QV UPDATE....

Here's a little news from Seatrade Insider.  It is the first real news about the QUEEN VICTORIA that I've seen in quite some time.  Bill Miller has mentioned twice in his newsletter that the VICTORIA was all but canceled.  This seems to refute that statement.

 

Rich in Sacramento

 

From Seatrade Insider:

Cunard prepares for third Queen 16/8/2005 Cunard Line is preparing to become a ‘Three Queen’ fleet for the first time in its 165-year history. Work is well advanced on the line’s new build Queen Victoria at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard near Venice. The new Queen is scheduled to enter service in Cunard livery late 2007 or early 2008, Cunard’s European president Carol Marlow told Seatrade Insider yesterday. She was speaking on board Queen Mary 2 after the Master, officers and crew of the flagship had been presented with the Freedom of the City of Southampton. ‘Work is very well advanced,’ said Marlow. ‘I have studied the plans and Queen Victoria will be a very distinct Cunarder. We will be revealing more details later this year and she will enter service late in 2007 or early in 2008.’ When she does so, she will join QM2 and Queen Elizabeth 2, currently enjoying strong seasons, added Marlow. ‘Both QM2 and QE2 are having a very strong year and the fact that both liners are offering world cruises in 2007 has already generated enormous interest. We will move towards revealing more details about Queen Victoria in September,’ she added. Originally, Cunard’s Queen Victoria was to have entered service this year, but the order for the Vista class vessel was switched to Cunard’s Carnival Corporation sister line P&O Cruises and introduced as Arcadia last April. The order book switch has given the Carnival and Cunard design team time to create new public room layouts and other features which will give the liner a unique appeal to Cunard passengers old and new, added Marlow.

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MAGGIE PHILBIN (GUEST SPEAKER) BLOG FROM OUR ARCADIA CRUISE!

On the BBC site, Maggie Philbin (the BBC preseenter who was a guest speaker on the ARCADIA crusie we were on) made this written and audio blog.

 

It is on the BBC site at: click here

 

Here is the written part - read the article to get the audio parts!

 

"

Cruising with Maggie By Maggie Philbin When BBC Radio Berkshire breakfast presenter Maggie Philbin told us she was going to work on a cruise ship by giving lectures, we thought, 'a likely story' - so we've got hold of her diary to find out what really happened...

