A cruise ship which has left Southampton with 1,309 passengers will be going on exactly the same route as the Titanic. On board there are passengers that are descendants of those that died on the Titanic or at sea when the ship sank. Some people dressed in clothes that would have been worn on the Titanic when it set sail.
The ship that is doing the Memorial cruise is the MS Balmoral, and it will be a 12 night voyage. On the way the ship will be holding 2 Memorial Services.
The first Memorial service will be held at 23.40 pm on 14th April when the iceberg was hit.
The second Memorial service will be held at 2.20 am on the 15th April when the ship actually sank.
The Titanic sank on April 15 1912, there were 1,514 lives lost on the Titanic. There will also be a band on this voyage in remembrance to the band that kept playing as the ship sank.
Magsx2's Blog 
You dont think they might be tempting fate or pushing their luck?
Hi tempo,
This has been mentioned, I’m sure it will be the voyage it should of been in 1912, fingers crossed. 🙂
Was thinking the same thing!
“You dont think they might be tempting fate or pushing their luck?”
If they’ve got Celine Dion aboard, they’re goners for sure.
Hi Greg,
With the technology they have today it is highly unlikely for the same thing to happen, although they are pushing to make the memorial deadline, I hope they are able to get there on time.
As far as I know Celine Dion is not on board, although then again……
Tempo. Thought the same. Something creeps/weirds me out about this centennial voyage.
Hi Bingbing,
There are a few that think it is a bit of a jinx this voyage, they may not make the memorial on time due to having to meet the chopper to get a sick passenger off, but 100 years is a long time, and technology has came a long way.
Your comment for reason went into Spam?
WP gremlins. It happens.
Hey, everyone knows this trip will go fine… and in another sense, it kinda feels like fall off the horse, get back on the horse is finally occurring.
@ bingbing, that is so true, it is exactly like that. But can you imagine what it is going to be like when this ship reaches NYC, I am assuming it is going to be one hell of a welcome. 😀
I hope there’s plenty of life boats just in case. But I think this is cool. It has always stuck with me how the band kept playing as the ship sank. Wow.
Hi writingfeemail,
Yes apparently they decided to keep playing, don’t forget it was suppose to be women and children only in the life boats first, the band was all male, that is how it was done back then, still it does show a lot of bravery I feel. 🙂
I can envision an eerie feeling at times on this cruise. On the other hand, I see it as a special trip for the relatives. Thanks for the remembrance … and good video reports.
Hi Frank,
Yes I think it will be a bit eerie as well, especially at the 2 memorial services, that is when it will really effect those on board I feel.
I think it’s really important that the descendants do this. There were so many unanswered questions and questions of ‘what if’ from this senseless catastrophe that could so easily have been avoided had the captain heeded the warnings that icebergs were in the area and therefore ‘slow down’. I have posted on my blog recipes from the Titanic voyage because I have the cookbook by Yvonne Hume who is the grand-niece of the principal violinist who (at the age of 21) played until the end and went down with the ship. I do hope this voyage helps the descendants come to terms with their grief. Great post! xx
Hi hotlyspiced,
Yes I agree, I think the people that went on this voyage may get some sort of closure from it, and I think it is wonderful that they will be holding 2 memorial services.
That is fantastic that you have some of the recipes, how very interesting and something well worth cherishing as well.
Very brave!
Hi jmgoyder,
Indeed they were.
That was eery and odd: a vacation or a memorial? Luxury cruise or fearful reenactment? Happy trip or sad observance?
Ronnie
Hi Ronnie,
I think it will be a strange feeling for those on board, most of course are relatives of those that died on the Titanic, so it is more a memorial I think.
The band that kept playing makes me so sad. I think it’s wonderful to have a memorial, but I’m not sure about the dressing up aspect. It feels like a little much, like a spectacle. I think it is a time for quietly grieving a loss not acting it out. Just my opinion.
I couldn’t figure out why they were re-releasing the movie Titanic – now I finally get it! I’m a little slow. I thought it was just a way for James Cameron to make more money! Haha!
Hi A Gripping Life,
I think the people that wore period costumes was more into trying to make the voyage feel like the original, everyone looks at things differently I feel.
Yes they re-release the movie because of the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, but you are still right, it is to make money as well. 🙂
Still debating if I had the opportunity to be on the cruise if I would take it. I think I would for the historical reasons but in some ways it would be a bit morbid.
Hi Peter,
My Husband and I was talking about this as well the other day, and yes if we would of had the opportunity we would of gone, because of the history that is attached to this voyage. You may be interested to know that it was booked out 2 years ago.
Talk about “Walking a mile in someone’s shoes.” This really pushes that concept to the limit!
Hi Laurie,
It is unreal just thinking about it all.
