Cunard Line is pleased to confirm that Her Majesty The Queen will name the company’s new Queen Elizabeth, the third Cunard ship to bear the name, at a ceremony to take place in Southampton on Monday 11 October 2010.

The naming will be a milestone in British maritime history and will be a major event of worldwide interest.

Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, comments:

“The naming of a Cunard Queen is a very special occasion and this will be an historic event in the true sense of the word. The Queen launched Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967 and named our current flagship, Queen Mary 2, in 2004. We are both honoured and proud that Her Majesty will name our new liner Queen Elizabeth.”

Her Majesty was also present at the age of 12 at the launch of the first Queen Elizabeth on 27 September 1938 when she accompanied her mother, Queen Elizabeth, to Clydebank for the launch.

The Naming Ceremony will take place in Southampton on Monday 11 October and the ship will set sail on her maiden voyage the following day.

Cunard Line’s tradition of providing luxury experiences at sea continues with Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Spa. The 13,000 square-foot spa space features stunning art deco style decor with two levels for treatment rooms, fitness and pool facilities. Like her sisters, Queen Elizabeth’s spa offers a comprehensive health and wellness programme with a spectacular Hydrotherapy Pool and Thermal Suite. Newly created is the Royal Bath House, the centrepiece for the ultimate spa experience. Inspired by relaxing treatments drawn from disciplines around the world, the Royal Spa will offer the most luxurious and exotic treatments available in any spa resort, including being the first spa at sea to provide Remède products and treatments.

The new Royal Bath House is a relaxing, covered space, a social relaxation area that includes both the Thermal Suite and Hydrotherapy pool, all adjacent to the main outdoor pool on Deck 9. Luxurious robes, slippers and other amenities will be provided. Day passes are available for those guests not booking a treatment.

Beyond the aquatics area of the spa, guests can enjoy treatments provided by one of Cunard’s many high-end partners. Queen Elizabeth will be the first spa at sea to offer Remède service, including Customized Facials and Massages, as well as Remède and Elemis spa products. Additionally, other new treatments and partners include:

Royal Spa Self-Scrub: Guests work with the spa’s mixologist to create a customised special blend of exfoliants that buff away dead skin and impurities. 

Cellulite Reduction and Revitalizing Leg Therapy by Ionithermie: This detoxifying, firming and toning treatment helps to eliminate toxins. Alleviates water retention and also guarantees inches will be lost after just one treatment.

Peter Shanks, Cunard’s Managing Director and President, says:

"As the world awaits Queen Elizabeth, our guests are eager to experience all the lavish amenities featured on board, including the rituals of luxury found in the Royal Spa. From couples’ treatment suites and new treatments to adventurous fitness classes and premium spa product partners, Cunard continues to offer the ultimate in rejuvenation at sea.”

The centre also includes a full-service hair and nail salon using award-winning products and providing the latest services, such as

Phyto Hair Cocktails: Phyto is a blend of plants and herbs that helps repair the structure of the hair and nourish the scalp.
Award-winning St. Tropez Sunless Tanning for the face and body.
Brazilian Blowout: The Brazilian Blowout leaves hair smooth, healthy and frizz-free for up to 12 weeks without the use of damaging chemicals.

For health-focused guests, Queen Elizabeth’s fitness centre includes a fully appointed work-out facility and aerobics studio featuring signature fitness classes including:

Walkvest®: which helps use extra calories while wearing a weighted vest (two – 16 lbs.) while walking
Walking Poles: which turn walking into a total body workout, engaging every muscle with each stride. Classes show how the use of the poles can enhance ‘walking’ experiences to help improve stamina, posture and balance
Aqua Tone: This special class incorporates movements with various types of water equipment, such as dumbbells, floats, aqua gloves and fins. The water resistance helps build muscles without overexertion.

To promote overall wellbeing, the spa also offers services using the ancient traditions of Chinese medicines and Ayurvedic techniques. A professionally trained acupuncturist, registered by the British Acupuncture Council, offers six different treatments to assist in alleviating stress, pain, or helping with weight loss.

