DOE describes the dive as "an incredibly rare opportunity to explore the world's most famous shipwreck in person" and adds it may be "one of the last Titanic diving expeditions open to private adventurers".
It takes about two-and-a-half hours to reach the ocean floor from the support ship, and the tour can take up to 10 hours.
During the three to four hours down at the Titanic site, divers will explore most of the significant areas of interest.
The dive focuses on the large bow section, and you can look down into the cavern where Titanic's famous grand staircase was once located.
Passengers will also spend time exploring the iconic bridge and promenade areas.
On the way from bow to stern, the Mir will move out into Titanic's debris field, where divers will see numerous artefacts strewn across the ocean floor, undisturbed for a century. (The dive is for observation only - there will be no attempts to salvage items.)
Passengers will also view one of the ship's giant boilers as well as one of its enormous propellers.
Around the wreck there is much deep-sea life, including rat-tail fishes, anemones and squat lobsters.
There'll be plenty of time for photography and passengers are encouraged to bring a camera and/or a compact video camera.
Passengers will board the submersibles by ladder from the support vessel - where they are stored in special hangars - with the assistance of a crew.
The inside of the submersible is compact; while there are no official limitations as to a diver's size, if your height exceeds two metres and/or your weight is over 126kg, DOE needs be told so it can determine if there are any serious impediments to your taking part.
And in case you're wondering about toilets on the Mir, in the absence of installed bathroom facilities, portable "man/woman-hour extender bottles" are provided like those used by people in light aircraft, helicopters and tents in inclement conditions.
DOE adds: As for "serious" toiletry matters, a suitable device will be carried for absolute emergencies; there's also an eating plan that minimises the amount of food and drink that you should consume for about 12 to 18 hours prior to the dive.
When possible, the Mir's two submersibles dive closely together, enabling those aboard to photograph each other at the wreck site.
The crew aboard the ship will be led by Russian Professor Anatoly Sagalevitch, who played a major role in the Mirs' design and implementation, and has been the chief scientist and expedition leader on all expedition dive projects since the submersibles were built in 1987.
Sagalevitch was the expedition leader for all dives for both the IMAX Titanica film and James Cameron's Hollywood epic.
He has piloted the Mir on numerous dives to the Titanic, as well as the German battleship Bismarck and many other deep-sea wrecks.
The four Titanic 2012 cruises will leave St John's in Newfoundland, Canada on July 1, 13 and 26 and August 8 - though the first two are sold out.
Fares do not include air travel to the port of departure, and the name of the support ship involved has yet to be announced.
IF YOU GO
Included in the diving package is accommodation on the support ship and one night at a St John's hotel in Newfoundland, Canada; all meals; the submersible diving program; lectures with slide and film shows; baggage handling and gifts including a personal video of the trip.
Not included are: air fares to and from St John's; airport arrival/departure taxes; charges for the bar; laundry; telephone and fax; plus gratuities; travel insurance and visa fees if necessary.
Fare for the voyage not taking part in the Titanic dive is US$10,000 (NZ$12,192).
For more details contact: Adventures Associates or deepoceanexpeditions.com.
- AAP
