The doomed ship is to set sail again, as an exact replica is in the works for 2018

<p>Time for the eeriest story of the week: the Titanic will soon be sailing the seas again. But don't panic &ndash; it&rsquo;s not the original wreck, but a fully functioning replica dubbed 'Titanic 2', which is being developed by a wealthy Australian billionaire and politician called Clive Palmer and his company Blue Star Line. The venture is also said to be costing a whopping £300 million to make. Crikey.</p><p>Due to set sail in 2018, the Titanic 2 will be big on historical accuracy, recreating every detail of the doomed 1912 cruise liner, including such minute details as the swimming pool filled with salt, Turkish baths, an Edwardian gym and a three tier class system. It sounds like there will be some serious reenactment work afoot &ndash; there&rsquo;s even talk of supplying period costumes for the passengers to really help everyone get into the spirit. </p><p>There will however be some very important alterations to the original tale: the Titanic 2 will not take the same route on its maiden voyage, instead sailing from Jiangsu, China, to Dubai. And, while the original 'unsinkable ship' had an infamous lack of lifeboats, this one will have a fully loaded arsenal to cater for all passengers and updated safety features in line with the present day.</p><p>Although a 2016 launch was originally planned, work has yet to officially begin. However, computer generated images of the new plan have been released on <a href="http://titanic-ii.com" target="_blank">Blue Star's website</a>, confirming that the plans are still steadfast. Check out the impressive comparison shots below of the original Titanic and the planned Titanic 2, side by side. We particularly love <em>that </em>famous grand staircase that we'll never forget, thanks to those famous film scenes with Leo and Kate... </p><h2>The Staircase</h2><p>Considered to be among the most luxurious appointments on the ship, the grand staircase was originally reserved for first class passengers only.</p><p><img alt="old_staircase_titanic" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/titanic_GL?scl=1" style="float: left;"> <img alt="new_staircase_titanic_2" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/new_staircase_titanic_2_GL?scl=1"></p><p> </p><h2>First Class Dining Rooms</h2><p>The first class dining rooms were Jacobean in style and spanned the entire width of the ship.</p><p><img alt="first_class_dining_room_old_titanic" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/titanic_GL?scl=1" style="float: left;"> <img alt="first_class_dining_room_new_titanic_2" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/first_class_dining_room_new_titanic_2_GL?scl=1"></p><p> </p><h2>Communal Dining Rooms</h2><p>Third class passengers ate in communal dining rooms furnished with long wooden tables.</p><p><img alt="communal_dining_rooms_for_lower_class_titanic_old" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/communal_dining_rooms_for_lower_class_titanic_old_GL?scl=1" style="float: left;"> <img alt="communal_dining_rooms_for_lower_class_titanic_new" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/communal_dining_rooms_for_lower_class_titanic_new_GL?scl=1"></p><p> </p><h2>The Café Parisien</h2><p>Designed to look and feel like a Parisien café (hence the name), this luxe café was strictly for first class passengers only.</p><p><img alt="the_cafe_parisienne_old_titanic" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the_cafe_parisienne_old_titanic_GL?scl=1" style="float: left;"> <img alt="the_cafe_parisienne_new_titanic_2" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the_cafe_parisienne_new_titanic_2_GL?scl=1"></p><p> </p><h2>The Salt Pool</h2><p>At only 6ft, the pool was tiny in comparison to today's standards, and filled entirely with salt water from Southampton.</p><p><img alt="the_old_swimming_pool_titanic" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the_old_swimming_pool_titanic_GL?scl=1" style="float: left;"> <img alt="the_new_titanic_2_swimming_pool" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the_new_titanic_2_swimming_pool_GL?scl=1"></p><p> </p><h2>First Class Bedrooms</h2><p>The first class bedrooms featured mahogany wood, luxurious four poster beds and red curtains &ndash; plus his and hers sinks.</p><p><img alt="first_class_state_rooms_old_titanic" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/first_class_state_rooms_old_titanic_GL?scl=1" style="float: left;"> <img alt="first_class_rooms_new_titanic" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/first_class_rooms_new_titanic_GL?scl=1"> <img alt="first_class_rooms_titanic_2" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/first_class_rooms_titanic_2_GL?scl=1"></p><p> </p><h2>The first class smoking room</h2><p>Only male passengers were allowed in the first class smoking room, replicating the exclusive vibe of the gentlemen's clubs in London. </p><p><img alt="the_first_class_smoking_room_old_titanic" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the_first_class_smoking_room_old_titanic_GL?scl=1" style="float: left;"> <img alt="the_first_class_smoking_room_new_titanic" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the_first_class_smoking_room_new_titanic_GL?scl=1"></p><p> </p><h2>The Bridge</h2><p>Purely reproduced for historical accuracy, the bridge section will not be functional. Instead, there will be new controls installed behind a glass window overlooking the bridge.</p><p><img alt="the_old_bridge" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the_old_bridge_GL?scl=1" style="float: left;"> <img alt="the_new_bridge_titanic_2" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the_new_bridge_titanic_2_GL?scl=1"></p><p><img alt="screen_shot_2016-02-11_at_12.16.54" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/screen_shot_2016-02-11_at_12.16.54_GL?scl=1"></p><p> </p><p>Would you set sail on the new Titanic? Let us know on <a href="https://twitter.com/asda" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Asda/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> &ndash; and don't forget to use #goodliving.</p><p>If you love all things sailor, keep your eyes peeled for the <a href="http://direct.asda.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-ASDA-Site/default/Search-Show?q=sailor&cgid=10&ccgid=10&utm_source=asdagoodliving&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=family-thingstodo-titanic" target="_blank">George Home spring sailor range</a> coming to store and online soon!</p><p><em>*images courtesy of Blue Star Line</em></p>

Would you sail on the new Titanic?

By Asda Good Living,15th February 2016

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