Ayurveda (Sanskrit for the Science of Life) is an ancient Indian health care system and offers a wellness plan that includes the guests’ preferred type of exercise and dietary choices. A key part of health and wellness is education, and so seminars ranging from managing arthritis to metabolism enhancement will be offered throughout the voyage. 

Iconic Partnerships also include Chopard, Hackett and Harris Tweed

Ever since Queen Mary entered service in 1936 Cunard’s Queens have been famous for offering the best on-board shopping featuring some of the finest luxury brands and gifts from around the world. The new Queen Elizabeth, which enters service in October 2010, will be no exception.

Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Royal Arcade’ will feature iconic products from Fortnum & Mason. Since 1707 Fortnum & Mason has been the quintessential English store situated in the heart of London’s Piccadilly and issued with two Royal warrants. On board Fortnum & Mason will offer unique teas, preserves, biscuits and gifts.

Shoppers on board Queen Elizabeth will also be able to purchase brands that have never before been available at sea. The new Cunarder will be the only ship in the world to feature the following luxury products:

Hackett: Men’s Designer Clothing by Hackett of London, producers of the finest authentic and classic menswear – ‘The home of the essential British kit’.
Harris Tweed: World-renowned for their genuine hand-woven Scottish woollen fabrics.
Anya Hindmarch: English fashion accessories designer who always had a passion for bespoke details. Queen Elizabeth will feature the latest bespoke designs on board.

Queen Elizabeth will also offer:
Chopard: For 150 years Chopard has offered watches and jewellery of exceptional quality, exclusively created to the highest standards in Geneva. To celebrate the launch of Queen Elizabeth the company has produced the ‘ Chopard Queen Elizabeth watch’ – a limited edition watch combining the dual branding of Chopard and Cunard and available at $18,000; both luxury and heritage brands.
Penhaligons: Issued with two Royal warrants and made in England using the finest rare ingredients from bergamot to jasmine.
Aspinal of London: Founded on the fundamental premise of offering their customers the most beautiful objects of unsurpassed quality and design for home and living. The signature collection on Queen Elizabeth will capture the Cunard luxury trademark.

To celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s introduction three brands have launched special items:
Clogau: The jeweller to The Queen has produced a gold Queen Elizabeth limited edition pendant exclusively for Cunard.
Rotary: A specially-commissioned ‘Queen Elizabeth watch’ will only available onboard the Queen Elizabeth.
Halcyon Days: The company has commissioned a special pill box that links the heritage of the brand with luxury at sea.

A new ‘Cunard Signature Collection’ on board Queen Elizabeth will offer a premium logo collection ranging from travel accessories to designer clothing.

Cunard were the first to offer suit hire facilities at sea and Queen Elizabeth will continue this valuable service with Moss Bros Hire being available providing everything needed for elegant formal events with all lines available at high street prices.

Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, says:
“Decades of experience have told us that the on board shopping experience is important to our guests and Cunard has an unrivalled reputation for providing the finest shopping at sea. Queen Elizabeth will be no exception and I am very excited with the range that will be offered on board by quality world-famous brands that are a perfect fit with the Cunard brand”.

Queen Elizabeth will be the second largest Cunarder ever built and will join her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria as part of the youngest fleet in the world. She will feature many unique Cunard traditions linking her with her sisters and their predecessors, together with all the modern day luxuries Cunard’s passengers have come to expect. There will also be features that will give the vessel her own style and personality.

The first Queen Elizabeth was one of Cunard’s greatest ships, and the new Queen Elizabeth will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist.

From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at an experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship’s adherence to liner traditions, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, luxuriously endowed with rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, hand-woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel.

Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday 12 October 2010. This 13-night celebration will leave from the company’s home port, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal.
 

