Well, after much discussion in groups where people thought QE2 would be retired from world cruises in favour of QM2, it was announced today that the QM2 WILL BE DOING a world cruise in 2007 but so will the QE2... AND I would so love to do a round-the-world (the plan is still on for 2009...)
The press release said:
"Queen Mary 2 Joins Cunard's Grand Heritage of World Cruising in 2007
Queen Mary 2 Embarks on Maiden World Cruise at the Same Time
QE2 Commences 25th Sailing Around the Globe
VALENCIA, Calif., Aug. 8 /CNW/ -- Cunard Line has long been
associated with many legendary maritime "firsts," including having undertaken
more world cruises than any other company. Now Queen Mary 2 continues the
company's time-honored liner tradition as she embarks on her very first world
cruise in 2007. Even more history will be made as the "grand dame" of world
cruises, QE2, sails on her 25th voyage around the world -- and the two ships
sail simultaneously on their global adventures.
VALENCIA, Calif., Aug. 8 /CNW/ -- Cunard Line has long been
associated with many legendary maritime "firsts," including having undertaken
more world cruises than any other company. Now Queen Mary 2 continues the
company's time-honored liner tradition as she embarks on her very first world
cruise in 2007. Even more history will be made as the "grand dame" of world
cruises, QE2, sails on her 25th voyage around the world -- and the two ships
sail simultaneously on their global adventures.
The two iconic liners will depart Fort Lauderdale together on January 10,
2007, initially sailing on a southward journey that will see Queen Mary 2
circumnavigate the globe in 80 days while her sister QE2 celebrates her Silver
Jubilee World Cruise with an exotic 108-day itinerary.
Both world cruises are also available as a series of liner voyages from 22
to 102 days in length, recreating some of the most famous liner voyages of
old. Passengers will enjoy a special $300 per person, per segment discount
when booking two more of these shorter journeys.
The 2007 world cruises and liner voyages will continue a legacy Cunard
began when it introduced the first world cruise in 1922. Due to the fine
seakeeping capabilities of these two famous liners, the circumnavigations can
take place at high speeds and in great comfort for the guests, who will travel
in truly luxurious surroundings. Passengers will enjoy their exotic journey
in the grand manner of the golden age of travel, with an abundance of sea days
allowing time for the sometimes forgotten art of conversation, fine dining,
self enrichment and the opportunity to meet fellow sophisticated travelers.
"As the only true ocean liners in operation today, Queen Mary 2 and QE2
are ideally suited to deliver memorable world voyages," said Jan Swartz,
senior vice president of customer service and sales for Cunard Line. "With
these unique dual world cruises, we're continuing Cunard's legacy of providing
distinctive and adventurous travel experiences that recreate the bygone era of
glamorous ocean travel. Our guests are sure to bring home lasting memories
and friendships from these historic journeys."
Swartz added that guests will enjoy the rare experience of the two Cunard
Queens sailing initially side by side until they each venture off onto their
distinct global routes. In addition, the famous ships will rendezvous again
one more time when they arrive on February 20 in Sydney Harbor, Australia.
Queen Mary 2 Sails Around the World in 80 Days
Queen Mary 2's maiden world cruise will transport guests on an 80-day
voyage visiting 20 of the world's most famous cities (including 13 capitals),
such as Athens, Paris, Rome, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Cairo, San
Francisco and Rio de Janeiro.
The 26-day Ft. Lauderdale to San Francisco voyage features QM2 cruising
the Atlantic Ocean for several days before arriving in the dazzling Brazilian
city of Rio de Janeiro. From there, the ship sails deeper into South America
to the bottom of the world via scenic cruising in Uruguay and around the
historically renowned waters of Cape Horn. Santiago, Chile is the next
highlight before sailing the Pacific Ocean en route to Acapulco, Mexico. The
ocean liner makes its much-anticipated, first-time arrival in San Francisco
two days later.
