Queen Mary 2 Improvements

Following Queen Mary 2’s recently completed refurbishment there is now increased connectivity throughout the ship. In these days of instant communication guests can now access their emails or websites while on the ship as easily as they could if sitting at home. This makes a voyage on Queen Mary 2, and especially a transatlantic crossing, a real opportunity for those who want to get away from it all and still be able to get in touch whenever they want to for personal or business reasons.

Guests have the convenience of being able to use laptops in the privacy of their staterooms with the addition of in-room wireless connectivity. Also, mobile phone and handheld service while the ship is at sea are now available. The upgrade enhances the ship’s already existing high technology services, which include WiFi accessibility in public rooms throughout the ship. Sister ship Queen Victoria already offers these services.

Queen Mary 2’s dry dock has allowed Cunard to ensure the ship is looking pristine for her fifth anniversary year with a newly refurbished nautically themed Chart Room, featuring a new
colour scheme and layout, carpet, curtains and furniture; the installation of a canopy over an area on deck 8 aft providing a wonderful al fresco dining option for our Todd English Restaurant guests; the replacement of some stateroom corridor carpets, French polishing and upholstery work in the Britannia restaurant, Royal Court Theatre and Canyon Ranch SpaClub

“Whether enjoying sea days on our legendary Transatlantic Crossings or World Cruises, or visiting ports around the world, our guests will appreciate the ability to be able to stay in touch with home or work,” said Carol Marlow , President of Cunard Line

To use mobile phones at sea, guests must have a device capable of roaming internationally and their service provider must have a roaming agreement with Maritime Communications Partner AS, as does AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and Sprint.

Cunard encourages guests to contact their provider in advance of departure to verify their plan for pricing and international roaming capabilities. All mobile charges will be billed by the service provider. Charges generated by guests using their laptop computers who register on board for wireless access packages will be added to their onboard accounts. Standard shipboard Internet charges apply.

As in most restaurants and theatres on land, mobile phone service will not be accessible in the Royal Court Theatre, Illuminations, and the Queens Room or in the ship’s dining rooms

Queen Mary 2 left Southampton on 15 November and will arrive in New York on 21 November. She will then commence her Caribbean season, followed in January by her second World Cruise. Cunard’s flagship will celebrate her fifth year in service that month, having been named by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004.

Official Press Release Cunard Cruise Lines dated 18th November 2008.

QE2 Final Southampton Departure

Cunard Line has unveiled plans to mark QE2’s final departure from her home port of Southampton on Tuesday 11 November 2008. After 39 years of service, which have seen QE2 sail 5.9 million nautical miles, complete 806 transatlantic crossings, carry over 2.5 million guests, undertake 25 World Cruises and answer her country’s call during the Falklands Campaign, QE2 will leave Cunard service following this final voyage from Southampton to Dubai where she will become a first class hotel and entertainment centre.

The highlight of 11 November will be a farewell visit by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, who will be making his seventh visit to the most famous ship in the world. During the visit, His Royal Highness will observe the two-minutes’ silence at 1100 hours prior to meeting crew members who went down to the Falklands on the ship. His Royal Highness will then undertake a tour of the vessel, including visits to the Wardroom, Bridge, Engine Control Room and Hospital before attending a Reception in the Queens Room. There he will present a painting of QE2, which was unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen during her farewell visit to the ship on 2 June 2008, to the Mayor of Southampton, who will accept it on behalf of the city. At the Reception he will meet long-serving staff, as well as the former Captains of HMS Ardent, Antelope and Coventry whose ships were lost in the Falklands Campaign and who returned to the UK on QE2. After lunch His Royal Highness will watch a flypast by a Harrier jet from the aft decks of QE2.

People from all over the country are expected to travel to Southampton to say goodbye to QE2.

She will arrive alongside her berth at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal at just after 0630 hours where she will remain until her departure at 1915 hours.

At 1100 hours a million poppies will be dropped over the ship from a Tiger Moth to commemorate Remembrance Day, mark QE2’s role in the Falklands, and note the fact that her final departure is on 11 November.

This will be followed at 1340 hours by a flypast of a Harrier which will hover and bow to QE2 approximately 500-feet off her stern.

QE2 is planned to leave her berth at 1915 hours and proceed astern to be off Mayflower Park where she will remain for a period. A pre-recorded message from her Master, Captain Ian McNaught, will be broadcast on a specially-erected screen in the Park. Immediately after this there will be a brief, spectacular firework display. QE2 will then proceed downriver with her whistle blasting and she is expected to be accompanied by a large flotilla. She will pass the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal just before 2000 hours for the final time and then make her way down Southampton Water en route to Dubai.

