How To Prepare For The Journey

When you enter the submersible vessel, you will be in a small room that has three viewing ports, offering forward and partial peripheral views so passengers can see the ship up close.

As the descent begins, the temperature inside the room changes dramatically, going from rather warm and human to cool and moist. As a result, participants are asked to wear layers of comfortable, loose clothing that can easily be removed to adjust as the temperature changes. The company suggests people bring the following item:

• Two pairs of warm socks
• Water-resistant slippers or booties
• Thermal underwear
• Warm fleece or sweat pants
• A warm sweater or fleece jacket
• A wool cap
• Gloves
• A camera or video camera
• Notebook, pen and small tape record (to record the experience)
• Seasickness tablets or patches (which some passengers will need as the submersible is lowered into the ocean until it begins to descend more smoothly)

For safety’s sake, everyone on the submersible is also given a special pair of fire-resistant overalls they must wear. In addition, there are also some things that are NOT allowed in the vessel. This includes lipsticks, lip balm, Vaseline and anything else that is made of petroleum. In addition, there must be no matches or lighters or anything else combustible.

On the day of the submersible dive, each participant who will be going is given a light lunch and drink to take with them. But the company cautions that no formal bathroom facilities exist on the submersible, so people are asked to limit their food and drink consumption on the dive and also for up to about 12 to 18 hours before they leave.

What It Costs

The price to take this unusual journey to view the Titanic’s resting site is $40,000 per person.

This includes your accommodations and meals on the Akademik Keldysh, one night in St. John’s and all of your orientations and program activities, such as lectures and slide shows. In addition, each person gets a video of their dive to take home, which includes some pre-shot footage of the wreckage along with some new video of your personal journey down.

Other costs that are not included in this price include your transportation to St. John’s, as well as your airport fees and taxes, transportation and personal expenses, including laundry, bar bill, phone calls and gratuities.

If you would like to bring another person with you to share your cabin on the ship but who will not participate in the dive itself, this is an additional $5,000.

If money is no object and you decide you want to experience the romance and tragedy of the Titanic first-hand, keep in mind that you need to plan ahead quite a bit. Tours to the Titanic are planned infrequently. In addition, since weather conditions are unpredictable, there is no knowing exactly how long the expedition will last. Therefore, you will need to keep your scheduled return home flexible.

A Final Note

If journeying to the wreckage site is out just too costly and too time intensive for you, remember that for a much smaller investment, you can always rent the IMAX movie of the Titanic, watch the many documentaries that have been filmed about it or read one of the numerous books on its ill-fated history from the comfort of your own home.