Queen Mary 2 Goes Greta Garbo on 20 November Crossing.

Cunard is always trying new things to add interest and variety to their Queen Mary 2 Crossings. 

There always are lecturers on-board as part of the Insights Program. 

Many of the speakers are famous celebrities like Sir David Frost who was on the 27 July 2012 Crossing.

They have now announced something a bit different. On the 20 November 2012 Crossing they will focus on the famous actress Greta Garbo.

The partnership is between Julien’s Auctions, who specialise in celebrity memorabilia, and Cunard. They are promising a unique experience which will allow passengers on the Crossing to:

• View and purchase rare items that belonged to Greta Garbo.
• Hear from Garbo's great nephew, Derek Reisfield talking about her life and career in Hollywood. 

Who was Greta Garbo?

Cunard describes her as follows: Hailed as Hollywood's "First Modern Woman," Garbo's timeless appeal spans the eras of both silent and talking films. Regarded for her striking beauty and style, the four-time Academy Award(r) nominee is best known for her classic roles in "Anna Karenina," "The Temptress," "The Kiss" and "Grand Hotel." 

What will the Queen Mary 2 Great Garbo display and auction be?

It will be a preview of Julien's Auction of Garbo belongings that will take place in December 2012 in Beverly Hills. It will include:

• Garbo’s iconic cashmere turtleneck and vintage umbrella, used to shield herself from paparazzi. 
• Relics from Garbo's world travels, including her vintage Louis Vuitton suitcase, travel watch and luggage tag
  

What will her great nephew Derek Reisfield talk about?

He will give his personal recollections and stories from the actress' life, gained while he was part of weekly get togethers with her. He will cover things like: career highlights, her relationships with people like President John F. Kennedy, Sir Winston Churchill and William Randolph Hearst, and even cover her involvement with USA and UK military intelligence in World War II.

Peter Shanks, President of Cunard, said of the event on the Queen Mary 2:
"We are pleased to partner with Julien's Auctions who, along with the Garbo Family, are graciously providing our guests exclusive access to some of Garbo's prized possessions. A highlight of any Cunard voyage is our Insights programme, and we are delighted to offer such a personal account of Garbo's legacy to Hollywood and to the rest of the world."

Darren Julien, President & CEO of Julien’s Auctions, said of the event: “As Garbo was one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood history, and Cunard has such a storied tradition of sailing Hollywood luminaries, it is an honour to work with both the Garbo Family and Cunard on this very special collection of notable pieces dating back to both the silent and talking film eras”. 

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Famous Passengers Can Be Real Dogs on the Queen Mary 2 Too

Much to Simon Cowell's delight, a Dog Show won his Britain's Got Talent show in 2012. Ashleigh and her dog Pudsey were a big hit on the show, with their clever and funny dance routines.

The two of them travelled on the Queen Mary 2 to and from the USA for a month long tour. While on board they also entertained the passengers in a series of shows. This video explains more, especially for non UK blog readers who had probably never heard of Ashleigh and Pudsey.

You do not have to be  a famous dog to go on the Queen Mary 2 as they have kennels at the top of the ship, and often there are canine passengers on a Crossing. Worth heading up there if you are on a Crossing if you are a dog fan. You may bump into a famous dog owner.

Dogs usually need to stay up on the kennel area, being exercised up there. Though I believe that Pudsey may have made it to the stateroom...

Read more about taking a dog on the Queen Mary 2:

• Informative blog posting by Pepper In Paris: Taking a Dog on Queen Mary 2. 
• To find out more about the policy and what is available read QM2 Pet Policy on Travelling with Pets
• FAQs and many photos about taking dog on QM2 on The Road Unleashed Blog
• We Are Cunard Blog Post About Kennels on QM2
• Costs of taking dogs on QM2 on MoiraCruises Blog

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Sir David Frost, Broadcasting Legend, and London Symphony Orchestra on board Queen Mary 2

The famous broadcaster, Sir David Frost, will be on-board the QM2 Crossing that departs from Southampton today (27 July).


The lucky guests on that Crossing will hear sessions from him that will include:

• Lecture full of memories and anecdotes called ‘Interviews I Shall Never Forget”. Frost is the only person to have interviewed the last seven Presidents of the United States and the last seven Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom as well as Nelson Mandela so guests onboard are in for a real treat.
• There will also be a Q&A with the onboard entertainment director Keith Maynard and he will also introduce the film ‘Frost/Nixon’. 

