity Concert - RMS Hesperian
Grand Charity Concert presented on board the RMS Hesperian of the Allan Line on 21 August 1908. The proceeds raised from the concert were earmarked to the Montreal Sailors Institute. Many transatlantic voyages had at least one charity concert.
1911-07-03 Charity Entertainment Program - RMS Campania
Variety show style entertainment program performed onboard the RMS Campania of the Cunard Line to benefit various Liverpool and New York seamen's charitable organizations. The Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution was highlighted in this program.
1913-07-02 Cruise Tour B Souvenir Program - SS Carpathia
Very rare Itinerary and Souvenir Program for a European Cruise on the SS Carpathia of the Cunard Line in the year following its involvement in the rescue of the RMS Titanic.
1920-11-01 Grand Concert Program - RMS Olympic
Sister Ship of the RMS Titanic, The Olympic presented a Grand Concert to passengers in the Second Class to aid various seaman’s charities. It was held in the Second Class Saloon at 8:15 pm on Monday, 1 November 1920.
1922-07-20 Musical Concert Program - SS President Monroe
Early United States Lines Musical Program to raise funds for various seamen's charities, on board the SS President Monroe, performed for cabin class passengers in the Veranda Cafe on 20 July 1920.
1922-08-10 Musical Concert Program - SS President Monroe
Musical Concert Program to raise funds for various seamen's charitable organizations, held for cabin class passengers on 10 August 1922 in the Veranda Cafe onboard the SS President Monroe of the United States Lines.
1922-08-24 Charity Concert Program - RMS Scythia
Benefit Musical Concert onboard the RMS Scythia of the Cunard Line to aid various seamen's charities of New York and Liverpool. These concerts were conducted several times during each voyage, with separate performances for each class of passenger.
1923-10-31 Musical Concert Program - SS President Arthur
Halloween Musical Concert program on the SS President Arthur of the United States Lines on 31 October 1933 was presented by the Ship's Orchestra lead by Georg Grützner, featuring classical music and patriotic songs including "Stars and Stripes Forever," and the "Star-Spangled Banner."
1927-10-24 Charity Fete Program - SS Suffren
Program of the Charity Fete to be Held on Board for the Benefit of the Sveral Benovolent Institutions of which CGT-French Line is a Patron. Features Illustrations by Jean Droit.
Travel Show & Fashion Pageant Program - 5 June 1933
One of our most unusual programs - combination Travel Show and Fashion Pageant held on board the SS Washington of the United States Lines.
1924-06-26 Sports and Entertainments Program - SS Zeeland
Sports and Entertainment Program for the Eastbound Voyage of the SS Zeeland of the Red Star Line beginning 26 June 1924. Activities included shoe and sack races, bottle driving, dancing, wheel barrel races, and a costume ball.
1924-08-21 Cunard Line Charity Program - RMS Aquitania
Program of Entertainment in Aid of British & American Seamen's Institutions Held on Board the RMS Aquitania in the Second Class Dining Room on Thursday, 21 August 1924 at 9:15 pm. Mr. William Ryan, Chairman; Commodore Sir James Charles, K.B.E., C.B., R.D., R.N.R. (Rtd.), Captain.
1925-09-09 Sports Tournament Program - RMS Berengaria
Sports Tournament Program covers two days of a voyage beginning 9 September 1925 onboard the RMS Berengaria of the Cunard Line. Featured Events included Sack Race, Potato Race, Shuffleboard, Pillow Fight, and Deck Tennis. A Fancy Dress Ball was held after the event for awarding of prizes.
1926-10-03 Musical Concert Program - SS Republic
Musical Concert Program held on the SS Republic of the United States Line on 3 October 1926 to benefit various seamen's charities and the Actors Fund of the United States. Talented passengers likely performed in the concert in addition to the Ship's Orchestra.
1928 - Community Song Sheet - Atlantic Transport Line
IMMs Atlantic Transport Line published a Community Song Sheet for use exclusively on their ocean liners with Tourist Cabin accommodations - the SS Minnekahda and SS Minnesota. Lyrics for 32 well-known songs from that era were reproduced in this brochure.
1928-05-28 Grand Concert Program - SS Celtic
Grand Concert held on 28 May 1928 on board the SS Celtic of the White Star Line featured mostly music. Songs appear to have been performed by talented passengers. Following the concert, prizes were awarded for best costumes at the Fancy Dress Ball in addition to prizes for sports events.
1928-06-14 Sports Events Program - SS Albertic
Sports Events Held on Board S.S. “Albertic” on a voyage from Montreal To London, 14 June 1928. Featured events included Shuffleboard, Deck Tennis, Potato Race, Skipping Competition, Dancing, Tug of War, Bridge, Whist, and Coat Race. A Fancy Dress Ball and Children’s Tea Party are also planned.