Three weeks visiting friends and relatives or just exploring Australia. No flights to get there or back. No airport hassles. No risk of Ash disruption or airline strikes. Take as much luggage as you like. Sound too good to be true? Not with Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

In early 2012, as part of her World Voyage, Queen Mary 2 will for the first time be undertaking a 22-night circumnavigation of Australia. Cunard are offering the opportunity to sail out to Sydney from Southampton on 10 January, spend 22 nights doing their own thing in Australia from 14 February to 7 March and then rejoin the ship for the voyage back to Southampton arriving on 27 April.

This is a unique opportunity for those who have always wanted to spend time in Australia – especially visiting friends and relatives – but to do so without setting foot through an airport or on to a plane.

Prices for the outward journey start at £3,499 for 35-nights on Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to Sydney. The homeward leg starts at £5,099 for 51 nights. For the journey there and back, prices start at £8,598. Including the 22 nights in Australia the whole trip would be for 109 nights.

Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, says;

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the many people who would like to spend quality time in Australia but without setting foot in an airport or on a plane.

“As well as spending 22-nights with friends and family or just exploring Australia, people would enjoy 86-nights of luxury and visit many famous ports onboard Queen Mary 2. With prices from just £8,598 – which is not much more than a return Business Class flight to Sydney – this really is a once in a lifetime experience”.

The programme goes on sale on 15 July 2010 and demand is expected to be very high.
 

Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth, scheduled to enter service in October 2010, will offer the most popular dining opportunities from her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria but will also introduce several exciting twists which reflect Cunard’s past and the company’s desire to appeal to a wider public.

Peter Shanks, President and Managing Director, says:
“In planning for the dining and bar options on board Queen Elizabeth, we looked for inspiration in venues Cunard has created during its 170-year history and took the best from those. With Queen Elizabeth, Cunard will be one of the oldest names in ocean travel but with the industry's youngest fleet, so it is natural for us to recognise our past while catering for the needs of today’s travellers.”
Whether guests are taking traditional afternoon tea, pre-dinner cocktails or a sumptuous meal they will enjoy them in venues that exhibit art deco overtones, rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, gleaming chandeliers and cool marbles, with service being in the tradition of Cunard Line.

Cunard’s Global Culinary Ambassador Jean-Marie Zimmermann, who is responsible for all things culinary on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, will continue in this role on Queen Elizabeth.

The Verandah
The Verandah Grills on board the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were perhaps the most exclusive dining rooms at sea, on a par with exclusive private clubs in London, New York and Paris. These Grills were available to first-class passengers who wanted a truly exclusive experience and the rooms would be frequented by royalty, film stars, the rich and the famous. In keeping with this tradition, The Verandah on the new Queen Elizabeth will offer an exquisite cuisine, contemporary design and impeccable service with menus created by Chef Zimmermann who has paid homage to his homeland’s fine French cuisine.

The Verandah is a light and elegant room with artwork inspired by the whimsical murals on the first two Queens, where vintage menus will tell the story of the dining experience on board the original Queen Elizabeth. It will be open for lunch and dinner for a small surcharge.

The dishes will evoke the personality and flavour of regions such as Périgord, Pyrenees, Alsace, Bresse and Burgundy and will include Monkfish and Rascas Fish Bouillabaisse, Magret Duck, Baked Brie de Meaux Brioche, and Hot Vanilla Soufflé infused with Edmond Briottet Peach Liqueur.

The Grills
Guests travelling in Queen Elizabeth’s suites will enjoy dining in the Queens Grill and Princess Grill restaurants which will be located on top of the ship (Deck 11), enclosed by graceful and gently curving panoramic glass walls on the seaboard sides, and cantilevered out over the side of the vessel above Deck 10. The Grills restaurants will offer single seating and A la carte menus, featuring classic dishes Cunard passengers have come to know well, together with new specialties.

The restaurants, although architecturally similar, will be decorated distinctly in an Art Deco fashion to create an individual feel in each dining room. Grills guests also will have exclusive use of their own private bar and lounge, conveniently located next to the Grills restaurants, complete with resident Concierge.

