HOLIDAY NEWS

Biggest ever choice for UK cruisers in 2011
March 17, 2010 - With the introduction of Queen Elizabeth to the fleet, Cunard Line is offering its most extensive range of voyages in 2011.
The anticipation of Queen Elizabeth and her series of maiden voyages will capture the imagination and drive strong early demand when the programme goes on sale worldwide on the April 26.
Cunard president Peter Shanks said: "Three new ocean liners in just six years proves the demand for the Cunard brand from guests looking for the best in luxury cruising and the ability to experience a unique sense of heritage, history and tradition. With the anticipation and arrival of Queen Elizabeth, and our biggest ever offering for the UK market for many years."
More about Cunard in 2011

QM2 to make history Down Under
March 9, 2010 - Queen Mary 2 is to be based in Australia as part of her World Voyage in 2012 for a history-making circumnavigation which will see her visit five states and the Northern Territory.
She will be the largest ship ever to to visit Australia, and will call at eight Australian ports including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays as well as maiden visits to Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. The voyage will also include a call at Bali.
In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits.
More about the QM2 in Australia

Cunard launches UK-US Special Relationship speaker series
February 3, 2010 - In keeping with its longstanding tradition of offering guests award-winning enrichment programmes, Cunard Line is introducing a Special Relationship speaker series.
Guests sailing on selected 2010 Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings will be able to attend lectures by ambassadors, statesmen, politicians, journalists, academics and broadcasters with a shared interest between the United States and United Kingdom, an association first referenced as a "special relationship" by Winston Churchill in 1946.
The programme has been developed in direct response to guests noting their interest in hearing about politics and contemporary issues while onboard.

Sovereign float-out for Queen Elizabeth
January 4, 2010 - Special ceremonies at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard near Trieste are being held tomorrow (January 5) to mark the float out of Cunard's newest ship, Queen Elizabeth.
The first ceremony involves the welding of significant coins beneath the mast of Queen Elizabeth for good luck. Three coins have been chosen - a half crown dated 1938 (the year the first Queen Elizabeth was launched); a sovereign dated 1967 (the year QE2 was launched) and a sovereign dated 2010 to acknowledge the fact that the new Queen Elizabeth is being floated out in 2010.
The focus will then move dockside where the ship will be blessed, and a bottle of Italian prossecco will be smashed against the hull. The valves of the dry dock will then be opened so the ship meets the water for the first time.
More about the Queen Elizabeth float-out

Desmond Tutu joins Cunard lecture list
December 10, 2009 - Cunard, already noted for the quality of the lecturers on board its ships, looks set to excel its own high standards in 2010.
So far, lecturers booked for Queen Mary 2's 'Insights' programme include Archbishop Desmond Tutu; internationally renowned author and broadcaster Bill Bryson; anchorman of BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, John Humphreys; comedy script writers Dick Clement and Ian le Frenais; psychosexual therapist Dr Ruth; and motor racing broadcaster Murray Walker.
Queen Victoria, meanwhile, boasts former independent MP Martin Bell and former ITN Royal Correspondent Nicholas Owen.
More about the 2010 lectures programme

E-Ticketing on its way
November 27, 2009 - Cunard Line bookings are moving to E-Ticketing from next week.
The first cruises affected are Queen Mary's April 22 departure.
Passengers will be able to access their E-Tickets between five and six weeks before departure from the Voyage Personaliser Page at   www.cunard.com.

Bookings record for 2011 world voyages
July 7, 2009 - Bookings opened for the P&O Cruises and Cunard 2011 world voyages opened last week with a record breaking start.
On Wednesday (July 1), 2,044 people booked voyages from the two programmes, 47 per cent more than on the same day last year for 2010 world voyages, when a total of 1,385 bookings were made.
Cunard president and managing director, Carol Marlow, said: "We are delighted to see this great response to the Cunard world voyage programme. We were the first to offer a world cruise back in 1922, and guests still seek out that civilised and authentic Cunard experience. Queen Elizabeth, whose keel was laid in Italy this week, will take her maiden word voyage in 2011."

Work on new QE begins
July 2, 2009 - The ceremony to mark the keel laying of Cunard's new Queen Elizabeth takes place today at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste, Italy. The second largest Cunarder ever built, Queen Elizabeth's keel is the third Cunard has laid in the space of seven years.
When she enters service in October 2010 she will become the third in a fleet of Queens which already comprises Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria; together these three liners define a new golden age of ocean liner travel.
More about the new Queen Elizabeth and the keel laying ceremony

Three Queens to meet in New York in 2011
June 19, 2009 - Cunard Line's 2011 World Voyage programme offers an unprecedented five Full World Voyage options, sailing from Southampton, highlighted by the first gathering of the three Queens, Elizabeth, Mary 2 and Victoria in New York.
The programme continues Cunard's tradition of offering legendary voyages to legendary places.
The three Cunard Queens will meet for the first time in New York on January 13, and Queen Mary 2 will meet Queen Elizabeth in Sydney on February 22. This presents the unique opportunity of two "Three Queens Combination" options, enabling guests to enjoy the whole fleet in one ex-Southampton full world voyage, as well as another two "Two Queens Combination" options.
More about the 2011 World Voyages