March 5, 2005

Cunard has released the itinerary of the 2006 World Cruise aboard the 1791-passenger Queen Elizabeth 2. The 109-day voyage will visit 42 ports in 27 countries. It continues a World Cruise tradition dating back to 1922. The ship will leave New York City, head through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles, and then go to Australia, India, and Europe, finally crossing from England back to New York... That's not all the 2006 news. The 2620-passenger Queen Mary 2 will sail into the Pacific for the first time via a circumnavigation of South America starting in January. The ship will travel from New York to Los Angeles, conduct a three-day round trip out of Los Angeles, and then sail to the Hawaiian Islands. In March, it travels in the opposite direction. Among its many features are 10 dining venues, five swimming pools, the largest library at sea, the largest wine collection at sea, and British nannies.

July 2, 2004

Since 1840, when it launched the very first regularly scheduled passenger service between England and North America, Atlantic crossings have been the cornerstone of Cunard’s success. For 2005, the line has doubled the number of transatlantic voyages in response to unprecedented demand generated by the launch of Queen Mary 2.

Over the years Cunard has defined and continually redefined the ocean liner experience, carrying guests in degrees of comfort and style ranging from pampered elegance to almost unimaginable luxury. Today’s Royal sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 are no exception. And what other ships in the world have been named by Queen Elizabeth II, possess sea-keeping abilities that are the envy of the shipping industry and are greeted with fanfare at virtually every port along their route?

A series of nine Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, FL, will start the winter schedule for Queen Mary 2 (QM2), followed by four March departures from New York. Her swift service speed enables Cunard to offer a true Caribbean voyage from New York in just eight days.

From April through November 2005, the line’s new flagship resumes her role as Cunard’s transatlantic carrier just as her forebears, operating regularly scheduled crossings between Southampton, England, and New York. The popular, six-night voyages are priced from $1,499 per person, double, and include shipboard meals, activities, entertainment, and Economy Class air to or from London.

“More and more people are intrigued by the civility and relaxed pace of a transatlantic crossing,” said Deborah L. Natansohn, Cunard Line’s senior vice president, sales and marketing, “It is after all one of the great traditions of international travel, a ‘must-do’ on any serious traveler’s wish list.”

According to Cunard, the vast publicity surrounding the introduction of QM2 has fuelled a surge in bookings for transatlantic crossings. Research also points to the lasting appeal of the glamour and romance of the golden age of ocean travel.

A handful of cruises to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the eastern seaboard of North America are interspersed with the QM2’s transatlantic series. QM2 will end 2005 with three sailings to the Caribbean from New York, including Cunard’s annual holiday cruise.

Queen Elizabeth 2 – An icon cruises the world
Queen Elizabeth 2 – or QE2 as she is best known – will begin 2005 with her annual World Cruise, which Cunard was first to introduce back in 1922. The ship visits 38 ports in 24 nations over 102 days, departing New York on January 3, 2005. A series of black-tie galas, themed balls and speciality parties make it one of the liveliest and longest-running soirees of the social season. Segments of 12 to 26 days let travellers share in all the glamour without taking a sabbatical.

From April through early November, QE2 offers a host of new cruises from Southampton to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Her speed allows QE2 to offer more ports of call in less time than most every other ship. She finishes the year with a circumnavigation of South America and a holiday voyage to the Canary Islands.

Enjoy five-star cruising aboard Cunard’s Royal Fleet
QM2 and QE2 are surely two of the grandest and best-known ships afloat today. Their unique ocean liner capabilities allow for smooth worldwide sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities, elegant public rooms, generous amenities and luxurious accommodations.

Queen Mary 2 is the largest (151,400 tons), longest (1,132 feet), tallest (236 feet), widest (135 feet) and most expensive ($800 million) passenger ship ever built. Among her notable facilities are 10 dining venues, including a Mediterranean speciality restaurant run by star chef Todd English, the world’s first planetarium at sea, the only spa at sea operated by Canyon Ranch, the largest ballroom at sea, the largest library at sea, the largest wine collection at sea, and a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar. On transatlantic crossings guest lecturers are provided by the University of Oxford and performers from London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art complement the entertainment offerings.

Queen Elizabeth 2 is a classic liner known intimately by royalty, rock stars and the jet set. Since her launch in 1969, the ship has called at 275 ports, carried some three million guests and sailed over five million nautical miles. She offers award-winning cuisine and service and is resplendent with formal dining rooms, a casual alternative venue, grand bars and lounges, a well-stocked library, fully equipped health spa, casino, modern Internet centre and two swimming pools. Notable guest lecturers from the fields of journalism, literature, academia, the military and the diplomatic corps enrich most voyages; cultural arts and entertainment complement their on-board presentations.