Always hit me too how the band kept playing as the ship sank. This is a wonderful video and memorial voyage… So touching too… What happened exactly to the Titanic, do we know…. have a nice voyage and sail for this memorial cruise… Thank you dear Mags, with my love, nia
Hi Nia,
The Titanic hit an ice-berg on her maiden voyage and sank before ever reaching her destination, the waters of course were icy cold so those that jumped ship could not survive in the cold water, a very sad time in history. There have been a lot of movies made about the Titanic, some are still in black and white, but each movie is different in it’s own way, but they are all well worth watching, and each stick to the basic facts.
Oh dear Mags you are so nice, I know this tragic event and also I watched several times its film too and even docummentary films too… But you know there are questions still… It was really a very big ship and well builted… Thank you, Love, nia
The Titanic voyage and sinking is probably one of the top five stories that lives on. I too would go on this new cruise, although I agree with others that the period costuming is a little strange, almost creepy. I would not want to dress up as one of the ones who died! I saw an interview with a woman who said she was taking the cruise to honor one young man who died and left no family. She felt everyone who died on the ship should have someone “representing” them as a way of honoring each lost soul. I am going to follow the ship and try and get into NYC the day it arrives. I suspect there will be alot of press but it would be fun to see the happy ending, assuming there IS a happy ending. I would NOT want to be the ship captain of this re-enactment. Talk about pressure!!
Hi EOSR,
I think it would be great to be able to greet this ship as she came in to NYC. Oh yes there will be press and no doubt thousands but what a welcome it would be. 🙂
Yes, the dressing up part is rather strange and perhap even tasteless. I do hope that for survivors and their families this will represent closure…even though the story of the Titanic’s sad fate will probably live on for as long as humans travel by sea…
Hi mariathermann,
I think every generation will know about the Titanic, the story will never die.
I would think that would be kind of creepy…Our newspaper just did a story on Molly Brown who lived here in Denver for part of her life. What a cool survivor. Apparently, she never went by the name Molly, but was called Margaret.
Hi susielindau,
I also have seen Molly being interviewed but it was awhile ago now, they interviewed her just before the latest Titanic movie come out, it was on one our TV breakfast shows. I thought she was a lovely person, such a terrible thing to go through.
I hope it goes well, and that they are not tempting fate. It is a really neat idea.
Hi Naomi,
I really think the voyage will go well, and hopefully some relatives will get closure.
That would definitely be a “surreal” journey…especially if people are dressed in period clothing.
Hi Bliss,
I agree, surreal is very good way of explaining this voyage.
Not sure how I feel about this…
Hi El Guapo,
I think myself it is a very good idea, especially holding the memorial services.
Yes, I guess whatever their motive is, that’s a good thing. I would expect that at some point in the not too distant future, there will be a travel package to actually go below and see it…
I will be doing a post on the gravesite of the Titanic for the anniversary, stay tuned. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing this. It’s amazing that the cruise sold out 2 years ago. The idea of a memorial cruise doesn’t bother me as much as the auction in which they’ll be selling 5,500 items from the Titanic. I simply feel they should allow her to rest in peace and ships give a salute as they pass by.
Hi Barb,
These items would never stay at the bottom of the sea, they would be taken eventually by others, but I do hope that some more of the items reach a Museum somewhere so that others my also see some of the things from the Titanic.
I do feel the sinking of Titanic has been heavily over-hyped, and several things have been glossed over … the cost-cutting (not enough lifeboats; watertight bulkheads that didn’t go all the way to the deck-head, etc.) and the sheer arrogance (the desire to win the Blue Riband at all costs, the disregard of the iceberg warning … ). The only good thing to come out of it is that the TV series (I haven’t seen it yet) gives, according to his descendants, a far truer picture of Second Office William Murdoch than the film does.
Hi travelrat,
Very true, there were a lot of things that didn’t need to happen.
I haven’t heard anything about the TV series, it sounds very interesting.
Just as I brought up this post on the screen, they started to talk about this in the local news on TV here. Halifax is not far from us, so the media attention to this and the disaster in general, has been immense.
Hi reb,
I can just imagine what it will be like when the ship arrives at it’s destination, it will be a sight to see that is for sure.
Lets hope a memorial iceberg doesn’t turn up as well :-).
Hi Windsmoke,
I agree.
That thought of tempting fate would cross your mind, for sure. However, I think it’s a really nice thing to do – a fitting tribute to all the lives lost. The story of the Titanic has touched so many people. I hope the memorial voyage goes well for all.
Hi Selma,
I totally agree, I also think the memorial cruise is a very good idea, and I’m sure it will be a very touching journey for a lot of people.
I don’t know. I think it’s a little creepy. You would be to thinking about all those poor people sinking under the cold, dark water every time you looked out. As far as a theme cruise goes, I’d have to say it’s pretty morbid!
