From there, the Titanic II will begin retracing the ill-fated steps of the original Titanic on a weekly basis, from the port of Southampton to New York City–this time with air conditioning. According to September’s press release, the ship will offer an “authentic Titanic experience, providing passengers with a ship that has the same interiors and cabin layout as the original vessel, while integrating modern safety procedures, navigation methods, and 21st century technology to produce the highest level of luxurious comfort.’’ (It won’t be too authentic; the plan is for it to make the trip back again too).

For someone who is keen to tempt fate, it should come as no surprise that Palmer sounds like ever the dreamer. In his original statement outlining his vision for Titanic II, he took on a lofty, cinematic tone: “Titanic comes from a time when the world was different. When there was a different culture, different ways of living. When people worked with each other more. And as James Cameron reminds us… my heart will go on.”

And so, it seems, will this saga.

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