Cunard introduces Wedgewood Tea Service on QE2 and QM2

Cunard Line Introduces Wedgwood Tea Service 

Catering to the preferences and palates of its well-heeled passengers, Cunard introduced Wedgwood Tea Service aboard its flagship Queen Mary 2 and legendary Queen Elizabeth 2. The selection of 23 premium teas includes traditional varieties such as Darjeeling and Orange Pekoe, as well as new flavors specially developed by Wedgwood to suit the tastes of Cunard guests. With the introduction of the new teas and a new tea menu, Cunard's quintessentially British onboard experience is further enhanced and perfectly paired with the Line's renowned White Star Service.

"The introduction of this wide range of Wedgwood teas is a perfect complement to our extensive Wedgwood china collection and underscores the very British experience that passengers expect aboard a Cunard ocean liner," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "Whether enjoying afternoon tea, shopping at Harrod's or posting letters in a traditional Royal Mail box, the contemporary Cunard experience continues to be defined by the Line's rich British heritage."

The Wedgwood Tea selection includes Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling Pure teas, Earl Grey, English Afternoon, English Breakfast, Japanese Green Tea, Jasmine, Lapsang Souchong, Queen Ann, Orange Pekoe, Wedgwood Original,
Camomile, Forrest Berries, Lemon Grass and Peppermint among many others. A new Wedgwood tea menu provides detailed descriptions on the flavors and origins of each variety and traces tea's history in China, Japan,
Europe, America, Russia and India.

Lord Piers Wedgwood, a direct descendant of the original founder of the Wedgwood company and the current Global Ambassador for the Wedgwood Group, said: "The new Wedgwood tea menu stylishly brings together Cunard's
elegant service and classic luxury with Wedgwood's finely crafted china and carefully selected premium teas. The venture truly epitomizes the essence of England in an unforgettable onboard setting."

The full line of Wedgwood teas is available aboard Queen Mary 2 in the daily tea service offered in the Queens Grill Lounge featuring finger sandwiches, sweet pastries and warm scones served with jam and fresh cream. The teas are also available in the Queens Grill and Princess Grill accommodations and restaurants, the Grills Concierge Lounge as well as in other cocktail lounges upon request. Guests will also be able to enjoy the new teas in the ship's new Britannia Club restaurant, debuting in spring 2007.

Aboard QE2, the teas are available in Queens, Princess and Britannia Grill accommodations and restaurants. Additionally, guests can enjoy the teas in the Queens Grill Lounge and in cocktail lounges upon request.

QM2 and QE2 set off on simultaneous world cuises on Jan 10 2007

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 Set Sail for Simultaneous World Cruises on January 10 

On January 10, 2007, maritime and Cunard ocean liner enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to see the line's legendary liners - Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 - set sail on simultaneous, but different,
World Cruises. A Royal Rendezvous of the world's most famous ocean liners, the two iconic ships will depart Port Everglades, Florida on southward journeys; Queen Mary 2 on her first-ever World Cruise - an 81-day
circumnavigation of the globe - and Queen Elizabeth 2 on her Silver Jubilee World Cruise - an exotic 108-day voyage marking her 25th around the world.

Views of the historic event are available from several vantage points, including the 17th Street Causeway Bridge. At 5 p.m., viewers can also watch the ships sail together from Fort Lauderdale Beach, at either the pier or beach at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park.

"The start of any Cunard World Cruise is cause for celebration so we are doubly excited about this first-ever simultaneous departure from Ft. Lauderdale," said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line. "Watching these celebrated ships as they set sail on such extraordinary journeys is a thrilling experience, even for a veteran cruiser."

