NEW ORLEANS – In late 2023, a trend began on TikTok where wives and girlfriends would ask their husbands/boyfriends how often they think of the Roman Empire. Many responded with “at least once a day,” sparking both questions and suspicion across the platform.
One thing that did emerge out of the trend was women discussing what their “Roman Empire” might be. And, well not to my surprise, many said the story of the Titanic.
The British luxury passenger liner tragically sank on the night and early morning of April 14-15, 1912, following a run-in with an iceberg. The devastating maiden voyage claimed the lives of some 1,500 souls and has captivated the attention of many for over a century.
The Titanic has become one of the world’s most famous tragedies in modern history and, even well before the finding of the wreckage by Navy Officer Robert Ballard in 1985, has been the subject of many TV shows, documentaries and major motion pictures – including that of James Cameron’s 1997 “Titanic” famously starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
“Titanic: An Immersive Voyage – Through the Eyes of the Passengers,” which opened in New Orleans in late March 2025, takes the findings of Ballard and literally brings guest into the discovery through room recreations, virtual reality experiences and a look at curated artifacts from the ship itself.
“The story of the Titanic is perfect for an immersive experience because it allows you to truly step into history like never before,” said John Zaller, executive producer of the immersive experience. “You’re not just learning about the ship—you’re living it. You witness the waves of immigration that inspired its creation, stand inside the shipyard as Titanic is built around you, and find yourself in a lifeboat, watching her final moments just as the passengers once did. And with the VR experience, you descend to the wreck site in a way that feels even more vivid and real than an actual dive. It’s a powerful journey that connects you emotionally and physically to one of history’s most iconic events.”
I had a chance to view the experience for myself. The winding setup of the exhibit gives the illusion of taking you through time and the process of getting to that fateful night. A highlight was seeing how the ship was built and the process that went into its structure, and what led to its ultimate demise. The room recreations were a big draw for me. I think stepping a literal foot into a room – albeit recreation – and moment in time gives the viewer a deeper connection than just viewing something from a photograph.
At the beginning of your journey, you’re given the name card of a passenger you’re to identify with and find out their fate at the end of the experience. One thing I would have loved a little more of would have been to expand on the different levels of “class” aboard the ship, and the impact of being part of a certain class. With that said, there was a section of the rooms that showed eating and sleeping quarters of the different classes, that was eye-opening and different than what I would have expected for each.
The main draw of the exhibit, besides (in my opinion) the large open room with a 360-movie animation of the night’s events, is the virtual reality experience that allows guests into experience the wreckage of the Titanic as if they are in their own submarine below the ocean’s surface. The artistry in the VR experience is stunning and truly transports you into the moment of discovery. So much so, I would warn, that it’s not for the faint of heart. Admittedly, there was a moment almost too real I had to remove my headset.
The VR component is not for everyone, and I would caution that you are moving while in a headset, so anyone that has any motion sickness or fear of being underwater – this might not be the part of the exhibit you want to fully dive into.
Whether the Titanic is your “Roman Empire” or not, it’s still a moment in history that has a little lesson in it for everyone. A perfect afternoon event out of the sun on a hot day, and in the best place to walk and find a nice dinner spot in the Central Business District (CBD).
The “Titanic: An Immersive Voyage – Through the Eyes of the Passengers” is at the Scottish Rite Temple on Carondelet Street through the summer.
More info and tickets are available here.
