The much-debated Titanic II has just been unveiled at a launch event in Southampton, UK, where the original ill-fated cruise liner departed on her maiden voyage 100 years ago.
Titanic II will be an exact replica of the original RMS Titanic which originally set sail on 10 April 1912. There will be a grand staircase, Turkish baths and a reading room. The project is being funded by Australian mining billionaire, Clive Palmer. Thousands have expressed an interest in joining the voyage in 2016, despite the fact that the liner has not even been built yet and prices have not even been revealed! The route will follow the original and travel from Southampton to New York.
The original Titanic was constructed at a Belfast boatyard and the new version is scheduled to go into production at a Chinese boatyard, yet promises to adhere to the original in every way. The Titanic 2 will however feature a few mod cons such as air conditioning, helipad, a hospital and crucially, the present-day requisite number of lifeboats!
Interestingly, the first, second and third class passenger system that operated on the original Titanic – and was evident in the blockbuster film between Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio’s characters – will remain. In fact, Clive Palmer says he will travel as a third class passenger in 2016.
Although there are no surviving passengers from the original Titanic, emotions and reactions are mixed.
What do you think? Would you want to travel onboard the Titanic II?