ARCADIA FACTS The Arcadia cruised to: Palma, St Tropez, Florence (port Livorno) Rome (port Civitavecchia), Alghero (Sardinia) and Gibraltar. • At 290 metres (952 feet) in length, Arcadia is 22 metres (72 feet) longer than Tower Bridge. • At 244 metres high, Canary Wharf is 46 metres shorter than Arcadia. • If you parked 30 double-decker buses in a line, they would be the same length as Arcadia. • Arcadia is 5 times longer than Nelson's Column in height. • Arcadia is 32.3 metres (106 feet) in width, that’s 6.7 metres (22 feet) wider than Concorde’s wingspan. What’s it like to be on a cruise ship? What’s it really like to share your holiday with 1918 passengers and 880 crew? Breakfast presenter Maggie Philbin and her sister Nickie have just returned from a trip around the Mediterranean on Arcadia, a ship the length of 30 double decker buses. She told us it was work, that she was there to give lectures, but we’ve read (with apologies to Bridget Jones) her multi-media diary complete with audio clips. Read (and listen) on! Day One Visits to gym:  1 (v. good, even if clinging to sides of running machine as ship crosses Bay Of Biscay). Calories:  1000. Who’s going to be tempted by Glazed Lobster Tail Thermador when you can have every salad under the sun? Alcohol: 0 (Welcoming glass of champagne doesn’t count). Feel like Alice in Wonderland as we try to find cabin. We walk through a piano bar with a string quartet, past a library, and peer into a British pub. Stop for an espresso to try and get bearings, then continue on through lecture rooms, a casino, a nightclub, a cocktail bar and a cinema. Maggie Philbin Pass door to trendy-looking Gary Rhodes restaurant. Lose sister but find swimming pool. Try to keep count of Jacuzzis (six so far), track down hairdressers, thermal suite and gym. Every so often a door marked Crew Only leads to a parallel universe where there are food mixers the size of concrete mixers and fridges as big as underground car parks. Surely that must be it. Consult map. No there’s another pool, twelve more bars and another five restaurants. Have been walking for two hours and still haven’t covered ship. Not in the least surprised to learn the promenade deck is 140m longer than Olympic athletic track. Neil Oliver I meet Neil Oliver the Cruise Director who bursts out of a door, Mad Hatter-like, running from deck quoits to bingo.  “Just enjoy yourself for the next couple of days” he calls, “we don’t want you working too hard”. Now that’s my idea of a boss. I quickly ask him how he chooses his full-time staff. He explains: “You could have someone come along who may every qualification going, it’s fantastic on paper but they might not have that sparkle. You may have someone else that has not got the qualifications but they walk in and just sail through because they will be a good little chatter or have a great history or have a unique personality that the passengers will love.” Listen to a few Neil Oliver anecdotes about the passengers on the ship by clicking on the audio links on the top right-hand side of this page. Day Two Visits to gym: 1 (No harm in setting running machine a little slower. Power walking might be more dignified). Calories: 1500.  Ok, so I’m slipping. Alcohol: Would be impolite not to try the cocktail of the day Decide to delegate reporting duties to fit in sunbathing. I give a talk in the Palladium theatre (my God, this place is HUGE. There are three tiers of audience seats) and recruit fellow passengers as reporters to help give true picture and find stories. Every so often, there’s a gentle roll. This is the first time I have worked in a theatre that literally rocks. Michael Burgess, a 46-year-old former fireman from Edinburgh tells me he has come as ‘porter’ for his mother and stepfather. Like me he is staggered by scale of the ship and his first impression is of the friendliness of staff and fellow passengers. He said: “I used to think perhaps naively that people who come on cruises might be a bit more well-off perhaps and a bit pretentious but the people I’ve met have been the most down-to-earth and lovely people. I’ve met some real characters and it’s just stimulated completely my faith in human nature.” Listen to more of what Michael has to say and what kind of life stories he’s heard by clicking on the audio links on the top right-hand side of this page. Day Three See the view from the Arcadia cruise ship webcam! VIEW: Arcadia webcam > Visits to gym: 0. Food: Don’t let’s go there. Alcohol: Errrr I can’t remember. Under the guise of investigative reporting I ask Janet and Bob from Burghfield for a few tips on getting hold of a sun bed, as fellow cruisers seem to have honed this skill to perfection. They like many passengers are experienced cruisers. Janet said: “It does help to be fit and healthy to use the sun beds! Although they try and say ‘don’t reserve the sun beds’ you still find towels on the sun beds. You also have to be fit if your cabin’s right at the front and mealtime is right at the back!” Listen to Janet and Bob to find out why their first cruise was extra special. Just click on the audio links on the top right-hand side of this page. Day Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight The cruise visited Alghero in Sardinia Visits to gym: 0 (Look, I’ve been tramping round, St Tropez, Florence, Rome and Alghero). Food: It’s authentic and local, so surely it doesn’t count. Alcohol: It’s authentic and local, so surely it doesn’t count. Everyone is talking about the number of different boats they’ve been on: The Oriana, Sea Princess, Queen Mary, Artemis, Battleship Potemkin. As comic Roy Walker  remarks, “They just have to