One of those who canceled citing illness was Lady Cosmo Duff-Gordon, a fashion designer who had survived the sinking of the Titanic. Another designer, Philip Mangone, canceled for unspecified reasons. Years later he would find himself aboard the airship Hindenburg, on its fatal last flight; he survived, albeit badly burned. Otherwise, the Lusitania was heavily booked, especially in the lesser classes.
In the narrative of "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania" by Erik Larson, the tension surrounding the Lusitania's voyages is highlighted by several passengers' decisions to cancel their trips. Among these was Lady Cosmo Duff-Gordon, a fashion designer known for having escaped the Titanic disaster. Her cancellation was attributed to illness, which underscores the unpredictable nature of travel during this era. Another designer, Philip Mangone, also opted out but did not disclose his reasons.
Interestingly, years later, Mangone would be aboard the infamous Hindenburg during its catastrophic flight, surviving the incident with severe injuries. The overall booking for the Lusitania was quite robust, particularly within the lower classes, indicating a strong demand for transatlantic travel despite the underlying dangers of the time.
