Travel companies criticized over Titanic wreckage cruises

Travel companies that offer 15-day dive cruises to the Titanic's remains have come under under criticism from relatives of those killed in the tragedy. A 15-day voyage, offered by Kensington Tours, features a two and a half hour submarine journey by Russian mini-subs Mir down to the Atlantic Ocean floor where the Titanic sank in 1912. The cost of the expedition varies from $12,498 to $66,257. "On the way from bow to stern, or vice versa, your MIR will move out into Titanic's debris field. You will see numerous artefacts strewn across the ocean floor, undisturbed for a century. These will not be touched," Kensington Tours said on its web-site. The Kensington Tours itinerary also includes an excursion to the Fairview Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where over 120 victims of the tragedy buried, the permanent exhibition of the ship's history as well as lectures and presentations from experts. The offer of the trip that is scheduled to take place from June to August next year, has sparked a sharp criticism from relatives of those killed in the wreck. They accuse tourism companies of cashing in on the tragedy. The participants of the cruisecritic.co.uk forum hit out at the first passengers of the scandalous cruise who discussed how they would dress up as “characters” who were on board the Titanic when it sank, the Daily Mail said. 'I like the idea of a costume party, yeah yeah. Now tell me - who will be dressing up as my wife's great grandfather?" a member of the forum said.