As QE2 leaves the Cunard fleet, the company’s flagship Queen Mary 2 – the largest and grandest ocean liner in the world – spearheads the revival of the Golden Age of Ocean Travel by continuing to offer the regular transatlantic service that the company started in 1840. While Queen Victoria, which entered service in December 2007, is a vessel that has redefined ‘style’ on the high seas, and offers Cunard’s historic European routes. In addition, along with Queen Mary 2, she continues the tradition of World Cruises started by Cunard in1922. And the company will not have to wait long for a new ‘Elizabeth’ for Queen Elizabeth will enter service in autumn 2010. Then Cunard will offer the youngest – and most famous – fleet afloat.

Official Press Release Cunard Cruise Line dated 5th November 2008.

QE2 Farewell Lunch

Two hundred invited guests – including the BBC’s Royal Correspondent, Nicholas Witchell – raised £20,000 for youth charity The Prince’s Trust at a lunch on board QE2 in Southampton on Monday. And for many it was their last chance to say farewell to QE2 before she sails off to a new life in Dubai next month.

The visit started at 11:00 in the QEII terminal with a tour of the vessel, followed by a drinks reception in the Queens Room (ballroom on board) and lunch in the Queens Grill Restaurant.

The event brought together a number of familiar faces to Cunard and QE2. Amongst the guests were, Nicholas Witchell, BBC’s Royal Correspondent, Paul Brown from the Prince’s Trust and Tor Stimpson, one of the many young persons whose life has been transformed by this charity.

Before coming to The Prince’s Trust for support, Tor had very few prospects for the future, spending most of her time hanging around Southampton and living in a hostel.

Taking part in The Trust’s Get Into Maritime programme transformed her life, giving her the confidence and qualifications to find work on boats as well as helping other young people.

“I have confidence in myself and my future looks bright for the first time , thanks to the support I received from The Prince’s Trust,” said Tor. “Cunard’s fantastic fundraising efforts will help even more young people change their lives for the better.”

Also attending were past QE2 guests and crew, all had the opportunity to relive many happy times spent on board and say goodbye to QE2 before she departs to Dubai on 11 November.

QE2’s Captain Ian McNaught and Carol Marlow, President and Managing Director of Cunard hosted the reception and lunch that raised £20,000 for the Prince’s Trust, which will help change 15 young lives in the UK.

“ I am absolutely thrilled that Cunard is helping huge numbers of young people to believe in themselves and get into employment or training,” said Paul Brown, The Prince’s Trust. “This money will help young people on our Team programme, building the confidence and qualifications for the rest of their lives.”

Official Press Release Cunard Cruise Lines dated 4th November 2008.

Final New York Call

QE2’s final call to New York yesterday was her last ever visit to North America. It was a historic day. She arrived early accompanied by our flagship Queen Mary 2 and the media was out in force. The sun shone on QE2 as we boarded a host of Cunard friends for a celebratory lunch, including the British Ambassador to the US, Her Majesty’s Consul General to New York, our valued travel agents, maritime historians, past Cunard staff, media and dignitaries from the Port of New York and the Coast Guards. Speeches brought a tear to the eye, as Captain McNaught Commodore Warner and Carol Marlow told of QE2’s life with us and the baton passing on to Queen Mary 2.. Our British Ambassador also paid tribute to QE2, the most famous ship in the world. Later in the afternoon crowds gathered in Battery Park to bid the ships farewell. At 5pm Queen Mary 2 left her berth at Brooklyn and made her way across the harbour, turned on a sixpence and waited for the star of the show to arrive. QE2 made her entrance at 6pm led by a spraying New York fireboat. The two Queens sounded their whistles to each other and to the substantial crowds, and as a Pipers band played Auld Lang Syne QE2 passed her young sister, and then led her out of the harbour, each Queen saluting Lady Liberty as they sailed by. The crowds watched as they glided off into the distance under the Verazzano Bridge.

Official Press Release Cunard Cruises dated 17th October 2008.

QM2’s 100th Transatlantic Crossing

The Cunard Line flagship, Queen Mary 2, will sail on her 100th Transatlantic Crossing from her home port of Southampton on Sunday 21 September 2008. This historic crossing will arrive in New York on 27 September. Since she entered service in January 2004 Queen Mary 2 will have logged 711,288 nautical miles, with 316,729 nautical miles on Transatlantic voyages alone.

Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says:

“Perhaps more than any other voyage, a Transatlantic Crossing captures the imagination of most travellers and recalls a bygone era of glamour and sophistication. For many, it is on par with the world’s greatest travel experiences.”

Queen Mary 2’s regularly scheduled Transatlantic service forms the cornerstone of her annual itineraries, which also includes her second World Cruise in 2009 and journeys into the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norway.

