Clyde says goodbye to QE2

The former shipbuilding community of Clyde bid a fond farewell to Cunard Cruises Queen Elizabeth 2 as the world-famous cruise liner returned to the area is was constructed. The grand lady of the seas was waved off by thousands of people as it headed for Belfast and the Firth of Forth.

There was a mixture of tourists and local residents who climbed Lye Hill which affords views over the river in order to pay their respects to the world’s most famous cruise liner. Cunard Cruises QE2 made her maiden voyage in 1969 and following her retirement from service will now become a floating hotel located in Dubai.

Norman Harvey, a 73-year-old former Scott Lithgow worker added every time the ship comes back to Clyde, the crowds are attracted to it.

Christine McLaughlin, 62, a resident of Gourock, said: "A lot of people have fond memories of it. The QE2 means a lot to people."

Queen Mary 2 100th Transatlantic crossing

Cunard Cruises flagship Queen Mary 2 will set sail on her 100^th Transatlantic crossing from her home port of Southampton today, Sunday 21 September 2008. The momentous crossing with finish in New York on 27 September.

Queen Mary 2 entered service in January 2004 and since then has completed 711,288 nautical miles, with 316,729 nautical miles spent on Transatlantic voyages alone.

Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says:
“Perhaps more than any other voyage, a Transatlantic Crossing captures the imagination of most travellers and recalls a bygone era of glamour and sophistication. For many, it is on par with the world’s greatest travel experiences.”

Queen Mary 2’s regular Transatlantic crossings form the foundation of her annual itineraries, in addition to sailings in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norway, plus her Second World cruise in 2009. Not only has Queen Mary 2 logged nearly three-quarters of a million miles but her 100th Transatlantic voyage also marks many other milestones including –

- More than 229,000 guests crossing the North Atlantic

- 450 pets crossing the North Atlantic

- 97,000 pounds of lobster served

- 2,7000 pounds of caviar served

- 206,200 bottles of champagne served

- Enough tea to fill nearly five Olympic-sized swimming pools

Queen Mary 2 has welcomed many notable guests, including HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Noor, Former President George Bush, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Hillary Clinton, Uma Thurman, John Cleese, Richard Dreyfuss, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Tina Brown and Harold Evans, Donald Trump, and Dame Shirley Bassey.

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.

Boston Symphony Chamber Players to Perform Aboard Queen Mary 2

One of the worlds most distinguished chamber music ensembles The Boston Symphony Chamber Players will perform on Cunard Cruises Queen Mary 2 on her eastbound Transatlantic crossing departing from New York on September 4.

Cunard, the official cruise line of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, will welcome the players and the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s esteemed Artistic Administrator, Anthony Fogg, for special performances and lectures held throughout the voyage.

The Boston Symphony Chamber Players were founded in 1964 to ensure the BSO could share the unique qualities of the full chamber repertoire with concertgoers. The Boston Symphony Chamber Players engagement is a highlight this season of many illuminating performances and appearances that comprise Cunard Insights™, the lines award winning enrichment program which is now available on all three of the celebrated ocean liners.

"Live classical music remains a Cunard hallmark to this day and showcasing a world-class chamber orchestra of this notoriety will be a truly memorable event for our guests," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line.

Queen Mary 2 coming to Greenock

Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 is currently the largest, longest, widest, tallest and most expansive ocean liner every built. She will be making a historic call at Greenock on Monday 19 October 2009 as part of a special British Isles voyage.

The British Isles voyage will mark the fifth anniversary of the introduction of Queen Mary 2 in January 2004. Queen Mary 2 will berth alongside the Ocean Terminal at 0800 hours and will depart at 1800 hours. It is expected that thousands of people will visit Greenock to see the largest ever vessel to dock there.

Greenock Ocean Terminal has established a growing international reputation as a cruise destination.

At the head of the sheltered and scenic Clyde estuary on Scotland's Atlantic coast, the deep water quay combines modern quayside facilities with convenient rail, air and motorway networks for any onward journey to Scotland's top tourist attractions.

