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News
ABOVE: The Queen Elizabeth's Maiden Voyage will depart from Southampton, England on October 12 of next year. Cunard Line unveils Queen ElizabethBookings open on April 2March, 2009 -- Cunard Line has revealed itinerary and design plans for its
newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, which is scheduled to enter service
on 12 October 2010, giving one of the oldest names in shipping the youngest
fleet in the industry. Queen Elizabeth will be the third new ocean liner
to be introduced by Cunard in six years and the second-largest Cunard ship ever
built. A nod to Cunard's history and heritage Queen Elizabeth is named after Cunard's first Queen Elizabeth, the
famed Cunard ship which was launched in 1938 as the world's largest liner. The
new ship will reference her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style,
but with a modern twist. From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at the experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship's adherence to liner decor, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, intricately detailed interiors replete with rich wood panelling, mosaics, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel. In
addition to the extensive Cunard entertainment programmes onboard, Queen
Elizabeth will offer some unique strands inspired by the era of the first Queen
Elizabeth, including country house parties, lively piano evenings and a variety
of dancing from that time -- including the jitterbug and jive -- all within the
setting of this 21st Century ship. As a successor to Queen Elizabeth 2, the ship will also reflect this great
liner via artwork and memorabilia and will have its very own "Yacht Club," named
after the lively aft lounge on QE2. Offering guests 270-degree views and the
perfect setting for activities and gatherings during the day, it will also
double as a dramatic evening venue for cocktails and dancing. Similarly, through photography, memorabilia and exhibits, the ship will
recognize the historic links Cunard has enjoyed with royalty over the years. The ship's distinctive public spaces include: Queens Room - a new take on the traditional Cunard ballroom, with artwork
depicting views from royal palaces, and photography of Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II and the Royal family, along with its 1000 square foot dance floor
for Grand Balls and Tea Dances at sea. Garden Lounge - with its magnificent vaulted glass ceiling creating a
conservatory feel inspired by the glass houses of Kew Gardens, beneath where
guests will enjoy Supper Clubs, and mix dining with dancing under the stars. Games Deck - Named after the same deck on the original Queen Elizabeth, the
Games Deck will offer paddle tennis, croquet and traditional British bowls.
(Interestingly, the ship's home port of Southampton is home to the oldest
surviving bowls green in the world, first used in 1299.) Midships Bar - will pay homage to her namesake liner, the first Queen
Elizabeth, with memorabilia displayed from that era. The ship's dining venues include: Queens Grill and Princess Grill - The ship will also feature the line's
celebrated five-star Grills accommodation and dining, with its al fresco dining
option on a private deck terrace -- introduced on Queen Victoria --
beautiful restaurants, Grills Lounge and sunbathing deck. The popular Britannia Club, having debuted aboard Queen Mary 2,
features a private dining room with single seating dining for those guests in
the top Balcony staterooms. Britannia Restaurant - Art Deco decorative flourishes create a dramatic
backdrop for this two-tiered dining room featuring a sweeping staircase ideal
for making a grand entrance. Queen Elizabeth's maiden-voyage season Queen Elizabeth's maiden 2010 season will consist of six voyages, calling on 32
distinct ports in 18 countries. Her Maiden Voyage will depart from Cunard's
homeport of Southampton on 12 October 2010, en route to the Atlantic Isles. The
13-night voyage will call at Vigo (for Santiago de Compostela), Lisbon, Seville
(Cadiz), Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), Tenerife (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), La Palma
(Santa Cruz de La Palma) and Madeira (Funchal). Fares start from $2,995 per
person. The ship will then embark on five celebratory inaugural voyages: Mediterranean Premiere – A 14-day voyage departing Southampton on 25 October
2010 with maiden calls to Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome
(Civitavecchia), Naples (for Capri and Pompeii), Cartagena and Gibraltar. Fares
start from $2,795 per person. Aegean Introduction – An 18-day voyage departing Southampton on 8 November
2010 calling on Malaga (for Granada), Malta (Valletta), Venice, Dubrovnik,
Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Athens (Piraeus) and Alicante. Fares from $3,295 per
person. Gallic Debut – A five-day voyage departing Southampton on 26 November 2010
with maiden calls to Rotterdam (for Amsterdam), Brussels/Bruges (for Zeebrugge)
and Cherbourg. Fares start from $1,195 per person. Iberian Discovery – A 13-day voyage departing Southampton on 1 December 2010
with calls to Vigo (for Santiago de Compostela), Lisbon, Seville (Cadiz), Gran
Canaria (Las Palmas), Tenerife (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), La Palma (Santa Cruz de
La Palma) and Madeira. Fares start from $2,395 per person. Festive Debut – A 22-day holiday voyage departing Southampton on 14 December
2010 with calls in the Caribbean, including Madeira (Funchal), Tortola,
Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and Azores Islands (Ponta Delgada). Fares
start from $4,795 per person. Reservations for Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyages and inaugural season will
be open for booking on April 2. For more information and to book a voyage,
consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to
www.cunard.com. Map and rendering copyright © Cunard Line. |
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