be making it up”. But then I meet Pauline Macarthy who tells me she’s totally addicted to cruising and has been on at least 50, probably 60 cruises! When asked why she said: “Well, I did a lot of anniversary cruises with my husband, we did our 40th anniversary on Sea Princess, our 50th on QE2 mid-Atlantic and our 60th on Oriana. I love cruises because it’s a complete holiday and hassle-free.” This cruise is particularly poignant for Pauline. Her husband of 61 years died at Christmas and this is her first cruise without him. Listen to Pauline’s story and what a cruise is like without her husband by clicking on the audio link on the top right-hand side of this page. Day Nine Jane Taylor Visits to gym: 1. (There you go, back on track). Food: Distract myself from chocolate buffet (700 people queuing to get in) by taking a tour of the kitchens with Jane Taylor. Even the potatoes have their own room and I can’t help remarking that their room is bigger than mine. Finally concede that 16 tons of potatoes takes up more space than sister's luggage. Jane tells me that there are 108 chefs and 40 back up workers who do the cleaning and washing-up. She added: “We’re looking at the fifth of the size of one deck taken up with galleys. We’re talking about 150 to 170 tonnes of food, regarding eggs we’re looking at about 51,000 for a 14-day cruise.” Listen to more facts from Jane Taylor and find out from executive chef Ian Summers how he decided what to serve people. Click on the audio link on the top right-hand side of this page. Alcohol: People just kept buying me drinks. What can you do? Still haven’t quite cracked the sun bed problem. Eddy and Stuart from Newcastle reveal excellent technique which means I can finally stretch out and read book. They’re not alone in having made long-life friends on cruises. They are travelling with a group of people they first met one year ago on the Oceania “We’ve stuck together and we see each other about three or four times a year as well. We met last year during mine and Elaine’s silver wedding, we were out and about on the ship, we invited a couple off the table and a few off the disco for a champagne reception – they drank all my free champagne and then decided to be friends! We’ve had a great time ever since.” Listen to more of what Eddy and Stuart have to say by clicking on the audio link on the top right-hand side of this page. Day Ten Visits to gym: 0 Food: Simply not prepared to put it down on paper. Alcohol: Who’s counting? A balcony on the Arcadia cruise ship Cabin steward Edwin politely remarks that our cabin is “frightening”. He has a point. My sister has just moved frocks and discovered a sofa. The staff here are very impressive. The Hutton family from Windsor say they were staggered when a wine waiter  recognises them from a cruise a year ago. Crikey, their bar bill must be worse than mine. Listen to Bob Hutton’s story. Click on the audio link on the top right-hand side of this page. Day 11 Visits to gym: 0. Food: It’s very important to try Orchid restaurant with stunning views across the sea. Alcohol: How can you review restaurant without checking out the wine list? Phyllis Barron, in her 80s,  has come along with her daughter Patti who is here  to lecture on The Mediterranean Garden (v. good). People are learning all sorts off stuff on this ship.  You can spend two weeks Feng Shui-ing your house, learning about Brazilian gemstones or polishing up your Spanish and French.   I counted over 52 completely different activities everyday.  Phyllis told me she felt quite overwhelmed at first but has surprised herself. “I really didn’t want to go but I was persuaded and the amazing thing is, I have found new confidence even at my age. I’ve been going up to people and sitting with them and asking ‘can I join you’ – this is something I never would have done before. It shows you that at every age, you find something out about yourself.” Listen to more of what Phyllis has to say. Click on the audio link on the top right-hand side of this page. Day twelve Visits to gym: 0. Food: Back to fruit cocktail. Alcohol: Fair cop the fruit cocktail was marinaded in champagne. Have been tipped off that the theatre company, who’ve been very impressive throughout, are staging a truly spectacular show tonight. I sit back in awe as they do an amazing fantasy ‘Cirque Arcadia’ with webs, silks and ropes. Very relieved I don’t have to wear similar costumes. How on earth do they all manage to stay so thin? Does someone lock them in their cabins?! Brian Graves No. But as Brian Graves, a singer, tells me, they do have to support each other off stage as well as on. He said: “Living together on a ship is magnified - almost like dog years: for every month it’s three months, for every year it’s three years. When we finish this job in New Orleans on 2 December it’ll be a year practically but it will almost feel like three years. It will be very sad to say goodbye to everyone.” Listen to more of how Brian Graves copes with spending a year on a cruise ship by clicking on the audio link on the top right-hand side of this page. Day 14 Visits to gym: 0. Food: 0. Alcohol: 0. Have stowed away in potato room. I’m not coming home.  LISTEN: Cruise Director Neil Oliver >  LISTEN: Passenger Michael Burgess >  LISTEN: Passengers Janet and Bob >  LISTEN: Passenger Bob Hutton >  LISTEN: Passenger Pauline Macarthy >  LISTEN: Food and beverage manager Jane Taylor >  LISTEN: Food and beverage manager Jane Taylor 2 >  LISTEN: Passengers Eddy and Stuart >  LISTEN: Passenger Phyllis Barron >  LISTEN: Singer Brian Graves > Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer VIEW: Arcadia webcam >

