The controversial project to build a replica of RMS Titanic and sail her on regular cruises between Southampton and New York has resumed, Chairman of Blue Star Line Clive Palmer said in London this week.
The Blue Star Line is a new company founded by the Australian billionaire and will own and operate the ship, a nearly identical replica of the most famous ship of all time, RMS Titanic. She is also still scheduled to cruise from Dubai.
Initially announced in 2012, the US $500-million project was meant to see the ship launched in China in 2016, with a cruise from Dubai planned for 2018.
These repositioning cruises will get the ship to her intended homeport of Southampton, from which Palmer intends to have her cruise weekly between the UK and New York, just as White Star Line intended for RMS Titanic.
“Blue Star Line will create an authentic Titanic experience, providing passengers with a ship that has the same interiors and cabin layout as the original vessel, while integrating modern safety procedures, navigation methods and 21st century technology to produce the highest level of luxurious comfort,” says Palmer.
He said that the launch date for the ship had now been moved from 2018 to 2022, meaning she will be launched exactly 110 years after the original RMS Titanic.
While the Southampton-New York run will be bread-and-butter during the summer months, Palmer said that she would also undertake World Cruises during the rest of the year, with Dubai as a regular port of call.
“The ship will follow the original journey, carrying passengers from Southampton to New York, but she will also circumnavigate the globe, inspiring and enchanting people while attracting unrivalled attention, intrigue and mystery in every port she visits,” he said.
The ship is being built as close of a replica to the original Titanic as possible, according to Cruise Fever, with the addition of modern safety features, such as a welded rather than riveted hull, modern lifeboats and digital navigation, satellite, and radar systems.
The ship will also be diesel-powered rather than coal-fired, but the four iconic smoke stacks will remain.
Dining rooms will be modelled meticulously after the original, with passengers eating food from the same menu as the ill-fated ship.
There will be nine decks and 840 staterooms that can accommodate 2,400 passengers and 900 crew members.
Passengers will buy first, second, and third class tickets just like the original. There will be a swimming pool, gymnasiums, and Turkish bath.
I’m totally in. But only if I can stand up on the bow leaning into the wind!!!!
I am terribly interested in the maiden voyage. Please keep me apprised of ticket availability.
YYYEEEESSS!!!! I am dying to know what the pricing will be and when they’ll be going on sale!
I sure hope it’s going to run on HVO.
When will the first class tickets go on sale?
When and where would we purchase tickets?
When will pricing for passage be available? Have always had a fascination for the Titanic and would love to sail on her.
I want to be on titanic 2 to meet my jack. ..
I am also looking forward to seeing actual dates and pricing.
When it’s your time to go it’s your time.Thats just life.enjoy everyday it’s a gift.
Ready to book after a total fascination with ship and movie.
I would also like to see ticket prices?
Talk about a stupid idea, i give it 3 months before it sinks and kills hundreds AGAIN.
need ticket info and co2 life jacket in the suit case. I would love to sail her!
Where can I buy a couple 1st class boarding passes.
You shouldn’t do it a second time. This Ship won’t make it either.the cruise was Cursed. Don’t do it . God Be with all that is going to go on the trip.