Cruise lines to offer private submarines
Cruise holidays just got a whole lot deeper.
A new range of private submarines have been launched, which allow tourists to venture deep under water.
U-Boat Worx has launched three new "luxury" submarine models, with some capable of diving to 1,140 metres - making them the deepest-diving tourist submersibles ever.
The vessels can carry up to nine people per dive.
The Netherlands-based submersible manufacturer says it is seeing increased demand from the industry, after the first success stories of submersibles operated from luxury Cruise Ships like The Taipan from Star Cruises and the Crystal Esprit.
"Our operations on cruise ships inspired the development of the Cruise Sub series," says Bert Houtman, founder and chairman.
"Whether the operator focuses on exclusive deep sea exploration in remote destinations or on doing numerous subsea excursions on coral reefs, the Cruise Subs are optimised for maximising the guest experience."
The interior can revolve so passengers get a panoramic view, and the battery-powered subs can be operated non-stop for up to 12 hours, the company said.
Going underwater could be the next big thing in cruising - last year a company announced that it will begin offering submarine tours of the Titanic wreck.
The tour takes in the ship's famous grand staircase, the ship's huge anchors and the Marconi Room.
"We have sent over 40 people down and they have been housewives to technology billionaires, the Titanic really does capture the minds of a wide crowd," director of Bluefish, Steve Sims, said last year.
"More people have been into space than set eyes on the Titanic."
What do you think about these “luxury” submarine models? Do you think you’d be compelled to go try them out if you found yourself on a cruise that offered them?
Please let us know in the comments below.
Image credit: U-Boat Worx
First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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