SYDNEY (AFP)

Australian billionaire Clive Palmer said Wednesday he will unveil the design and plans for his ambitious Titanic II project in New York with the help of John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline.

The flamboyant Palmer, who announced plans in April to construct the replica Titanic with exactly the same dimensions as its ill-fated predecessor, will hold a gala dinner on December 4 on the retired aircraft carrier USS Intrepid.

Those attending will include the former US president's daughter, his sister Jean Kennedy Smith and New York Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson along with leading US business leaders, Palmer said.

They will be treated to a dinner from the same menu as Titanic passengers on the day it sank on April 12, 1912.

"It will be a chance for the business community of the United States and indeed the world to see the wonderful progress that's been made on our Titanic II project," Palmer said.

"Since we announced our plan in April we've had a huge amount of interest, particularly from people wanting to know how they can secure a booking for the maiden voyage, along with commercial sponsors."

The first voyage remains set for 2016, with the boat due to sail from China, where it will be built, to Southampton in England ahead of her maiden passenger journey to New York.

The new ship will mirror its predecessor's dimensions -- measuring 270 metres long (885 feet), 53 metres high and weighing 40,000 tonnes.

It will have 840 rooms and nine decks and retain the first, second and third-class divisions of the original.

Palmer extended an invitation for James Cameron to sail on the ship, saying the Titanic director had complained there were no Titanic-related experiences left for him.

"Well James, this is something you can do," he said.

The project is the brainchild of Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer, who is keen to recreate the architecture and look of the doomed liner, with this brand new vessel.

In a bid to help him do this, Seatrade Insider is reporting that Mr Palmer has hired Mr Hall as a design consultant on the liner, which is scheduled to launch in 2016.

Mr Hall is one of the founding members of the Titanic & Steamship Historical Society of Australia and has written a number of books, including "Titanic: The Ship Magnificent" on the subject.

(Source: Seatrade Insider)

[ 10-03-2012: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Seriously, I don't see how they plan to maintain a 3-class division -- no one is going to remain restricted in a small area of the ship for very long.

or the SS Normandie

It does not fill me with confidence about the project, given the fact that they have got the date wrong.

The sinking of the Titanic occurred on the night of 14 April through to the morning of 15 April.

[ 10-04-2012: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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The new ship will mirror its predecessor's dimensions -- measuring 270 metres long (885 feet), 53 metres high and weighing 40,000 tonnes.

It will have 840 rooms and nine decks and retain the first, second and third-class divisions of the original.[/QB]

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I can't imagine that for whatever premium this thing is going to carry anyone will be actually willing to pay (and I'm sure it will be a lot) for passage on this novelty ship and be part of the 'Third-Class division', whatever that is going to look like.

The closest thing we may have now to any sort of class-division on a cruise ship or liner is probably the Queen Mary 2 and Norwegian Epic, but at least passengers have access to a majority of the rest of the ship.

And the 'new' Titanic can't possibly compare with either of those.

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Originally posted by PamM:
... - to comply with today's stability requirements she would probably require a barrage of sponsons all the way around her hull

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Pam, that's not an issue according to Palmer, the hull will be four foot wider - that will cure all stability issues!

It is a smart move (not) on Palmers behalf to pick a ship yard, with no track record of building cruise ships, for this challenging project!

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:

There also has to be some degree of authenticity to the interior look of of Titanic II to be able to pull this off ...

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Well palmer has already mentioned the Casino!

Let's not forget the extra deck!

He also said you would be able to try all three classes of accomodation on a cruise. How will that work? maye when the orchestra stop, everyone swaps cabin?

How about balcony cabins?

Imagine twice as many lifeboats and all moder style oragne ones?

Imagine the radar on the superstructure!

[ 10-05-2012: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
How to become a millionaire....

Start out as a billionaire and then try to build Titanic II...

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Like button.

If someone wants the Edwardian era look for a cruise there are the R ships, the Deutschland, and much more comfortable.