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

“We are delighted to be announcing this historic call at Greenock. Since it’s founding in May 1839 – the 170th anniversary of which we celebrate in 2009 – Cunard has owned over 220 ships. Of those 125 were built in Scotland, with the vast majority of those being built on the Clyde. They range from the tiny Unicorn, to the first superliner Lusitania, the palatial Aquitania and the famous Queens Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and QE2. We felt a visit by our flagship Queen Mary 2 to acknowledge our deep ties with the Clyde, Greenock and Glasgow was well overdue! If previous visits by our beloved QE2 are anything to go by then Queen Mary 2 can expect an emotional, warm and historic welcome”.

QE2 has called at Greenock seven times since she entered service in May 1969 – including a return visit on 20 September 2007 exactly 40 years after her launch.

Cunard Cuts Single Supplements

Cunard Cruises have reduced their single supplement charges just one week after Island Cruises announced the same. Single passengers sailing on the Queen Mary 2 will get a 25% reduction from the cost of sole occupancy from 100% to 75% on sailings in 2009.

This is obviously very welcome news but single guests will still be paying their full fare plus 75% again. There will be selected voyages offering a 50% reduction which is more generous for those seeking a better deal. The 50% reduction off the single supplement will be for cruises during April and May, subject to availability at time of booking.

Cunard currently offers a number of single cabins on their soon to be retired Queen Elizabeth 2. When QE2 completes her service next year it is hoped that Queen Mary 2 will be able to continue to welcome singles on board at a reasonable price.

Queen Mary 2 will be making a number of transatlantic crossings in addition to sailings that are on offer around the Mediterranean, British Isles, Northern Europe and Canada before sailing south to the warm Caribbean waters in the winter.

Cunard president and managing director Carol Marlow stated: “The world’s grandest ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, will offer an extended season of 25 transatlantic crossings, and each crossing can be linked to a series of fascinating American tours and city stays."

“And, Queen Victoria, our newest Cunard Queen, after listening to the wishes of our guests, we have positioned in Southampton for the full summer and autumn seasons. This allows her to assume QE2’s mantle of ex-UK voyages to the Mediterranean, the fjords and the Atlantic Isles and she continues her popular Baltic voyages.”

She added: "2008 is turning out to be record year for Cunard Line as the brand has uniquely benefited from strong demand for a return to the days of the Golden Age of ocean liner travel.

“As we see QE2 leave the fleet at the end of 2008, and prepare for the delivery of Queen Elizabeth in 2010, we will have lower capacity in 2009 which will result in a very high level of demand for Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria right around the world, as soon as the programme goes on sale.”

Her Majesty the Queen to bid farewell to QE2

Her Majesty The Queen is to make a farewell visit to Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in Southampton on Monday 2 June 2008. This will be the fourth time Her Majesty has visited QE2, the first being on 20 September 1967 when Her Majesty launched EQ2 at Clydebank.

EQ2 , the most famous ship in the world, has been Cunard’s flagship of the fleet for 35 years. QE2 has travelled over 5.6 million nautical miles, more than any ship ever; has carried over 2.5 million guests; has completed 25 World Cruises; and has crossed the Atlantic 802 times. The QE2 leaves Cunard service in November 2008.

Her Majesty visited QE2 on 1 May 1969 immediately prior to the Maiden Voyage and on 27 July 1990 to mark Cunard’s 150th anniversary.

Details of the visit on 2 June will be announced shortly, but Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, comments:

“We are delighted and honoured that The Queen has chosen to visit QE2 to wish her farewell. Her Majesty 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 Order New Queen

Cunard Cruises are well known for their comfort, style and tradition of elegance and grandeur. This is gracefully blended with every conceivable modern luxury you have to come to expect from modern day liners.

A new ship has been commissioned to be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The 92,000 ton liner is to be named ‘Queen Elizabeth’, quite fitting with Queen Elizabeth 2 currently on her farewell season this year. The cost of building the new Queen Elizabeth is estimated to be in the region of $500 million and will be the second largest Cunard ship ever built after the Queen Mary 2.

The new ship will be typically Cunard styled, with her black hull, gleaming white superstructure and distinctive red funnel and will ultimately echo the classic features of the company’s individual liner heritage. The new 2092 passenger liner is scheduled to enter service in the autumn of 2010.

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.

