New madman across the water: The luxury ocean liner known as Titanic II is almost ready to be launched

The "Titanic" project was relaunched after several years of hiatus. According to officials' estimates, the mega-ship could be launched on June 27, 2027.

Australian billionaire Clive Palmer has revived the Titanic II project, an ambitious initiative to build a replica of the famous ship, but in a version he describes as "far, far superior" to the original, which met a tragic end during the voyage its inaugural

When the story of Titanic II began

In an impressive event held in a rented hall in the Sydney Opera House, Palmer made the long-awaited announcement that he plans to realize his long-held dream of building a 1:1 scale replica of the famous vessel. However, although he initially promised that his company, Blue Star Line, would build a "ship of love" that would redefine style and luxury, Palmer admitted that he had yet to find a suitable shipyard to build the vessel.

Almost a decade has passed since Palmer's press conference at London's Ritz Hotel, where he initiated the Titanic II project. However, although the project has been relaunched, it remains to be seen whether Palmer's dream of bringing the Titanic back to life will ever become a reality.

In response to a reporter's question in 2018 about the veracity of his project, Clive Palmer dismissed the idea that it could be a hoax or a publicity stunt. He qualified these accusations as "nonsense" and emphasized that he has "enough money to build the Titanic 10 times over".

Since then, Palmer has devoted his time and resources to various fields, from involvement in politics, serving as a member of the Australian federal parliament, to disbanding and reviving a political party, and investing in tourism and expensive election campaigns. The Titanic II project suffered a halt in 2015 following a legal dispute between one of Palmer's companies and the Chinese firm Citic, which left the project without funds.

The luxury ocean liner is almost ready

In 2018, Palmer re-announced the project and set 2022 as when the new Titanic would set sail on its maiden voyage. In the latest announcement, Palmer attributed the project's delays to the Covid-19 pandemic and stressed that it now has even greater financial resources. Here, in 2024, construction was resumed and the project is fast approaching completion.

At a press conference in Sydney Harbour, Palmer, 70, said he "could die at any time without having achieved anything great". However, he is adamant that he will continue to pursue his dream of building the Titanic and hopes that he will not close his eyes until he sees it floating on the sea.

Crazy idea: from 2025, we will be able to have lunch above the Earth!

Enjoy a gourmet meal at 25,000 meters above sea level. It’s a crazy dream that the French start-up Zephalto is selling. The principle: a giant balloon capable of flying in the stratosphere will carry an ultra-design capsule from the end of 2024, with six tourists on board who will be able to enjoy a unique view of our planet for six hours. And the height of luxury, the meal served to passengers during the trip will be prepared by a starred chef.

But all this exuberance comes at a cost: 120,000 euros. It's a lot, but the world has no shortage of very rich gourmets who want to get laid: according to the company, the tickets for 2024 are all gone. It is still possible to book for 2025, by paying a deposit of 10,000 euros.

Pre-reservation ticket. This allows interested parties to reserve their place when tickets go on sale, explains CNNs are already available and are sold at around $10,900 (10,000 euros)

For the moment, we are still waiting to see if this hot air balloon of the future will keep its promises. Indeed, three test flights have been carried out, and none of them has yet reached the expected altitude, the one which will truly allow us to glimpse the magnificent curvature of the Earth. Above all, Zephalto must obtain certification from EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency), one of the strictest in the world, to be able to welcome passengers. Once this sesame is won, 60 flights could be launched each year.

To succeed in this ambitious project, the start-up benefited from public aid, in addition to private funds. It has joined forces with the French space agency (CNES), which shares its expertise.

Till this opportunity will be at your fingertips, you can visit the Restaurant Espace 117 located in Guadelupa, at the Souffleur Beach in Port-Louis, non-stop open for local people as well as  available tourists.