In addition to logging nearly three-quarters of a million miles, Queen Mary 2 will mark other milestones on her 100th Transatlantic voyage, including:

•More than 229,000 guests crossing the North Atlantic
•450 pets crossing the North Atlantic
•97,000 pounds of lobster served
•2,700 pounds of caviar served
•206,200 bottles of Champagne served
•Enough tea to fill nearly five Olympic-sized swimming pools

Queen Mary 2 has welcomed many notable guests, including HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Noor, Former President George Bush, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Hillary Clinton, Uma Thurman, John Cleese, Richard Dreyfuss, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Tina Brown and Harold Evans, Donald Trump, and Dame Shirley Bassey.

Official Press Release Cunard Cruises dated 19th September 2008.

Duke of Edinburgh on QE2

Cunard Line is honoured to announce that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will make a farewell visit to Queen Elizabeth 2 in her homeport of Southampton on Tuesday 11 November 2008 – the ship’s last day in the UK before leaving on her Final Voyage at 1915 hours. QE2 will depart for Dubai where she will become a first class hotel and entertainment centre.

The most famous ship in the world, and for 35 years the flagship of the Cunard fleet, QE2 was launched by Her Majesty The Queen at Clydebank on 20 September 1967 – forty years ago last year. His Royal Highness was also in attendance.

Since then QE2 has travelled almost 5.9 million nautical miles, more than any ship ever; has carried 2.5 million guests; has completed 25 World Cruises; and has crossed the Atlantic 804 times.

As well as being present at the launch, His Royal Highness has visited QE2 five times since her Keel Laying – on 14 July 1967 during construction; on 1 May 1969, immediately prior the Maiden Voyage; on 29 May 1969 for the Council of Industrial Design Awards; on 19 June 1991 for a Royal Ball in association with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and on 27 July 1990 to mark Cunard Line’s 150th anniversary.

Details of the visit on 11 November will be announced shortly, but Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, comments:

“We are delighted and honoured that His Royal Highness has agreed to visit QE2 on her last day in the UK. The Duke of Edinburgh has taken a close interest in the ship over the last forty years, and I am certain this will be a memorable occasion for all involved”.

Official Press Release Cunard Cruises dated 17th September 2008.

QM2 World Cruise on Sale

Cunard Cruise Lines Queen Mary 2 is to go on a 101 night World Cruise in 2010. The World Cruise has gone on sale to the general public from today and big demand is expected.

This will be Queen Mary 2’s first full World Cruise after doing part of a World Cruise in 2009 with Queen Victoria.

The World Cruise is to begin on 11th January 2010 in Southampton and will return on 22nd April 2010. After leaving Southampton she will visit a total of 33 destinations including Portugal, Italy, Egypt, India and Thailand before returning to the UK.

QM2 Visists Hamburg

Queen Mary 2, making her 10th call to this port city, brought out the crowds once again yesterday. This time Queen Mary 2 hosted the opening ceremony of the first ever ‘Hamburg Cruise Days’ extravaganza – 5 days centred around the port, showing that Hamburg is one of the key gateways to the world. Over the next 5 days many different ships will be calling in Hamburg including Aida Aura, and several will be taking part in the festivities. In addition there will be concerts and exhibitions around the port and the city.

In a ceremony up on deck under a balmy, clear evening sky, over 100 guests witnessed the moment when actor Til Schweiger (known by some as the Pierce Brosnan of Germany) and a man who needs no introduction – Boris Becker (who looked as sexy as ever – but gosh how tall!)pushed ‘the button’ alongside Captain Chris Wells and Senator Doctor Fritag of Hamburg City, which literally turned the city – and the ship – blue. Then moments later fireworks lit up the night sky. Boris and Til had taken dinner in Queen Mary 2’s Todd English restaurant before the ceremony and were amazed at the size and grandeur of the vessel. Maybe they’ll sail with us next time!

Earlier in the day over 400 guests toured Queen Mary 2 and the ship hosted a concert by chart topping German jazz singer Roger Cicero. It was certainly a day to remember, as the press showed this morning when Queen Mary 2 yet again dominated the papers.

Official Press Release Cunard Cruises dated 31st July 2008.

QE2 Bid Farewell by Her Majesty the Queen

The Queen toured the vessel, meeting many crew members, some of whom have served on board since QE2 entered service in 1969 and others who went with the ship when she was requisitioned as a troop carrier in the Falklands Conflict. Later she attended a Reception and Lunch on board with 300 guests, including the former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher.