QE2 Farewell Voyage Staterooms Still Available

Cunard’s Queens Elizabeth 2 is a legendary liner and all were sad to hear the news last year of her retirement. The QE2 is an iconic favourite, an undisputed legend of the seas with a history that spans forty years.

There were many people who watched her set sail from Clyde almost 40 years ago who are now among her biggest fans. She’s been a troop carrier, hostess to royalty and witness to history. Nelson Mandela famously described sailing on her as an unforgettable honour and pleasure.

Many of the final sailings sold out immediately but Cunard have now confirmed that there are still a few sailings available for those who wish to sail on the legendary ship for the final time.

All of the QE2 final voyages in her ‘Farewell Celebration Season’ depart from and return to Southampton which means no flying. The voyages with space on include 8 nights Iberia in Bloom, 16 nights Mediterranean Adventure, 13 nights Land of the Midnight Sun and 20 night voyage Autumn Colours.

CARNIVAL TO RAISE EUROPEAN CAPACITY BY 22%

Carnival Corporation is to raise capacity in Europe by 22% next year on the back of record 2007 profits of $2.4 billion.

The US cruise giant's annual net profits were up from $2.3 billion in 2006 as earnings in the fourth quarter ending November 30 were held back by increased fuel costs and higher dry dock outlay.

Net profits for the final three months of the company's financial year dropped by almost 14% or $58 million to $358 million, blamed on "significantly higher" costs of fuel.

Chairman and CEO Mickey Arison said the group's European brands – which incorporate the Carnival UK business of P&O Cruises, Cunard Line and Ocean Village – enjoyed another record year "absorbing substantial new capacity and driving significant improvement in unit operating profit".

Overall capacity will grow by nine per cent in 2008, mainly driven by the introduction of five new ships across five brands.

Advance bookings for the first half of next year are "well ahead" with those for the second half "shaping up in a similar fashion".

"While our North American brands will grow capacity at a moderate rate of three per cent, our European brands will increase capacity by 22% next year, including the full year operation of our new Spanish cruise line, Ibero Cruises," said Arison.

"As we grow our European brands, we will be able to achieve economies of scale which will have a favourable impact on our unit costs and profitability."

Fuel expenses are expected to rise by $409 million in 2008.

by Phil Davies

CARNIVAL UK SIGNS FOR NEW SOUTHAMPTON CRUISE TERMINAL

A purpose-built cruise terminal is to be built in Southampton for almost £20 million to open in 2009.

The new terminal comes as part of a 20-year deal between Carnival UK and Associated British Ports for the multi-brand cruise giant to continue sailing from Southampton.

The £19 million terminal will be built at Ocean Dock, opposite the site of the old Ocean Terminal.

The agreement also gives Carnival UK priority use of the port's QEII and Mayflower Terminals. The cruise company's brands include P&O Cruises, Cunard, Ocean Village and Princess Cruises.
Carnival UK CEO David Dingle said: "Our brands are inextricably linked with Southampton and the port's maritime history.

"The signing of this agreement and the construction of our new headquarters building in the city together underpin our commitment to retaining Southampton as our long-term home.

"The new terminal agreement comes as we prepare to base further new ships in Southampton including Cunard Line's Queen Victoria, which was named in the city on Monday, and P&O Cruises' Ventura which will be home-ported here from next April.
"Our new ships are testament to the growth of the cruise industry, the strength of its links with Southampton and its massive economic contribution to the region, and it is fitting that they will sail from a new state-of-the-art terminal in the city."

by Phil Davies

VENTURA COMPLETES SEA TRIALS

P&O's Ventura, the largest cruise ship dedicated to the British market, has successfully completed its official sea trials.

The two weeks of trials included testing of the £300 million ship's navigation system and propulsion motors.

Completion of the sea trials signify that 3,100-passenger Ventura is close to completion, and will soon be sailing for the UK from its Italian shipyard prior to its launch in Southampton in April.

P&O Cruises' managing director, Nigel Esdale said: "We are delighted that Ventura passed her sea trials with flying colours.

"The next few months will be a busy time at the shipyard, as the innovative concepts and designs for Ventura come to life in the final stages of her development.

"We are very much looking forward to Ventura joining our fleet and embarking on her maiden season as the most family friendly superliner built for the British market."

The build of Ventura started with the laying of the keel in August 2006.

