List of cruise news articles updates on Cunard Line thoughtout the day en-gb http://www.iglucruise.com 2010-03-16 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

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/queen-mary-2-preparing-for-lengthy-stay-in-new-home-of-australia_a19660520 2010-03-10 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.


]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/queen-mary-2-to-offer-jazz-performances_a19626179 2010-02-19 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."

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/cunard-cruises-announces-on-board-lectures-and-jazz-performances-for-queen-mary-2_a19604255 2010-02-09 Queen Victoria's 2010 itineraries.

Guests will be able to experience the region in "elegant style and sophistication" through the 12-day voyages, which will kick off and end in a number of charming ports.

The ship's operator Cunard Cruises announced that the voyages, which are the highlight of Queen Victoria's 2010 offering, will feature several overnight visits in Venice, Barcelona and Istanbul.

Holidaymakers who secure their bookings as soon as possible will be able to enjoy savings worth hundreds of pounds per stateroom through a special offer for early birds.

As well as the aforementioned vessel, Cunard operates the luxury ocean liner Queen Mary 2 and can lay claim to running the only regularly scheduled transatlantic service.

The firm's new Queen Elizabeth cruise ship is expected to enter into service in October 2010. It was recently floated at a ceremony in Italy where it is being constructed.

Written by Chris Smith.



]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/queen-victoria-offers-mediterranean-itineraries_a19556220 2010-01-13 Cunard Cruises' new ship Queen Elizabeth is a step closer to arriving in the market.

Just six months after construction of the vessel begun, the dry dock in which the eagerly anticipated ship is being put together was flooded, letting it have a taste of its upcoming environment.

The vessel, which is the successor to the QE2, took to the water for the first time during a special ceremony at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard near Trieste under the watchful eye of a godmother with historical ties to the line.

Florence Farmer, the widow of Willie Farmer - an engineer who worked on the original Queen Elizabeth and QE2 - played the role of godmother or 'madrina' as the ship was floated.

Capable of accommodating more than 2,000 passengers, the new vessel, which will feature memorabilia from both the aforementioned ships, had a 1938 half crown welded beneath its mast for good luck.

The ship will feature 16 decks equipped with everything from a gymnasium, bowling green and a croquet lawn to a ballroom, 830-seat theatre, cafes and restaurants.

Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks welcomed the floating of the ship, saying it carries on with a legacy that has been in existence for many years.

He said: "Of our 170 years of history there has been an 'Elizabeth' in the fleet for over 70 and this ship - the second largest Cunarder ever built - will take the name far into the 21st Century."

Several cruise ships are expected to be launched in 2010 as an increasing number of Brits opt for holidays at sea, attracted by rising affordability and wider choice.

The Passenger Shipping Association recently gave the strongest indication yet that the UK cruise sector is expanding rapidly after predicting that 1.5 million British holidaymakers will take a cruise this year.

Written by Chris Smith.



]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/cunard-floats-queen-elizabeth_a19541083 2010-01-05 Cunard Cruises has celebrated the naming of the forthcoming addition to its fleet of luxury cruise liners, the Queen Elizabeth.

Currently being worked on in the port of Trieste, Italy, the vessel has now been branded with the steel letters spelling out her name.

According to the cruise lining company, such a name will mark the upcoming vessel out as a part of maritime history, with all previous vessels bearing the regal name of Elizabeth having been legendary for their comfort and style.

"As I saw the famous name being welded to the bow, I was overcome by the historical significance," Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line, said.

"A milestone such as this only continues to build on the already wide anticipation of the debut of our gracious new Cunarder."

The Queen Elizabeth is due to be launched in time for the 2010 Mediterranean cruises season and is scheduled to visit 18 ports in 18 countries in her first year on the seas.

Zagat recently named Cunard as the 'Top Overall' large cruise line in its annual travel industry poll.

Written by Chris Smith

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/cunard-names-new-queen-elizabeth-ship_a19482658 2009-11-27 Cunard Cruises' Queen Victoria cruise ship made her inaugural visit to Boston on September 29th with celebrity chef Todd English on board to personally take care of the ship's guests.

The vessel is currently conducting maiden calls through the New England and Canada coasts as part of her Autumn Colours voyage and various dignitaries were onboard to sample its offerings.

Cunard's vessels Queen Victoria and flagship Queen Mary 2 exclusively feature Todd English's at-sea restaurants and the chef was on hand to welcome the ship to his home town.

Commenting on the vessel's arrival in the North American port, Queen Victoria's master captain Ian McNaught said: "We continue to provide our guests with legendary voyages and historic ports of call, and Boston is always a highlight.

"It is a pleasure to bring Queen Victoria into Boston for her inaugural visit, a city with which Cunard shares a great history - welcoming us and our guests so warmly for many years."

Award-winning Hollywood film director Baz Luhrman recently sailed across the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2.

Written by Chris Smith.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/queen-victoria-on-north-american-cruise_a19386870 2009-09-30 Cunard Cruises' new vessel by securing a place on the first six voyages, it has been reported.

Some 75 per cent of places in the early cruises on Cunard's new Queen Elizabeth ship have already been booked, according to the company's incoming president and managing director Peter Shanks.

Mr Shanks is quoted by Travel Weekly as saying that the increased interest from Cunard lovers as well as new customers has resulted in record bookings for its voyages.

He said: "The Cunard brand is very resilient, which gives us a tremendous position in the market, especially when you add in the heritage."

He went on to state that "world cruisers know what they want" and prefer to secure their booking as early as possible, adding that "sales have also benefited from interest in Queen Elizabeth".

Tickets for Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyage sold out in just 29 minutes and 14 seconds when the books were opened in April.

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/bookings-for-queen-elizabeth-s-first-voyages-nearly-sold-out_a19344542 2009-09-03 Cunard Cruises has revealed its itineraries for the 2010-11 season.

Coming soon after the announcement of Queen Elizabeth's inaugural sailing, the cruise line has revealed its Europe, Transatlantics and Americas programme.

Next year, Cunard Line will have three ships in its fleet named after queens sailing to destinations around the world: Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

Carol Marlow, president of the firm, said its heritage was highly regarded by passengers and 98 per cent of customers have said they would return for another holiday onboard one of its ships.

She commented: "In appreciation of their loyalty, we are pleased to offer a wider range of itineraries in 2010 - a direct result of our expanded fleet of modern luxury vessels."

Cunard offers voyages to destinations including the Mediterranean, northern Europe, the US and Canada.

Written by Mike Cotgreave

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/cunard-announces-2010-11-itineraries_a19121042 2009-04-15 Cunard Cruise's new Queen Elizabeth ocean liner has become the fastest selling voyage in the cruise line's history.

It took just over 29 minutes for the voyage to sell out, beating the record of 36 minutes set in June 2007 for the final sailing of the QE2.

Meanwhile, more than half of the passenger places for the remainder of the maiden season were snapped up within 90 minutes.

Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard, said that bookings had been particularly strong from people in the UK, the US and Germany.

"This is an impressive record set by what will be an impressive ship and speaks volumes for the Cunard brand as well as for the resilience of the cruise sector," she commented.

Cunard's fleet also consists of the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria.

Written by Mike Cotgreave

]]> http://www.iglucruise.com/news/queen-elizabeth-s-maiden-voyages-sells-out-in-record-time_a19110995 2009-04-07