That's a nice problem to have: when you're filthy rich, and you have covered all your needs and about every whim possible, what should you do with your money? If your name is Clive Palmer, you build a replica of the Titanic, that's what.
Clive Palmer is an Australian businessman and former politician best described as a controversial public figure. He is also a billionaire and, as per his own words, kinda sorta tired of having all this money lying around in the bank, especially now that he's in his 70s. So, with an estimated net worth of about $33 billion, what better way to spend it than by building a replica of the iconic unsinkable Titanic?
Palmer is what you could call a Titanic romantic, and a hopeless one, at it. His plans for Titanic II, which is what he calls the replica, go back to early 2010 when he first spoke publicly about them. The project has already been delayed twice after Palmer went public with exact launch dates, and he's the first to acknowledge that this chipped away at its credibility.
But he's willing to give it another try. Third time's a charm, and all that: earlier this month, Palmer went in front of a group of local press representatives to announce that Titanic II was back on.
Photo: Blue Star Line
He also offered details about partners in the construction process, extra safety measures, and estimated timelines. As he puts it, the Titanic II will be more than a cruise ship and more than a luxury experience at sea: it will be a statement on values (definitely not a political statement), a symbol of love and peace, and the most incredible vessel to have ever sailed. Bar the original Titanic, of course.
Titanic II is property of Palmer's company Blue Star Line and will be built with support from marine engineering company Deltamarine. International partners include V.Ships Leisure and Tillberg Design, but only in the initial stages of the process. There is no shipyard attached as of the time of writing, but Palmer is saying that the first tenders will go out in the summer in the hope of securing a deal by the end of the year.
Palmer says that Titanic II will most likely be built at one of the European shipyards. He had previously toyed with the idea of building it in China but has since come to the understanding that the work of yards there is not up to par with standards. He says that, sadly, the Australian shipyard industry can't handle a project of this magnitude.
Photo: Blue Star Line
Titanic II will be 269 meters (882.5 feet) long and 32.2 meters (105.6 feet) wide, offering an interior volume of 56,000 GT spread across nine decks, one of which was added on considerations of safety, to allow for maximum visibility from the control room. Palmer romanticizes the era that birthed the original Titanic, but he is well aware of the need to prevent what happened to the original from happening to his replica.
Power will come via diesel engines, but the iconic four smoke stacks will be in the same place as on the original coal-powered vessel.
Accommodation onboard will be lavish, including for third-class passengers. On Titanic II, Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack would have a choice of 251 cabins and fine dining in the communal area – and even a spot on one of the lifeboats, should push come to shove. First class gets 383 cabins, while second class 201 rooms.
Photo: Blue Star Line
Amenities range from a formal ballroom, Turkish baths, indoor pools, saunas, entertainment rooms, and a replica of that gorgeous staircase. Palmer stresses that, while Titanic II will replicate the original to whatever extent possible, features and amenities will be modern.
He doesn't say how exactly that translates into reality, and the fact that he's used period-correct costumes for fictional guests in advertising materials only makes this more confusing.
If all goes according to plan, Titanic II will be in service by June 2027, with the maiden voyage scheduled to take place between Southampton and New York and subsequent voyages sending it circumnavigating the globe. Palmer's estimate for a 2.5-year construction timeline is optimistic at best, given the ship's size and features. He's asking the media and potential guests to exercise the same kind of optimism when talking about Titanic II.
Photo: Blue Star Line
In the end, it will have been worth it, he promises. With an estimated cost between $500 million and $1 billion, Titanic II "will be the ship of love and the ultimate in style and luxury."
"The essence of this venture is to offer passengers an unparalleled journey back in time, immersing them fully in the opulence and splendor of life aboard the original Titanic, thus bridging a century with a voyage of unparalleled elegance," Palmer added at the press event announcing that Titanic II project was back on the table.
A documentary series and a Hollywood movie are also in the pipeline, taking guests into the construction of Titanic II.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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