This from thisishampshire.net on the on-going trial of QE2 crew
" CREWMAN on the QE2 ordered staff to lie about an illegal shipment of cigarettes moments before customs questioned him in Southampton, a court has been told.
Jurors at Southampton Crown Court heard provisions master Stephen Madden became "worried" and made his Filipino crew move more than 800,000 cigarettes to the ship's car lift when it docked in October last year.
It is claimed that during 2006, 42-year-old Madden smuggled three separate shipments - a total of 1.8 million cigarettes - on to the flagship liner.
On the last occasion customs swooped after a tip-off and boarded the ship in Southampton.
Storekeeper Joaquin Bustamente told the court that Madden winked at him as officers searched the vessel for the contraband tobacco.
"I guess he was telling me to deny," he said."
July 30, 2007
July 25, 2007
QE2: Forty and fabulous
This great feature about the QE2's 40th from the "Evening Star"
"SHE'S the world's most famous cruise ship, having carried the rich and famous in fabulous style.
Features editor TRACEY SPARLING reports on a souvenir book, created to mark the 40th anniversary - and farewell years - of the Grand Dame of the Seas.
AS officers aboard the QE2 pored over charts in the final moments before their next voyage, a hurricane was brewing many miles away.
On September 7 1995 the famous liner left Southampton, bound for New York, via Cherbourg. Magician Paul Daniels and Coronation Street star Johnny Briggs were among the passengers.
Officers were continuing to monitor the progress of Hurricane Luis from the Caribbean, which looked like it would pass close to their course. On September 10 they changed course to avoid the worst of the storm, and advised passengers that the effects of the storm would be increasingly felt after dinner. By the evening winds were higher than forecast and waves were up to 40ft.
The next morning the eye of the storm was 130 nautical miles away but the sea was a whirling white mass with spray and foam submerging the bow. At 2.30am a rogue wave was spotted looming out of the darkness, and hundreds of tonnes of water broke over the QE2's bow.
It was the biggest wave Captain Ron Warwick had seen during all his 38 years at sea.
He said later: “It looked as if we were going straight into the white cliffs of Dover. The wave seemed to take ages to reach us, but it was probably less than a minute before it broke with tremendous force over the bow. An incredible shudder went through the ship followed a few moments later by two smaller shudders. At the same time the sea was cascading all over the fore part of the ship including the bridge, and it was several seconds before the water had drained away from the windows and vision ahead was restored.
“The fact that the QE2 handled it so well is a tribute to her. I think British people should take pride in such marvellous engineering.”
The wave was later confirmed by monitoring equipment to have been 95ft high and 1,200ft wide.
Amazingly, most passengers slept through the drama, and only learned of it when they were presented with a Storm Certificate as a momento, the next morning.
The QE2 has had many such adventures during the 5.5 million nautical miles she has sailed since her launch in 1967- that's more than any other ship ever, and the equivalent of travelling to the moon and back 15 times.
This iconic ship has carried almost 2.1 million guests on romantic and luxurious journeys including 24 world cruises, which will stay treasured in the memories forever. For forty years she has often been in the news, whether because of storms, stowaways, collisions, ransom threats, drug smugglers or wartime service.
So all things considered, broadcaster Carol Thatcher had plenty of material to draw gems from for her new book QE2 Forty Years Famous.
She said: “The QE2 has been a phenomenon for 40 years, and there is no doubt she will continue to be so for a few more. She is just one of a long line of noble Cunard transatlantic liners but she has served longer than any other, travelled further than any other, visited more places around the globe than any other and arguably is more loved than any other. Like her predecessors QE2 has pedigree, but she is the ultimate triumph of a great tradition.”
She thanked Eric Flounders and Michael Gallagher from Cunard Line for the research, and revising and rewriting the book at length.
Michael said: “It took about two months' worth of weekends and most evenings from start to finish. We actually had a chunk written beforehand so it was a case of greatly expanding that. We were not allowed to use any of our work time!
“Friends had said over the years that there was a book 'in there' that needed to be written, but I never really thought I'd be up to it. Eric and I were both very keen to mark the 40th anniversary and a way of doing that long term is put the story down in writing.
“It is a great story and one that had perhaps not been told completely. Plus many inaccuracies tend to pass down from book to book over the years and we were keen to dispel them. This is perhaps the first true reflection of the QE2 story - with many added bits that our research unveiled.”
This is a landmark year for the QE2, after which she'll be fondly remembered by many. Her popularity was proved when an estimated one million people turned out to see her when she called at Liverpool for the first time in 1990.
Michael added: “QE2 is the most loved ship afloat today. She has fans and admirers the world over and many of them have never even stepped aboard.”
So what does Michael personally love about her?
He laughed: “That is the $64,000 question. It was interesting to discover that whenever you asked a fan why did they love her so, no one was able to put it into a simple sentence; they all had several reasons, and that is the same for us really. “We can't just say it's because of this or it's because of that. She's the best - perhaps that is good enough!”
The QE2 is the fastest merchant ship in operation, with a top speed of 32.5 knots - she can go faster backwards than most cruise ships can go forwards!
But she will come to rest in Dubai. She is to be sold in a $100 million deal which will turn the iconic liner into a star attraction at The Palm Jumeirah - the world's largest manmade island.
The QE2 will be delivered to buyer Dubai World in November 2008, where she will be refurbished to her original décor and adapted for her new home. From 2009, the vessel will be berthed at a specially-constructed pier to create a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World, said: "The QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today. I am delighted we will be able to create a home for her on the newest wonder of the world, The Palm Jumeirah."
"QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will become one of the must-see experiences of Dubai and of the Middle East. Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of QE2. She is coming to a home where she will be cherished."
In the meantime, Cunard Line has announced a series of special 'Farewell Voyages' for the QE2, for guests to share in her farewell to her country - and also to experience a farewell tandem crossing of the Atlantic, where she will bid farewell to New York, her second home.
Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line said: “Guests who sail these voyages will take their place in history on the longest serving, most famous Cunarder and will no doubt be greeted by groups of well-wishers who will salute her one last time.”
The QE2's final voyage will leave Southampton for Dubai on November 11 next year.
Meanwhile the Queen Victoria which is currently being built in Venice, will join the fleet this December.
The Queen Mary 2 has been the flagship of Cunard since May 2004; whether the nation will adopt her as 'their' flagship remains to be seen!
N
To see the view from the QE2's bridge at this moment, see the webcam: at www.cunard.co.uk/ourships.
N
Star reader Mavis Bensley wrote a weekly column about her round-the-world cruise on the QE2 earlier this year. Now we want to hear your memories - write to Your Letters, the Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.
Cunard Line was formed in 1839, mainly to carry the Royal Mail between the UK and North America, and in 1840 was the first timetabled steamship service across the Atlantic. "
"SHE'S the world's most famous cruise ship, having carried the rich and famous in fabulous style.
Features editor TRACEY SPARLING reports on a souvenir book, created to mark the 40th anniversary - and farewell years - of the Grand Dame of the Seas.
AS officers aboard the QE2 pored over charts in the final moments before their next voyage, a hurricane was brewing many miles away.
On September 7 1995 the famous liner left Southampton, bound for New York, via Cherbourg. Magician Paul Daniels and Coronation Street star Johnny Briggs were among the passengers.
Officers were continuing to monitor the progress of Hurricane Luis from the Caribbean, which looked like it would pass close to their course. On September 10 they changed course to avoid the worst of the storm, and advised passengers that the effects of the storm would be increasingly felt after dinner. By the evening winds were higher than forecast and waves were up to 40ft.
The next morning the eye of the storm was 130 nautical miles away but the sea was a whirling white mass with spray and foam submerging the bow. At 2.30am a rogue wave was spotted looming out of the darkness, and hundreds of tonnes of water broke over the QE2's bow.
It was the biggest wave Captain Ron Warwick had seen during all his 38 years at sea.
He said later: “It looked as if we were going straight into the white cliffs of Dover. The wave seemed to take ages to reach us, but it was probably less than a minute before it broke with tremendous force over the bow. An incredible shudder went through the ship followed a few moments later by two smaller shudders. At the same time the sea was cascading all over the fore part of the ship including the bridge, and it was several seconds before the water had drained away from the windows and vision ahead was restored.
“The fact that the QE2 handled it so well is a tribute to her. I think British people should take pride in such marvellous engineering.”
The wave was later confirmed by monitoring equipment to have been 95ft high and 1,200ft wide.
Amazingly, most passengers slept through the drama, and only learned of it when they were presented with a Storm Certificate as a momento, the next morning.