Hi Linda,
Yes I can see how it would be a creepy feeling, but don’t forget those on board are relatives of those that did lose their lives, and a memorial is what a lot of people were looking for. Personally I don’t see any different than those that wish to visit graves of relatives in other countries that like to say their goodbyes.
You know, when you look at it that way, I could see where it could be comforting. I suppose it would haunt a person to know that a relative died in such a tragic way. It does make you think, though, that’s for sure!
Did you hear it had to turn around and meet a chopper. One of the passengers had a heart attack and they had to get in heli range. There is a big chance that they may not make it to the on time now.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/10/us-britain-titanic-idUSBRE8370BX20120410
Hi John,
Thank You very much for the link, and a very interesting article it is as well. What a shame that happened, and in the article it also said that the ship has hit bad weather as well.
I didn’t know that this cruise took 5 years to organize, so much work has gone into this, I hope for everyone involved that they make the memorial site on time, if not there will still be a memorial, I think that is the main thing.
Kind of spooky though
I do agree, things seem to be going wrong as they are getting closer to their destination.
This is such a wonderful thing to do … I’m sure there is a bit of trepidation following the exact journey, but it is a wonderful way to bring closure to certain family members I’m sure and to memorialize those who passed away so tragically. Both videos were very interesting … the 2nd one really got to me. Just seeing the old footage is so moving. Thanks so much for sharing this. 😀
Hi fiztrainer,
I agree, a lot of family members need some closure, and hopefully this cruise will achieve just that. I’m so glad you liked the videos, there is certainly some good old footage and information on them. 🙂
Informative video and reenactment commemorating a great catastrophe in the shipping worlds history
Ian
Hi aussieian,
I also thought the videos were very well done, I don’t think the history of the Titanic will ever be forgotten.
I was not sure about the dates and time, when the iceberg was hit and when actually titanic sank.
Thank you for sharing these info. I still remember each scene of that beautiful movie. Titanic was actually the first hollywood movie I watched during my school days; that to be with out much knowledge of English. But I did not find it difficult to understand what was going on.
Thanks for this post Mags.
Hi Arindam,
That is great that you were able to still understand the movie, it was a beautiful movie I agree. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂
Dont you think dressing up in clothes from 100 years ago is turning the Titanic disaster into a Disney adventure? What about all the other boats that have sunk on their way to America?
I can’t remember the details but during the second world war wasn’t a boat full of children being evacuated to *safety* away from the bombing in London, sink after being hit by a German submarine?
Hi dearrosie,
The people that dressed in period costumes some were relatives of those that died on the Titanic, how they see this voyage I don’t know, but personally I don’t see how dressing in clothes that were worn when the Titanic set sail would turn the voyage into a Disney adventure. Personally I think the people are there for the memorial, and to say their goodbyes. This is the first time they have had a chance for closure.
I haven’t heard of the boat that was full of children and got bombed, what a terrible tragedy, so many terrible things happen during war time. No doubt there was a lot of ships that sank on the way to America, and I really don’t know if any of the families were able to have a memorial service for them, but at least these relatives are going to get a chance to do just that.
I had a bit of a look on You Tube and found these 2 videos with some that have dressed in the same period of clothes that were worn on the Titanic.
Hi Mags,
Thanks for including these two extra videos. One woman said “it’s not ghoulish but a tribute”, another woman said she’d been planning for the trip for for 2 1/2 years. Goodness me.
I wonder when the TV series that Travel Rat mentioned is going to be shown?
I still haven’t heard anything about the TV series at all, I’m hoping taralrat will have more information for us later, he and his wife are on holidays here in OZ at the moment. 😀
I wonder if anyone has built an exact replica of the Titanic and sailed it?
When I was a teenager I crossed the Atlantic in a large ship, giving me an appreciation for how unbelievably large the ocean is, going for days not seeing a bit of land… How terrible to have drowned out there in the middle of nowhere. So many bodies never found and presumed dead, lost forever in a watery grave. No wonder many of the survivors suffered from survivor’s guilt.
Hi Barbara,
I have never been on a large cruise ship, but I have been out in the middle of nowhere on a ship, and you are so right, it is a bit overwhelming to see nothing but ocean in every direction. It certainly was a terrible tragedy and we can only hope with the technology we have today that this sort of thing never happens again.
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My mom was born the night She sank and my mom always believed she was one of the souls from the Titanic. When they brought up a doll, Mother said “that was my doll”. Maybe it made her feel special in some way, I don’t know. Just that long before the stories and movies, there were these stories from my mom.
I did not watch any of this. I fell to alone and sad to do so.
Hi purpleborough,
That is incredable, I can understand why your Mum would think that. Yes it truly is a very sad and terrible how these people lost their lives.