Plans Unveiled For Full Scale Replica of the Titanic 292
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.'"
Re:I really don't think (Score:2, Insightful)
This may be a bigger hit than expected. Just a stressless cultural experience. Live music, dancing, shows and participation. Skilled artists, great shows, probobly great food too.
I agree.
Slashdot might not be the best place to vote whether an attraction with no WiFi will be a success or not.
Re:Seperation of classes (Score:5, Insightful)
Clive Palmer is actually completely fecking bonkers. People here in australia treat him as sort of a scary/facinating madman who got all the dollars but none of the sense that one might associate with being a billionaire. Granted its not uncommon with australian billionaires to be a bit cranky (See rupert murdoch, gina rinehart, and so on).
That said. I want someone to convince him to spend his billions on space travel. He's just far enough off his rocker to actually consider it.
Re:Seperation of classes (Score:5, Insightful)
What do you mean not a popular concept in modern day?
Flights have cattle class, business class, first class etc don't they?
Nothing wrong with the equipment... (Score:4, Insightful)
Here's a hint: there were other ships in the area and none of them sank due to icebergs.
Re:Seperation of classes (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Seperation of classes (Score:5, Insightful)
Because historically, extreme concentration of wealth in the hands of a few coincides with recession/depression and high levels of national debt. This is not hard to understand. Redistributing wealth to a smaller group of people means the larger group of people have less to spend. The smaller group owning the majority of the wealth will not spend their money the same way someone from the lower classes will.
The reason we had such a great economy in the 1950s was in part due to the low income inequality via high taxation on the rich. Capitalism worked beautifully then, lifting the standards of practically every American. One can argue the same is not true today.
Re:Please tell me it wont be an accurate replica.. (Score:5, Insightful)
Actually, load the the ship with the "top 1%" and sink the bitch fast, no lifeboats.
Re:Seperation of classes (Score:5, Insightful)
Even during the Victorian Era, much interclass screwing around took place. Don't confuse the stereotype of exemplary chastity with, as they say, "the facts on the ground". Prostitution was all over the place. Etc.
Prostitution generally involved higher class men screwing lower class women. The other way round was rather unusual.
Edwardian culture (Score:5, Insightful)
Upper class women were often left at home for long periods while their husbands went off to rule the Empire. The result was a culture of affairs with men of similar social standing, and also of sex with the servants. The latter was in some ways a form of prostitution; in exchange for a clean indoor job involving standing around handing out food and drink and shifting luggage, all board, lodging and clothes provided, a footman was expected to service the mistress and perhaps her friends. In a divorce case (which was really considered scandalous) it was not done to cite other parties lower than one's own social status, i.e. bonking servants didn't count.
Not in all cases obviously, perhaps not in a majority, but the rules have been well documented.
Re:Edwardian culture (Score:4, Insightful)
In a way, that reminds me of the Clinton-Lewinsky "scandal" and some of the extreme reactions....
The "good christians/family values wardens" in the US: "Omg, he's got a mistress!!"
Italians, spaniards and french people I knew at the time: "Omg, he's got only 1 mistress!"