The QE2 has had many such adventures during the 5.5 million nautical miles she has sailed since her launch in 1967- that's more than any other ship ever, and the equivalent of travelling to the moon and back 15 times.
This iconic ship has carried almost 2.1 million guests on romantic and luxurious journeys including 24 world cruises, which will stay treasured in the memories forever. For forty years she has often been in the news, whether because of storms, stowaways, collisions, ransom threats, drug smugglers or wartime service.
So all things considered, broadcaster Carol Thatcher had plenty of material to draw gems from for her new book QE2 Forty Years Famous.
She said: “The QE2 has been a phenomenon for 40 years, and there is no doubt she will continue to be so for a few more. She is just one of a long line of noble Cunard transatlantic liners but she has served longer than any other, travelled further than any other, visited more places around the globe than any other and arguably is more loved than any other. Like her predecessors QE2 has pedigree, but she is the ultimate triumph of a great tradition.”
She thanked Eric Flounders and Michael Gallagher from Cunard Line for the research, and revising and rewriting the book at length.
Michael said: “It took about two months' worth of weekends and most evenings from start to finish. We actually had a chunk written beforehand so it was a case of greatly expanding that. We were not allowed to use any of our work time!
“Friends had said over the years that there was a book 'in there' that needed to be written, but I never really thought I'd be up to it. Eric and I were both very keen to mark the 40th anniversary and a way of doing that long term is put the story down in writing.
“It is a great story and one that had perhaps not been told completely. Plus many inaccuracies tend to pass down from book to book over the years and we were keen to dispel them. This is perhaps the first true reflection of the QE2 story - with many added bits that our research unveiled.”
This is a landmark year for the QE2, after which she'll be fondly remembered by many. Her popularity was proved when an estimated one million people turned out to see her when she called at Liverpool for the first time in 1990.
Michael added: “QE2 is the most loved ship afloat today. She has fans and admirers the world over and many of them have never even stepped aboard.”
So what does Michael personally love about her?
He laughed: “That is the $64,000 question. It was interesting to discover that whenever you asked a fan why did they love her so, no one was able to put it into a simple sentence; they all had several reasons, and that is the same for us really. “We can't just say it's because of this or it's because of that. She's the best - perhaps that is good enough!”
The QE2 is the fastest merchant ship in operation, with a top speed of 32.5 knots - she can go faster backwards than most cruise ships can go forwards!
But she will come to rest in Dubai. She is to be sold in a $100 million deal which will turn the iconic liner into a star attraction at The Palm Jumeirah - the world's largest manmade island.
The QE2 will be delivered to buyer Dubai World in November 2008, where she will be refurbished to her original décor and adapted for her new home. From 2009, the vessel will be berthed at a specially-constructed pier to create a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World, said: "The QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today. I am delighted we will be able to create a home for her on the newest wonder of the world, The Palm Jumeirah."
"QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will become one of the must-see experiences of Dubai and of the Middle East. Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of QE2. She is coming to a home where she will be cherished."
In the meantime, Cunard Line has announced a series of special 'Farewell Voyages' for the QE2, for guests to share in her farewell to her country - and also to experience a farewell tandem crossing of the Atlantic, where she will bid farewell to New York, her second home.
Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line said: “Guests who sail these voyages will take their place in history on the longest serving, most famous Cunarder and will no doubt be greeted by groups of well-wishers who will salute her one last time.”
The QE2's final voyage will leave Southampton for Dubai on November 11 next year.
Meanwhile the Queen Victoria which is currently being built in Venice, will join the fleet this December.
The Queen Mary 2 has been the flagship of Cunard since May 2004; whether the nation will adopt her as 'their' flagship remains to be seen!
N
To see the view from the QE2's bridge at this moment, see the webcam: at www.cunard.co.uk/ourships.
N
Star reader Mavis Bensley wrote a weekly column about her round-the-world cruise on the QE2 earlier this year. Now we want to hear your memories - write to Your Letters, the Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.
Cunard Line was formed in 1839, mainly to carry the Royal Mail between the UK and North America, and in 1840 was the first timetabled steamship service across the Atlantic. "
Queen Victoria's Inaugural European Itineraries in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern Europe
This from travelvideo.tv about the new Queen Victoria inaugural schedules
"Valencia, CA - July 23, 2007 - In port cities throughout the world, Cunard's newest liner is already generating anticipation and excitement. Set to debut in December, Queen Victoria follows in the footsteps of her liner predecessors, offering a collection of compelling inaugural itineraries that underscore her well-traveled passengers' quest for genuinely intriguing travel experiences.
Highlights of the ship's 2008 schedule are an eclectic variety of Mediterranean itineraries offering departures from Rome, Barcelona, Venice, Athens and Southampton - allowing guests a more in-depth experience into the ancient cities and renowned ports of this popular region. In addition, Queen Victoria's voyages to the Baltic mark Cunard's much-anticipated return to this intriguing part of the world.
And in keeping with Cunard's storied heritage of maiden call fanfare, the ship is expected to be greeted by celebratory festivities and large numbers of well wishers at every port. Guests sailing on these voyages will not only enjoy the opportunity to be a part of Queen Victoria's once-in-a-lifetime maiden season, but will also enjoy the opportunity to depart from some of Europe's most glamorous cities.
"In Queen Victoria's inaugural year, we've planned a compelling around-the-world schedule that affords travelers an opportunity to experience the next generation of Cunard style, complete with festive welcomes in every port," says Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "In addition to joining Cunard's exciting heritage of maiden call fanfare, guests traveling on Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern European voyages will be able to enjoy a more in-depth experience in each of these fascinating ports."
Mediterranean Exploration
Following the sun, Queen Victoria will sail the Mediterranean for a series of open-ended voyages that afford her discerning passengers an even greater opportunity for in-depth exploration and discovery. Many of the ship's Mediterranean voyages depart from Barcelona, Rome and Venice - even Athens - and arrive in another of the Med's iconic ports.
Legends of the Mediterranean - Two 12-day voyages departing Barcelona on August 25 and October 24, with stops in Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Naples/Capri, Valletta, Crete, Izmir, Athens, Sicily and Rome. Voyage fares start from $2,395.
Classical Mediterranean - Two 12-day voyages departing Venice on August 13 and October 12, with stops in Dubrovnik, Katakolon, Mykonos, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Sicily, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Marseille and Barcelona. Both departures feature an overnight stay in Venice. Voyage fares start from $2,445.
Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean - Two 12-day voyages, departing on November 5 and November 17 from Rome and Athens, respectively, with stops in Naples/Capri, Sicily, Valletta, Alexandria (for Cairo/Giza), Port Said, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Dikili, Volos and Athens. Voyage fares start from at $2,295.
Connoisseur's Mediterranean - A 12-day voyage, departing Rome on November 29 and ending in Southampton, with stops in Naples/Capri, Sicily, Katakolon, Dubrovnik, Valletta, La Goulette and Malaga. Voyage fares starting at $2,295.
Greek Isles and Aegean Shores - Two 12-day voyages, departing Rome on September 6 and September 30, with stops in Naples/Capri, Santorini, Izmir, Istanbul (overnight), Samos, Athens, Zakinthos, Dubrovnik and concluding with an overnight in Venice. Voyage fares start from $2,695.
Crimean Coasts - A 12-day voyage, departing from Venice on September 18 and ending in Rome, with stops in Kusadasi, Istanbul (overnight), Odessa, Yalta, Athens, Sicily and Rome. Voyage fares start from $2,795.
For those wishing to sail to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands or Western Europe roundtrip from Southampton:
Canary Islands Splendour - A ten-day voyage, departing roundtrip from Southampton on April 22, with stops in Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lisbon and Vigo. Voyage fares start from $1,775.
Spring Getaway - A four-day voyage, departing roundtrip from Southampton on May 2, with stops in Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. Voyage fares start from $995.
Mediterranean Delights - A 14-day voyage departing roundtrip from Southampton on May 6 with stops in Seville, Corsica, Rome, Naples/Capri, Valletta, La Goulette and Gibraltar. Voyage fares start from $2,975.
Caribbean Holiday - A 22-day voyage, departing roundtrip from Southampton on December 11 with stops in Ponta Delgada, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Madeira and Vigo. Voyage fares start from at $5,695.
Additionally, Queen Victoria offers a Mediterranean voyage departing from Southampton, ending with an overnight in Venice:
Jewels of the Mediterranean - A 12-day voyage, departing Southampton on August 1 and ending with an overnight stay in Venice, with stops in Gibraltar, Cannes, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Sicily, Corfu and Dubrovnik. Voyage fares start from $2,995.
