Clive Palmer’s Titanic II project is an exciting one, or a tasteless one, depending on your viewpoint.
However, a lot has changed since 1912 when the original RMS Titanic was lunched on her ill-fated transatlantic crossing.
So will Titanic II be luxurious ship? She was in her day of course, but how about by today’s standards?
It is generally agreed that ‘Luxury’ cruising today means a smaller ship. These carry less passengers, which makes them very spacious, with a high crew to passenger ratio, giving a personal and attentive service. Food is of ‘fine dining’ standard and the accommodation is very spacious. There are also many extensive amenities to pamper the passengers.
Titanic II Space On-board
Palmers Titanic will be around 56,000 gross tonnes, is small by modern standards. She will carry around 2,400 passengers (all berths). However, this gives a passenger to space-ratio of around ‘23’, which is pretty crowded (the bigger the number the more space per passenger). Many luxury/Premium ships today have a space ratio of 35-40.
There are plenty of ships around today with a similar space-ratio to Titanic II, but these are not generally considered to be ‘luxury’ ships. They are ‘mass market’ (also called ‘standard’) ships. They can feel somewhat crowded.
Titanic II Accommodation
Although the original Titanic had some very nice first-class cabins, most did not even have a port hole. Most were effectively “inside”. They were not as big as some suites on-board modern ships, such as Duplex suites with very large verandas and private hot-tubs etc.
The Titanic of course did not have balcony cabins, modern ships have thousands. Private bathrooms were pretty rare on-board the Titanic. Every cabin on-board a modern ship, even the cheapest grade, has a private shower and toilet.
I very much doubt that Palmer dare recreate the Titanic’s ‘steerage’ (3rd class) cabins on-board Titanic II accurately. These very small cabins had minimalist décor, with basic fixture and fittings, multiple bunk beds and definitely no private toilets or bathrooms. In fact, there were only one baths and few public toilets for hundreds of steerage passengers on-board the Titanic.
The original Titanic could accommodate 1,100 steerage passengers, in close proximity to each other. Their accommodation spread over four decks and was in the least stable, least desirable areas of the ship. This was mainly deep within the hull, in stern (near the ruder steerage mechanism, hence the nickname) or at the bow. These cabins did not have any natural light. None of this would be acceptable to today’s passengers.
I suspect Palmer’s 3rd class cabins design will be very similar to any modern ‘inside’ cabins, all complete with private en-suite bathrooms. Otherwise nobody would book them.
Now if they each has two berths, that could be up to 550 inside cabins, if he is true to the original specification of steerage for 1,100 passengers.
However that would be a record number of inside cabins for any ship, including megaships. However they would hardly be considered luxurious by modern standards. Maybe Palmer will reduce the third class compliment of cabins and increase the 1st and 2nd class one. See separate page about accommodation – HERE.
Titanic II Dining
Modern cruise ship often have multiple dining rooms, offering more food and venue choices than ever. Some ships still have some very big and beautiful ‘main’ dining rooms, which would make the Titanic’s venues look small.
I’ve no doubt that Titanic II will be able to provide some excellent food for the first-class and second-class passengers, in her attractive dining rooms.
However, if Palmer respects the tradition, the third-class (steerage) passengers will be served simple fare (Irish stew etc.) in a simple dining hall with long communal tables. This of course should be very atmospheric, but not luxurious by today’s often high standards of ship-board cuisine.
The original Titanic had no air-conditioning of course, but Titanic II will.
Titanic II Outer Decks
The sun decks of modern cruise ships are full of swimming pools, hot tubs, and water chutes. In addition, they also often have and children’s water-park areas and even a jogging track. They also have the space for hundreds of sun lounger chairs.
It is hard to imagine modern cruise passengers being pleased with Titanic II’s deck facilities – or lack of them.
Titanic’s upper deck, the ‘boat deck’, was rather crowed with nautical equipment and twenty small lifeboats (unfortunately not enough of course). The reason that she did not have enough was that some were removed from the original design in an attempt to de-clutter the deck.
Titanic II Pool, Gym and Turkish Bath
The only swimming pool on-board Titanic (called the swimming bath) was deep inside the ship’s hull on deck 6 and not on the uppermost ‘boat deck’ deck, in the sun. The swimming bath was for first-class passengers only. This small pool was part of the ‘Turkish Bath’ provision.
Modern cruise ships have an extensive Gymnasium and state-of-the art equipment.
The original Titanic had a small Gym, but of course it was low-tech by modern standards, with some pretty simple equipment.
Modern cruise ships also have extensive ‘Spa and Wellness’ facilities. In fact most megaship have very extensive facilities occupying thousands of square feet, with a multitude of treatments on offer.
Titanic had a ‘Turkish Bath’ and so will Titanic II. However, there will not be an extensive Spa and Wellness Centre, that modern cruise passengers have come to expect.
Titanic II Entertainment
Titanic had little formal entertainment, apart from a string quartet for the first-class passengers. There was no show lounge or theatre.
Modern passengers expect professional entertainment as part of their cruise experience. Therefore, most modern ships often have a big theatre, offering daily west-end style productions. Mega-ship usually have additional entertainment venues offering comedy and live music etc.
However, Palmer has said that Titanic’s ‘Safety Deck’ will contain a theatre of some sort. Mind you, it can’t be very big as it will be non-raked (single deck height) and would only be able to accommodate a fraction of the ship’s total passenger compliment, during one performance.
See separate page about the ‘Safety Deck’ – HERE
One of the most popular rooms (especially with Americans) on-board any modem cruise ship, is the Casino. It is also one of the most profitable areas of a modern ship. The Titanic of course did not have one, although Palmer said Titanic II will. However, I assume that due to space constraints, it will not be very extensive.
Many big modern ships also have a shopping mall on-board, with multiple shops, selling designer brands. Once again there will be some limited shops on-board the Titanic II, but probably not half as extensive as most modern ships shopping facilities are.
In Conclusion
I don’t doubt that a cruise on-board the Titanic II would be an amazing experience. However, compared to a modern cruise ships, with modern standards, many aspects of the experience would not be considered very ‘luxurious’ at all.
Much of the accommodation, would be smaller and simpler. Even the food for some passengers (steerage) is reported to be simpler. There would be a lack of sports, deck and entertainment facilities. However, I guess that is the whole point of recreating the ship and the era.
Bring it on!
Malcolm
Links to Malcolm’s Titanic II pages on:
The ‘Safety Deck’ (Lifeboats etc.)
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Titanic II News 