Travellers aboard the 14 October Transatlantic crossing (New York to Southampton) will have concerts from some of the London’s National Symphony Orchestra team. These include:

• A tribute to American music, 
• Traditional “Last Night of the Proms” style.  Which will include a full all-passenger chorus.

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Cunard's First Wedding on board

EblackboardAsia reported online about the first Cunard wedding at sea since Cunard changed registration of the ships out of the UK which makes this possible;

They write: "Cunard ships have long been a backdrop to love stories across the globe and now, with the first marriage taking place on a crossing to New York, they have become wedding venues where couples can say "I do" at sea onboard the most famous ocean liners in the world.

On Sunday April 29, Denise Holding and Barry Maloney became the first Cunard couple to marry at sea during a mid-Atlantic ceremony aboard Queen Mary 2."

Read more at http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article/83916/cunards-first-wedding-couple-say 

Cunard News 10 May: Former USA President George Bush on QM2 Crossing

This past week there has been a lot of coverage about President Bush and his wife travelling on the Queen Mary 2 on a transatlantic crossing.


One of the most covered was President Bush saying “I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks!’’ with his wife saying: “You’ve been talking about nothing else for months.’’ 


Here is how some of the online news sites covered the topic:

Former President George Bush in Southampton for QM2 cruise Daily Echo The 41st President of the United States, George HW Bush, former First Lady Barbara Bush and other members of their family joined Cunard's flagship QM2 in Southampton for the seven-day Atlantic crossing to New York. It had always been President Bush's ...

President George HW Bush & Former First Lady Barbara Bush Sail First... Financial Post The 41 st President of the United States, George HW Bush, and former First Lady Barbara Bush, joined by their daughter, Dorothy, and granddaughter, Georgia, sailed their first Transatlantic Crossing aboard Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2this week.

George HW Bush sails the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2USA TODAY By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY Cunard's Queen Mary 2 has had a major VIP on board the past few days: George HW Bush. The former President and former First Lady Barbara Bush arrived in New York this morning after a seven-day crossing from Southampton.

Queen Mary 2 and Transatlantic Crossing Infographic - data and trivia you did not know you wanted to know

Infograhics seem to be all the rage these days, visual ways of displaying data and information.


Cunard have issued one that is about doing a Transatlantic Crossing on the Quewen Mary 2 - and includes not only data but also some interesting trivia and facts you never knew you needed to know - like the most popular drink is a Gin and Tonic....

Cunard Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing Infograhic

QE2 QUEEN ELIZABETH REVIEW, PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

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I was looking though some old reviews and postings that I had not yet put on this blog, and came across this one from an amazing crossing on the now retired QE2...


This was our first time on the QE2. We had booked the winter transatlantic crossing as we wanted to both experience the QE2, and also a crossing on this ship. Now that the QM2 is doing the regular crossings now, our only chance was this one which is the first leg of the 2005 World Cruise.


We were in Queen's Grill in 8006, which is a Q2 Penthouse Suite. The crossing (as was winter)was rough at the beginning, which meant the ship was quiet for the first few days as many people stayed in their cabins feeling ill!


As many people have done reviews on this historic ship, I thought I woudl post some of our thoughts and observations:


GOOD:


· The experience of being on the QE2 and being part of the history. Being on a winter trans-atlantic crossing was a great adventure to have done. Highly recommended!


· It was a fabulous experience. Even with the rough weather at the start (which I am sure the QE2 weathered better than any other ship could have). I am so pleased to have done it. It is definitely an experience versus just another trip.


· The "Queens Grill" experience, especially as we did in Q2, is very special. The restaurant is beautiful, the food amazing, the service outstanding. The pampering by the 3 butlers good. Having the Queens Grill Lounge to retreat to is quiet and handy, especially at tea time.


· Our cabin (8006 on the penthouse signal deck level with balcony) was tastefully decorated, and very cosy at night. It is a good size at 350 square feet. It was (however) noisy as it creaked a lot in the rough weather, and the air conditioning was noisy. The people next door did not get much sleep for those 2 reasons. They were added as prefab units and that is possibly why.


· The ship on the outside is glorious. It looks stylish from a distance in spite of the age (35 years). On the decks it looks great with the teak decks, levels at the back. I really enjoyed being out on deck watching the QE2 ploughing through the sea. It was always quiet out on deck and so you had it pretty much to yourself!