Throughout her first year, Queen Victoria will chart a far-reaching course through Europe stretching as far south as the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria; as far east as Yalta, Ukraine, once an ancient Greek colony on the northern coast of the Black Sea; and west to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Likewise, rare overnight stays in Venice, Istanbul and St. Petersburg will afford Queen Victoria's guests the opportunity to explore these captivating cities at a more leisurely pace.
"Covering the northernmost ports, then south to Egypt, east into the Black Sea and west to the Canary Islands, the breadth of her dazzling itinerary really sets her apart as she will sail a significant percentage of the globe in her first year," Marlow added.
A Return to Russia
Another highlight of Queen Victoria's 2008 programme is Cunard's much-anticipated return to Russia. Three 14-day Russian Rendezvous voyages (departing May 27, June 22 and July 18 roundtrip from Southampton) will circle the Baltic Sea and feature two full days in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as stops in Bruges, Belgium; Gdansk, Poland; Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo. Voyage fares start from $3,375.
Voyaging Through Northern Europe
For sheer drama, few regions can compare to Northern Europe. Queen Victoria's forays into this enthralling region include a seven-day Norwegian Fjords voyage, departing roundtrip from Southampton on May 20, with stops in Bergen, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Aalesund and Stavanger, and two 12-day Voyage of the Vikings voyages departing roundtrip from Southampton on June 10 and July 6, with stops in Bergen, Tromso, Honningsvag (for the North Cape), Trondheim, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Olden and Stavanger. Voyage fares for Norwegian Fjords start from $1,675 and Voyage of the Vikings fares start from $2,895.
Queen Victoria's entire inaugural year's voyages are detailed in Cunard's 2008 Fleet Brochure.
The 90,000-ton Queen Victoria will not only be a classic ocean liner, offering the very best of Cunard's heritage and traditions, along with all modern day luxuries, but will also feature many exciting innovations. These will include the first traditional West End-style private viewing boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre; the first floating Cunardia museum display, housing Cunard artifacts and memorabilia and the first two-story, 'spiral staircased' library at sea. The ship will also feature the line's celebrated luxury Grills accommodation and dining, further enhanced on Queen Victoria with exclusive deck terraces and an al fresco dining option.
From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at what differentiates a Cunard liner from a standard cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship's adherence to liner traditions of the past, with elegant double- and triple-height public rooms featuring rich wood paneling, intricate mosaics and gleaming chandeliers. There will also be a grand, colonial-style Winter Garden complete with a retractable glass roof.
As well as being the second largest Cunarder ever built, Queen Victoria's arrival is particularly noteworthy as it will mark the first time that three Cunard Queens have been in service together in the company's 168-year history. She joins the world's grandest ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, and the world's most famous ship, QE2.
For more information about Queen Victoria's 2008 itineraries, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com
"Valencia, CA - July 23, 2007 - In port cities throughout the world, Cunard's newest liner is already generating anticipation and excitement. Set to debut in December, Queen Victoria follows in the footsteps of her liner predecessors, offering a collection of compelling inaugural itineraries that underscore her well-traveled passengers' quest for genuinely intriguing travel experiences.
Highlights of the ship's 2008 schedule are an eclectic variety of Mediterranean itineraries offering departures from Rome, Barcelona, Venice, Athens and Southampton - allowing guests a more in-depth experience into the ancient cities and renowned ports of this popular region. In addition, Queen Victoria's voyages to the Baltic mark Cunard's much-anticipated return to this intriguing part of the world.
And in keeping with Cunard's storied heritage of maiden call fanfare, the ship is expected to be greeted by celebratory festivities and large numbers of well wishers at every port. Guests sailing on these voyages will not only enjoy the opportunity to be a part of Queen Victoria's once-in-a-lifetime maiden season, but will also enjoy the opportunity to depart from some of Europe's most glamorous cities.
"In Queen Victoria's inaugural year, we've planned a compelling around-the-world schedule that affords travelers an opportunity to experience the next generation of Cunard style, complete with festive welcomes in every port," says Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "In addition to joining Cunard's exciting heritage of maiden call fanfare, guests traveling on Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern European voyages will be able to enjoy a more in-depth experience in each of these fascinating ports."
Mediterranean Exploration
Following the sun, Queen Victoria will sail the Mediterranean for a series of open-ended voyages that afford her discerning passengers an even greater opportunity for in-depth exploration and discovery. Many of the ship's Mediterranean voyages depart from Barcelona, Rome and Venice - even Athens - and arrive in another of the Med's iconic ports.
Legends of the Mediterranean - Two 12-day voyages departing Barcelona on August 25 and October 24, with stops in Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Naples/Capri, Valletta, Crete, Izmir, Athens, Sicily and Rome. Voyage fares start from $2,395.
Classical Mediterranean - Two 12-day voyages departing Venice on August 13 and October 12, with stops in Dubrovnik, Katakolon, Mykonos, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Sicily, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Marseille and Barcelona. Both departures feature an overnight stay in Venice. Voyage fares start from $2,445.
Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean - Two 12-day voyages, departing on November 5 and November 17 from Rome and Athens, respectively, with stops in Naples/Capri, Sicily, Valletta, Alexandria (for Cairo/Giza), Port Said, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Dikili, Volos and Athens. Voyage fares start from at $2,295.
Connoisseur's Mediterranean - A 12-day voyage, departing Rome on November 29 and ending in Southampton, with stops in Naples/Capri, Sicily, Katakolon, Dubrovnik, Valletta, La Goulette and Malaga. Voyage fares starting at $2,295.
Greek Isles and Aegean Shores - Two 12-day voyages, departing Rome on September 6 and September 30, with stops in Naples/Capri, Santorini, Izmir, Istanbul (overnight), Samos, Athens, Zakinthos, Dubrovnik and concluding with an overnight in Venice. Voyage fares start from $2,695.
Crimean Coasts - A 12-day voyage, departing from Venice on September 18 and ending in Rome, with stops in Kusadasi, Istanbul (overnight), Odessa, Yalta, Athens, Sicily and Rome. Voyage fares start from $2,795.
For those wishing to sail to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands or Western Europe roundtrip from Southampton:
Canary Islands Splendour - A ten-day voyage, departing roundtrip from Southampton on April 22, with stops in Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lisbon and Vigo. Voyage fares start from $1,775.
Spring Getaway - A four-day voyage, departing roundtrip from Southampton on May 2, with stops in Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. Voyage fares start from $995.
Mediterranean Delights - A 14-day voyage departing roundtrip from Southampton on May 6 with stops in Seville, Corsica, Rome, Naples/Capri, Valletta, La Goulette and Gibraltar. Voyage fares start from $2,975.
Caribbean Holiday - A 22-day voyage, departing roundtrip from Southampton on December 11 with stops in Ponta Delgada, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Madeira and Vigo. Voyage fares start from at $5,695.
Additionally, Queen Victoria offers a Mediterranean voyage departing from Southampton, ending with an overnight in Venice:
Jewels of the Mediterranean - A 12-day voyage, departing Southampton on August 1 and ending with an overnight stay in Venice, with stops in Gibraltar, Cannes, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Sicily, Corfu and Dubrovnik. Voyage fares start from $2,995.
Throughout her first year, Queen Victoria will chart a far-reaching course through Europe stretching as far south as the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria; as far east as Yalta, Ukraine, once an ancient Greek colony on the northern coast of the Black Sea; and west to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Likewise, rare overnight stays in Venice, Istanbul and St. Petersburg will afford Queen Victoria's guests the opportunity to explore these captivating cities at a more leisurely pace.
"Covering the northernmost ports, then south to Egypt, east into the Black Sea and west to the Canary Islands, the breadth of her dazzling itinerary really sets her apart as she will sail a significant percentage of the globe in her first year," Marlow added.
A Return to Russia
Another highlight of Queen Victoria's 2008 programme is Cunard's much-anticipated return to Russia. Three 14-day Russian Rendezvous voyages (departing May 27, June 22 and July 18 roundtrip from Southampton) will circle the Baltic Sea and feature two full days in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as stops in Bruges, Belgium; Gdansk, Poland; Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo. Voyage fares start from $3,375.
Voyaging Through Northern Europe
For sheer drama, few regions can compare to Northern Europe. Queen Victoria's forays into this enthralling region include a seven-day Norwegian Fjords voyage, departing roundtrip from Southampton on May 20, with stops in Bergen, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Aalesund and Stavanger, and two 12-day Voyage of the Vikings voyages departing roundtrip from Southampton on June 10 and July 6, with stops in Bergen, Tromso, Honningsvag (for the North Cape), Trondheim, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Olden and Stavanger. Voyage fares for Norwegian Fjords start from $1,675 and Voyage of the Vikings fares start from $2,895.