1928-06-21 Concert Program - SS Leviathan
Elegant Concert program and variety show for second class passengers on board the United States Lines Flagship -- the SS Leviathan. This production from Thursday, 21 June 1928 featured classical and popular music numbers, vocalists, readings, and a scene from a comedy playlet.
1928-06-21 Grand Concert Program - RMS Albertic
Program of a grand concert held in the tourist dining saloon on board RMS Albertic of the White Star Line on Thursday, June 21st, 1928 at 8 30 p.m. Variety show included musical numbers, readings, recitation, step dance, and the presentation of sports prizes.
1928-07-29 Grand Concert Program - SS Minnekahda
Grand Concert Program held on board the SS Minnekahda of the Atlantic Transport Line on Sunday, 29 July 1928 during a voyage from London to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer, commanded by Captain J. Jensen, Lt. Cmdr. USNRF.
1929-07-19 Charity Concert Program - RMS Berengaria
Variety show and musical extravaganza for the benefit of British and American seamen's institutions performed onboard the RMS Berengaria of the Cunard Line for First Class passengers. Sir Arthur H. Rostron, former captain of the SS Carpathia, was the Commodore and Commander of the Berengaria.
1929-09 Program of Events - RMS Aquitania
Program of Entertainment Events onboard the RMS Aquitania of the Cunard Line. Covers Monday through Thursday during a Voyage in September 1929. The program includes the names of passengers on the Entertainment Committee. Primary activities include Deck Tennis, Shuffleboard, Bullboard, Bridge, Ping-Pong, Horse Racing, and Dancing.
1930s - Horse Racing Program - RMS Laconia
Hilarious Horse Racing Program dating from the 1930s performed on the deck of the RMS Laconia of the Cunard White Star Line. Entries included Eve by Rib out of Adam, Jealousy by Nose out of Joint, Stampede by Sale out of Basement, etc.
1930 - Horse Racing Program - RMS Samaria
The ever-popular "Horse Racing" program from the 1930s, this one on the RMS Samaria of the Cunard White Star Line. Presented by the "Samaria Jockey Club, race entries included Headache by Cocktails out of Various, Slender by Diet out of Vanity, and many more.
Music Program, SS Eider, January 1890
Handwritten Music Program from the SS Eider of Norddeutscher Lloyd dating from January 1890. The SS Eider was commanded by Captain H. Baur.
Concert Review - Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse - 1906
The most remarkable concert ever heard on the sea was enjoyed by the passengers on the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, which made harbor yesterday from Bremen, Southampton and Cherbourg.
1930-06-12 Concert Program - SS Stuttgart
Concert program card produced for a 4 pm music concert onboard the SS Stuttgart on Thursday, 12 June 1930. Beautiful graphics made this a great souvenir from the voyage to New York from Bremen on the North German Lloyd.
1930-08-17 Matinee Concert Program - SS Bremen
Romantic and Jazz Symphonic performed by the entire SS Bremen orchestra on Sunday, August 17fh 1930, from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm in the Social Hall. Conducted by E. Schier, the concert featured six selections from various composers including Bach, Strauss, Schubert, and Rubinstein.
1930-09-20 Events Program - RMS Scythia
Social Events and Sports Tournament Program for the Voyage on the RMS Scythia of the Cunard Line Beginning 20 September 1930 for Tourist Third Cabin passengers. Events included Deck Games, Horse Racing, Bridge and Whist, Movies, Concerts, Dances, and a children's party.
1930-09-25 Charity Entertainment Program - RMS Scythia
Variety Show style entertainment program performed for tourist class passengers on the RMS Scythia of the Cunard Line in the Tourist class to benefit British and American seamen's institutions that were also listed in the program.
1930-09-28 Music Program - Atlantic Transport Line
Bandmast Gilbert W. Bower leads the Marious B. Winter's Band with songs selected for 4:00 pm and 8:15 pm on board a steamship from the Atlantic Transport Line on Sunday, September 28th, 1930.
1931-01-10 Events Program - RMS Scythia
Informative Events Program from the RMS Scythia of the Cunard Line. It covers a voyage from Liverpool to New York beginning 10 January 1931. Brief explanations of the many Deck Sports were provided to the passengers helps to make this an exceptional program from that era of ocean liner travel.
1931-01-22 Piano Recital by Jacqueline NOURRIT -- SS France
Beautiful, elegant cover for a piano recital by Jacqueline NOURRIT on board the SS France of the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique French Line on 22 January 1931. Featured compositions from Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Ravel, Debussy, and others.