From Northern California, the 14-day San Francisco to Sydney journey
features Queen Mary 2 continuing to sail the Pacific Ocean on her way to
Honolulu, Hawaii and another maiden call, Pago Pago in American Samoa.
Crossing the International Dateline, she will sail two days in the storied
South Pacific as the ship ventures into more new territory in Auckland, New
Zealand, and Sydney, Australia.
From deep Down Under into the mysterious Far East, Queen Mary 2's 19-day
Sydney to Dubai segment traverses the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, Indian
Ocean and Arabian Sea. Transporting guests to some of the world's most exotic
locales, travel enthusiasts will be enchanted with stops in bustling Hong
Kong, shopping-central Singapore, multi-cultural Kuala Lumpur and for some,
the piece de resistance: an overnight visit in Cochin, India with an optional
trip to the famed Taj Mahal.
Next, the exotic oasis of Dubai is the launching point before cruising the
high seas again -- the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and transiting the
Suez Canal -- on the 15-day Dubai to Southampton voyage. Another first-time
highlight will be the ship's arrival in Alexandria, Egypt. Europe awaits with
calls in Athens, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Paris (Le Havre), before journeying
to Southampton and the seven-day voyage home to Ft. Lauderdale.
Double occupancy early booking fares for Queen Mary 2's complete Around
the World in 80 days world cruise start from $21,195 per person, with
individual segment fares starting from $4,199 per person.
QE2 Celebrates Silver Jubilee World Cruise
She has sailed more than five million nautical miles, carried more than
three million people around the world and has long been the gold standard for
world cruises. Celebrating her 25th round-the-world sailing, QE2 will
continue to showcase this legendary vessel's global appeal during the 108-day
journey. The grande dame of world cruising will depart roundtrip from New
York (January 8) or Ft. Lauderdale (January 10).
In addition to the 108-day adventure, guests can also book segments to
best suit their interests and travel schedule. Voyages from New York or
Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles or San Francisco are available in 12, 14 and
16-day segments. QE2 will visit Grand Cayman and Costa Rica, transit through
the Panama Canal, and call in Acapulco, Mexico before arriving in Los Angeles,
or in San Francisco two days later.
Guests can enjoy the 30-day Los Angeles to Sydney or 28-day San Francisco
to Sydney legs as the ship continues across the Pacific Ocean and heads to
Hawaii; Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia; Tonga; Fiji; Auckland,
Wellington, and Christchurch, New Zealand; and Tasmania, Melbourne, and
Sydney, Australia.
Next, the 27-day Sydney to Singapore voyage includes visits to Brisbane
and Port Douglas for the Great Barrier Reef/Cairns (Yorkey's), followed by
calls to Papua New Guinea; Yokohama and Osaka, Japan; Shanghai, China; Hong
Kong; Da Nang (Chan May) Vietnam; and Bangkok, Thailand.
The 31-day Singapore to Southampton voyage takes the ship to Sri Lanka;
India; the Seychelles Islands; Mauritius; Durban and Cape Town, South Africa;
Namibia; Canary Islands; and Madeira before arriving in Southampton. From
Southampton, a westbound transatlantic crossing to New York (6-day) or
Ft. Lauderdale (8-day) concludes the 108-day world cruise.
Double occupancy early booking fares for QE2's 108-day Silver Jubilee
World Cruise start from $16,845 per person, with smaller segments priced from
$1,899 per person.
The early booking fares for these voyages represent a 15 percent per
person savings off brochure rates. As an extra bonus, guests will save an
additional 5 percent when bookings are made by January 31, 2006.
New for 2007, Cunard is offering all World Cruise voyages as non-air which
translates to lower fares and increased flexibility for travelers. For those
who prefer air inclusive packages, air add-ons from 161 gateways are available
at an additional cost.
For more information about Cunard or 2007 World Cruises on Queen Mary 2
and QE2, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.
Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world since
1840. Cunard vessels have a classic British heritage and include the
legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. Queen Victoria joins the fleet
in 2007. Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. The
exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line,
Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.
Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value,
member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together they
offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable
destinations."
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