Queen Victoria's entire inaugural year's voyages are detailed in Cunard's 2008 Fleet Brochure.
The 90,000-ton Queen Victoria will not only be a classic ocean liner, offering the very best of Cunard's heritage and traditions, along with all modern day luxuries, but will also feature many exciting innovations. These will include the first traditional West End-style private viewing boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre; the first floating Cunardia museum display, housing Cunard artifacts and memorabilia and the first two-story, 'spiral staircased' library at sea. The ship will also feature the line's celebrated luxury Grills accommodation and dining, further enhanced on Queen Victoria with exclusive deck terraces and an al fresco dining option.
From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at what differentiates a Cunard liner from a standard cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship's adherence to liner traditions of the past, with elegant double- and triple-height public rooms featuring rich wood paneling, intricate mosaics and gleaming chandeliers. There will also be a grand, colonial-style Winter Garden complete with a retractable glass roof.
As well as being the second largest Cunarder ever built, Queen Victoria's arrival is particularly noteworthy as it will mark the first time that three Cunard Queens have been in service together in the company's 168-year history. She joins the world's grandest ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, and the world's most famous ship, QE2.
For more information about Queen Victoria's 2008 itineraries, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com
QE2 used for cigarette smuggling, court told
This from Southampton's Daily Echo:
"A CREWMAN on Southampton's flagship liner QE2 was part of a smuggling scam that saw more than 1.8 million cigarettes brought into the country, a court heard.
Provisions manager Stephen Madden, 42, organised three separate consignments of contraband tobacco to be carried in the ship's hold during 2006, Southampton Crown Court was told.
Revenue and customs officers swooped in Southampton docks in October following a tip-off that more than 800,000 cigarettes were aboard the ship, pictured above.
They estimated that the haul would have had a street value of up to £250,000.
Madden denies three charges of fraudulent evasion of duty on tobacco."
"A CREWMAN on Southampton's flagship liner QE2 was part of a smuggling scam that saw more than 1.8 million cigarettes brought into the country, a court heard.
Provisions manager Stephen Madden, 42, organised three separate consignments of contraband tobacco to be carried in the ship's hold during 2006, Southampton Crown Court was told.
Revenue and customs officers swooped in Southampton docks in October following a tip-off that more than 800,000 cigarettes were aboard the ship, pictured above.
They estimated that the haul would have had a street value of up to £250,000.
Madden denies three charges of fraudulent evasion of duty on tobacco."
July 19, 2007
July 17, 2007
Deal to purchase Queen Mary sinks as suitor backs out
This on the dailybreeze.com...
"Save the Queen, which had promised Universal City-style development, clashes with city.
By Kristopher Hanson STAFF WRITER
A powerhouse investment firm has reportedly backed out of a tentative $49 million deal to purchase the Queen Mary lease and develop property around the historic oceanliner.
The deal would have allowed a group calling itself Save the Queen LLC to take control of the ship and surrounding waterfront property for development into a theme resort.
In a July 10 letter to an attorney representing Long Beach, Save the Queen said it was ending its bid because of what it characterized as the city's refusal to reach an agreement on key monetary issues.
Save the Queen is backed by Orange County real estate investor Jeffrey Klein, investment firm The Carlyle Group and resort developer Hix Rubenstein.
"As a result of the city's failure to accept the proposal the city had indicated it required, Carlyle decided not to proceed with the transaction," attorney Mark Shinderman wrote to city-hired attorney Steven Gubner.
In response to the letter, the city issued a tersely worded reply to Save the Queen's backers Wednesday accusing the group of leaking confidential details about the proposed deal.
"We will no longer be negotiating with Carlyle because of what we believe is their clear violation of a court-ordered confidentiality agreement," Long Beach City Attorney Bob Shannon said Thursday. "We also don't agree with their characterization of the negotiations in the letter."
Shannon also indicated the city is considering legal action for what he described as a breach of confidentiality.
The city has been working to court a new developer for the 55-acre site since Queen Seaport Development Inc., which leases the site, entered bankruptcy in March 2005 following a dispute over rent payments to the city.
Long Beach owns the Queen Mary, but signed a 66-year lease with QSDI for maintenance and development several years ago.
Following the bankruptcy filing, a court-appointed trustee, Howard Ehrenberg, was put in charge of resolving QSDI's outstanding debts and finding new investors for the site.
Klein, who heads Save the Queen, said earlier that his team envisioned the project as a resort with hotels, a marina and bay club in addition to a mixed-used development similar to Universal Studios City Walk.
He also said developers were prepared to spend $22 million refurbishing the art deco ship - with $5 million provided immediately - and build the infrastructure needed to make the site more accessible to downtown Long Beach.
During negotiations, Klein's group offered to pay the city $5 million to cover QSDI's back rent, according to the letter from Shinderman, but the city sought an additional "subordinate claim" of $4.1 million up front.
Typically, such claims are paid only after all other creditors receive their payments.
The city disputes the financial point listed in the letter and said it was still confident the Queen Mary site will be a success.
"Regardless of this, we remain confident that we'll be successful in getting the maximum amount of money for the taxpayers for this property and it will be a quality development," Shannon said.
The war of words comes as the bankruptcy case nears its 29th month. Earlier this year, disputing parties decided to hold an auction-style sale Aug. 14, with the property lease going to the highest bidder.
A low bid of $41 million was set, with the next highest bid required to be at least $43 million. From there, bids increase in $500,000 increments, said Deputy City Attorney Charles Parkin.
Save the Queen indicated in its letter it may still participate in the auction.
Following the auction's completion, the winning bidder will be given 30 days to provide financial information and project details to the city.
Any eventual construction requires city and state approval, as both share jurisdiction over the property. "
"Save the Queen, which had promised Universal City-style development, clashes with city.
By Kristopher Hanson STAFF WRITER
A powerhouse investment firm has reportedly backed out of a tentative $49 million deal to purchase the Queen Mary lease and develop property around the historic oceanliner.
The deal would have allowed a group calling itself Save the Queen LLC to take control of the ship and surrounding waterfront property for development into a theme resort.
In a July 10 letter to an attorney representing Long Beach, Save the Queen said it was ending its bid because of what it characterized as the city's refusal to reach an agreement on key monetary issues.
Save the Queen is backed by Orange County real estate investor Jeffrey Klein, investment firm The Carlyle Group and resort developer Hix Rubenstein.
"As a result of the city's failure to accept the proposal the city had indicated it required, Carlyle decided not to proceed with the transaction," attorney Mark Shinderman wrote to city-hired attorney Steven Gubner.
In response to the letter, the city issued a tersely worded reply to Save the Queen's backers Wednesday accusing the group of leaking confidential details about the proposed deal.
"We will no longer be negotiating with Carlyle because of what we believe is their clear violation of a court-ordered confidentiality agreement," Long Beach City Attorney Bob Shannon said Thursday. "We also don't agree with their characterization of the negotiations in the letter."
Shannon also indicated the city is considering legal action for what he described as a breach of confidentiality.
The city has been working to court a new developer for the 55-acre site since Queen Seaport Development Inc., which leases the site, entered bankruptcy in March 2005 following a dispute over rent payments to the city.
Long Beach owns the Queen Mary, but signed a 66-year lease with QSDI for maintenance and development several years ago.
Following the bankruptcy filing, a court-appointed trustee, Howard Ehrenberg, was put in charge of resolving QSDI's outstanding debts and finding new investors for the site.
Klein, who heads Save the Queen, said earlier that his team envisioned the project as a resort with hotels, a marina and bay club in addition to a mixed-used development similar to Universal Studios City Walk.
He also said developers were prepared to spend $22 million refurbishing the art deco ship - with $5 million provided immediately - and build the infrastructure needed to make the site more accessible to downtown Long Beach.
During negotiations, Klein's group offered to pay the city $5 million to cover QSDI's back rent, according to the letter from Shinderman, but the city sought an additional "subordinate claim" of $4.1 million up front.
Typically, such claims are paid only after all other creditors receive their payments.
The city disputes the financial point listed in the letter and said it was still confident the Queen Mary site will be a success.
"Regardless of this, we remain confident that we'll be successful in getting the maximum amount of money for the taxpayers for this property and it will be a quality development," Shannon said.
The war of words comes as the bankruptcy case nears its 29th month. Earlier this year, disputing parties decided to hold an auction-style sale Aug. 14, with the property lease going to the highest bidder.
