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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Palmer undocks Titanic II plans

NEW YORK: Australian billionaire Clive Palmer revealed his grand design plans to build a modern-day replica of the doomed Titanic, confirming the cruise liner would make its maiden voyage in 2016.
At a press conference in New York on Tuesday, and following a rendition of Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On, Mr Palmer told the world’s media construction of the 835-cabin ship would begin in China later this year.
The billionaire, who used the honorific ”Professor”, awarded by Bond University in 2008, for the announcement, said 40,000 people had already registered for tickets on the first voyage, which will retrace the fateful 1912 trip from Southampton to New York, in which more than 1500 passengers and crew died.

Setting sail … a drawing of the proposed cruise ship Titanic II. Photo: Reuters

Among those interested were 16 who were willing to pay between $750,000 and $1 million for a spot.

Refusing to divulge the cost of Titanic II (”I have enough money to pay for it, so that’s all that really matters”), the 58-year-old said it was not about money but recreating the romance and memories of a bygone era – minus the iceberg.

Passengers aboard the 10-deck ship will be provided with 1912-style outfits to wear during their holiday and there will be no phone or television – and he was debating about internet access.

Cruise power … the propellers on the original titanic. Photo: Titanic In Photographs: Klistorn

Titanic II will have Turkish baths, a smoking room, casino, theatre and hospital. Key differences to the original include a high-tech engine, airconditioning and a safety deck with more lifeboats (including 18 covered motorised lifeboats).

As with the original, there would be first, second and third classes and they would not be allowed to mingle. Mr Palmer said he would be travelling third class, dressed in a wig and 1912 garb.

”I like Irish stew and potatoes … . I’m looking forward to banging the drums, playing the fiddle and getting dizzy as I twirl around like Leonardo did in the movie,” Mr Palmer said, referring to the 1997 blockbuster, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio.

Making history … the orginal Titanic leaving Southampton on her ill-fated maiden voyage on April 10, 1912. Photo: AFP/Southampton City Council

At the press conference, Mr Palmer provided Helen Benziger, of Wyoming, whose great-grandmother survived the 1912 disaster, the chance to speak. She said she was ”thrilled” about the project ”because the professor has assured me he will honour those passengers that perished and survived”.

Mr Palmer said Titanic II would be the safest cruise ship in the world but, when asked if it would be unsinkable, he said: ”It’s very cavalier to say that. I think people have said that in the past and lived to regret it.”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/professor-palmers-ship-comes-in-20130227-2f6d3.html#ixzz2MGsuN41M
Blue Star Line

Norwegian Cruise Lines Brings a New Ship to New York: Norwegian Breakaway

The Norwegian Breakaway will satisfy the growing demand for New York to Bermuda cruises, sailing a series of twenty-two, seven-day cruises from New York to Bermuda beginning May 12, 2013 through October 6, 2013.

Cruise Travel Outlet has been one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s leading wholesalers for the past twenty-two years, maintaining a respectable position in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Presidents Club for the past fifteen years. Norwegian Cruise Lines has recently announced their newest addition to the Norwegian Cruise Ship fleet: Norwegian Breakaway, scheduled for delivery April 2013. The NCL Breakaway is the largest cruise ship to ever be built in Germany, and will be the largest ship to ever home-port in New York City. The NCL Breakaway successfully floated out of the building dock in Papenburg last month en-route to its year round home-port of New York City.

In the past decade, Cruise Travel Outlet has seen a tremendous increase in the demand for cruises from Boston, specifically with Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian Cruise Lines is currently the only cruise line offering Boston to Bermuda cruises. Geographically, it is easy to see why this particular itinerary is so convenient for the majority of Cruise Travel Outlet’s clientele. However, the Norwegian Breakaway’s New York to Bermuda itinerary satisfies a growing demand for Bermuda cruises from New York.

“I don’t believe this peak in interest of cruises from New York is a coincidence; clients are eager to get on the Norwegian Breakaway!” exclaims Julie Walsh, Cruise Travel Outlet’s Marketing Director. She goes on to explain, “Although New York is a little further from home than Boston for some of our clients, we are making an extra effort to get those clients to New York and make their Norwegian Breakaway experience as carefree as possible.” For the convince of their clients, Cruise Travel Outlet is offering a bus out of Braintree, MA to New York City so their customers can experience the NCL Breakaway without the hassle of driving or flying to New York.

NCL Breakaway will be broadcasting three award-winning, live Broadway shows: Rock of ages, Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy and Burn the Floor. There will be plenty to do for kids of all ages aboard the NCL Breakaway; with the fastest water slide at sea, a 3 story sports complex, the biggest ropes course at seas, Nickelodeon fun, kids' aqua park and more, kids will experience endless entertainment! Grown ups can escape to the Vibe Beach Club, and dance the night away at the adult only nightclub, Spice H2O. Norwegian Breakaway’s godmothers, The Rockettes, will be at the inaugural sailing to wish the ship a bon voyage!

Following inaugural events, Norwegian Breakaway will sail a series of twenty-two, seven-day cruises from New York to Bermuda beginning May 12, 2013 through October 6, 2013. Julie Walsh says she is lucky enough to be one of the first to experience the NCL Breakaway. “Be sure to stay tuned to our Facebook page for an inside look on this magnificent ship!” Walsh adds. Cruise Travel Outlet will be posting their pictures from the Norwegian Breakaway Inaugural sailing upon its return; for an inside look be sure to “Like” Cruise Travel Outlet at: Facebook.com/cruisetraveloutlet.