Since then more than 3,000 workers at the Fincantieri shipyard have worked to complete the project, and the final few months will be dedicated to creating and outfitting her contemporary, innovative and family friendly public spaces and cabins.

A sister ship is due to be delivered to the cruise line in 2010.

Meanwhile, sister brand Cunard's new ship Queen Victoria is due in Southampton today for a weekend of trade events prior to be named by The Duchess of Cornwall on Monday.

by Phil Davies

CUNARD ACCEPTS DELIVERY OF QUEEN VICTORIA; DUCHESS OF CORNWALL TO NAME NEW SHIP

Cunard took delivery of the Queen Victoria on November 27, and the new ship left the shipyard in Venice on November 30.

She is scheduled to arrive in Southampton on December 7, where she will berth at the City Cruise Terminal at 9:30 am. If you are in the UK, here is the schedule of December 7 viewing points as the ship makes her way up Southampton Water.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will christen new ocean liner with a magnum of Veuve Clicquot's Yellow Label. Like her sister ship the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Victoria will feature a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar. Located on Deck 2 of the triple-height Grand Lobby, the1920's Art Deco-style champagne bar will serve Veuve Clicquot Champagne exclusively. Appropriately, the Champagnes are paired with fresh delicacies during the pre-dinner and post-dinner hours.


The Following her Naming Ceremony on December 10, the Queen Victoria will depart on her Maiden Voyage, to a splendid firework display, at 5:00 pm on Tuesday December 11.


Courtesy of About.com


Read the Official Press Release

CUNARD QUEEN MARY 2 CARIBBEAN SUPER BARGAIN

Your chance to enjoy two fabulous holidays in one at a special promotional price.

Spend 2 nights in Manhattan – shop till you drop on 5^th Ave, stop for lunch in the food court at Macys, watch the sunset at the top of the Empire State building, take in a Broadway show, marvel at the Statue of Liberty , check out Central Park , the museums and the art galleries.

Or Spend 2 nights in Fort Lauderdale relaxing on the seemingly endless stretch White sand beach or exploring the inland waterways and millionaires mansions. Perhaps visit the huge Sawgrass Mills designer outlet shopping mall , visit the Everglades , take the Mississippi Steamboat Queen evening BBQ cruise or even a fishing charter.

After all that take a well deserved rest in the Caribbean sunshine among the Art Deco grandeur of the Queen Mary 2. Be sure to try out the Canyon Ranch Spa , the Planetarium, fish & chips in the Golden Lion Pub and book a romantic dinner in the Todd English restaurant. We also recommend dinner reservations for one of the fabulous Kings Court restaurants for speciality waiter service dinning with an oceanview .

Itin 1: Fly UK to New York. 2 Night hotel stay . Cruise 10 nights to Tortola - St Kitts - Barbados - St Lucia - St Thomas - New York. Fly Home overnight.

Itin 2: Fly UK to New York. 2 Night hotel stay. Cruise 13 nights to Limon (Costa Rica), Cristobal (Panama Canal), Curacao, Bonaire, St Lucia , St Thomas, New York. Fly Home.

Itin 3: Fly UK to Miami. 2 Night Fort Lauderdale hotel stay. Cruise 10 nights to Curacao – Grenada – Barbados – St Lucia – St Kitts – St Thomas – Fort Lauderdale. Fly Home overnight.

Itin 4: Fly UK to Miami. 2 Night Fort Lauderdale hotel stay. Cruise 14 nights to Cristobal (Panama canal) , Bonaire , Grenada , Barbados , St Lucia , Dominica , St Kitts , Tortola , St Thomas , Fort Lauderdale. Fly Home Overnight

Flights from Manchester , Glasgow and Belfast direct to New York and Indirect to Fort Lauderdale are available at a supplement.

Dep Date	Itinerary	Nights	Inside	Balcony	Queens Grill Suite
31-Jan-08	2	16	£1,359	£1,599	Sold Out
17-Feb-08	1	13	£949	Sold Out	£2,099
27-Feb-08	1	13	£899	Sold Out	£1999
08-Mar-08	1	13	£999	£1,299	£2,399
22-Mar-08	2	16	£1,399	£1,699	£2,899
27-Nov-08	3	13	£1,249	£1,449	£2,559
07-Dec-08	3	13	£1,099	£1,299	£2,899
17-Dec-08	4	17	£2,399	£2,599	£6,899

Manchester Supplement	Glasgow Supplement	Belfast Supplement
£100	£100	£100
£70	£135	£130
£100	£120	£120
£20	£135	£80
£90	£150	£200
£50	£50	£100
£50	£50	£100
£100	£100	£150

Add extra nights in New York from only £69pp.