A low bid of $41 million was set, with the next highest bid required to be at least $43 million. From there, bids increase in $500,000 increments, said Deputy City Attorney Charles Parkin.
Save the Queen indicated in its letter it may still participate in the auction.
Following the auction's completion, the winning bidder will be given 30 days to provide financial information and project details to the city.
Any eventual construction requires city and state approval, as both share jurisdiction over the property. "
July 16, 2007
Sailing on the QE II
This interesting article from newsday.com
"The writing was on the wall more than three years ago. In January 2004, when Cunard introduced the 151,400-ton QM2, the clock started ticking for the QE2.
It was only a matter of time before the dowager -- and, by then, dowdier -- 70,327-ton QE2 would be retired. Even after a few face-lifts -- at a price tag that outstripped the venerable vessel's original construction costs more than tenfold -- the QE2 no longer could gloss over her wrinkles. And, last month, Cunard announced the inevitable.
The QE2 will make its final voyage in November 2008. After a renovation and some additional cosmetic surgery, the 40-year-old oceangoing queen will end its days as a luxury hotel and mall. According to Cunard, the QE2 will be permanently docked in Dubai at The Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island.
The cruise line announced that the QE2 would be sold to Dubai World, an investment arm of the Dubai government, for $100 million. Beginning in 2009, the vessel will be berthed at a specially constructed pier in the Arab emirate.As namesake of England's still-reigning monarch, the QE2 was launched in 1967. Once the fleetest in Cunard's fleet, the ship would become the world's swiftest ocean liner when, shortly after its maiden voyage in September 1969, the famed SS United States retired. (The SS United States still holds the record for fastest passenger-carrying ship.) The QE2 is the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168-year history and the line's longest-serving flagship.
Since it sailed into service, it has undertaken 25 world cruises, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers.As befits an outgoing queen, several farewell voyages are planned before the ship's Dubai dry-docking.
A 10-night farewell cruise, aptly on a British Isles itinerary, will depart Southampton, on the south coast of England, on Sept. 30, 2008. The sailing will include maiden calls to Dublin and Belfast. It will stop at the Clyde (Greenock), where the QE2 was built, before journeying to Cork (Cobh), Liverpool (Cunard's ancestral home), Edinburgh (South Queensferry) and Newcastle. Fares start at $2,455.
On Oct. 10, QE2 will leave Southampton along with Cunard's current flagship, Queen Mary 2, and embark on a final tandem crossing to New York. Fares for the six-night crossing start at $1,175.On Oct. 15, both liners will sail from New York's harbor as QE2 begins its "Farewell to America" crossing. It will be the QE2's 806th and final Atlantic crossing, and both ships will arrive in Southampton on Oct. 22. Fares start at $1,065. The ship's final "final voyage" will depart Southampton Nov. 11, headed for Dubai. It will call at Lisbon, Gibraltar, Civitavecchia, Naples, Malta and Alexandria and pass through the Suez Canal before journeying to its new destiny on Nov. 27. Fares start at $4,615.But the QE2's departure will not leave Cunard's royal fleet bereft. This December, a new queen -- the 1,980-passenger Queen Victoria, currently under construction -- will join the Queen Mary 2, which, according to Cunard, is the world's fastest liner. For information, call 800-528-6273 or go to cunard.com.
"The writing was on the wall more than three years ago. In January 2004, when Cunard introduced the 151,400-ton QM2, the clock started ticking for the QE2.
It was only a matter of time before the dowager -- and, by then, dowdier -- 70,327-ton QE2 would be retired. Even after a few face-lifts -- at a price tag that outstripped the venerable vessel's original construction costs more than tenfold -- the QE2 no longer could gloss over her wrinkles. And, last month, Cunard announced the inevitable.
The QE2 will make its final voyage in November 2008. After a renovation and some additional cosmetic surgery, the 40-year-old oceangoing queen will end its days as a luxury hotel and mall. According to Cunard, the QE2 will be permanently docked in Dubai at The Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island.
The cruise line announced that the QE2 would be sold to Dubai World, an investment arm of the Dubai government, for $100 million. Beginning in 2009, the vessel will be berthed at a specially constructed pier in the Arab emirate.As namesake of England's still-reigning monarch, the QE2 was launched in 1967. Once the fleetest in Cunard's fleet, the ship would become the world's swiftest ocean liner when, shortly after its maiden voyage in September 1969, the famed SS United States retired. (The SS United States still holds the record for fastest passenger-carrying ship.) The QE2 is the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168-year history and the line's longest-serving flagship.
Since it sailed into service, it has undertaken 25 world cruises, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers.As befits an outgoing queen, several farewell voyages are planned before the ship's Dubai dry-docking.
A 10-night farewell cruise, aptly on a British Isles itinerary, will depart Southampton, on the south coast of England, on Sept. 30, 2008. The sailing will include maiden calls to Dublin and Belfast. It will stop at the Clyde (Greenock), where the QE2 was built, before journeying to Cork (Cobh), Liverpool (Cunard's ancestral home), Edinburgh (South Queensferry) and Newcastle. Fares start at $2,455.
On Oct. 10, QE2 will leave Southampton along with Cunard's current flagship, Queen Mary 2, and embark on a final tandem crossing to New York. Fares for the six-night crossing start at $1,175.On Oct. 15, both liners will sail from New York's harbor as QE2 begins its "Farewell to America" crossing. It will be the QE2's 806th and final Atlantic crossing, and both ships will arrive in Southampton on Oct. 22. Fares start at $1,065. The ship's final "final voyage" will depart Southampton Nov. 11, headed for Dubai. It will call at Lisbon, Gibraltar, Civitavecchia, Naples, Malta and Alexandria and pass through the Suez Canal before journeying to its new destiny on Nov. 27. Fares start at $4,615.But the QE2's departure will not leave Cunard's royal fleet bereft. This December, a new queen -- the 1,980-passenger Queen Victoria, currently under construction -- will join the Queen Mary 2, which, according to Cunard, is the world's fastest liner. For information, call 800-528-6273 or go to cunard.com.
Would-be Queen Mary operator abandons attempt
This from the LATIMES.COM
"A leading candidate to run Long Beach's Queen Mary attraction and develop its surrounding grounds has pulled out of negotiations with the city, officials said Friday.
But other developers interested in leasing the 55-acre site are scheduled to bid at an auction later this summer.The city of Long Beach owns the Art Deco-era ocean liner that has been docked across Queensway Bay from the city's downtown for nearly 40 years. It has a hotel, restaurants, exhibits and hosts a number of special events.
But since 2005, the city has been working to find a new partner after its leaseholder, Queen Seaport Development Inc., filed for Bankruptcy Court protection.
A trustee was appointed by the court to resolve Queen Seaport's outstanding debts and find new investors. As part of the plan, the property lease is scheduled to be auctioned Aug. 14, said the trustee, Los Angeles attorney Howard Ehrenberg.
One developer, O&S Holdings of Santa Monica, has agreed to pay a minimum $41 million, the amount necessary to pay off Queen Seaport's lenders and other creditors. Other bidders would have to offer at least $2.5 million more than O&S to win the auction, Ehrenberg said.Meanwhile, the city had been quietly negotiating with a group of investors, which included the Washington-based private equity firm Carlyle Group, to sell the lease for $49 million. However, this week the group, which called itself Save the Queen, sent a letter to Long Beach saying it was ending its bid because of what it characterized as the city's refusal to reach agreement on key issues, City Atty. Robert Shannon said.
Shannon said the city disagreed with the group's position and said it was unfortunate that the Save the Queen group went public with what he described as confidential talks.
Representatives of Save the Queen didn't return calls seeking comment. The deal would have allowed Save the Queen to take control of the ship and surrounding waterfront property.
Plans included a resort with hotels, a marina and various entertainment, dining and retail attractions."
"A leading candidate to run Long Beach's Queen Mary attraction and develop its surrounding grounds has pulled out of negotiations with the city, officials said Friday.
But other developers interested in leasing the 55-acre site are scheduled to bid at an auction later this summer.The city of Long Beach owns the Art Deco-era ocean liner that has been docked across Queensway Bay from the city's downtown for nearly 40 years. It has a hotel, restaurants, exhibits and hosts a number of special events.
But since 2005, the city has been working to find a new partner after its leaseholder, Queen Seaport Development Inc., filed for Bankruptcy Court protection.
A trustee was appointed by the court to resolve Queen Seaport's outstanding debts and find new investors. As part of the plan, the property lease is scheduled to be auctioned Aug. 14, said the trustee, Los Angeles attorney Howard Ehrenberg.
