A Rival for the QM2?

[Poly1979]

His next project is the Hindenburg II.

[Mareblu]

4 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

He is only interested in having other people do the dreaming. He is just full of hot air. I hope everyone is just having fun with this topic and not taking any of it seriously - he would have no intention whatsoever of building this thing. It's all just publicity for the product which is Palmer himself and probably means he's going to resurrect his failed political party and have another tilt at a seat at the next election. He doesn't want to win a seat but just uses his interference in the election process to try to sway public opinion. Enough said I think from me on this subject.

I totally agree with your observations.

[NE John]

4 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

  While LNG can make a ship "cleaner",

All very valid points and I appreciate learning from your background. From what I observe, it just seems the authorities who control certain fjords and nature preserves care more about the “cleaner” ship theme and reducing emissions affecting their areas over the side effects of LNG. MSC is heavily marketing their LNG ships to gain favor to reach those areas that QM2 and others can’t. 
Sorry that this is off topic to the new Titanic. 
 

[WantedOnVoyage]

6 hours ago, D&N said:

I find the whole concept bizarre. As far as I can ascertain the original didn't have a ballroom. Therefore we would have no interest in it whatsoever 💃

Good point.... and why I would love to see people try to actually experience a real Edwardian ocean liner. Which included... in British liners of the era... NO dancing indoors.  Only on deck. No ball rooms, no dance floors.  No ladies in the smoking room, either. No dinner dress on Sundays, etc.   

 

It's all nonsense, of course, but it would be fun to see contemporary cruise passengers experiencing a true Edwardian liner (even in First Class) which this fantasy is surely not going to be in any event.

[London-Calling]

12 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

Surely they haven't built a hull without the plans having been finished?

 

I believe the design is now complete. Tank testing happened in 2013. Construction has not began yet.

 

Tank test here: 

 

[London-Calling]

For those that may be interested:

 

Although a bit intense and a bit long (with a robot voice) this video gives a good general 'overview' of Titanic II design.

 

 

 

 

[maggielou362]

On 3/17/2024 at 9:50 AM, LittleFish1976 said:

... He is just full of hot air. I hope everyone is just having fun with this topic and not taking any of it seriously - he would have no intention whatsoever of building this thing. It's all just publicity for the product which is Palmer himself and probably means he's going to resurrect his failed political party and have another tilt at a seat at the next election. He doesn't want to win a seat but just uses his interference in the election process to try to sway public opinion. Enough said I think from me on this subject.

Agree, LittleFish1976. Don't give this person (Clive Palmer) any more oxygen.

AND enough said from me on this subject too.

[Germancruiser]

Seeing is believing- I only believe in another Titanic- when I can see options for booking cabins- and even then only when I see her ready to take the first passengers. They also need a Molly Brown..!

[bazzaw]

On 3/16/2024 at 10:27 PM, PORT ROYAL said:

Totally agree.  No “Steerage Class” is a great idea.

But that apparently is where all the fun is at!

[London-Calling]

On 3/18/2024 at 8:16 AM, Germancruiser said:

They also need a Molly Brown..!

There is a connection to Molly...

 

 

[ace2542]

I doubt there would be demand for a regular competitor to the QM2/Cunard on the transatlantic crossings?.

 

Wouldn't HAL who used to do it back in the days of regular ocean crossings to America do it once again if there where demand? Or is it purely a respect thing that no one takes on Cunard on the transatlantic market save for the seasonal sailing for relocation of fleet?

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

I doubt there would be demand  a regular competitor to the QM2/Cunard on the transatlantic crossings?.

I believe the thread title was "tongue in cheek", as this thing could no more compete with QM2 than a ferry boat.  There isn't enough demand for "crossings" to support more than the QM2 and the industry knows it.

[ace2542]

2 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

I believe the thread title was "tongue in cheek", as this thing could no more compete with QM2 than a ferry boat.  There isn't enough demand for "crossings" to support more than the QM2 and the industry knows it.

In fairness to it. We haven't seen it yet so we don't know what it will be like.. I can't find much info but it will be built he has the money and the will to do so lets assume it will be done. And the demand point is valid which brings the question of where it would make it's bones. Not on the transatlantic market nor the long time live on board market like the world ships. So where can it slot in?