· There are some beautiful internal rooms that are classics and hold their own in spite of their age, like the Queens Lounge, Queens Grill Restaurant, bookshop and library, Yacht club bar and the Midships lounge.


· The staff on the QE2 make a real effort to treat you well, get to know what you like and you do feel like individuals even though there are around 1200 of you on board. We both felt we had got to know the people we came in contact with a lot (the room butlers, restaurant staff), and that they had taken care to understand what we liked.


· The gym facilities are good and the equipment modern. It is a good size and was never too busy (although the rough weather may have helped that!)


LESS GOOD


· Most of the ship inside looks dated, and does not have as much style and glamour of a "by-gone age" that the brochures and the image conjures up. It comes as something as a surprise at just how old fashioned an impression you get on entering the ship and seeing the decks like one and two deck which look like an old hotel, and then the stairwells with their red carpets and paintings of the royals etc. We had watched videos and read books and so it was less of a surprise, if we had not I think we would have been almost thrown by it. After a while you appreciate its look and style more, but it must be a shock for people (like the ones sitting at the table next to us) who had not researched the ship before coming.


· The ship is clearly in (sadly) in the twilight years. There were often signs of her aging, such as towels around leaking windows to the deck, chairs with signs of threadbare arms, sun faded portraits, outdated and pretty rowdy air conditioning and unpredictable plumbing (hot water from the cold and toilet problems on the entire penthouse for a full day). You tend to take them for granted and as part of what the QE2 is, but it does flag up the fact that the QE2 is nearing the end of her time. A fact even the crew acknowledge.


· It was much more "Butlin's Holiday Camp" than we had expected. We had expected based on the advertising and the image that one has of Cunard and the QE2 a different kind of passenger to other cruise ships. The program of events and related entertainment was much more bingo, karaoke, pub quiz kind of stuff than we had expected. We had fun doing them (of course!) but had expected more variety based on the wide cross section of people the QE2 attracts. The people at the table next to us complained there was nothing for them to do, as they did not like the bingo, etc stuff.


· It was older passenger wise, and the entertainment was (therefore) biased that way. The music quiz for example full of questions about 1950s singers and nothing from after the 70s!! I think though that this may be more driven by the cruise entertainment team than what the passengers would be happy with!


· Some of the facilities and rooms are very badly in need of some change. The shops were not so good. Very dated in design and not very inspiring merchandise. I had expected an amazing Cunard branded shop, but there was not a lot to excite and we struggled to buy mementos for friends at home. The spa was very shabby.


The ship is working out its last years. And I think you can feel it.


The regulations coming into force mean the QE2 cannot sail much past 2007 without a massive change to the inside. The inside - in addition to the regulations about wood etc - would really need such a massive job to make it relevant both in features and design for the new generation of cruise and crossing passengers. Something Cunard with the QM2 and the Victoria coming in 2007 are unlikely to do.


But in spite of the comments, I want to stress that we had a glorious and fabulous time. The QE2 is fantastic. Going on the QE2 on a winter transatlantic was amazing. You feel you are taking part in a real travel experience. It was such an amazing and pampered 6 days.


Would we go on the QE2 again? Yes! Although we are likely to go on the QM2 first to try that out and compare that first! But we will be back on the QE2 before her final days!!!


See all my photos from the crossing on Flickr: click here


PHOTOS OF THE SUITE WE STAYED IN

Queens Grill Suite 8006 on QE2

Queens Grill Suite 8006 on QE2

VIDEOS SHOWING HOW ROUGH THE SEA WAS ON THE CROSSING:




WATCH A SLIDESHOW OF ALL MY PHOTOS OF THE CROSSING

Qe2 Transatlantic 2004 Slideshow: Gary’s trip to Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom was created by TripAdvisor. See another Southampton slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

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VIDEO SLIDESHOW: Queen Mary 2 QM2 Transatlantic Crossing

Cunard Queen Mary Qm2 Transatlantic Crossing Slideshow: Garybembridge’s trip to New York City, New York, United States was created by TripAdvisor. See another New York City slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

More Than One Way to Cross the Atlantic: QM2 stops in the Atlantic to greet some rowers!!!

An amazing video of the Queen Mary 2 stopped in the Atlantic to meet and greet 4 rowers trying to beat the crossing the Atlantic rowing (which they finally did by cutting something like 12 days of the previous record).

23 foot rowing boat Artemis Investments meets Queen Mary 2. Four young men attempt to break a record that has stood for 114 years. Don Lennox, Livar Nysted, Ray Carroll and Levin Brown row accross the Atlantic to raise funds for charities.