One developer, O&S Holdings of Santa Monica, has agreed to pay a minimum $41 million, the amount necessary to pay off Queen Seaport's lenders and other creditors. Other bidders would have to offer at least $2.5 million more than O&S to win the auction, Ehrenberg said.Meanwhile, the city had been quietly negotiating with a group of investors, which included the Washington-based private equity firm Carlyle Group, to sell the lease for $49 million. However, this week the group, which called itself Save the Queen, sent a letter to Long Beach saying it was ending its bid because of what it characterized as the city's refusal to reach agreement on key issues, City Atty. Robert Shannon said.
Shannon said the city disagreed with the group's position and said it was unfortunate that the Save the Queen group went public with what he described as confidential talks.
Representatives of Save the Queen didn't return calls seeking comment. The deal would have allowed Save the Queen to take control of the ship and surrounding waterfront property.
Plans included a resort with hotels, a marina and various entertainment, dining and retail attractions."
July 12, 2007
High seas drama and luxury (QM2 review)
This in the Manchester Evening News:
"Deanna Delamotta 10/ 7/2007
AS I threw myself across the bed of the Queen Mary 2's most luxurious suite, I thought `I could really get into this cruising lark'.
Unfortunately I was in dry dock at the time, with hundreds of other journalists, snooping around ahead of the naming ceremony of what was the world's largest and most expensive passenger ship.
Little did I know then that some three years later I'd have the chance to actually sail on the QE2's big sister. The start could have been better. After flying from Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale to embark on a nine-day `Caribbean Adventure', we were stuck in an overcrowded immigration room for two hours. Finally, when we arrived at the head of the queue, the smart aleck customs officer said. "You don't really look like this any more, Deanna, do you?" comparing the youthful blonde in the passport mugshot to the haggard woman before him. I resisted the temptation to respond sarcastically for fear of being branded an `alien' and shipped back to Blighty faster than I could say: "Visa, what visa?"
The US really must make entry to their land more welcoming if they are going to get tourism numbers back to where they were pre 9/11. To round up visitors, many of them frail and elderly, most of them on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, in an airless room and then allow their own nationals to jump the queue really isn't cricket, is it?
By the time we walked down the gang plank we were too frazzled to take in the awesome splendour of a cruise liner whose handsome heavyweight (151,400 ton) stature belies the ladylike name. We just wanted a reviving cocktail in the Commodore's Lounge but were stopped en route by a photographer, who made us pose by a lifebuoy. "You can guarantee we won't be buying that," I said to my mate, a fellow hackette. But as soon as you board the QM2, you buy into the whole experience, and that means purchasing ridiculously expensive photos at $28 a shot, at each stage of the trip.
Who would have thought, for instance, that me, a commoner who says `serviette' not `napkin', would get busy with a buffet fold? After a half-hour napkin-folding session I could create a bishop's hat, a pleated fan, a single candle and a buffet fold.
Lavish I couldn't quite manage the bird of paradise or the double candle, as I always was a bit cack-handed. How could I have got through life without such knowledge? That was the topic of conversation in the Princess Grill, second poshest restaurant on board. The most lavish restaurant is the Queen's Grill, while the masses dine in the Britannia, which has more atmosphere if not the menu choice of its more upmarket sisters. I tried to demonstrate the art to fellow diners before we got stuck in to yet another three-course meal (you are going to put on five pounds on this cruise even if you go to an exercise class every day - take it from one who knows). Unfortunately, the napkin was the wrong shape.
Still, my enthusiasm did prompt my colleagues to bubble excitedly about the scarf-tying class. Haven't you always wondered how some women manage to tie scarves with such aplomb? Chances are they've been to finishing school or on the QM2, which underlines its quintessentially English credentials - although the American spellings are a giveaway to it being US-owned. Napkin-folding and scarf- tying are but two options in a packed schedule on `at sea' days.
If napkin-folding, quick step, salsa, or karaoke are just too low-brow, there's always Richard Dreyfuss. The Jaws and Close Encounters actor was the star turn and he got to stay in that lavish grand duplex I road-tested at the launch, in return for sharing his thoughts about George Bush (hates him) and the Iraq War (hates it).
If he fancies returning to the same swanky pad as a paying punter on an 11-night Caribbean cruise later this year, he'll have to fork out £17,500. He can console himself that major discounting goes on in the cruise world due to the fierce competition in this crowded market and, according to industry insiders, most of the 2,000 passengers on our trip wouldn't have paid the full brochure price, with many paying less than £1,000 (including flights). But you won't be getting anywhere near a duplex or penthouse suite for that money.
Enthusiastic Other entertainment included a rock opera with Cunard's singers giving us an enthusiastic rendition of Eighties classics such as Rock Me Amadeus. Where's Jane McDonald when you need her?
Our island days included stops at Bonaire, Grenada and St Kitts. It was a good decision by Cunard HQ to include Bonaire in the itinerary, if only because when you get home you can impress your mates by saying `Have you heard of Bonaire? (blank faces) It's one of the ABC islands, don't you know?' Grenada is a better-known Caribbean island, which I'd visited in 2003, the year before Hurricane Ivan claimed 39 lives, decimating 90 per cent of a beautifully lush oasis where the smell of spices hangs heavy in the air. Grenada's rapid recovery was illustrated during our lunch at the Spice Island Beach Resort, where'd I'd stayed pre-hurricane. Looking around, I assumed the hotel was part of that lucky 10 per cent to be untouched by a disaster that shall remain nameless, as Grenadians are suspicious that if they utter its name it will return to wreak more havoc. In fact, the resort was completely destroyed and yet here I was four years later sipping a rum punch in exactly the same surroundings I remembered.
On St Kitts we tried a woodland walk with the island's answer to David Bellamy. But examining every tree got a bit wearing after about 10 minutes. Also, the warning of Commodore Bernard Warner (a Yorkshireman who married one of his passengers) that he wouldn't wait for us, rang in our ears. We were so anxious not to miss the boat that we returned at least an hour before departure time, curtailing what was already too brief a spell on each island to get a real flavour.
The spectacular arrival into Brooklyn harbour, which marked the end of our cruise, made up for it, though. We glided in at five in the morning and the view of a million lights glittering in the darkness took the breath away. When it comes to making an entrance, it doesn't get much better than this.
FACTFILE:From October 2007 to April 2008, Queen Mary 2 will undertake 12 11-night voyages to and from New York which will call at Tortola, St Kitts, Barbados, St Lucia and St Thomas. Fares start from £1,199 per person and include return flights. Reservations on 0845 071 0300 or see cunard.co.uk
"Deanna Delamotta 10/ 7/2007
AS I threw myself across the bed of the Queen Mary 2's most luxurious suite, I thought `I could really get into this cruising lark'.
Unfortunately I was in dry dock at the time, with hundreds of other journalists, snooping around ahead of the naming ceremony of what was the world's largest and most expensive passenger ship.
Little did I know then that some three years later I'd have the chance to actually sail on the QE2's big sister. The start could have been better. After flying from Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale to embark on a nine-day `Caribbean Adventure', we were stuck in an overcrowded immigration room for two hours. Finally, when we arrived at the head of the queue, the smart aleck customs officer said. "You don't really look like this any more, Deanna, do you?" comparing the youthful blonde in the passport mugshot to the haggard woman before him. I resisted the temptation to respond sarcastically for fear of being branded an `alien' and shipped back to Blighty faster than I could say: "Visa, what visa?"
The US really must make entry to their land more welcoming if they are going to get tourism numbers back to where they were pre 9/11. To round up visitors, many of them frail and elderly, most of them on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, in an airless room and then allow their own nationals to jump the queue really isn't cricket, is it?
By the time we walked down the gang plank we were too frazzled to take in the awesome splendour of a cruise liner whose handsome heavyweight (151,400 ton) stature belies the ladylike name. We just wanted a reviving cocktail in the Commodore's Lounge but were stopped en route by a photographer, who made us pose by a lifebuoy. "You can guarantee we won't be buying that," I said to my mate, a fellow hackette. But as soon as you board the QM2, you buy into the whole experience, and that means purchasing ridiculously expensive photos at $28 a shot, at each stage of the trip.
Who would have thought, for instance, that me, a commoner who says `serviette' not `napkin', would get busy with a buffet fold? After a half-hour napkin-folding session I could create a bishop's hat, a pleated fan, a single candle and a buffet fold.
