New Dining Options Revealed by Cunard

Popular cruise company Cunard Cruises has revealed that they are to offer a new dining option on their Queen Elizabeth cruise liner. Announcing that they were re-launching one of their previously most fashionable restaurants, Cunard explained that the Verandah Grill would be introduced with an a la carte menu.

Cunard's Verandah Grill was one of the company's most successful and fashionable restaurants with those on their cruise holidays . Previously established on the Queen Elizabeth's predecessors, the R.M.S Queen Mary and R.M.S Queen Elizabeth, the grill hosted movie stars, members of the royal family and top business officials. Paying a one-pound supplement in the 1940's and 1950's, such individuals enjoyed some of the finest cruise cuisine whilst aboard their transatlantic crossings.

Now revived by the company, the a la carte pricing at the Verandah Grill is the first time Cunard has used such a concept. Offering French cuisine in both contemporary and classic options, meals will be charged per plate. Moderate prices of about $7 for starters, $18 for mains, and $7 for desert, allows for passengers to sample the delights of the restaurant without breaking the bank whilst, with service included, tips will not be expected.

Despite introducing the a la carte pricing aboard the Queen Elizabeth, Cunard is not the first company to implement such menus. NCL's Norwegian Epic already prices per plate at their noodle bar, whilst MSC Cruises use the method in several of their onboard restaurants.

It is raining cruise deals.

We have already commented today on how many cruise deals there are out there at the moment but this is one of the best of the year so far. It is onboard Cunard cruise line the Queen Mary 2.

The largest ocean liner in the world has launched a promotion for best grade of cabin of time at booking (excluding suites) on the 19th July. On this day you can buy a balcony at only £400 per person. Yes that is less than £60 per day for all your food and entertainment. Yes you need to add a one way flight back from New York but this is in our opinion is deal of the month.

You can if you require extend your stay in New York. Hotels for this time of year start at around £75 per person per night for a reasonable 3* centrally located room in Manhattan.

The above deal is one of many coming from Cunard Cruises but with the Indian summer, world cup and Wimbledon all the cruise lines seem to be in the same boat(Pardon the pun.)

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth maiden voyage all sold out

Cunard Cruises maiden voyage on their new Queen Elizabeth ocean liner has become the fastest selling voyage in the cruise lines history.

29 minutes! That is all it took for the 13 night Canary Islands voyage to sell out, beating the record of 36 minutes set in June 2007 for the final sailing of Queen Elizabeth 2. More than half of the remainder of the maiden season cruises were then 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 Cruises latest ship Queen Elizabeth is set to launch in autumn 2010 and will only further enhance Cunard Cruises illustrious reputation for exquisite ocean travel. Queen Elizabeth will feature many luxurious and elegant public rooms, plus a bowling green, a croquet lawn and even country house parties.

Cunard and Oxford University Press introduce the Science Club

Cunard Cruises is joining forces with Oxford University Press (OUP) to introduce the Cunard/Oxford University Press Science Club. This innovative venture will be a multi-faceted membership programme featuring the new on board Science at Seas lectures performed by prominent science writers.

Guests on board with Cunard Cruises will also be able to join the Science Club providing ongoing opportunities to stay abreast of the most current popular science publishing through quarterly OUP email newsletters, invitations to book launches and much more. The programme is set to kick off on Queen Mary’s 8 April, 2009 westbound transatlantic voyage and there will be three leading scientists and science writers on board for lectures, book signings and interviews.

“We are delighted to partner with Oxford University Press, the world’s oldest and most prestigious publishing house, to offer the new Science at Sea programme that specifically addresses our guests’ passionate interest in this discipline,” said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Cruises.

“Our guests are not merely on a voyage, but on a quest for knowledge and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Whether tackling evolution, genetics or biodiversity, this programme will allow our guests to learn from some of the world’s most accomplished scientists,” Marlow added.

Science at Sea only further demonstrates Cunard Cruises ongoing commitment to providing their guests with the industry’s most compelling on board enrichment opportunities. Cunard Cruises have the award-winning Cunard Insights programme, as well as the Cunard Book Club and they also continuously pursue the best and brightest minds to tackle the most fascinating and relevant issues of the day.

Plans for Queen Elizabeth 2 put on hold

Cunard Cruises epic ship Queen Elizabeth 2

was reportedly sold to Dubai company Nakheel for a sum of £50 million, but it seems the Middle East is not impervious to the recession as plans to transform Cunard Cruises iconic ship have been put on hold.

Britain’s most famous ship offered luxury cruise holidays to passengers for over 40 years and ended its service with Cunard Cruises late last year when the company could not justify the expense it would cost to bring the ageing ship up to the new health and safety standards introduced to the cruise industry.

It was intended that QE2 would undergo a complete refurbishment, included turning the engine room into a large entertainment suite and removing the famous red funnel to be replaced with an enormous glass structure which would house the hotel’s grandest suites and penthouse.

It seems that a few months down the line the ambitious plans have ground to a halt and could even be shelved completely. The Dubai hotel company Nakheel have commitments to other hotel deals in Palm Jumeirah and the construction of Trump Tower, which seem to be priority at the moment.

We’ll keep you posted of any further developments; hopefully plans for Cunard Cruises best known queen will not be cast adrift.

Queen Mary 2 Birthday Celebrations

In celebration of the ships fifth birthday, Cunard Cruises Queen Mary 2 will embark on a voyage around the UK this autumn. Queen Mary 2 entered service in 2004 and was named by HRH Queen Elizabeth in one of the most lavish naming ceremonies ever seen. Since then Queen Mary 2 has crossed the Atlantic 104 times and sailed more than 750,000 nautical miles.

Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Cruises Line, said the ship had reached an important milestone and that the Cunard Cruises Line was "very proud" of her many achievements.

"In her young life, Queen Mary 2 has attracted thousands of well-wishers in many ports around the world, achieving iconic status," she added.

As part of the ship’s birthday celebrations it will embark on a ‘lap of honour’ around the UK later this year, departing from Southampton on the 15 October 2008. Queen Mary 2 will call in at Rosyth, Greenock, Liverpool, Cork and Cherbourg in France before returning to Southampton. Guests will have the chance to explore Edinburgh and Glasgow on organised shore excursions, as well as the old town of Cherbourg with its ‘Plage Vert’, the town’s grassy beach.

Following the retirement of Cunard Cruises Line Queen Elizabeth 2 ship earlier this year, the line is now preparing to launch a new Queen Elizabeth ship in the autumn of 2010.

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.

Dubai Owners reveal QE2 plans

Cunard Cruises most famous ship, QE2, made her final departure from Southampton last week. QE2’s new owners have released plans for the ships future when she reaches Dubai, where she will be transformed into an ultra luxury floating hotel. QE2 was one of the world’s most famous ships and following her maiden voyage in 1969 and has been Cunard Cruises flagship ever since.

Following QE2’s retirement she was purchased by Dubai World, the company who own Nakheel Hotels. Their vision is to transform the ship into a 'luxurious residential, entertainment, marina and hotel development'. They even have plans to host west-end and Broadway productions from the entertainment complex.

QE2’s new home will be a specially constructed precinct located in the region of Palm Jumeirah. Her much anticipated arrival on November 26 will undoubtedly be met with much excitement.

QE2's final farewell to Southampton

Cunard Cruises have announced plans for QE2’s final departure from her home port of Southampton on Tuesday 11 November 2008, when she leaves for her new life in Dubai. After an incredible 39 years of service, 806 transatlantic crossings, 25 world cruises, 5.9 million nautical miles travelled and assisting her country during the Falklands Campaign, QE2 will leave her service with Cunard Cruises to become a first class hotel and entertainment centre.

One of the most momentous moments of 11 November will be a farewell visit from His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. This will be His Royal Highness’s seventh visit and during his visit a two minute silence will take place at 1100 hours prior to meeting crew members who went to the Falklands with QE2.

After a tour of the ship, His Royal Highness will present a painting of QE2, which was unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen during her farewell visit to the ship on 2 June 2008, to the Mayor of Southampton, who will accept it on behalf of the city.

It is expected that people from all over the country will travel to Southampton to make their farewells to QE2. Other highlights include a million poppies to be dropped from a Tiger Moth to commemorate Remembrance Day and QE2’s role in the Falklands and a flypast of a Harrier which will hover and bow to QE2 approximately 500 feet off her stern.

At 1915 hours QE2 will leave her berth and remain for a period at Mayflower Park, where a pre-recorded message from her Captain, Ian McNaught, will be broadcast on a screen in the Park. Immediately afterwards there will be an amazing firework display and then QE2 will proceed downriver with her whistle blasting, down Southampton Water for the start of her journey to Dubai.

Cunard Cruises flagship Queen Mary 2 remains the largest and grandest ocean liner at sea and accompanied by Queen Victoria have revived the ‘Golden Age of Ocean Travel’. Cunard Cruises will not have to wait long for a new ‘Elizabeth’ as Queen Elizabeth will enter service in autumn 2010.

America to bid farewell to QE2

Thursday 16 October is set to be a momentous day as Cunard Cruises Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) bids her final farewell to America during a celebratory call befitting of the cruise line’s longest serving ocean liner. This will be the legendary ship’s 706^th and final visit to New York and she will be escorted by FDNY fireboats and a flotilla of pleasure craft, due to depart Westside Terminal at 5pm to meet with her sister ship, Queen Mary 2, for a Cunard Royal Rendezvous at the Stature of Liberty. Following this, both ships will embark on a tandem voyage to Southampton, England, marking QE2’s 806^th and final Transatlantic crossing.

"It is most fitting that QE2's farewell to America be celebrated in New York, the city Cunard has called our North America homeport since 1847. She will always be remembered as the best loved ship in the world and we are delighted that she will be cherished by future generations of travelers at her new home in Dubai," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "Her mantle as flagship of the British merchant fleet has proudly been bestowed upon Queen Mary 2, a ship recognised as the grandest ocean liner ever built and surely destined to continue Cunard's legacy," Marlow added.

Recognised at the most famous ship in the world, QE2 has an illustrious history since her naming by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1967. QE2 has logged more than 5.9 million nautical miles – the equivalent of traveling to the moon and back 13 times – carried more than 2.5 million passengers and was even requisitioned for military service in the Falklands in 1982.

Throughout her arrival in New York in the early morning of 16 October, QE2 will fly a traditional Paying-Off Pennant, a maritime flag signifying the ship's length of service to the fleet. The pennant will be presented as a commemorative gift to a local dignitary during a reception onboard the ship.

To celebrate this historic occasion, a pipe and drum corps will perform in Battery Park as a fitting salute and final "Bon Voyage" to Queen Elizabeth 2.

QE2 completes service to Cunard in November after sailing a final voyage to Dubai where she will be refurbished and become a luxury hotel, entertainment destination and maritime museum.

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."