There will not be televisions or state-of-the-art music systems on board, nor internet connections or mobile phones. But every passenger will find period costumes in their cabin wardrobe so that they can enjoy ‘a true 1912 experience’.
However, the plans include a safety deck (with more lifeboats obviously), a new high-tech engine, air-conditioning and service lifts.
As with the original ship, there will be First, Second and Third Class cabins and passengers will not be allowed to mingle – apart from on the safety deck, where there will be a casino and theatre.
And at 883ft, Titanic II will be three inches longer than its predecessor to accommodate an additional area at the bow where passengers will be able to recreate the iconic ‘Jack and Rose pose’ made famous by actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in James Cameron’s 1997 Oscar-winning movie.
Cameron refused Palmer’s invitation to last week’s Titanic II celebratory gala dinner in New York.
Another dinner was held last night at London’s Natural History Museum, where guests were served the same 11 course dinner as First-Class passengers on the original.
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday yesterday, Prof Palmer said he would travel Third Class on his ship’s maiden voyage – ‘Although I’ll probably nip up to First or the bridge as we come into New York harbour,’ he said.
‘Third Class has got all the appeal, but there might be people who normally travel Third Class who might want to go in First.’
Known as the man who got rich under the radar, Palmer was born in Melbourne to Nancy and George Palmer, a silent movie star of the 1920s who went on to set up the first commercial radio stations in Australia.
Clive made his first millions investing in property on Australia’s Gold Coast but became eye-wateringly rich after moving into iron ore mining.
His net worth is the subject of much debate. Business Review Weekly rates Palmer as Australia’s fifth-richest person with assets of $5 billion (about £3.5 billion) while Forbes estimates his wealth at a relatively paltry $895 million (£600 million).
Palmer contends he is far wealthier than even the BRW estimate. He refuses to say how much Titanic II will cost to build, although experts believe it will between £260 million and £400 million.
While the original was built in Belfast, this ship will be constructed in a Chinese yard, and the voyage could become a financial bonanza for Palmer.
But he says: ‘My motivation wasn’t to make a lot of money but was actually to deliver the ship. Now something which wasn’t primarily aimed in my mind as a great business transaction may well become one.’
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