French-style doors will open from each Grills Restaurant onto the Courtyard, an exclusive patio area, where al fresco dining will be offered. Steps will lead up to the Grills Terrace, a secluded retreat that is on the ship’s uppermost deck, where Grills guests can enjoy luxurious sun beds and dedicated waiter service.

Britannia Restaurant
The main dining room, the Britannia Restaurant, is destined to be one of the most remarkable dining rooms at sea, spanning Decks 2 and 3 at the stern of the vessel. Art Deco decorative features create a dramatic backdrop for this two-tiered dining room that is sure to evoke memories of classic ocean liner restaurants. A sweeping staircase, ideal for making a grand entrance, and a backlit decorative ceiling are among the focal points. Breakfast and lunch will be open seating and guests have the option of either early or late sitting for dinner.

Britannia Club
Like Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth also will offer the Britannia Club, where guests travelling in AA category staterooms will enjoy single-seating dining at a time of their choosing. On Queen Elizabeth the Britannia Club is a separate dining room adorned a beautiful ceiling of backlit decorative glass panels, a sand-blasted decorative glass wall and panoramic windows for sea views.

New dining options in The Lido
Open 24 hours a day, The Lido on Deck 9 will be a light, spacious, casual area sea views. At night several new dining options will be offered:

• Asado features South American cuisine and the traditional style of cooking on a grill. Guests may choose from a selection of dishes from the Rotisserie and Grill, such as Roasted Chimmichuri Chicken and Argentinean Lamb Chops with Pistachio.
• Aztec will offer authentic regional Mexican cuisine exploring the variety of spices and ingredients which are native to the country. Guests can look forward to appetizing dishes such as Chile Relleno de Espinaca and Banana-Wrapped Snapper Veracruzana.
• Jasmine offers Pan-Asian cuisine, drawing on influences from Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and China. Tantalizing dishes are inspired by the many flavours of the region, producing dishes that range from Aromatic Crispy Duck to Char Siew Pau.

These are available to all guests for a small surcharge of $10 per person. For those seeking a more informal dining option for dinner, a buffet station will remain open.

The Garden Lounge
Located on Deck 9 this palm-filled conservatory with a magnificent vaulted glass ceiling will, on select sea days, offer a Champagne afternoon tea service, featuring Veuve Clicquot Champagne, for a surcharge of $25 per person. Occasional evening ‘Supper Clubs’ will combine dining with dancing under the stars. Small plates of savories and sweets will be served while live musical entertainment is presented.

In addition guests will be able to enjoy pub food in the Golden Lion Pub, traditional afternoon tea in the Queens Room and a wide variety of bars will allow guests to select one that suits their mood.
 

Cunard ships, while among the most modern afloat, are known for their traditional luxury, accentuated by extensive use of brass, classic fabrics, marble and highly polished woods and veneers.

So the interior of Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth posed a particular challenge for designers deciding how to treat the significant central arched space on the sweeping staircase leading up from the main deck in the ship’s soaring Grand Lobby, the first area to greet embarking passengers.

Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Peter Shanks, says:

“We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic, a ‘wow’ factor in an area already full of ‘wow’, but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials. After much thought and exploratory work, it was decided to commission a 5.6-metre (18 ft 6 in) high marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world.

“Once we had decided on the theme and the medium, it didn’t take us long to conclude that no-one was better qualified for this detailed but monumental work than the company of the exceptional craftsman David Linley, whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned”.

As a result, Linley, a company specialising in the design and manufacture of fine furniture and marquetry was commissioned to design and make this stunning centrepiece at the heart of the ship. Work is currently under way, and the completed panel will be shipped during the summer to the Fincantieri shipyard at Monfalcone, Italy, where it will be installed over a period of four days to take pride of place just before the ship enters service in October.

The magnificent artwork shows the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth seen dramatically from sea level, and is intricately executed using the technique of marquetry inlay in nine different types of wood veneers. Spanning 2½ decks, the panel is made up of nine panels seamlessly jointed to lightweight board. The marquetry panel features Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird’s eye maple, satin walnut , ash, burr walnut and Macassar ebony – all used to depict the evocative image of Queen Elizabeth.

