HISTORIC CRUISE TO MARK 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF TITANIC
The 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is to be marked in three
years time with a once in a lifetime cruise following the ship’s original route.
The historic cruise will include a memorial service in the early hours of the
morning of April 15, 2012 above the historic vessel in the Atlantic, exactly 100
years after the ship sank beneath the waves.
The Balmoral Cruise liner operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – whose
parent company Harland and Wolff built the Titanic - has been chartered by a
specialist travel agency and reservations were opened today, 97 years to the
day from when the Titanic was lost.
The cruise liner Balmoral will make the historic journey with 1,309 paying
passengers - the same number that sailed on the fateful Titanic voyage. They
will enjoy an entirely Titanic themed cruise on a voyage that will be a new
chapter in the Titanic story.
On board cruise passengers will be able to mix with fellow enthusiasts, Titanic
historians and those with a personal interest in the events of 1912.
The Balmoral will leave Southampton in early April 2012 and sail close to
Cherbourg before docking at Cobh, formerly called Queenstown, in Ireland,
where the Titanic made its final port of call on April 11, 1912. There
passengers can enjoy a Titanic heritage tour.
The cruise will continue following the route of the RMS Titanic and arrive over
the spot where the Titanic sank on April 14. Then there will be a special
memorial ceremony between 11.40 pm when the ship hit the iceberg and 2.20
am on April 15, exactly 100 years after the great ship sank.
Managing Director of ABTA-bonded Miles Morgan Travel, who has chartered
the Fred. Olsen Cruise liner for the historic voyage said: “The Titanic still grips
the imagination of people throughout the world and this is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to be part of a unique cruise packed with interest for those with a
fascination for the Titanic story.
“The whole voyage will be steeped in Titanic history. The food served will
match the sumptuous menus on the original voyage; the entertainment will
include music and dancing in the style featured in those glorious times and
there will be a chance to hear first hand from historians who have studied the
Titanic story – it promises to be a truly memorable cruise,” said Mr Morgan.
“We have started taking registrations earlier than planned as there were so
many rumours circulating on the internet about plans to mark the anniversary.
The fascination for the Titanic is as strong as ever.”
Ironically the Balmoral will have to leave port in Southampton earlier than the
Titanic did so that it can reach the spot where she sank on the actual
anniversary, as the modern cruise ship can not sail as fast as the Titanic,
which at the time was the largest and most luxurious ship afloat.
After the service the cruise continues to Halifax, Nova Scotia where
passengers can visit Fairview Lawn Cemetery where 121 Titanic victims are
buried, along with Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery and Hirsch Jewish
Cemetery, which also have graves of Titanic victims.
Then finally the cruise continues to New York – the ultimate planned
destination of the original voyage – where it is set for an historic welcome.
The 12-night cruise, including flights back to the UK, will cost between £2,595
and £7,995 depending on cabin type. With just 1,309 spaces available these
are expected to be snapped up quickly.
The trip is being marketed worldwide with huge interest expected from Titanic
enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic.
Details of how to book can be found on www.titanicmemorialcruise.co.uk.
ENDS
Titanic – Balmoral Comparison
Specification Titanic Balmoral
Built 1909 1988
840 738
Cabins
Passenger’s 1309 1309
travelling
401 500
Crew
Tonnage 46,328 grt 43,537 grt
Length 269.1 m 218.18 m
Beam Width 28.0 m 28.2m
Speed 21.0 knots 20.0 knots
