A replica of the legendary Titanic will steam along the same route as ill-fated liner in 2022.
Titanic II will have the same look and feel as the original liner, but will measure a few metres wider for extra stability at sea.
Engineers are working to test, build and fit out the ship in the same style as the 1912 liner that sank in the Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg.
That’s where owners The Blue Star Line hope any similarities will end with the original Titanic.
The new cruise ship will include the latest navigation equipment, safety measures and up-to-the-minute technology.
Then, they did say that about the unsinkable Titanic in 1912.
Opulent state rooms
The Blue Star Line is trying to whip up interest from fare-paying passengers with a video and artist’s impressions of the luxurious state rooms and cabins on board Titanic II.
The modern liner will carry 2,400 passengers across three classes housed on 10 decks with 900 crew.
The stylish Edwardian facilities will be based on those offered by Titanic I, including the restaurants, state rooms and iconic grand staircase where Leonardo DiCaprio saw Rose parading in her red dress in that film.
The Titanic II project has faced problems of its own.
The plan kicked off in 2013 but was mothballed for a time due to financial disputes.
Construction of the 56,000 tonne ship has yet to start, as engineers are still testing models.
Blue Star Line has yet to decide ticket prices or set a date when they go on sale.
Loss of life
Titanic I sank in the Atlantic in April 2012 with 1,500 of the 2,224 passengers and crew losing their lives.
The liner was on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.
She was 882 feet long with a beam of 92 feet, with a displacement of 52,310 tonnes.
Titanic had a reputation for luxury and passengers enjoyed opulent surroundings.
At the time, Titanic was the world’s largest ship and cost £3 million to build – about £250 million today.
Her maiden voyage took started in Southampton, stopping at Cherbourg, Queenstown (now Cobh, Eire) and New York. The trip took five or six days.