Lavish I couldn't quite manage the bird of paradise or the double candle, as I always was a bit cack-handed. How could I have got through life without such knowledge? That was the topic of conversation in the Princess Grill, second poshest restaurant on board. The most lavish restaurant is the Queen's Grill, while the masses dine in the Britannia, which has more atmosphere if not the menu choice of its more upmarket sisters. I tried to demonstrate the art to fellow diners before we got stuck in to yet another three-course meal (you are going to put on five pounds on this cruise even if you go to an exercise class every day - take it from one who knows). Unfortunately, the napkin was the wrong shape.
Still, my enthusiasm did prompt my colleagues to bubble excitedly about the scarf-tying class. Haven't you always wondered how some women manage to tie scarves with such aplomb? Chances are they've been to finishing school or on the QM2, which underlines its quintessentially English credentials - although the American spellings are a giveaway to it being US-owned. Napkin-folding and scarf- tying are but two options in a packed schedule on `at sea' days.
If napkin-folding, quick step, salsa, or karaoke are just too low-brow, there's always Richard Dreyfuss. The Jaws and Close Encounters actor was the star turn and he got to stay in that lavish grand duplex I road-tested at the launch, in return for sharing his thoughts about George Bush (hates him) and the Iraq War (hates it).
If he fancies returning to the same swanky pad as a paying punter on an 11-night Caribbean cruise later this year, he'll have to fork out £17,500. He can console himself that major discounting goes on in the cruise world due to the fierce competition in this crowded market and, according to industry insiders, most of the 2,000 passengers on our trip wouldn't have paid the full brochure price, with many paying less than £1,000 (including flights). But you won't be getting anywhere near a duplex or penthouse suite for that money.
Enthusiastic Other entertainment included a rock opera with Cunard's singers giving us an enthusiastic rendition of Eighties classics such as Rock Me Amadeus. Where's Jane McDonald when you need her?
Our island days included stops at Bonaire, Grenada and St Kitts. It was a good decision by Cunard HQ to include Bonaire in the itinerary, if only because when you get home you can impress your mates by saying `Have you heard of Bonaire? (blank faces) It's one of the ABC islands, don't you know?' Grenada is a better-known Caribbean island, which I'd visited in 2003, the year before Hurricane Ivan claimed 39 lives, decimating 90 per cent of a beautifully lush oasis where the smell of spices hangs heavy in the air. Grenada's rapid recovery was illustrated during our lunch at the Spice Island Beach Resort, where'd I'd stayed pre-hurricane. Looking around, I assumed the hotel was part of that lucky 10 per cent to be untouched by a disaster that shall remain nameless, as Grenadians are suspicious that if they utter its name it will return to wreak more havoc. In fact, the resort was completely destroyed and yet here I was four years later sipping a rum punch in exactly the same surroundings I remembered.
On St Kitts we tried a woodland walk with the island's answer to David Bellamy. But examining every tree got a bit wearing after about 10 minutes. Also, the warning of Commodore Bernard Warner (a Yorkshireman who married one of his passengers) that he wouldn't wait for us, rang in our ears. We were so anxious not to miss the boat that we returned at least an hour before departure time, curtailing what was already too brief a spell on each island to get a real flavour.
The spectacular arrival into Brooklyn harbour, which marked the end of our cruise, made up for it, though. We glided in at five in the morning and the view of a million lights glittering in the darkness took the breath away. When it comes to making an entrance, it doesn't get much better than this.
FACTFILE:From October 2007 to April 2008, Queen Mary 2 will undertake 12 11-night voyages to and from New York which will call at Tortola, St Kitts, Barbados, St Lucia and St Thomas. Fares start from £1,199 per person and include return flights. Reservations on 0845 071 0300 or see cunard.co.uk
July 10, 2007
Pic of the Day: Queen Mary Bridge
A picture of the bridge on the original Queen Mary, now in Long Beach California. To see more pictures of the Queen Mary click on the picture or the links.
Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria World Cruises on Sale Today
This from http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=11865_0_1_0_M
Valencia, CA (July 9, 2007) - Today, Cunard announces the 2009 World Cruise itineraries for flagship Queen Mary 2 and the new Queen Victoria, where combining the legendary Cunard liner experience of tradition, elegance and grandeur with the adventure of circumnavigating the globe remains a time-honored tradition.
When Cunard set out to chart its world cruise destinations, it drew upon an 85-year tradition dating back to 1922, when it first pioneered the concept of world cruising.In 2009 both liners will undertake their second world cruise and offer a multitude of voyage options packaged with a variety of early booking incentives, additional savings bonuses and amenities for independent and group guests.
Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will explore the globe during voyages of 90 and 99 days, meeting in Ft. Lauderdale for a Cunard Royal RendezvousTM on January 13, 2009.Queen Mary 2 adds eight days and eight more ports for her 90-day Epic Expedition from Ft. Lauderdale to New York, stopping on four continents. Queen Victoria will sail a 99-day Exploration of Distant Horizons, departing from New York to Southampton with stops in 37 ports across five continents.
"Cunard ships are legendary," says Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line, "and when combined with a circumnavigation of the globe calling on some of the world's most exotic and intriguing ports, the experience becomes an unparalleled adventure. When we set out to create a world cruise itinerary, we seek to introduce our guests, many of whom are regular Cunard world cruisers, to fascinating new destinations that offer enchanted experiences.
These 2009 itineraries are no exception."Queen Victoria: Distant HorizonsHeralding her second year of service, Queen Victoria will traverse the globe in a westbound direction, transiting the Panama Canal and Suez Canal with calls in some of the world's most captivating ports, including Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Shanghai, Chica; Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands and Rabual, Papua New Guinea, as well as an overnight call in Sydney Australia. Queen Victoria will also call on the port city of Mormugao in Goa, on the west coast of India, which is known for its pristine beaches and Portuguese architecture; and the charming port city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia's second oldest city.
Maiden calls offer an added bonus of excitement and fanfare and in addition to those ports mentioned above Queen Victoria will be a cause for celebration when she visits 18 ports for the first-time,including; Apia, Western Samoa, Aqaba (for Petra), Jordan, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Cairns (Yorkey's - for the Great Barrier Reef), Australia, Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand, Nagasaki, Japan, Nha Trang, Vietnam, Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Phuket, Thailand, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Pusan, South Korea, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, Willemstad, Curaçao. The journey culminates in Southampton on April 20, 2009.
Guests who wish to return to New York may then transfer to Queen Mary 2 for one of her legendary six-day transatlantic crossings for a 105-day Full World Cruise.Early Booking Fares for Queen Victoria's 99-day Exploration of Distant Horizons world cruise start from $20,955 per person, double occupancy.
Shorter Liner voyages are available and include the 50-day Los Angeles to Singapore voyage, with Early Booking Fares starting from $11,540 per person, double occupancy and the 59 day Sydney to Southampton voyage, with Early Booking fares starting from $12,920.Queen Mary 2: Epic ExpeditionDeparting from Ft. Lauderdale, simultaneously with her sister ship Queen Victoria, on January 13, 2009, Queen Mary 2 will set sail on a 90-day Epic Expedition to 26 ports on five continents. Included is a port call to Alexandria (for Cairo/Giza) affording visits to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Maiden calls include Lima, Peru; Osaka, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; and Salalah, Oman.
The ship will journey in a westward direction, sailing around South America to Los Angeles, across the Pacific to Honolulu, Hawaii. From there, stops include Pago Pago, American Samoa; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The voyage culminates in New York on April 14, 2009.
Early Booking Fares for Queen Mary 2's 90-day Epic Expedition world cruise start from $20,745, per person, double occupancy.Liner and Segment Voyages are available and include the 66-day Ft. Lauderdale to Dubai voyage, with Early Booking Fares starting from $15,898 per person, double occupancy, and the 15-day Los Angeles to Sydney voyage, with Early Booking Fares starting from $4,415 per person, double occupancy.
Incentives For Early BookingEarly Booking Fares for the Full World Cruise represents a 25 percent savings per person off brochure rates. As an extra incentive, guests will save an additional five percent when bookings are made by January 31, 2008. Onboard credits are offered for early booking on Full World Cruises and Liner Voyages up to $2,000 per couple. Full World Cruise guests receive an invitation to the legendary President's World Cruise Dinner along with a special amenity package.
Grill guests who book early will also have the opportunity to attend exclusive shore events.For more information and to book 2009 World Cruises on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com
Valencia, CA (July 9, 2007) - Today, Cunard announces the 2009 World Cruise itineraries for flagship Queen Mary 2 and the new Queen Victoria, where combining the legendary Cunard liner experience of tradition, elegance and grandeur with the adventure of circumnavigating the globe remains a time-honored tradition.
