It was disappointing when (today) I just realised after seraching for more information on the Cunard ship being built that their new ship ("Queen Victoria" ) is not going to follow the QE2 and QM2 by being specifically designed as a LINER versus a CRUISE SHIP. In fact it is going to be (it sounds) pretty much like a whole bunch of other ships using a Vista Class style hull. In fact it will be very much like the "Arcadia" that I will be on in July 2005. However, as the ship that is the ARCADIA was originally for Cunard it may be that there is just confusion...
Here is what I found (plus some great links):
On a personal web site (that has dedicated QE2 and QM2 sub-sites that are worth visting), there is a dedeicated Queen Victoria sub-site. On the site he writes:
"The announcement on 31st March 2003 that the so called 'New Cunarder' would be called Queen Victoria was a decision quite unexpected by many maritime observers, but one that I personally feel is very appropriate for this important new ship.
Pamela Conover, Cunard’s President and Chief Operating Officer, said in the news release announcing the new ships name : “Cunard Line was founded just after Queen Victoria came to the throne, and her reign saw the company develop hugely in every sense. Throughout her reign Cunard built more and even better ships, we embraced radical new technology and we carried more passengers in greater comfort. Today, with more capacity than we have had for 40 years, Cunard is entering a new phase of expansion commensurate with that experienced under Queen Victoria, so it seems entirely appropriate for the new ship to bear the name. It is also fitting that the second largest Cunarder ever should also bear a Queen name!”
The ship will be deployed solely on cruises and is unlikely to operate liner voyages on a regular basis apart from perhaps repositioning cruises.
Originally ordered as the fifth in a series of five 'Vista' class ships for sister company Holland America, the contact was signed over to Cunard before the keel was laid and Holland America then ordered a further ship for delivery to them in 2006. The lead ship in the series Zuiderdam entered service in December.
To the purist the ship is no Queen liner. In all previous cases Queen Liners have been purpose built Transatlantic Liners with Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary both being designed for off season cruising as well. Queen Victoria is a cruise ship and not built to withstand the pounding of the Atlantic in midwinter.
The naming of the ship does however lay to rest one of the most enduring stories of the original Queen, the Queen Mary. When considering a name for their new liner Cunard White Star directors were anxious not to upset parties from either side of the board of the recently combined company. Traditionally Cunard Liners had names ending 'ia' such as Mauretania, Britannia etc and White Star Liners names ended 'ic' like Olympic, Oceanic etc.
During the deliberations it was decided that the ship would be named after 'Britain's most loved Queen' and an application to use the royal name was put forward. His majesty the King was delighted and said that Queen Mary would be delighted for her name to be used by the new liner. The Cunard board actually meant Queen Victoria ! Whilst this story has never been substantiated it has almost become folklore in the Cunard company."
On the Frommer site I found this which hints at a "LINER"...
"The deal with Fincantieri also includes a significant redesign of the Queen Victoria; the vessel will be lengthened by 11 meters, its tonnage increased to 90,000, and its passenger capacity (double occupancy) increased to 2,000. The ship will be built at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard and is now expected to be delivered in summer 2007. "With these extensive modifications, Queen Victoria will incorporate the 'grand ocean liner' style of the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2, as well as the signature design elements and culinary experiences that have earned Cunard its position as the preeminent luxury cruise operator," Carnival Chairman and CEO Micky Arison said. "At the same time, the reengineered Queen Victoria will serve as Cunard's SuperLiner of the future," he added."