Both the newest and longest-serving female crewmembers played a role in the visit. While on the bridge, The Queen gave a signal to Cadet Jennifer Haynes, who joined QE2 in April 2008, to sound QE2’s whistle to salute Cunard’s current flagship Queen Mary 2, which was also in port on 2 June and was named by The Queen in January 2004. Queen Mary 2 responded by sounding her whistle in salute of Her Majesty’s visit. After disembarking, Her Majesty was presented with 55 red roses by QE2’s Executive Housekeeper Roz Price Evans who is the longest-serving female member of crew; this was to mark 55 years to the day since The Queen’s Coronation.

The Queen also met nine QE2 Captains including Captain Peter Jackson who became Master of QE2 in 1973 and who took the ship to the Falklands in 1982.

QE2, the most famous ship in the world, and for 35 years the flagship of the Cunard fleet, was launched by The Queen at Clydebank on 20 September 1967 – forty years ago last year.

Since then the ship has travelled over 5.6 million nautical miles, more than any other ship; has carried over 2.5 million guests; has completed 25 World Cruises; and has crossed the Atlantic 803 times. She leaves Cunard service in November 2008 prior to starting a new life in Dubai as a first class hotel and entertainment destination.

Her Majesty The Queen has visited QE2 twice since the launch – on 1 May 1969, immediately prior the Maiden Voyage, and on 27 July 1990 to mark Cunard Line’s 150th anniversary.

Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, comments:

“We are delighted and honoured that Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to visit QE2 to wish her farewell. Her Majesty has taken a close interest in the ship over the last forty years, having launched the ship, visited twice and reviewed the ship four times, including during the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of D Day. I am certain this final visit will be a memorable occasion for all involved”.

Doug Morrison, Port Director, ABP Southampton, says:

“It’s wonderful to welcome Her Majesty The Queen and Baroness Thatcher to bid farewell to QE2. This event, and the recent meeting of Cunard’s three Queens in April for the last time ever, have both highlighted the important role that the Port of Southampton has played historically, and will continue to play, as Cunard’s homeport.”

Abridged Press Release Cunard Cruises dated 4th June 2008.

Her Majesty The Queen to Bid Farewell to QE2

Cunard Line today confirms details of the farewell visit of Her Majesty The Queen to Queen Elizabeth 2 in Southampton on Monday 2 June 2008. This is in recognition of QE2 leaving the Cunard fleet in November this year.

The Queen will begin by touring the vessel and meeting many crew members, some of whom have served on board since QE2 entered service in 1969 and others who went with the ship when she was requisitioned as a troop carrier in the Falklands Conflict. Later she will attend a Reception and Lunch on board with 300 guests, including the former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher.

Both the newest and longest-serving female crewmembers will play a role in the visit. While on the bridge, The Queen will give a signal to Cadet Jennifer Haynes, who joined QE2 in April 2008, to sound QE2’s whistle to salute Cunard’s current flagship Queen Mary 2, which is also in port on 2 June and was named by The Queen in January 2004. Queen Mary 2 will respond by sounding her whistle in salute of Her Majesty’s visit. After disembarking, Her Majesty will be presented with 55 red roses by QE2’s Executive Housekeeper Roz Price Evans who is the longest-serving female member of crew; this is to mark 55 years to the day since The Queen’s Coronation.

The Queen will also meet nine QE2 Captains including Captain Peter Jackson who became Master of QE2 in 1973 and who took the ship to the Falklands in 1982.

QE2, the most famous ship in the world, and for 35 years the flagship of the Cunard fleet, was launched by The Queen at Clydebank on 20 September 1967 – forty years ago last year.

Since then the ship has travelled over 5.6 million nautical miles, more than any other ship; has carried over 2.5 million guests; has completed 25 World Cruises; and has crossed the Atlantic 803 times. She leaves Cunard service in November 2008 prior to starting a new life in Dubai as a first class hotel and entertainment destination.

Her Majesty The Queen has visited QE2 twice since the launch – on 1 May 1969, immediately prior the Maiden Voyage, and on 27 July 1990 to mark Cunard Line’s 150th anniversary.

Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, comments:

“We are delighted and honoured that Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to visit QE2 to wish her farewell. Her Majesty has taken a close interest in the ship over the last forty years, having launched the ship, visited twice and reviewed the ship four times, including during the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of D Day. I am certain this final visit will be a memorable occasion for all involved”.

Doug Morrison, Port Director, ABP Southampton, says:

“It’s wonderful to welcome Her Majesty The Queen and Baroness Thatcher to bid farewell to QE2. This event, and the recent meeting of Cunard’s three Queens in April for the last time ever, have both highlighted the important role that the Port of Southampton has played historically, and will continue to play, as Cunard’s homeport.” 

Official Press Release Cunard Cruises dated 30th May 2008.

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