When Cunard set out to chart its world cruise destinations, it drew upon an 85-year tradition dating back to 1922, when it first pioneered the concept of world cruising.In 2009 both liners will undertake their second world cruise and offer a multitude of voyage options packaged with a variety of early booking incentives, additional savings bonuses and amenities for independent and group guests.
Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will explore the globe during voyages of 90 and 99 days, meeting in Ft. Lauderdale for a Cunard Royal RendezvousTM on January 13, 2009.Queen Mary 2 adds eight days and eight more ports for her 90-day Epic Expedition from Ft. Lauderdale to New York, stopping on four continents. Queen Victoria will sail a 99-day Exploration of Distant Horizons, departing from New York to Southampton with stops in 37 ports across five continents.
"Cunard ships are legendary," says Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line, "and when combined with a circumnavigation of the globe calling on some of the world's most exotic and intriguing ports, the experience becomes an unparalleled adventure. When we set out to create a world cruise itinerary, we seek to introduce our guests, many of whom are regular Cunard world cruisers, to fascinating new destinations that offer enchanted experiences.
These 2009 itineraries are no exception."Queen Victoria: Distant HorizonsHeralding her second year of service, Queen Victoria will traverse the globe in a westbound direction, transiting the Panama Canal and Suez Canal with calls in some of the world's most captivating ports, including Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Shanghai, Chica; Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands and Rabual, Papua New Guinea, as well as an overnight call in Sydney Australia. Queen Victoria will also call on the port city of Mormugao in Goa, on the west coast of India, which is known for its pristine beaches and Portuguese architecture; and the charming port city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia's second oldest city.
Maiden calls offer an added bonus of excitement and fanfare and in addition to those ports mentioned above Queen Victoria will be a cause for celebration when she visits 18 ports for the first-time,including; Apia, Western Samoa, Aqaba (for Petra), Jordan, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Cairns (Yorkey's - for the Great Barrier Reef), Australia, Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand, Nagasaki, Japan, Nha Trang, Vietnam, Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Phuket, Thailand, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Pusan, South Korea, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, Willemstad, Curaçao. The journey culminates in Southampton on April 20, 2009.
Guests who wish to return to New York may then transfer to Queen Mary 2 for one of her legendary six-day transatlantic crossings for a 105-day Full World Cruise.Early Booking Fares for Queen Victoria's 99-day Exploration of Distant Horizons world cruise start from $20,955 per person, double occupancy.
Shorter Liner voyages are available and include the 50-day Los Angeles to Singapore voyage, with Early Booking Fares starting from $11,540 per person, double occupancy and the 59 day Sydney to Southampton voyage, with Early Booking fares starting from $12,920.Queen Mary 2: Epic ExpeditionDeparting from Ft. Lauderdale, simultaneously with her sister ship Queen Victoria, on January 13, 2009, Queen Mary 2 will set sail on a 90-day Epic Expedition to 26 ports on five continents. Included is a port call to Alexandria (for Cairo/Giza) affording visits to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Maiden calls include Lima, Peru; Osaka, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; and Salalah, Oman.
The ship will journey in a westward direction, sailing around South America to Los Angeles, across the Pacific to Honolulu, Hawaii. From there, stops include Pago Pago, American Samoa; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The voyage culminates in New York on April 14, 2009.
Early Booking Fares for Queen Mary 2's 90-day Epic Expedition world cruise start from $20,745, per person, double occupancy.Liner and Segment Voyages are available and include the 66-day Ft. Lauderdale to Dubai voyage, with Early Booking Fares starting from $15,898 per person, double occupancy, and the 15-day Los Angeles to Sydney voyage, with Early Booking Fares starting from $4,415 per person, double occupancy.
Incentives For Early BookingEarly Booking Fares for the Full World Cruise represents a 25 percent savings per person off brochure rates. As an extra incentive, guests will save an additional five percent when bookings are made by January 31, 2008. Onboard credits are offered for early booking on Full World Cruises and Liner Voyages up to $2,000 per couple. Full World Cruise guests receive an invitation to the legendary President's World Cruise Dinner along with a special amenity package.
Grill guests who book early will also have the opportunity to attend exclusive shore events.For more information and to book 2009 World Cruises on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com
July 1, 2007
QE2 final voyage sold in half an hour
This was on thisishampshire.net...
"The final voyage on QE2 was sold out in just 36 minutes.
In little over half an hour, passengers spent more than £3m to ensure a place on the historic trip.
Telephones at owner Cunard's Southampton headquarters were red hot as hundreds of customers clamoured to snap up one of the liner's 1,800 berths. At one point the shipping line was taking an estimated average of nearly £91,000 a minute.
Telephone lines opened at dead on 2pm to take reservations. Immediately the switchboard lit up with calls from customers wanting to be on board QE2's last voyage, leaving Southampton on Tuesday, November 11, 2008.
Since the news that QE2 had been sold for £50m to Dubai, Cunard has been inundated with inquiries from potential passengers anxious to travel on the world's most famous liner a last time.
Her sale to the Middle East sparked anger that Southampton was not given the chance to bid for the ship and keep her in the city.
Petitions have even been lodged on 10 Downing Street's Internet website, urging new Prime Minister Gordon Brown to take swift action to stop the sale.
Two couples who booked the QE2's ultra-luxurious Grand Suites have paid nearly £18,000 per person for the 16-night one-way trip to Dubai, where the ship is to be transformed into a floating hotel and resort.
Sightseers Berths in the cheapest accommodation, a standard inside cabin, were all eagerly taken up by passengers willing to pay more than £4,000 each.
The city's waterfront is expected to be packed with sightseers as QE2 pulls out of her traditional home berth in the Eastern Docks for the last time and makes her way down Southampton Water, and through the Solent before setting a course for the Channel.
En route to Dubai, QE2 will call at Lisbon, Gibraltar, Rome, Naples, Malta and Alexandria before navigating the Suez Canal. Each port of call on the voyage is expected to arrange a series of farewell events.
Cunard have also given details of a number of special voyages next year leading up to QE2's final farewell. QE2's Farewell to the British Isles will depart Southampton on September 30 for a ten-night voyage calling at Dublin, Belfast, the Clyde (the river on which the liner was built), Liverpool, Edinburgh and New-castle.
On October 10 she will leave Southampton with Cunard's flagship, Queen Mary 2, for a tandem crossing to New York. Her return passage on October 16 will be the ship's 806th and final Atlantic crossing
"The final voyage on QE2 was sold out in just 36 minutes.
In little over half an hour, passengers spent more than £3m to ensure a place on the historic trip.
Telephones at owner Cunard's Southampton headquarters were red hot as hundreds of customers clamoured to snap up one of the liner's 1,800 berths. At one point the shipping line was taking an estimated average of nearly £91,000 a minute.
Telephone lines opened at dead on 2pm to take reservations. Immediately the switchboard lit up with calls from customers wanting to be on board QE2's last voyage, leaving Southampton on Tuesday, November 11, 2008.
Since the news that QE2 had been sold for £50m to Dubai, Cunard has been inundated with inquiries from potential passengers anxious to travel on the world's most famous liner a last time.
Her sale to the Middle East sparked anger that Southampton was not given the chance to bid for the ship and keep her in the city.
Petitions have even been lodged on 10 Downing Street's Internet website, urging new Prime Minister Gordon Brown to take swift action to stop the sale.
Two couples who booked the QE2's ultra-luxurious Grand Suites have paid nearly £18,000 per person for the 16-night one-way trip to Dubai, where the ship is to be transformed into a floating hotel and resort.
Sightseers Berths in the cheapest accommodation, a standard inside cabin, were all eagerly taken up by passengers willing to pay more than £4,000 each.
The city's waterfront is expected to be packed with sightseers as QE2 pulls out of her traditional home berth in the Eastern Docks for the last time and makes her way down Southampton Water, and through the Solent before setting a course for the Channel.
En route to Dubai, QE2 will call at Lisbon, Gibraltar, Rome, Naples, Malta and Alexandria before navigating the Suez Canal. Each port of call on the voyage is expected to arrange a series of farewell events.
Cunard have also given details of a number of special voyages next year leading up to QE2's final farewell. QE2's Farewell to the British Isles will depart Southampton on September 30 for a ten-night voyage calling at Dublin, Belfast, the Clyde (the river on which the liner was built), Liverpool, Edinburgh and New-castle.
On October 10 she will leave Southampton with Cunard's flagship, Queen Mary 2, for a tandem crossing to New York. Her return passage on October 16 will be the ship's 806th and final Atlantic crossing
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