Add extra nights In Fort Lauderdale from only £59pp

ART GETS A NEW DIMENSION ONBOARD QUEEN VICTORIA

A new self-guided art tour is set to introduce a new generation of aesthetically-minded cruisers to the collection on Cunard Cruises' Queen Victoria.

The collection's contemporary feel is appropriate for a liner named after one of the most forward-looking leaders in Britain's history, Cunard Cruises states.

Now, a museum-style self-guided tour will complement the range of artworks displayed on the vessel, with the help of Apple's iPod Touch, available to borrow onboard.

An 80-minute audio overview takes captivated cruisers on a tour of 25 of the most important pieces onboard Queen Victoria, while video interviews with artists give a new dimension to the works displayed.

"Through this extraordinarily well-researched collection, we convey the ambiance that guests expect on a liner named Queen Victoria - a sense of history and grandeur coupled with a more contemporary appreciation of modern art by modern artists and artisans," said Carol Marlow, President of Cunard Cruises.

The line recently announced that it has ordered a new ship, to be christened Queen Elizabeth.

CUNARD WORLD CLUB - NEW BENEFITS

Cunard's World Club is being relaunched to provide even better recognition for Cunard's most regular guests. This relaunch includes a new top tier named the 'Diamond Cunarder', plus enhanced benefits at the other 3 tiers.

A key change is that the member packs will be delivered to guests onboard rather than in the post after their voyage. It will also be onboard that guests are promoted from one tier to the next.

Membership in the Cunard World Club gives guests access to exclusive benefits and all it takes to be a World Club member is a single sailing aboard one of Cunard's magnificent ocean liners.

There will now be four tiers within the World Club including:

• Silver Cunarder (after completing first voyage)
• Gold Cunarder (upon completion of second voyage or 20th day onboard)
• Platinum Cunarder (After experiencing 7 voyages or 70 days onboard)
• 'NEW' Diamond Cunarder (Upon completion of 15 voyages or 150 days onboard)

BENEFITS

Benefit	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Exclusive savings on Voyages	*	*	*
Onboard Loyalty representative	*	*	*
Access to the Cunard World Club Desk	*	*	*
Club Mailings with exclusive savings	*	*	*
Regular Club Newsletter - The Cunarder	*	*	*
Access to the members'-only Cunard World Club website	*	*	*
Invite to onboard World Club Parties		*	*
Gold Cunarder pin		*
Priority check-in*			*
Priority embarkation*			*
Invitations to onboard Senior Officers parties			*
Platinum Cunarder pin			*
NEW - Complimentary Internet package		2 hrs	4 hrs
NEW - Preferred reservations for specialty dinning		*	*
NEW - 20% Off dry cleaning and laundry services			*
NEW - 10% Discount on White Star Luggage Service			*
NEW - Complimentary wine tasting			*
NEW - Disembarkation lounge			*

* Priority check-in and priority embarkation may be available only at specific ports or on selected sailings.

NEW - Diamond Cunarder benefits

For those guests who have completed sixteen voyages will be recognised as Diamond Cunarders and in addition to the benefits offered to Platinum members, Diamond World Club members will also receive:

• Diamond pin
• Complimentary Internet package (total 8 hours)
• Complimentary lunch in the Todd English restaurant
• Dedicated shoreside phone number at CWC desk
• Diamond luggage tags and priority luggage delivery
• Onboard sales priority reservations

This new programme has now been launched on Queen Mary 2 and QE2. A mailing will shortly be sent to all current members of the World Club announcing the relaunch, following this the Cunard website will also be updated to reflect these changes.

For further information please see click on the below link to view the Cunard World Club benefit guide or contact Cunard World Club on 0845 071 0300.

Link to - Cunard World Club Benefits Guide (PDF 1.13mb)