[PORT ROYAL]

11 minutes ago, ace2542 said:

In fairness to it. We haven't seen it yet so we don't know what it will be like.. I can't find much info but it will be built he has the money and the will to do so lets assume it will be done. And the demand point is valid which brings the question of where it would make it's bones. Not on the transatlantic market nor the long time live on board market like the world ships. So where can it slot in?

Possibly the markets in the Far East, Australia or the various seasonal USA departure ports.  

[London-Calling]

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

In fairness to it. We haven't seen it yet so we don't know what it will be like.. I can't find much info but it will be built he has the money and the will to do so lets assume it will be done. And the demand point is valid which brings the question of where it would make it's bones. Not on the transatlantic market nor the long time live on board market like the world ships. So where can it slot in?

Some info (and speculation) here:Titanic II News – Est. 2018 by Malcolm Oliver (wordpress.com)

 

Palmer says that she will offer crossings and cruises. Will she be a 'real' ocean Liner or a cruise ship (like Queen Vic, Lizzy & Queen Anne), that looks like an 1912 ocean liner?

 

Apparently the Chinese are Titanic "mad". That could be a big market.

 

Remember she will be a small ship and have a quite dense passenger capacity - so NOT really "luxury" by modern standards.

 

Hardly family orientated, either! Plus, no balcony cabins, no atrium, no pool or hot tubs on deck, no Spa, no TVs and No Wi-Fi.

Edited March 20 by London-Calling

[PORT ROYAL]

20 minutes ago, London-Calling said:

Some info (and speculation) here:Titanic II News – Est. 2018 by Malcolm Oliver (wordpress.com)

 

Palmer says that she will offer crossings and cruises. Will she be a 'real' ocean Liner or a cruise ship (like Queen Vic, Lizzy & Queen Anne), that looks like an 1912 ocean liner?

 

Apparently the Chinese are Titanic "mad". That could be a big market.

 

Remember she will be a small ship and have a quite dense passenger capacity - so NOT really "luxury" by modern standards.

 

Hardly family orientated, either! Plus, no balcony cabins, no atrium, no pool or hot tubs on deck, no Spa, no TVs and No Wi-Fi.

Think the best quick ROI would be to be based in the Far East and turned into a floating casino, offering quality staterooms, top fine dining restaurants with high end Wine Lists.  Plus an avenue, or two, of aircraft and yacht maker/sellers, not forgetting the required designer shops.  
With discreet private rooms, for private meetings, dining etc..
The high rollers, oligarchs, republic leaders and other big spenders would flock to it.  Also the occasional WAG. 

Edited March 20 by PORT ROYAL
Typo

[NE John]

I find naming any ship after the Titanic is stupid, insulting to history, and plain gimmicky. NASA wouldn’t name another spacecraft “Challenger” nor would any US president drive around Dallas’ Dealy Plaza in an open-top convertible. 
And no WiFi would be a deal killer for many…YouTuber’s would boycott boarding that ship.  

[London-Calling]

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

I believe the thread title was "tongue in cheek", as this thing could no more compete with QM2 than a ferry boat.  

 

Hi, yes it was tongue in cheek! However, if you were looking for a traditional 'ocean liner' experience and Titanic II was on the Transatlantic run, potential passengers may feel that it was a more authentic experience than the QM2?

[London-Calling]

5 minutes ago, NE John said:

And no WiFi would be a deal killer for many…YouTuber’s would boycott boarding that ship.  

I guess Titanic II, it's not aimed at YouTubers. (Maybe, Palmer may retract the no wi-fi idea).

 

A while back on Facebook, a user was shocked to learn that James Cameron's Titanic movie was based on fact!  😉

[WantedOnVoyage]

4 hours ago, NE John said:

I find naming any ship after the Titanic is stupid, insulting to history, and plain gimmicky. NASA wouldn’t name another spacecraft “Challenger” nor would any US president drive around Dallas’ Dealy Plaza in an open-top convertible. 
And no WiFi would be a deal killer for many…YouTuber’s would boycott boarding that ship.  

 

Thank you.  If nothing else, this entire tedious tireseome nonsense is beyond inappropriate. I am not sure how or why a horrible tragedy... something that killed 1,500 people in horrible circumstances... has been effortlessly rendered into some goulish obsession for too many.  The idea that it can also be translated into a "travel experience" is beyond the pale.  I cannot imagine any professional officer or seaman would want anything to do with it, either.  