Commenting on the challenges faced by the bespoke commission, Linley’s Chairman, David Linley, who founded the company in 1985, says:

Though we have made fittings for luxury yachts in the past, this is the first sea-going work we have done on this scale – it is certainly the largest screen we have ever made – but it was a commission I was delighted to accept. I recall my father saying the interior design on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 made one proud to be British, so I am hoping our achievement on the new Queen Elizabeth will make him – and others – equally proud”.

Queen Elizabeth will be the second largest Cunarder ever built and will join her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria as part of the youngest fleet in the world. She will feature many unique Cunard traditions linking her with her sisters and their predecessors, together with all the modern day luxuries Cunard’s passengers have come to expect. There will also be features that will give the vessel her own style and personality.

The first Queen Elizabeth was one of Cunard’s greatest ships, and the new Queen Elizabeth will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist.

From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at an experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship’s adherence to liner traditions, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, luxuriously endowed with rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, hand-woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel.

Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday 12 October 2010. This 13-night celebration will leave from the company’s home port, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal.

For further PRESS information

Cunard

Eric Flounders, Public Relations Manager: 0207 940 5390
eric.flounders@cunard.co.uk
Michael Gallagher, Public Relations Executive: 0207 940 5391
michael.gallagher@cunard.co.uk
www.queenelizabeth.cunard.com

Linley
Christina MacMillan, Marketing Director 0207 824 7211
cmacmillan@davidlinley.com 

New speaker series aboard Queen Mary 2 to focus on close political and cultural ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.

In keeping with its longstanding tradition of offering guests award-winning enrichment programmes, Cunard Line announces the Special Relationship speaker series. Guests sailing on select 2010 Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings will have the unique opportunity to attend lectures by ambassadors, statesmen, politicians, journalists, academics and broadcasters with a shared interest between the United States and United Kingdom, an association first referenced as a "special relationship" by Winston Churchill in 1946. The programme was developed in direct response to guests noting their interest in hearing about politics and contemporary issues while onboard.

SOURCE Cunard Line

The Kochi Port has received 36 cruise calls since April 2009. Nine more vessels, including prestigious liners such as `Queen Victoria’ and `Costa Deliziona’ are expected in February and March.

With this, the total number of cruise calls at Kochi Port during the year 2009-2010 is expected to be 47, which is the highest in India. Meanwhile, prestigious cruise liner Queen Mary reached Kochi on Sunday with around 2,500 international tourists with high spending capacity and 1250 crew. This is Queen Mary’s third visit to Kochi. The vessel, which reached Kochi at 6.30 a.m. from Dubai left for Phuket in Thailand in the evening. The nationalities of passengers include US, UK and Germany. Another cruise vessel `Le Ponant’, with around 50 passengers and 40 crew, also called at the Port on Sunday. Le Ponant will leave for Maldives on Monday evening.

“There are already 35 confirmed cruise calls for the period between April 2010 and March 2011, including visits by AIDA Cara and AIDA Aura, which have started turn around calls from Kochi in 2009. `Queen Elizabeth’ is another prestigious vessel which will be arriving at the Port in the next season,” said the Port authorities.

Apart from Queen Mary, `Costa Deliziona’ which carries 2,826 passengers and 926 crew and Queen Mary’s sister vessel `Queen Victoria’ which carries 2,000 passengers and 1100 crew are the two vessels scheduled to come to Kochi this season with a large number of high-spending tourists. These vessels will call at Kochi on March 3 and 30 respectively.

Wrapping up her Expedition of the Americas segment, a part of her current world voyage, Cunard Line's Queen Victoria made her inaugural visit to San Francisco today.  Welcoming her to this historic maritime port was the honourable Mayor Gavin Newsom, along with travel agents, media and local dignitaries -- including the British Consul-General of San Francisco, Julian Evans. In addition, by official order of proclamation, Mayor Newsom declared today as "Cunard Queen Victoria Day" in San Francisco.

