Memorial cruise to retrace voyage of the Titanic

A car carrying ship sits at 44 berth in Southampton docks Credit: Chris Ison/PA Wire

A cruise recreating the voyage of the Titanic 100 years ago has set sail today, to mark the centenary of the disaster. The MS Balmoral has left Southampton on a 12-night cruise to commemorate the centenary of the sinking of the liner that hit an ice berg on its maiden voyage.

To keep to in line with the authenticity of the original liner, a total of 1,309 passengers has joined the ship, the exact number as the Titanic did 100 years previous. In keeping with the theme, food on board is from the menus of the White Star Line ship that sank on April 15, 1912 with the loss of more than 1,500 lives.

The cruise was even equipped with a five-piece Grupetto from Belgium - to play era style music in honour of the Titanic's musicians who are said to have played until the ship sank. Many even turned up in period costume, dressed as first class passengers, steerage or crew.

Young actors in Edwardian costume wait to board the Titanic memorial ship Credit: Chris Ison/PA Wire

ITV News reporter Sally Biddulph has interviewed several of the passengers who say they wanted to remember the 'ship of dreams'.

Philip Littlejohn, grandson of Titanic survivor Alexander James Littlejohn, and the only Titanic relative to have made the dive to the wreck site will be speaking on board the ship, along with a host of other lecturers. Mr Littlejohn said:

Passengers have their pictures taken before boarding the Balmoral cruise ship Credit: Chris Ison/PA Wire

The Balmoral had to leave the port of departure two days earlier than the Titanic as it cannot steam as fast. All must be hoping that the cruise liner reaches New York, its final destination.

There will be a special memorial service for passengers above the wreck site on April 14 starting at 11.40pm, when the ship hit the iceberg and another at 2.20am on April 15 when it sank.