[London-Calling]

2 hours ago, WantedOnVoyage said:

 

Thank you.  If nothing else, this entire tedious tiresome nonsense is beyond inappropriate. I am not sure how or why a horrible tragedy... something that killed 1,500 people in horrible circumstances... has been effortlessly rendered into some ghoulish obsession for too many.   

I take your point WantedOnVoyage, but where do we draw the line between history, education and tastelessness?

 

All things Titanic have been incredibly popular with the general public for decades and their thirst does not seem to be waning. 

 

Cameron’s movie of 1997, was one of the most successful movies ever made.  There is Titanic music, CDs, books, a stage show, TV Dramas, documentary’s, exhibitions, submarine-expeditions, museums, hotels, pubs, restaurants, ship models and other collectors’ items. All these have generated vast profits. 

 

I remember being in the British museum as a child, seeing Mummies and Skeletons, from ancient Egypt. Educational or ghoulish? You could argue that they should be buried or something, rather than being on display daily, in glass boxes. These were once people, after all.

 

The Titanic was lost 112 years ago, so I guess descendants would be elderly great-granddaughters and great-grandsons. There are two (relatives of Ismy & Molly Brown) that support the Titanic II project and serve on its advisory board.

 

Anybody interested in historic ships, who saw a full-sized replica Titanic sail into Southampton waters, would surely feel their heart miss a few beats!  Who would not want to go on-board and at least have a look around?  I guess that’s why Palmer is building it.

 

(Speech over!😉)

[WantedOnVoyage]

Well.... consider that TITANIC, the ship in which 1,500 perished, had a sister ship... OLYMPIC that was, in contrast, one of the most popular and successful British liners of her era and in every way embodied the elegance and splendour of The Edwardian Liner.  If the appeal of a TITANIC "replica" lies in relishing that, why is not a replica OLYMPIC being proposed instead? I think we all know the reasons.  All 10-year-old boys really do flip through the pages to get to the "good part" when TITANIC goes down . It's just kind of sad when adults do the same thing.... and worse when someone want to spend vast sums of money profiting from it. 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

As an ocean liner historian I have yet to figure out what the purpose of this venture is???  This project was first announced after the movie “Titanic “ appeared 1997.  It was also reported that the ship was being built in a Chinese ship yard.  Rumors os an impending new build have been rampant for 25 years…but again I ask…what’s the point?  Maybe a floating museum exhibit hotel would be a better business plan.  At any rate I seriously doubt we are going to see Titanic sailing into New York Harbor anytime soon.  

[ace2542]

17 hours ago, London-Calling said:

Palmer says that she will offer crossings and cruises. Will she be a 'real' ocean Liner or a cruise ship (like Queen Vic, Lizzy & Queen Anne), that looks like an 1912 ocean liner?

 

Apparently the Chinese are Titanic "mad". That could be a big market.

I don't mean like that it sounds I really don't but I am under the perhaps mistaken impression that is difficult for Chinese people to visit America as they are not on the visa waiver program and they may struggle to visit  UK as well. I have heard it said that more Chinese people visit france every year than the U.S. If that question/statement holds any water it could be hard to get that target market onto their transatlantics?

 

And besides we have seen China targeted ships flunk before look at the NCL Joy.

[Victoria2]

17 minutes ago, ace2542 said:

I don't mean like that it sounds I really don't but I am under the perhaps mistaken impression that is difficult for Chinese people to visit America as they are not on the visa waiver program and they may struggle to visit  UK as well. I have heard it said that more Chinese people visit france every year than the U.S. If that question/statement holds any water it could be hard to get that target market onto their transatlantics?

 

And besides we have seen China targeted ships flunk before look at the NCL Joy.

China is the world's most populous country and the government is aware of the value of tourism and so their attitude is changing and outbound tourism is being encouraged as never before.

 

The list of countries which allow Chinese visa free travel is quite small at the moment but equally, it's not too difficult to obtain visas to travel to the EU, US and UK, as long as applications are accepted of course.

 

The World Tourism Organisation reckons China will be sending 100 million tourists abroad per year by the end of this decade.