The year 2012 marks the centenary of one of the most momentous events in cruising history; the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic. To mark the occasion, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be operating a mini cruise aboard its cruise ship, Balmoralcalling at each of the historic ports on the liner’s short-lived maiden voyage.

 

The ill-fated RMS Titanic, then the world’s largest passenger steamship, was the pride of the White Star Line fleet, and departed with great fanfare and excitement from Southampton on 10th April 1912. The Olympic-class liner was carrying 2,223 passengers en route to New York City when she struck an iceberg, and sank on 15thApril 1912. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 1,517 people, making it one of the most serious peacetime disasters in maritime history.

 

Fred. Olsen’s five-night mini cruise, L1202, departs from Southampton on 3rd April 2012, and visits Liverpool – port of departure for so many thousands of migrants and luxury travellers to the New World – and Belfast – the city in which RMS Titanic was built – before returning to Southampton. In Belfast, there will be an opportunity to see the site of the Harland and Wolff shipyard, where RMS Titanic was built between 1909 and 1911. Guests can also see the new state-of-the-art, six-storey visitors’ centre, ‘Titanic Belfast’, at the shipyard, which is opening its doors for the first time in April 2012 to mark the centenary of the launch of RMS Titanic.

 

Prices for this historic five-night cruise start from £559 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes accommodation, all meals and entertainment onboard and port taxes.