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Plans Unveiled For Full Scale Replica of the Titanic

Hugh Pickens writes "USA Today reports that Australian billionaire Clive Palmer has unveiled plans for construction of Titanic II, a cruise ship designed as a 'full-scale re-creation' of the Titanic, adding that the ship will be built in China and begin carrying passengers in 2016. The Titanic II will be built 883 feet long – 3 inches longer than the original Titanic – and weigh 55,800 gross tons, according to Palmer, who stopped short of calling the vessel unsinkable. It will carry a maximum of 2,435 passengers and 900 crew members, and include a gymnasium, Turkish baths, a squash court, a swimming pool, a theater and a casino. Like the original ship, there will no TVs aboard and probably no Internet service, Palmer says. Passengers will be able to dress in 1912-style clothing, giving them an opportunity to step back in time, or pretend they are Leo DiCaprio or Kate Winslet, who starred in James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster movie. But industry insiders are skeptical about the commercial viability of the ship. 'Titanic II is a curiosity and may have a draw as a floating hotel, but the idea of spending close to a week at sea on a vessel built around such a thin premise is seen as a stretch, at least by many within the industry,' says Michael Driscoll, editor of industry newsletter Cruise Week. Driscoll adds that he is skeptical about the future of Titanic II in the aftermath of the Carnival Triumph fire and last year's shipwreck of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Tuscany. Paul Kurzman, whose great-grandparents, Isidor and Ida Straus, died on the Titanic, says he has 'no problem' with the construction of Titanic II. 'I don't think they would have had any problem whatsoever, as long as the Titanic II steers clear of icebergs.'"

15 of 292 comments (clear)

  1. Please tell me it wont be an accurate replica... by jonwil · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are some parts of the old ship that most definitely should NOT be replicated on the new one.
    Like the lifeboats.
    And the engines.
    And the bridge (and its navigation equipment and iceburg detection systems)
    And the kitchens

  2. Re:Please tell me it wont be an accurate replica.. by a_hanso · · Score: 4, Funny

    There are some parts of the old ship that most definitely should NOT be replicated on the new one.
    Like the lifeboats.
    And the engines.
    And the bridge (and its navigation equipment and iceburg detection systems)
    And the kitchens

    And the iceberg itself. I don't think I'll be comfortable in a recreation of a scenario that ends in people freezing to death.

  3. Well spent monay, not. by u64 · · Score: 5, Funny

    What's next, Hindenburg replica?

    1. Re:Well spent monay, not. by tehcyder · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why is it 3 inches longer?

      Clive Palmer is standing on the front sticking his cock out pretending Kate Winslett is on the end of it.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  4. Re:Seperation of classes by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 3, Funny

    Perhaps passengers on this thing can get a taste of each. 2 days in 1st class, 2 days in 2nd and 2 days in 3rd. And 1 day shoveling coal into a furnace...

    --
    If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
  5. Re:Please tell me it wont be an accurate replica.. by leathered · · Score: 5, Funny

    They had British chefs.

    --
    For all intensive porpoises your a bunch of rediculous loosers
  6. Finally, the ship for the movie by Doalwa · · Score: 3, Funny

    I was wondering when somebody would step up to the challenge and finally build a ship based on that wonderful movie from a few years back: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1640571/?ref_=fn_al_tt_9

  7. Re:Please tell me it wont be an accurate replica.. by Zaatxe · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't worry, global warming took care of this one!

    --
    So say we all
  8. Re:Dilation by Kupfernigk · · Score: 3, Funny

    Three inches extra dilation? She seemed to think it was important.

    --
    From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
  9. Re:Seperation of classes by meddle99 · · Score: 4, Funny

    and another day floating in a life raft, you know, to complete the experience.

  10. Re:I think by durrr · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, the league of Irony and Evil have agreed to fund a life-size replica of the iceberg that sunk titanic.

    If you happen to know the formula of ice-coloured stealth paint and/or how to build silent diesel electric motors, please send you CV to titanic_reenactment@repeathistory.com

  11. Re:Seperation of classes by tehcyder · · Score: 4, Funny

    As long as the wealth is created in a free market, that wealth is a reflection of merit, either of the individual in possession of the wealth or of someone who left it to them voluntarily.

    Remind me again how being born to rich parents is meritorious?

    You are clearly a deranged socialist who can't understand common sense. The wealth is meritorious in itself. Once created, it creates meritoriousness in all who are clever enough to touch it. An so a Meritoriocracy is created. You poor peasants wouldn't understand.

    Now get off my expensively manicured front lawn, you unutterable oik.

    --
    To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  12. Re:Seperation of classes by tehcyder · · Score: 4, Funny

    Mod parent -5 for knowing any detail whatsoever of the plot of Titanic.

    --
    To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  13. How long will the line be for "King of the World?" by default+luser · · Score: 3, Funny

    You know every fucking passenger will have to "experience" it, but there's only one prow on this ship, and more people there just ruins the experience.

    Maybe they'll use FastPass to reserve your place in line?

    "My love, I reserved the King of the World ride at 6pm, followed by a frolic in the back seat of an old clunker!"

    So romantic!

    --

    Man is the animal that laughs.
    And occasionally whores for Karma.

  14. Re:Please tell me it wont be an accurate replica.. by dkleinsc · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ah yes:
    Heaven - where the police are British, the chefs are French, the lovers are Italian, the cars are made by the Germans, and it's organized by the Swiss.
    Hell - where the police are German, the chefs are British, the lovers are Swiss, the cars are made by the French, and it's organized by the Italians.

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    I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/