I would have loved the nautical bucket women; Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth to have been 90k ton variants of the Queen Mary 2.

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Originally posted by desirod7:
That would make a lot more sense, and not likely to lose money.

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I don't think Palmer will lose much money (apart from the cost of a few press-conferences and a web site) as I very much doubt if Titanic 2 will ever materialise.

There have been plenty of other foolhardy ideas, like the return of the SS United States, the QE2 Hotel and some even sillier concepts:

http://malcolmoliver.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/6286/

[ 10-05-2012: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

At best BigU would have resembled the QE2 in her late years or the SSNorway pre balcony add on.

The concept Onno, myself and the Hadley variant would have cost a billion $ and with 1800 berths the numbers would have added up like Ryan's budget plan.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

I don't think Palmer will lose much money (apart from the cost of a few press-conferences and a web site) as I very much doubt if Titanic 2 will ever materialise.

There have been plenty of other foolhardy ideas, like the return of the SS United States, the QE2 Hotel and some even sillier concepts:

http://malcolmoliver.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/6286/

[ 10-05-2012: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Every time a new ship is announced everybody on here starts complaining about how it's a floating box, they all look the same, can't compare to the classic liners.

No we have someone who is willing to spend their own money to build a ship along the lines of a classic liner and what do we have, more complaining.

If anyone deserves our support it would be Clive Palmer.

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Originally posted by jetwet1:
I really need to point something out here folks.

Every time a new ship is announced everybody on here starts complaining about how it's a floating box, they all look the same, can't compare to the classic liners.

No we have someone who is willing to spend their own money to build a ship along the lines of a classic liner and what do we have, more complaining.

If anyone deserves our support it would be Clive Palmer.

Ok, so he is not going to reproduce the Titanic to 100% accuracy, but it will still be huge departure from the current crop of ships.

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The name Titanic is of course extremely well known and definitely an opportunity for being exploited commerically and I am sure that one could actually earn money with a ship named Titanic.

However, anyone who knows a bit about ships is aware that this ships was not nearly as special as many think and certainly not as luxurious as many think. The statement 'built like the original but with modern amenities and to modern safety standards' we heard so often in the context of such 'rebuild Titanic projects' is a contradiction in itself - and if the intention behind that statement is not marketing it's actually also rather dumb and shows the lack of understanding of the matter.

I therefore totally disagree with the notion that people who are interested in ships and know that there have been other ships but Titanic should be grateful and supportive of such an undertaking.

Will he have an outdoor pool? Lounge deck areas? Lido restaurant? Alternative restaurants? Balconies? Sport areas on deck? Rock Wall? Basketball court? etc. etc. etc.

Sure you will get a lot of press on the maiden voyage but then will the passengers come back time and again?

You build ships with a 20 year or longer economic life. Can he sustain a market for even 5 years for this ship? Hoe many times will someone want to sail on it to begin with and then will they come back time and again in Third Class with shares bathrooms?

Many segments of the cruise ship industry still work on razor thin margins and the only way they make any money is to pack the ships full week after week year after year and generate extra revenues from on board services.

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Originally posted by SSTRAVELER:
8...9
Will he have an outdoor pool? Lounge deck areas? Lido restaurant? Alternative restaurants? Balconies? Sport areas on deck? Rock Wall? Basketball court? etc. etc. etc.
[...]
The Titanic mania blipped up again this year because of the 100th anniversary but in 2018 will people still flock to the dock for what amounts to a fancy carnival ride?

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Originally posted by Ernst:

QM2, the R-ships or Deutschland. t.

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Those 3 ships are still desirable, attractive modern cruise ships. The R-ships command high fares, QM is lovely and about to go on my 3rd trip with her. She is by far the best riding ship of the 20 ships I have sailed. I would be happy to sail the Deutschland at the right price.

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Originally posted by desirod7:
[...]
There is nothing ridiculous about any of them [...]

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