About Cunard Line

Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840.  Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travelers who seek a civilized adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service™, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment.  Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.  Queen Elizabeth joins the fleet in October 2010.

Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines.  The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.  Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  Together they offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

Cunard can be found on:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cunard

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CunardLine

Blog: http://www.WeAreCunard.com

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/wearecunard

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cunard

SOURCE Cunard Line

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth Reaches Major Milestone

Special ceremonies at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard near Trieste, Italy, were held yesterday to mark the float out of Cunard's newest liner, Queen Elizabeth. Cunard's President and Managing Director, Peter Shanks, was joined by 79-year-old Florence (Dennie) Farmer, who served as guest of honour at the event. Dennie's husband, Willie Farmer, joined Cunard in September 1938 and served as Chief Engineer on both the first Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth 2 until retirement in October 1979. Since her husband's passing, Dennie has sailed with Cunard many times and her link with the two previous Queen Elizabeth ships is unparalleled. In recognition of this, Cunard has bestowed Dennie with the honour, in Italian tradition, of being "Madrina" to the third Queen Elizabeth.

About Cunard Line

Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840.  Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travelers who seek a civilized adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service™, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment.  Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.  Queen Elizabeth joins the fleet in October 2010.

Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines.  The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.  Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  Together they offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

Follow Cunard online at:

Blog: www.WeAreCunard.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cunard

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cunardline

YouTube: www.youtube.com/wearecunard

Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/cunard

SOURCE Cunard Line

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, the international peace and justice activist, is taking his message of hope for humanity to the high seas in 2010 - as one of the guest lecturers on the Southampton-based ship, Queen Mary 2.

The Archbishop will be giving talks in March this year during the Port Louis, Mauritius, to Cape Town leg of a world cruise.

“It is a great honour for Cunard to be able to welcome on board an internationally respected figure of such eminence, and we are confident our passengers will be transfixed by what he has to say,” Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks told the Southern Daily Echo newspaper.

Archbishop Tutu was most recently involved in lobbying around the Copenhagen climate change conference, backing tough action against human-assisted global warming.

He has also been involved in a range of human rights issues - including freedom for Tibet, action on Zimbabwe and dignity for lesbian and gay people.

His concerns are deeply rooted in core Christian convictions.

As well as winning the Nobel Peace prize for his opposition to apartheid in South Africa (where he was formerly Anglican archbishop of Cape Town), Tutu has been identified as an inspiration to millions of people - including those sceptical about organised religion in general and Christianity in particular.

Source: Inspire Magazine

Residents on the North Yorkshire coast are expected to flock to see the largest liner in the world, Queen Mary 2, on Friday.

The flagship of the Cunard Line is sailing around the British Isles to mark five years since she entered service. It is also a celebration of the 170th anniversary of the founding of Cunard Line.

Queen Mary 2 is the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive ocean liner ever built. She's also the fastest passenger ship in the world since the retirement of the QE2.

Queen Mary 2 has sailed almost 750,000 nautical miles and completed more than 120 Atlantic crossings since entering service.

The luxurious liner became Cunard's flagship in May 2004 taking over from the QE2. Peter Shanks, Cunard's President and Managing Director, says: "We are very proud of our flagship and her achievements since she entered service and this is an important birthday for Queen Mary 2. "I would encourage as many people as possible to come out and wish Queen Mary 2 well during the course of this 'lap-of-honour'".

Source: BBC News

Cunard’s Gracious New Queen Defines A New Golden Age of Ocean Liner Travel

Announcing the first details of its new ship, Cunard today revealed that Queen Elizabeth, scheduled to enter service on 12 October 2010, will be the second largest Cunard ship ever built, and the third new ocean liner to be introduced by Cunard in six years, giving one of the oldest names in shipping the strength of owning the youngest fleet in the industry.

