Relatives of some who died on the Titanic are on a voyage to the North Atlantic site where the liner sank, to mark 100 years since the disaster.MS Balmoral has left Southampton docks, retracing the route of the ill-fated cruise liner's maiden voyage.
The ship, carrying 1,309 passengers - the same number as were on the Titanic - is due to reach the wreck site next weekend for a memorial ceremony.
The Titanic hit an iceberg on 15 April 1912 and sank, killing about 1,500.
The Balmoral left England's south coast shortly after 14:45 GMT and will follow the Titanic's exact route - via Cherbourg in north-west France and Cobh on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland - to the spot where the liner sank.
Passengers will gather for a service to be held at 02:20 GMT next Sunday - 15 April - to mark the moment of the sinking.
Some relatives were bringing wreaths of flowers and family artefacts in memory of those who died.
Passengers making the journey, who come from more than 20 countries, include relatives of survivors, authors, historians and people who are fascinated by the Titanic story.
They will eat meals from the Titanic's original menu and attend lectures given by historians and experts.
Philip Littlejohn, grandson of survivor Alexander James Littlejohn and the only Titanic relative to have made the dive to the wreck site, said: "I'm sure my grandfather, a 1st Class Steward on RMS Titanic, would be proud to know his story will be shared with the passengers on this historic cruise.
"It will be an emotional moment when we are over the wreck site, where I dived in 2001, and where my grandfather left Titanic rowing Lifeboat 13."
Jane Allen, whose great uncle Tom Pears died in the disaster, is among passengers who have paid up to £6,000 ($9,000) to join the commemorative voyage.
"I don't think it's ghoulish or macabre at all," said Mrs Allen, from Devon.
"I've been to the World War II and I cemeteries in various places across the world. I think it's always important to remember."
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