Cunard's Latest Queen named by The Queen

2010-09-01

The Queen will name Cunard's newest ship the Queen Elizabeth at a ceremony due to take place on Monday 11th October.

The Queen Elizabeth is the third ship to be named by The Queen, who also named the QE2 in 1967 and the Queen Mary 2 in 2004. The ceremony will be a milestone in British maritime history as well a major event of worldwide interest.

Though the maiden voyage of the Queen Elizabeth sold out in a record 29 minutes there is still limited availability on her other 2010 sailings.

Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort

Queen Victoria to get a Royal Visit

2010-07-21

Next Monday the Duchess of Cornwall will once again visit Cunard's Queen Victoria, the ship she named back in December 2007.

Camilla will visit the Queen Victoria when she docks in Liverpool for the first time on the 26th July, as part of celebrations for the 170th Anniversary of the company's first ship setting out from Liverpool in July 1840.

Peter Shanks, Cunard’s president and managing director, said: “Cunard is honoured that Her Royal Highness named this fine ship, and delighted that she continues to display such an interest both in the ship and in the crew. The Duchess will always be warmly welcome onboard”.

The Duchess will be escorted onboard by Peter Shanks and will meet several crew members before heading to the bridge. At midday she will sound the ship's whistle, before cutting the cake to commemorate Cunard's 170th Birthday.

Written by Stephen Adam

Couple reunited with camera lost to the Atlantic

2010-05-25

A lucky cruise ship passenger who dropped her camera into the Atlantic on a Queen Mary 2 cruise 14 months ago has been reunited with her photos.

Spanish fisherman Benito Estevez, from Vigo, found the camera in his trawler nets. On discovering that the memory card was still intact he made it his mission to return the camera to the owners. Mr Estevez first contacted Cruise Critic, the cruise fan forum site, and later the story made in onto BBC South Today, where a friend of Mrs Gregory saw the story and got in touch.

Barbara and Dennis Gregory were pleasantly surprised to hear the news their camera had been found. Though the camera was damaged beyond use, the memory card with their silver wedding anniversary pictures had survived. The couple, who live in Johannesburg, South Africa, travelled to Vigo last week to meet Mr Estevez and to retrieve the pictures.

Mrs Gregory had said "It's too big a thing to sit a million miles away at home and just say thank you by email," while on the dockside in Vigo. "The pictures were of our silver wedding anniversary trip of a lifetime. But once it falls to the bottom of the Atlantic you just give up on it... The fact that he dredged it from the sea bed is almost miraculous. [The] deep concern of Benito to find us, and the effort that he went to, is beyond the normal call of human duty."

Benito Estevez added "I looked for the owner of the pictures because I thought how I would feel if I lost some important memories. And now we have met Barbara and Dennis, I am so happy."

Written by Stephen Adam, quotes from BBC News.

Queen Elizabeth to Feature Linley Artwork

2010-05-24

The newest ship in the luxurious Cunard fleet, the Queen Elizabeth, will continue the traditions of elegant decor and fine artwork with a specially commissioned piece by Linley. One of the challenges faced by Queen Elizabeth's designers was the Grand Lobby, with it's huge open space and sweeping staircase. The company specialise in design and manufacture of marquetry and fine furniture, hence their selection for the project.

Peter Shanks, Cunard's President and Managing Director, described the commissioned artwork; “We needed to fill that space with something which would not just be dramatic but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional materials. After much thought, 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 work than the company of the exceptional craftsman Viscount David Linley (nephew to Her Majesty The Queen), whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned”.

The dramatic artwork spans two decks and shows the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth seen dramatically from sea level.

Cunard anticipating delivery of Queen Elizabeth

2010-04-07

Excitement is mounting at cruise operator Cunard Cruises in the weeks leading up to the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth ship.

In 27 weeks' time, the vessel will join the company's fleet. Promising a harmony of classic and contemporary styles, Cunard believes the Queen Elizabeth will be defined as "the lavishness of eras past meets the thrilling future of ocean travel".

Writing for the We Are Cunard blog, Alastair Greener, the operator's entertainment director, stated that "excitement is building" and that new photographs of the vessel will be published on Friday (April 9th).

Mr Greener also reported on the whereabouts of the Queen Mary 2, which is currently en route to the Caribbean and Barbados after a stay in Rio de Janeiro.

Meanwhile, Queen Victoria, spent Easter in Dubai before heading to Oman's second-largest city, Salalah.

Cunard operates cruises all over the world including the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Scandinavia, while the more adventurous can embark on a three-month tour of the world.

Written by Chris Smith

Liverpool festival to be greeted by Cunard Cruises ships

2010-03-23

Two ships from Cunard Cruises will be heading to Liverpool next year to play a pivotal role in a major maritime festival.

The event is being staged by Liverpool City Council, with visitors first gaining the chance to see the Queen Elizabeth vessel as it docks as part of its maiden UK circumnavigation next September.

This will be followed by the second career stop at the City of Liverpool terminal of the Queen Mary 2 ship as the overall celebrations continue for a week.

