Clive Palmer, an Australian billionaire, released the blueprints for the Titanic II on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Set to begin it's maiden voyage in 2016, and will travel the original Titanic's route from South Hampton, England to New York.
“The area [for] passengers will be authentic, with the same design and facilities. But there will be modern things such as air conditioning and other features we are debating — such as Internet on the ship,” Palmer said at a press conference.
The three sets of passengers, first, second, and third classes, will be prohibited from mingling with each other on the ship, just as in the original Titanic, to help the atmosphere of the Titanic more authentic.
The ship is being built as an exact replica, but a few things will be changed to accommodate in the event of a tragedy. Titanic II will have more than enough space in its lifeboats for every person on board and will have additional escape staircases.
The Titanic II will have four smoke stacks to make it look like the coal-powered original, but they will be decoration only for the diesel-powered ship. The structural changes to the ship will include using welding rather than rivets, and using an enlarged rudder and bow thrusters for increased maneuverability, according to Palmer.
Just don't call the new Titanic 'Unsinkable'
Palmer wouldn’t jinx the project, saying at a press conference, “I'm not too superstitious ... Anything will sink if you put a hole in it. I think it would be very cavalier to say it.”
About 40,000 have expressed interest in taking a ride on Titanic II. Palmer hasn't released the price of a ticket yet, but he said that prospective passengers have offered up to $1 million to get on board.
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