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Cunard: Longer, seven-day trans-Atlantic crossings are here to stay

Queen Mary 2 & Grand Voyager
Originally uploaded by Tyssoy
USAToday reports that: "One of the oldest traditions in the cruise business, a trans-Atlantic crossing between New York and Southampton on a Cunard Line ship, is getting longer"

Cunard have announced that most of the 21 trans-Atlantic voyages planned for 2011 on the Queen Mary 2 will be seven days long. They have usually only been 6 days.

They go on to sya: "Cunard already plans to operate several longer, seven-night trans-Atlantic voyages this coming summer, and they've been selling well, prompting the permanent change."

"People are really responding to the idea of having more time on a trans-Atlantic voyage," Cunard spokeswoman Jackie Chase told USA TODAY.

"The longer crossings will become the norm," she says.

PODCAST: Transatlantic crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton

I have posted the 45th in my Tips For Travellers (Global Travel Destination Podcast), this one is about a Transatlantic Crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton.


To listen to the podcast you can either "right click" this link and save the MP3 file to your computer and then listen to it, or if you use iTunes you could subscribe to the podcast series (which is free) by clicking here

Acclaimed writers announced to take part in second year of literaryenrichment programme aboard Queen Mary 2 in 2010

Queen Mary 2 QM2 Deck Transatlantic Crossing, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

This press release has been issued by Cunard:

Acclaimed writers announced to take part in second year of literary enrichment programme aboard Queen Mary 2 in 2010

26 February 2010 - Cunard Line announces the return of their popular Literature and Liners series as part of Cunard Insights, the line's award-winning onboard enrichment programme. Introduced in 2009, Literature and Liners provides guests sailing on select Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings the opportunity to interact with some of the literary world's most intriguing figures. Best-selling authors scheduled to sail as part of this year's programme are Kate Atkinson, John Berendt, Bill Bryson and Joanne Harris. Guests can look forward to engaging Q&A discussions, lectures, book signings and readings with select titles to be featured in the Cunard Book Club.

Kate Atkinson: Novelist Atkinson, known for her award-winning Case Histories and Behind the Scenes at the Museum, is scheduled to sail on the 15 April eastbound Crossing. Atkinson, who was born in York, England, recently released When Will There Be Good News? - a follow-up to the "Jackson Brodie" character from Case Histories.

John Berendt: Berendt is an American-born author known for writing the best-selling non-fiction book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 1995. Prior to writing the overnight success story, Berendt wrote for Esquire and New York magazines. He is also the author of The City of Falling Angels. Berendt will be sailing on the 7 June eastbound Crossing.

Bill Bryson: Best-selling American author Bryson is scheduled for the 1 October westbound Crossing. He is well known for his humorous books on travel, including A Walk in the Woods and The Lost Continent. Bryson also has penned a number of other bestsellers on the subject, as well as those on the English language and scientific subjects. In addition to being an author, Bryson also spent many years writing for The Times and The Independent while living in England.

Joanne Harris: The British writer is best known for her acclaimed novel, Chocolat, which was made into an Oscar®:-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is also the author of The Evil Seed, Sleep, Pale Sister and seven other novels, most recently The Lollipop Shoes and Runemarks. Harris' other works include Jigs & Reels, a collection of short stories, and two cookbooks with food writer Fran Warde - The French Kitchen and The French Market. Her books are now published in more than 40 countries and have won a number of British and international awards. She will be joining the 1 October westbound Crossing, as well as the 12 October eastbound Crossing.

"As operator of the most famous ocean liners in the world, Cunard is known for bringing distinguished luminaries onboard to provide our guests with unique experiences as they sail our legendary voyages," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. "We set the bar high with the caliber of talent we present and are confident that this year's programme will appeal to our guests' literary interests and sensibilities."

Cunard Welcomes Filmmakers Dori Berinstein and Judd Ehrlich on 29 April Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing: Film industry documentarians to be featured Cunard Insights speakers

This press release was issued by Cunard:

In association with Cunard's partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival, which included the sponsorship of the 2009 World Documentary Feature competition and recognition as the 2009 Official Cruise Line of the Tribeca Film Festival, the iconic ocean liner company welcomes acclaimed documentary filmmakers Dori Berinstein and Judd Ehrlich on the 29 April Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton aboard Queen Mary 2. With this upcoming sailing, Berinstein and Ehrlich join a distinguished list of luminaries and tastemakers that have sailed this legendary voyage with Cunard, operator of The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World.