The World Cruises are just a part of the ships' compelling 2007 itineraries. In the coming year, the flagship Queen Mary 2 will offer an expanded season of transatlantic travel, as well as introduce a series of 10-day Connoisseur's Caribbean voyages and series of four-day Getaway sailings. Out of her homeport of Southampton, Queen Elizabeth 2 will
depart for a range of magical European voyages, with the highlight being her 40th Anniversary Celebration Voyage, visiting Newcastle, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Greenock, where she was named by Her Majesty the Queen, 40
years ago to the day. The year concludes with the highly anticipated maiden voyages of the new Queen Victoria, which will mark the first time in Cunard's 167-year history that three Cunard Queens will be in service simultaneously.

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

A Royal Rendezvous(TM) in Ft. Lauderdale: Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 Set Sail for Simultaneous World Cruises on January 10

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2006/19/c8737.html

 

VALENCIA, Calif., Dec. 19 /CNW/ -- On January 10, 2007, maritime and
Cunard ocean liner enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to see the line's
legendary liners -- Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 -- set sail on
simultaneous, but different, World Cruises.  A "Royal Rendezvous" of the
world's most famous ocean liners, the two iconic ships will depart Port
Everglades, Fla. on southward journeys; Queen Mary 2 on her first-ever World
Cruise -- an 81-day circumnavigation of the globe -- and Queen Elizabeth 2 on
her "Silver Jubilee World Cruise" -- an exotic 108-day voyage marking her 25th
around the world.
    Views of the historic event are available from several vantage points,
including the 17th Street Causeway Bridge.  At 5 p.m., viewers can also watch
the ships sail together from Fort Lauderdale Beach, at either the pier or
beach at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park.
    "The start of any Cunard World Cruise is cause for celebration so we are
doubly excited about this first-ever simultaneous departure from Ft.
Lauderdale," said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard
Line.  "Watching these celebrated ships as they set sail on such extraordinary
journeys is a thrilling experience, even for a veteran cruiser."
    The World Cruises are just a part of the ships' compelling 2007
itineraries.  In the coming year, the flagship Queen Mary 2 will offer an
expanded season of transatlantic travel, as well as introduce a series of
10-day "Connoisseur's Caribbean" voyages and series of four-day "Getaway"
sailings.  Out of her homeport of Southampton, Queen Elizabeth 2 will depart
for a range of magical European voyages, with the highlight being her "40th
Anniversary Celebration" Voyage, visiting Newcastle, Edinburgh, Liverpool and
Greenock, where she was named by Her Majesty the Queen, 40 years ago to the
day.  The year concludes with the highly anticipated maiden voyages of the new
Queen Victoria, which will mark the first time in Cunard's 167-year history
that three Cunard Queens will be in service simultaneously.
    Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2 and QE2,
has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of
British finesse since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, the
Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840.  Cunard voyages bring together
like-minded travelers who relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star
Service(SM), fine dining, sophisticated adventure and the legacy of historic
voyages and transatlantic travel.

    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.

---

All new Yahoo! Mail "The new Interface is stunning in its simplicity and ease of use." - PC Magazine

Live large on QM2, except for the cabin

http://www.latimes.com/travel/columnists/la-tr-budget17dec17,1,7654187.column?coll=la-travel-columnists

 

The keys to affording a transatlantic voyage are knowing when and how to book and which direction to sail.

December 17, 2006

ONLY one cruise ship — Cunard Lines' giant QM2 — makes regular crossings of the Atlantic, and those voyages are a luxury product. There's no steerage class for the poorest of the poor, so there's no chance of dancing with Leonardo DiCaprio on a level near the engine room. Everything is elegant, and tuxedos are suggested for dinner on several evenings.

But a trip across the Atlantic is not out of reach for budget travelers. Cunard sets aside many cabins for passengers who don't need frills. The trick is knowing how to manipulate the cabin pricing system:

 

Except on infrequent occasions when cabins are assigned to discount cruise brokers, the lowest price for a one-way crossing is $1,299. That cost is per person, based on two people traveling together — the standard cruise method for pricing — so single travelers must find a companion or pay almost double.

The inside cabins, Category D, cost the least. Most of QM2's inside cabins don't have windows, but they have luxury appointments. And you can eat all you want and use nearly all the ship's amenities. (Remember that you must purchase one-way airfare across the Atlantic, since you'll be cruising the other way.)