Liverpool Council's tourism and enterprise leader Gary Millar said: "This will be the busiest week in the city from a cruising point of view in 50 years.

"The fact that Cunard is bringing two major vessels here shows the attraction of the city to the cruise liner industry. This will be a throwback to the halcyon days of Liverpool as a major world port."

Luxury is the name of the game for the Queen Elizabeth ship, with the Royal Court Theatre on board that can seat 832 guests, while the Queens Room covers two decks and includes a 1,000-square-foot dance floor.

Written by Chris Smith

Cunard Line to offer more itineraries thanks to new ship

2010-03-17

British holidaymakers are set to enjoy a wider variety of cruises and destinations in the coming months thanks to the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth luxury cruise liner operated by Cunard Cruises.

The 2,092-passenger vessel, which will be based in Southampton during summer 2011, will join Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 in October, allowing the cruise firm to serve an expanding market.

Cruise lovers will have a chance to choose from 22 different voyages ranging from five to 24 nights, with the ship's maiden voyage round the British Isles, which takes place in September 2011, included.

"We can now cover the world, apart from Alaska," commented Cunard's managing director and president Peter Shanks, who explained that having two ships had forced them to concentrate on a small segment.

"We have fly-cruises to the Med, voyages out of Hawaii and a strong programme to the Caribbean and Panama Canal."

The Passenger Shipping Association recently stated that British cruise market will expand to 1.75 million holidays in 2011.

Written by Chris Smith.

Queen Mary 2 preparing for lengthy stay in new home of Australia

2010-03-10

The Queen Mary 2 ship from Cunard Cruises is preparing to call Australia its new home in 2012 as it enjoys a rare voyage in the southern hemisphere.

Eight Australian ports, including Sydney, Adelaide and maiden trips to Melbourne and Brisbane will be called into as part of the trip, while in total 28 nights will be spent on Australian waters.

The Queen Mary 2 is more typically seen leaving her home ports in Southampton and New York, but Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks is looking forward to appealing to an emerging market within the cruise industry.

He said: "Recognising the strong growth of cruising in the Australian market and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to base the most famous ship in the world, Queen Mary 2, in Australia in 2012."

Mr Shanks added that he expected the demand to be strong for the three circumnavigation options available both from Australian travellers and those around the world looking to pay the country a visit.

The Queen Mary 2 has 14 spacious decks onboard, which host 14 bars, ten restaurants, five swimming pools and a traditional style English public house called the Golden Lion Pub.

Written by Chris Smith

Queen Mary 2 to offer jazz performances

2010-02-19

Cruise lovers opting for selected voyages aboard the luxurious Queen Mary 2 over the next few months will be treated to classical and contemporary jazz performances at sea.

Thanks to a new partnership between the ship's operator Cunard Cruises and the Juilliard School of Music, holidaymakers on a number of eastbound transatlantic crossings will enjoy the performances.

A wide range of celebrated musicians including prominent trumpeter Eddie Henderson, will be on hand to entertain guests in the ship's Royal Court Theatre between April and October 2010.

One of the finest vessels afloat, Queen Mary 2 boasts the latest state-of-the-art technologies, as well as elegance and opulence designed to cater for a new breed of cruise lovers.

The vessel is the flagship of one of the world's most famous luxury ocean liners and is "the grandest, most magnificent" ship ever built, according to Cunard.

A previous winner of Travel Weekly's Best Luxury Cruise Ship award, the ship features the only Canyon Ranch SpaClub on the seas.

Written by Chris Smith.

Cunard Cruises announces on-board lectures and jazz performances for Queen Mary 2

2010-02-09

Cunard Cruises has announced that its transatlantic crossings in April on Queen Mary 2 will feature two big attractions in the form of a lecture series and a selection of live jazz performances.

The lectures, on the subject of the 'special relationship' between the US and UK, will be conducted by ambassadors, statesmen, politicians and journalists - with all guests welcome to attend.

Some of the big names sharing their thoughts on the two nations include Jeffrey Weinberg, legislative attorney to the White House office of management and budget under the past seven presidents, and Iwan Morgan, professor of US studies at the University of London.

Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line, said: "When Cunard began its transatlantic liner service 170 years ago, it began a tradition of bridging the UK and the US.

"With this programme, we will bring to life and explore the historical connection between these two countries with our guests, who have expressed great interest in the subject."

In addition to intellectual discussions aboard transatlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2, guests can enjoy jazz performances from students and staff of the Juilliard School in the Royal Court Theatre.

Juilliard is a world famous performing arts school and the jazz presentations are sure to be of a great standard if last August's performance by Juilliard jazz scholar Jumaane Smith is anything to go by.

The student's trumpet recital proved very popular with guests and whet the appetite for a series that features performances on trombone, saxophone and guitar.

Commenting on the partnership between Cunard and Juilliard, Dr Laurie Carter, the school's vice president and general counsel, said: "At Juilliard, we seek to foster the skills of our musicians, while helping them share their gifts with the world.

"With these special performances, we are proud to be able to provide them the opportunity to do so and, in return, bestow upon them what are sure to be unforgettable journeys."

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