April marks the start of Cunard's Transatlantic Crossing season, and the 29 April voyage is one of more than 21 six-, seven-, eight- or nine-day Crossings between New York and Southampton, Cherbourg or Hamburg offered by Cunard until mid-November this year.

During the Crossing, Berinstein and Ehrlich will participate in Cunard Insights, the line's award-winning onboard enrichment programme, and will each screen one of their films. Berinstein will discuss "Gotta Dance," a documentary focusing on a unique dance team made up entirely of senior citizens. Ehrlich will screen "Run for Your Life," a feature-length documentary about the enigmatic running guru and founder of the NYC Marathon, Fred Lebow. In addition, they will engage in a panel conversation with the ship's entertainment director where they will share stories about their multi-faceted careers and the many roles they play in the entertainment industry - from director to producer to writer. All programmes will be held in Queen Mary 2's spectacular 450-seat, stadium-style theatre, Illuminations, which is also the only planetarium at sea.

"Cunard's partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival represents our commitment to celebrating the art of filmmaking," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. "We welcome these distinguished documentarians aboard Queen Mary 2 and are confident that the real-life stories they capture through their work, and in turn share through the Insights programme, will thoroughly entertain and engage our guests."

Dori Berinstein is an award-winning director, producer and writer of film, theater and television. Her first feature film, "Show Business: The Road to Broadway," about Broadway behind-the-curtain, was named one of the top five documentaries of 2006 by the International Documentary Association. Berinstein's second feature, "Some Assembly Required," about kids nationwide competing in a toy invention competition, will be released in 2010. Her most recent film, "Gotta Dance," was released theatrically during the summer of 2009; a Broadway adaptation is underway. Berinstein is a three-time Tony-winning Broadway producer ("Thoroughly Modern Millie," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Fool Moon"). Her 11th Broadway show, "Legally Blonde: The Musical," currently is playing in London and on tour across the United States. Berinstein has served as an executive and/or consultant at DreamWorks, Walt Disney Imagineering, Paramount and Sony Pictures.

Judd Ehrlich, a native of New York City, most recently directed and produced "Run for Your Life." The film, which features interviews with notables from Olympian Frank Shorter to Mayor Ed Koch, premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, was acquired by Screen Media Films/Universal Studios and was released theatrically. Ehrlich's directorial debut, "Mayor of the West Side," the coming-of-age story of a teenager with multiple disabilities, was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Documentary and is airing on PBS nationwide through 2010. Ehrlich collaborated on the editing of Ric Burns' epic PBS series and Emmy Award-winner, "New York," and worked for acclaimed PBS independent documentary series "POV" and edited for CBS News. Ehrlich has also created and curated multiple film series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Museum and the JCC in Manhattan. He currently is completing a documentary, following young magicians at the country's premier magic camp.

"It has been wonderful to again share our commitment to providing quality entertainment and engaging thoughtful experiences for audiences with Cunard," said Nancy Schafer, executive director of the Tribeca Film Festival. "Both Dori and Judd's crowd pleasing films played to sold out audiences at the Tribeca Film Festival and I know that Cunard guests will enjoy the experience of not only screening their films but having the rare opportunity to connect with the filmmakers directly."

Delving deeply into a variety of compelling and relevant topics, Cunard Insights introduces guests to stimulating experts and accomplished visionaries who reflect the line's heritage of adventure and prestige. Through a series of lectures, Q&A's, social gatherings and workshops, guests connect with authors and intellectuals who have achieved notable distinction in areas including history, world affairs, science, politics, arts and literature. The Insights programme underscores Cunard's longstanding view that onboard entertainment should afford guests a provocative and rewarding cerebral experience.

Widely considered the definitive ocean travel experience, a Cunard Transatlantic Crossing offers guests myriad opportunities for intellectual interaction, leisurely pursuits, health and wellness activities and gourmet dining. Unique Cunard amenities found aboard Queen Mary 2 include the famed Princess and Queens Grill accommodation, the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea and the first Todd English restaurant at sea.

It;s a dog life on the Queen Mary 2. If you are a dog and travelling in their exclusive kennels!!

The Queen Mary 2 is the only ship where you can take your dog with you on a crossing or cruise.

They have kennels and a full time kennel master.