The least expensive crossings are in April and late October, both months in which the air will be cooler but no less fresh. (On April trips, you have a chance of seeing the North Atlantic icebergs as they melt in the spring.)

The lowest tariffs go to the first people who book inside cabins. Once the quota of cheap prices has been reached, the bottom rate rises to $1,998. The key to that $700 savings is planning far ahead.

Inside cabins have sizable double beds but also twin beds that drop down from the ceiling for third and fourth passengers, who pay around $650 each.

So if you have the fortitude to squeeze four passengers into a space half the size of a standard hotel room, you can split the combined costs and it would be like receiving a 25% discount; everyone pays $975.

If you want a window, the cheapest way to go is to pay $130 more for an "Atrium View" cabin, which gives you a vista of the ship's bustling indoor mall.

The least you can pay for an ocean view is in Category C, which starts at $1,449 ($150 more than a windowless inside cabin). The windows in that category (panels, not portholes) won't open, but amazingly, just $50 more ($1,499) will take you to Category B, which has roofed, semi-enclosed outdoor balconies, close to the water line, with room enough for two chairs.

That means the lowest price for a balcony is only $200 more than the lowest price for a room with no window.

Remember that fares include meals and drinks except soda and alcohol, which you must buy. They also include entertainment and lectures, standard offerings on every run, so you won't be twiddling your thumbs in your cabin. Fares include room service, which you can take for every meal if you don't feel like heading to the dining room.

Westbound journeys are a better buy. The clocks go back an hour each night as you head across time zones, essentially giving you an extra hour to use to play in the evening. Also, cruising to the U.S. enables you to skirt the international airlines' strict new baggage-weight limits, and you can load your luggage with British souvenirs.

---

The all-new Yahoo! Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider.

Countdown to Queen Victoria Begins

Countdown to Queen Victoria Begins 

Cunard's newest ocean liner, Queen Victoria will debut exactly one year
from today sailing roundtrip from Southampton throughout Northern
Europe on her sold-out maiden Christmas Markets voyage, followed by the
ship's second sailing - also sold-out - the Maiden Canary Islands Festive
Celebration sailing to Southern Europe.

Queen Victoria will mark a major milestone on January 15, 2007 when she
is floated out for the first time at the Fincantieri Cantieri Navali
SpA Marghera Shipyard near Venice, Italy, who has been building the ship
in the dry dock since May. This is the first ship built for Cunard Line
by the renowned Italian shipyard, one of the most technically advanced
shipbuilders in the world who have built more than 7,000 vessels.

During the float out, the dock valves will be opened for the ship to
meet the sea for the first time and special ceremonies will take place to
commemorate the initial introduction of the new Cunard Queen to the
water. This significant occasion marks the beginning of the final
construction stages for the $522 million sister ship to the line's flagship
Queen Mary 2 and grande dame of the seas QE2.

"We are excited by the growing anticipation of Queen Victoria's debut.
She will become part of the legacy and tradition of the great Cunard
Queens," said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard
Line. "We look forward to bringing our guests the newest version of the
legendary Cunard voyage experience." On January 6, 2008, the ship will
continue to make history when she embarks on her first World Cruise, the
106-day Pathway to the Explorers voyage. The momentous occasion will
take on even more fanfare when Queen Victoria sails into New York for the
first time on January 13, meeting Queen Mary 2 and QE2, marking the
first time three Cunard Queens will be in port together in the company's
167-year history.

Queen Victoria will be a quintessential Cunard liner that includes not
only hallmark features associated with the luxury brand, but also
exciting innovations including private viewing boxes in the Royal Court
Theater, alfresco dining for Grill guests, a floating museum display of
Cunard memorabilia (Cunardia), and a two-story library with nearly 6,000
books. Expanded details on all of the design features, staterooms,
Cunardia and the vessel's amenities and services will be announced
throughout 2007, beginning in January.

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com