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Story: The voyage out

A six-berth cabin

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A six-berth cabin

By the 1950s the long journey to New Zealand by ship (most were now motor vessels rather than steamships) had become a long holiday at sea. Cabins, like this one on the Ruahine, still had to be shared with others, but they were comfortable and well appointed. Entertainments and diversions were offered to help pass the long days at sea.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, P&O Nedloyd Collection

Reference: Eph-D-SHIP-1950's-01-1

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

John Wilson, The voyage out – 20th-century steamers, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/ephemera/2602/a-six-berth-cabin (accessed 12 June 2026).

Story by John Wilson, published 4 March 2009.