Queen Elizabeth will feature the unique Cunard traditions linking her with her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, and their predecessors, along with some exciting features that will give the vessel her own style and personality, plus all the modern day luxuries Cunard’s guests have come to expect.

Named after the first Queen Elizabeth, one of Cunard’s greatest ships, the new Queen Elizabeth will reference her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist. From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at an experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship’s adherence to liner traditions, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, luxuriously endowed with rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel. 
 

And in addition to the extensive Cunard entertainment programme on board, Queen Elizabeth will offer some unique strands inspired by the era of the first Queen Elizabeth such as country house parties, Ivor Novello style piano evenings, and period dancing, from traditional ballroom to the jitterbug and the jive – all within the setting of this 21st century ship.

As successor to Queen Elizabeth 2, the ship will also reflect this great liner through artworks and memorabilia, and its very own ‘Yacht Club’.

Queen Elizabeth will also pay homage to the links Cunard and the maritime world have enjoyed with Royalty over the years, with photography, memorabilia and exhibits.

Public areas will include:

· The Queens Room - a new take on the traditional Cunard ballroom, with artwork depicting views from royal palaces, and a photography of our current Queen and Royal family, along with its 1000-square foot dance floor, for grand balls and tea dances at sea.
· The Garden Lounge, with its magnificent vaulted glass ceiling creating a conservatory feel inspired by the glass houses of Kew Gardens, where Supper Clubs will mix dining with dancing under the stars.
· The Games Deck which will offer, croquet, paddle tennis and traditional British bowls, celebrating the oldest surviving bowls green in Cunard’s home port of Southampton.
· The art deco style Britannia Restaurant, with its unique and elegant sweeping staircase, where ladies can create an enviable grand entrance.
· The Britannia Club for single seating dining for those in the top balcony staterooms.

· The Midships Bar which will pay homage to her namesake liner, the first Queen Elizabeth, with memorabilia displayed from that era.

The ship will also feature the line’s celebrated luxury Grills accommodation and dining, with its al fresco dining option on an exclusive deck terrace, beautiful restaurants, Grills Lounge and sunbathing deck.

And, of course, Queen Elizabeth has been constructed with impressive sea keeping qualities that will enable her to travel easily and efficiently through the world’s oceans.

Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says:

“Cunard has the distinction of owning the most famous ocean liners in the world, and I’m delighted to be able to announce this magnificent addition to our fleet - Sir Samuel Cunard himself would have been rightly proud. For over 70 years there has been an ‘Elizabeth’ in the fleet and this beautiful modern day celebration of our past ‘Elizabeths’ will ensure this proud tradition will continue far into this century. The new Queen Elizabeth will be a classically styled Cunard Queen with art deco features, and, together with her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, will offer a New Golden Age of Ocean Liner Travel complete with our exclusive White Star Service”.

Carol Marlow added that the introduction of this ship is particularly noteworthy as, following the withdrawal from service of QE2 last year, it will mark a return to Cunard enjoying three Queens in service together, a first established during 2008, after the launch of Queen Victoria. But now, all three ships will offer the benefits of modern design and state of the art technology.

Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage to the Atlantic Isles on 12 October 2010. This 13-night voyage will leave from the company’s home port, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma and Madeira. Fares will range from £1,489 per person for a D8 standard inside stateroom to £15,799 per person for one of the remarkable Q1 grade Grand Suites.

The initial Queen Elizabeth brochure launched today includes itineraries from October 2010 to January 2011 including voyages to the Western and Central Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Fares start from just £599 per person for the ‘Gallic Debut’ five-night Party Voyage (ports of call: Amsterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre) while the 22-night ‘A Caribbean Welcome’ inaugural Christmas voyage has fares from £2,999 per person and calls at Madeira, Tortola, St Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua and The Azores.

Reservations for the Maiden Voyage and inaugural season can be made from 1pm on 2 April. To find out more, or make a reservation, guests should contact their local travel agent, or call Cunard on 0845 071 0300.