Kate Winslet Invited to Return to Titanic with Richard Branson

Kate Winslet, the star of the 1997 blockbuster film, Titanic, has been invited to dive down to the wreck of the real ship where it sits 12,500 below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

Virgin boss Richard Branson has invited Winslet to accompany him on a £38,000 tourist trip on a Russian submersible which will take its passengers to the bottom of the ocean to the site where the famous ship rests.

Most divers explore historic wrecks during scuba diving adventures but this latest option allows Titanic fans to get up close to the spectacular vessel, 100 years after it sank.

Denmead Man, on Flickr.

The Belfast-built liner was travelling to New York from Southampton in the United Kingdom when it hit an iceberg during its maiden voyage in 1912. The ship sank within three hours and 1,517 of its 2,224 crew and passengers were killed.

The wreck is too deep to explore through scuba diving activities so to commemorate the 100th anniversary, Deep Ocean Expeditions is offering expeditions to the Titanic.

Karthik Mns, on Flickr.

Branson is keen to take Winslet with him in April 2012 on the first of five planned voyages to mark the centenary of the sinking. Titanic director James Cameron is also planning to return to the wreck.

A source said: "Richard and Kate would most likely go on that first trip with James. Richard is talking to Kate about it.

"He also wants his kids to go on the expedition.

"Richard loves a great adventure and what bigger adventure is there than diving two-and-a-half miles down to see the resting place of the most famous ship in history?"

The wreck diving opportunity is proving to be popular with divers, Titanic fans and celebrities.

Rob McCallum from Deep Ocean Expeditions, explained: "We have already sold 70% of our 2012 centenary dives and we have not even formally announced the expedition.

"It marks an unprecedented level of interest."

"This is our first expedition to the Titanic since 2005 and it will be our last visit to the site. We can't think of a better way to say farewell."

Travellers looking for a unique alternative to scuba diving holidays will have to fork out £38,000 if they wish embark on this trip of a lifetime.