Believe it or not, but Titanic II is in the works — and we're not talking about a sequel to the seminal 1997 film.
We're talking about an actual ship built as a near-exact replica of the ill-fated passenger liner that sank in 1912, taking the lives of over 1,500 people with it into the freezing Atlantic.
While the project has had a number of ups and downs, the latest news from Blue Star Line — an Australian company that takes its name from a now-defunct ship company from England — is that the elegant ship is set to sail in 2018.
The idea was created by Australian billionaire Clive Palmer, and despite its namesake's tragic end, many people are excited to be a part of the ship's maiden voyage.
But if you're thinking, "This seems like a very bad idea," you would certainly not be alone.
While shipwrecks have long captured the imaginations of people all over the world, so much so that one family even spends their time hunting for submerged treasure, the thought of being on a replica of a ship whose name is synonymous with disaster doesn't appeal to many.
Still, Palmer and his team are forging ahead. Take a look at some of the proposed plans, and consider whether you would test fate aboard the Titanic II.
[H/T: MessyNessyChic, Daily Mail]
The original Titanic set off on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, in April 1912, destined for New York City. It carried more than 2,000 passengers.
While many were wealthy, many were poor emigrants from Europe looking to start anew in the U.S. Five days after launch, the ship struck an iceberg and sank, killing most of the passengers.
Still, Clive Palmer thought it would be a good idea to recreate the ship as closely as possible for modern travelers. Some differences will exist, though.
For one thing, instead of sailing from England to New York, the Titanic II will sail from Jiansu, China, to Dubai.
But even given the difference in travel plan, the design of the Titanic II has been carefully created to mimic the original ship as closely as possible, complete with all the Edwardian flourishes and flairs.
The images on the left are photos of the original Titanic's interior, which were used to drum up publicity for the ship before its launch.
The images on the right are digital renderings of the proposed plans.
Just like the original, Blue Star Lines is looking to get as much attention as possible. And thanks to the wealth of images, the designers have plenty of source material to work from.
This is Café Parisien, which was available only to the wealthier passengers aboard the original Titanic.
True to 1912 form, the Titanic II will also feature first-, second-, and third-class tickets and accommodations.
The class differences between passengers can clearly be seen in where they were or were not allowed to go on the ship.
These images show a first-class stateroom, fitted out in beautiful wood paneling and furniture.
Meanwhile, a second-class room was already much more spare, with bunk beds and a convertible sofa.
There's no indication that class mingling will be frowned upon the way it was in 1912, but the massive ship will feature varying levels of accommodation.
And that includes the dining rooms, too. First-class dining features restaurant-style tables with linens and silver…
…while third-class operates more like a mess hall, with communal tables.
And in case the Titanic doesn't conjure up enough saltwater for you, there's also a saltwater swimming pool on board.
While plenty of the historic replicas are also functional, some will be purely decorative, like the steering and navigational equipment on the bridge.
While lovely, these recreations are completely nonfunctional.
Instead, the Titanic II will come with modern equipment. It will also be built according to modern safety regulations, such as having a welded rather than a riveted hull.
It will also be considerably heavier than the original, and will have diesel-electric engines, rather than coal and steam.
The wood paneling that covered most of the hallways inside will also be absent, as today it's considered a fire hazard.
And yes, there will be more lifeboats!
Ironically, most of the safety guidelines that the Titantic II must adhere to were put in place due to the preventable loss of life in the sinking of the original Titanic.
Some people have criticized the project for being insensitive, a waste of money, or just plain silly.
What do you think? (We just hope a replica iceberg isn't being planned, too.)
SHARE this bizarre historical undertaking with your history-loving friends, and see if they would take a maiden voyage on another Titanic!