The wearecunard.com blog has written about it, as has a lady who runs a blog about dogs and her own pet called Pepper. the blog is called "Pepper in Paris"

On that she has a posting about the trip and what you need to do.
She also has a video of the trip with pictures which she describs as " A dog on the Queen Mary 2! Pepper, a Miniature Schnauzer from New York City travels to Paris, via South Hampton and Hamburg, on Cunard's ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2. Follow all of this adventures... click here to watch on YouTube or on the blog posting.




To read her blog post:
http://betterwords.typepad.com/pepperinparis/taking-a-dog-on-the-queen-mary-2.html

A CAMERA LOST IN THE ATLANTIC OFF QM2 IS REUNITED WITH CRUISE COUPLE

Cunard Queen Mary 2 QM2 decks, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Now here is a story and a half, in most newspaers and online today.

A camera dropped overboard from the Cunard Queen Mary 2 in the Atlantic has been returned – after the trawler skipper who found it managed to trace its owners!! How spooky is that..

The camera belonged to a couple called Barbara and Dennis Gregory, and was dredged from the bottom of the ocean by a Spanish fishing net. They had dropped it in October 2008 while on a trip from New York to Southampton.

The camera fell as they jumped up to take photographs of dolphins. “It literally bounced off his lap, across the deck and into the water with hardly a splash and it was gone,” said Mrs Gregory.

“We’d bought it from Macy’s in New York for $300 because Dennis had broken the previous camera. We were devastated. We’d lost every photograph from New York. It had all our holiday snaps on it. To think the Spanish fisherman has gone to such efforts on this – it’s very touching."

And a little bit spooky too!

QUEEN MARY 2 TRANSATLANTIC CROSSING BLOG

Tuesday 14 April 2009 : Joining the Queen Mary 2 in New York for our Crossing to the UK

We had been staying in the Ritz Carlton at Battery Park in New York for the weekend before joining the Queen Mary 2 for the 6 night Transatlantic Crossing Eastwards from New York to Southampton. It was, therefore, very exciting when we went to the lounge for breakfast to see the ship docked across the river in Brooklyn. I took a snap from the lounge and being a bit of a geek, posted it onto Facebook, My Cunard blog (http://allaboutcunard.blogspot.com/ ) and on my Flickr account.

It was not a very good photo as the weather in New York is cloudy and visibility is not great. But still it had a sense of “event” to it, and doing a crossing on Cunard is all about the event.

Cunard Queen Mary 2 QM2 docked in Brooklyn (taken from Ritz Carlton Battery Park), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Read the full post and story now on my Tips For Travellers blog> click here now

Queen Victoria crossing the Atlantic. Looks like it submerged...

This was taken by someone from the QE2 of the Queen Victoria crossing the Atlantic in January 2007... looks like a rough ride..................

QM2 gay crossing not a success? Hits organizers profits..

Here is an extract from an article from ebar.com tallks about how PlanetOut (the holding company of the group that chartered the QM2 for an all gay crossing on the QM2 this year) is not doing well in part to having to discount cabins, penalty charges ($700000 is the hit it is taking so far) as bookings are not that good. For me, not a surprise - it seemed a strange idea

"It warned shareholders that while revenue is expected to increase this year, operating losses will continue to accrue due to additional expenses for the development and expansion of its Web site properties; increased market research and marketing campaigns; and the discounting of cabin prices combined with occupancy-related penalty charges on its transatlantic cruise aboard the Queen Mary 2, set to sail from New York to London on May 29.

The cruise portion of its business continues to be a drain on the company's bottom line. It has already taken a $700,000 hit on the QM2 cruise in costs that executives have determined will exceed the anticipated revenue of the event.

It recorded more losses as a result of greater than expected cabin price discounting of a Caribbean cruise this winter, due primarily to the late initiation of marketing activity for the event, executives said.

"RSVP is responsible for the most significant variance of our profit," said Magee. "Our marketing efforts have been too little too late and we underestimated the challenge of booking a transatlantic ship."

The company has invested $7.2 million as down payments for its upcoming cruises, with deposits from customers at $6.6 million. It has brought on Rob Pritchard to be director of operations of RSVP Vacations. But Magee said if the cruise business does not show signs of improving by the fall the company would halt its 2008 cruises.

While Magee acknowledged that "we bit off too much too soon" in regards to the cruise business, she remained bullish on the purchase increasing PlanetOut's revenue stream.
"This should not be a hard business to manage well," she said. "I am confident RSVP can be a solid profit and cash generator for PlanetOut."