1931-02-22 Charity Gala Program - CGT French Line
Program of the Charity Fete to be held on board the SS Ile de France for the benefit of the Several Benevolent Institutions of which the CGT French Line is a patron.
1931-02 Bermuda Suggestions - The National Tours
List of suggestions for passengers on board the SS California of the Anchor Line, on visiting Bermuda, a tour-stop coordinated by The National Tours, during February 1931.
1931-02-24 Gulf Stream Cruise Program of the Day
Tuesday's listing of events for passengers on the National Tours Gulf Stream Cruise on the SS California of the Anchor Line on 24 February 1931. Open Air Swimming Pool was the Program of the Day. Other activities were scheduled from 10:15 am concert through 10:00 pm's last showing of a motion picture.
1931-02-25 Gulf Stream Cruise Program of the Day
Wednesday's listing of events for passengers on the National Tours Gulf Stream Cruise on the SS California of the Anchor Line on 25 February 1931. Shipboard activities were scheduled from 7:45 pm Outdoor Motion Picture to 11:15 pm Rudy Valee Orchestra Concert.
1931-02-26 Gulf Stream Cruise Program of the Day
Wednesday's listing of events for passengers on the National Tours Gulf Stream Cruise on the SS California of the Anchor Line on 26 February 1931. A Masquerade Ball with Grand March was the featured program.
1931-02-27 Gulf Stream Cruise Program of the Day
Tuesday's listing of events for passengers on the National Tours Gulf Stream Cruise on the SS California of the Anchor Line on 27 February 1931. "California Follies" was the Program of the Day.
1931-02-27 The California Follies - A Musical Revue - National Tours
An adorable musical review concert program provided delightful entertainment to the passengers on board the SS California of the Anchor Line, during a Bermuda Cruise on 27 February 1931.
1933-07-27 Social Events Program - SS New York
Program of Social Events for a voyage of the SS New York of the Hamburg America Line beginning 27 July 1933. Events included Movies, Concerts, "Get-Togethers," and Dances. Two of the movies shown were self-promotional world cruises aboard a HAPAG ocean liner.
1936-07-30 Cabaret Concert Program - RMS Samaria
A Cabaret Concert in the Tourist Class Smoking Room onboard the RMS Samaria of the Cunard White Star Line on 30 July 1936. This charity concert benefited British, American, and Canadian Seamen’s charitable organizations.
1936-08-27 Voyage Events Program - SS Deutschland
Tourist Class Events Program on the SS Deutschland of the Hamburg America Line for the voyage beginning 27 August 1936. Activities included Dances, Movies, Concerts, "Get-Togethers," Horse Races, Beer Parity, and Horse Races.
Our Movies Show Tonight - Theodora Goes Wild (Theodora Wird Wild) 1937
Pamphlet announcing the evening's movie being shown on board a steamship of the Hamburg America Line from 1937. Featured movie was "Theodora Wird Wild" or "Theodora Goes Wild."
Our Movies Show Tonight - Women's Love - Women's Sorrow (Frauenliebe Frauenleid) 1937
Pamphlet announcing the evening's movie being shown on board a steamship of the Hamburg America Line from 1937. Featured movie was "Frauenliebe Frauenleid" or "Women's Love - Women's Sorrow."
1936-08-29 Atlantic Islands Cruise Sports & Etertainment Program
Discover the startling differences between the cruise activities of 1936 compared to modern-day cruises. In the past, it was up to the passengers to figure out what to do with all the time spent onboard during the voyage.
21 July 1937 Daily Program - SS Europa
Daily Program onboard the SS Europa of the Norddeutscher Lloyd for Wednesday, 21 July 1937, the Final Day of Voyage 141 Westbound. Variety of Activities Including Movies, Meals, Concerts, Cocktails and Cordials, and Farewell Ball.
1938-08-27 Activities Program - RMS Nieuw Amsterdam
Social and Sporting Activities for the Voyage from Rotterdam to New York onboard the RMS Nieuw Amsterdam of the Holland-America Line. Cabin class passengers enjoyed many events including a variety of deck sports, movies, card games, concerts, dancing, children's parties, horse races, and more.
1939-05-11 Social Events Program - SS New York
Social Events Program for the transatlantic voyage on the SS New York of the Hamburg America Line beginning 11 May 1939. Featured events included Tea Concerts, Horse Races, Dancing, Movies, Fancy Dress Ball, and News Reels.
1949-08-30 Program of Today's Events - RMS Queen Elizabeth
Program of Social and Sporting events onboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth of the Cunard White Star Line for Tuesday, 30 August 1949. Today's activities included movies, concerts, Rotary meeting, children's tea party, horse racing, cocktail hour, BBC newscast, dancing, and community sing-a-long.
