Most people are familiar with tribute bands. Some of you may even have attended a few dodgy tribute gigs.

But how many of you have heard of tribute cruises? And, more importantly, would you ever consider signing up for one? To be specific, how would you feel about going on a Titanic tribute cruise?

I know what you’re thinking. This is some mad idea invented by Bruce. Well let me assure you it’s for real. And actually it’s not mad at all.

Balmoral cruise

With less than two years to go to the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s first and only transatlantic sailing, you have a chance to be part of the commemorations, by joining a tribute cruise on the Balmoral.

Leaving Southampton for New York on 8 April 2012, the Balmoral will retrace the route followed by the doomed ship.

During the voyage a ceremony will take place on board to mark the moment when the most famous vessel of its time suffered a catastrophic encounter with an iceberg.

Fortunately there will be no attempt to re-enact the collision or subsequent sinking. Instead the Balmoral will continue safely onto New York carrying a group of passengers who will have a memorable story to tell for the rest of their lives.

Tragedy

Some people may wonder if it’s insensitive to celebrate an event in which so many perished.

My feeling is that although it was a terrible tragedy, enough time has passed for us to view what happened dispassionately. It seems to me that a commemorative cruise would now be of legitimate historic interest.

Furthermore, since none of the passengers who survived are still alive, there is no danger of offending anyone who personally experienced the disaster.

Descendants

If you still have your doubts, here’s something else you might find reassuring. Among those who have given the cruise their blessing are some of the survivors’ descendants.

They include the author, Arthur Cropley. He is the great-nephew of Charles Lightoller, the second officer who was also the most senior surviving crew member.

Arthur will be one of the lecturers on board, along with Philip Littlejohn, whose grandfather, Alexander Littlejohn, was another Titanic survivor.

Emotional moment

Philip, who dived down to the wreck in 2001, has been quoted as saying,
“It will be an emotional moment when we are over the site of the wreck.

“I’m sure my grandfather would be proud to know his story will be shared with passengers on the Balmoral.”

Yet another descendant on the cruise will be Jane Allen from Devon. Her relative, Thomas Pears, was one of those who died, while his wife Edith, escaped via Lifeboat 8.

Authentic touch

Besides having relatives of the passengers on board, the tribute cruise aims to recapture the spirit of the Titanic’s maiden voyage by featuring another authentic touch.

During the crossing passengers will enjoy food based on original dishes eaten aboard the ill-fated liner.

With so much publicity given to the Titanic in recent years, not least by the 1997 James Cameron movie, interest in the sailing has been considerable. Bookings have come from as far away as Australia and South America.

Tributes to follow

Just 20 months to go to the sailing, it looks as if the owners of the Balmoral, the Fred Olsen Cruise Line, have tapped into a rich vein. If the idea proves successful, other lines may want to introduce further tribute cruises.

But if you can’t wait for that, you might want to look for some tribute opportunities of your own. There are certainly cruises available that will allow you to relive historic voyages, either partially or wholly.

Here are just two that spring to mind.

Gipsy Moth IV

This was the yacht used by Sir Francis Chichester in 1966-7 during his historic global voyage.

What made his trip so special was that Sir Francis was the first person to sail single-handed around the world by the clipper route, also becoming the fastest ever single-handed circumnavigator up to that time.

As a patriotic Brit you might want to commemorate the achievement of this British hero by taking a round the world cruise such as this 108 nights voyage on the Balmoral.

Kon-Tiki

This was the raft used by Thor Heyerdahl, a Norwegian adventurer and writer, during his 1947 crossing of the Pacific Ocean, from Peru to the Polynesian islands.

Thor wanted to show that a primitive vessel, such as the Kon-Tiki, could have been used by South Americans to settle Polynesia before the time of Columbus. His voyage proved successful, turning him into a global celebrity.

Today, more than 60 years on, you can get a sense of the scale of his achievement, albeit in reverse, by putting your name down for this 83-night Tahiti cruise on Black Watch.

Besides visiting Spain, Egypt, India, China and Australia, your final fortnight will be spent sailing from Polynesia to Peru.

Paying tribute to the tributes

To be honest, I’m a sucker for tributes of all kinds, be they tribute musicians, tribute painters or even tribute garden sheds. So the idea of tribute cruises sounds good to me.

But how about you? Is there a famous voyage from the pages of history that you’d like to relive? If so, which one would you choose and why?

Our comments section awaits your views.

Bruce Beckett

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