Happy Birthday Cunard Queen Victoria!

Cunard Cruises Queen Victoria is to celebrate her first birthday on December 11 2008, following her amazing world debut last year. She first embarked on her maiden voyage in December 2007, a day after being named by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall with HRH The Prince of Wales in attendance.

Since that momentous occasion, Queen Victoria has sailed 111,828 miles, made 222 port calls and carried 54,827 guests, many of whom enjoyed the experience so much that they have cruised several more times with the ship already. Cunard Queen Victoria will spend her first birthday in her home port of Southampton before heading off to the Caribbean for Christmas.

Quickly establishing herself in the Cunard fleet, Queen Victoria continues the line’s traditions that were set in motion nearly 170 years ago. Queen Victoria has become one of the most celebrated ships to be introduced in maiden years and 2008 has seen her complete her maiden World Cruise as well as ten voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean roundtrip from Southampton, 9 Mediterranean ‘fly-voyages’ from a choice of ports and two ‘Ibero-Med’ voyages – voyages which included Cunard’s return to the Baltic and ‘fly-voyages’.

In 2009 Cunard Queen Victoria will offer her second World Cruise and then be based in her home port of Southampton with sailings to the Mediterranean, the Baltic and an inaugural 24-night voyage to Canada and New England.

Queen Victoria is all about style, not size although she is the second largest Cunarder after the line’s flagship Queen Mary 2. The ships interiors draw on a rich history of previous Cunard ocean liners, with double and triple height spaces, a design feature of grand liners of the past. Public spaces are elegant yet understand British charm, with many contemporary touches and some exciting innovations. The first being the traditional West End-style private viewing boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre.

Other ‘firsts’ include, the first Cunardia exhibit display at sea, housing Cunard artefacts and memorabilia and the first two-storey library at sea featuring an elegant spiral staircase. The ship also features the line's celebrated sumptuous Grills accommodation and dining, further enhanced on Queen Victoria with exclusive deck terraces and an al fresco dining option.

For futher information on Cunard Cruises visit www.jetlinecruise.com or call 0870 850 7227.

The Duke of Edinburgh to bid farewell to QE2

It was with great honour that Cunard Cruises announced that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will make a farewell visit to Queen Elizabeth 2 in her homeport of Southampton on Tuesday 11 November 2008.

Cunard Cruise’s most famous ship, QE2 will spend her final day in the UK on Tuesday 11 November before departing on her final voyage at 1915 hours to journey to Dubai where she will become a first class hotel and entertainment centre.

QE2 is the most famous ship in the world and for some 35 years has been Cunard Cruises flagship, since being launched by Her Majesty The Queen at Clydebank on 20 September 1967 with His Royal Highness also in attendance.

Since that day QE2 has become a ship of legends, travelling almost 5.9 million nautical miles, more than any ship ever; has carried 2.5 million guests; has completed 25 world cruises and crossed the Atlantic 804 times.

His Royal Highness has a history with QE2 that dates from her launch and has visited her five times since the laying of her Keel on 14 July 1967. Immediately prior her maiden voyage His Royal Highness visited on 1 May 1969; on 29 May 1969 for the Council of Industrial Design Awards; on 19 June 1991 for a Royal Ball in association with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and on 27 July 1990 to mark Cunard Cruises 150^th Anniversary.

Details of the visit on 11 November will be announced shortly, but Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, comments:

“We are delighted and honoured that His Royal Highness has agreed to visit QE2 on her last day in the UK. The Duke of Edinburgh has taken a close interest in the ship over the last forty years, and I am certain this will be a memorable occasion for all involved”.


Cunard Cruises remaining two ships, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, will continue to fly the Cunard Cruises name.

Historic meeting of Cunard Queens

Tuesday 22 April 2008 will go down in British maritime history as the last time three queens will meet in Southampton.

Cunards three queens will meet in their hometown port of Southampton in another historic first for the company. Queen Mary 2, the largest ocean liner in the world and Queen Victoria, the newest Cunard queen currently on her maiden season, will salute Queen Elizabeth 2 as she celebrates the 39^th anniversary of her official entry into services in 1969.

QE2 is the most famous and beloved ship in the world. She is currently on her farewell season, but will always be one of the undisputed legends of the sea.

Just after 1700 hours Queen Mary 2 will leave her berth at the Queen Elizabeth II terminal and sail up river to get as close as possible to Queen Victoria and QE2.

Cunard have advised that those who wish to see the three Queens should use vantage points such as Mayflower Park and Town Quay car park located at the end of the pier.

All three ships will sound their whistles in salute before Queen Mary 2 departs for her first transatlantic crossing and Queen Victoria embarks on her first voyage to Iberia and the Canaries.