1952-06-06 Events Program - RMS Queen Mary
Daily program of social events onboard the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line featured several notices related to the Rotarians, Lions International, Kiwanis, US Customs - Landing Cards and Baggage Declarations, and a table tennis tournament. Other events were listed for the day from 7:00 am swimming to 12:30 am dancing.
1952-06-07 Events Program - RMS Queen Mary
Social and Sporting Events Program for Saturday, 7 June 1952 onboard the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line. Cabin Class passengers have many options, including swimming, movies, Rotarian, Lions International, and Kiwanis meetings, concerts, news broadcasts, dancing, and more.
1952-06-08 Events Program - RMS Queen Mary
Cabin Class Program of Events for Sunday, 8 June 1952 onboard the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line. Scheduled activities included a table tennis tournament, "Age Please" competition, movies, swimming gala, news broadcasts, concerts, horse races, dancing, and more.
1952-06-09 Events Program - RMS Queen Mary
Daily Events Program for Monday, 9 June 1952 onboard the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line featured a listing of "Competition Winners," along with events such as movies, concerts, news broadcasts, and dancing.
1953-03-09 Horse Racing Program - MV Ruahine
They had fun putting together this "Horse Racing" program onboard the MV Ruahine of the New Zealand Steamship Company for Monday, 9 March 1953. Wooden horses were advanced on a track based on the roll of dice. Each horse in the six races included owner, name of horse, jockey, and quip.
1953-03-28 Events Program - RMS Queen Mary
Tourist Class Events Program for Saturday, 28 March 1953 onboard the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line. Content included notices of meetings, passenger declaration forms, and event proposals. Listed events included movies, concerts, lifeboat drill, news broadcasts, and dancing.
1953-03-29 Events Program - RMS Queen Mary
Tourist Class Program of Events for Sunday, 28 Mary 1953 onboard the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line provided a listing of upcoming meetings, British immigration inspections, and anticipated events. It also listed activities for the day, including sports competitions, movies, concerts, news broadcasts, horse racing, and dancing.
1953-03-30 Events Program - RMS Queen Mary
Tourist Class Events Program for Monday, 30 March 1953 onboard the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line listing meetings, instructions for British immigration inspection process, and upcoming competitions. Other activities included movies, concerts, news broadcasts, KENO Bingo, and Dancing.
1953-10-29 Concert Program - MS Gripsholm
Program for a Concert on the MS Gripsholm, October 29, 1953, Featuring Coloratura Soprano Sylvia Aarnio -- a Graduate of the Juilliard School of Music.
1954-12-09 Sports & Entertainments Program - RMMV Winchester Castle
An extensive program of sports, entertainment, and social events for voyage 128 of the RMS Winchester Castle of the Union-Castle Line. Tourist class passengers enjoyed a variety of activities including deck sports, movies, dog racing, dancing, ocean derby, and more. Rules for Tournament games -- Deck Tennis, Deck Quoits, Bucket Quoits, Table Tennis, and Contract Bridge were also provided.
1955-06-17 Sports and Entertainments Program - RMS Edinburgh Castle
Colorful, elaborate events program for voyage 43 of the RMS Edinburgh Castle of the Union-Castle Line. Events listed include Whist (card game), movies, dancing, "Edinburgh Derby," concerts, Father Neptune ceremony, fancy dress ball, and a variety of deck sports tournaments.
1955-06-24 Horse Racing Program - RMS Edinburgh Castle
Tongue-in-Cheek Horse Racing Program published onboard the RMS Edinburgh Castle of the Union-Castle Line, held on Friday, 24 June 1955. Each of the six races was given a "theme," and the five [wooden] horses would be listed by owner, name of the horse, jockey, and quip.
Onboard Events
Address to Passengers Attending Concert on the RMS Caronia June 1905
I have been commanded to take the chair at the Concert this evening by the Captain of the ship, whose word, as you all know, is law. We are all in the power of the Captain, and he can do what he likes with us, therefore, it is policy to obey his commands without hesitation. a. I don't know, I'm sure, why he should have selected me for this task, unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, and I was rather dismayed when I received his command, but I knew there was no use trying to decline, so here I am in the poktion of Chairman.
The Captain's Farewell Dinner onboard an Ocean Liner (1912)
Preparations went on all the afternoon in the dining room of the "Graf Waldersee" of the Hamburg America Line for the Boat-Captain's Dinner. The "Captain's Dinner," by the way, given just before the end of the voyage, is always quite a grand affair.