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USA TODAY REVIEW OF QM2

This great review appeared in the USA Today today.. and on their site... I SO want to go and we have agreed we will... soonish

 

"The Queen (Mary 2) rules the Atlantic

Great expectations summarizes my feelings prior to my recent transatlantic cruise aboard the Queen Mary 2, England's most touted cruise ship. Now that I'm back on terra firma, I can wholeheartedly say that the QM2 is everything I expected and in some cases, more.

		Grand entrance: The classical staircase in the Grand Lobby leads into the six-deck high atrium.

Classy yet lively

All that I had heard prior to the voyage made it clear that this wouldn't be just any cruise. The QM2 is the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive ship ever to sail the high seas. The ship's size affords high ceilings in public rooms, giving it an air of elegance akin to the transatlantic liners of yesteryear. While the grand staircase from the second floor of the main restaurant to the first floor was certainly not as elaborate as the one in the movie Titanic, it was indeed sweeping and faced an atmospheric, floor-to-ceiling mural of a transatlantic liner. However, I think what most epitomized the romance of travel past was the long row of wooden lounge chairs that flanked the Promenade deck.

	IF YOU GO ...
	Rooms: Range from standard inside and outside cabins to grand duplex units; all include mini-bar and private bath. Fares: Prices below are for a typical transatlantic crossing and are based on per person, double occupancy, with early booking discounts. Rates represent minimum pricing per cabin category. Standard inside, $1,799; oceanview, $2,449; balcony, $2,699, Princess Grill, $4,999; Queens Grill, $6,499. For more information: Call 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.

All this understated elegance did not make the ship overly stuffy. From enrichment lectures to evening shows, the variety of activities was definitely a cut above the norm. The ship always has an active roster of lecturers, ranging from maritime historian John Maxtone Graham to big name celebrities like Richard Dreyfus. Other daytime activities include computer classes and free daily planetarium shows. The latter were perfect for adults as well as families and were held in a dedicated planetarium auditorium complete with comfortable reclining seats. For those interested in dancing, there were daytime classes followed by themed dance evenings on the largest ballroom floor at sea.

At night, cruisers could choose from a Chefs at Sea program — watching chefs prepare meals and then feasting on them – and a variety of classy shows. The headliners in evening stage entertainment ranged from a Broadway singer to a concert pianist to a comedian/violinist. Even the dance revue shows were more appealing and less campy than on mass market ships.

International flair

While the diverse passengers and crew all give the cruise a very international flavor, there is a decidedly British feel to the ship. Unlike most other cruises, QM2 still operates on a class system in which passengers booked in the top categories of suites get privileges — from private deck areas to separate dining rooms — that the masses in the standard rooms aren't privy to.

While overall service on the ship was good, the staff was a bit formal and not as warm as those on other cruise lines. Employees come from at least 40 different countries and outnumber passengers in a comfortable two to one ratio ensuring prompt service.

On our early July cruise, there were about 2,700 passengers on board. According to David Stephenson, QM2 Hotel Manager, passengers are usually about 60% American and 40% British. Additionally, there were about 70 German passengers as well as some from France, Spain and Asia.

Although the ship tends to get a majority of passengers who are in their 50s or older, I did not feel out of place with my 11-year-old daughter in tow. Our cruise had about 325 youngsters on board who were happily ensconced in the youth program by day and night. Cunard Line is one of the few cruise lines which allow children as young as one year old in its youth program. Little ones are lovingly and patiently cared for by youth counselors, many of who are professionally trained British nannies.

The youth program operates from 9 a.m. to noon; 2 to 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight daily and is free for all ages. Although the offerings weren't as diverse as on some other cruise lines, there was enough of interest to attract children at least once a day. The ship itself also has plenty of other family-friendly activities such as daily planetarium shows, wholesome evening stage productions, basketball and paddle tennis courts, shuffle board, and five pools, including a splash pool and covered pool.

Food, glorious food

As expected, the food was excellent. We ate in the Britannia Restaurant for dinner, which is the primary venue for most passengers. While at times I would have preferred more options than those on the menu, ultimately I was very satisfied with the taste and quality of food that I ordered. Passengers in the top cabin categories eat dinner in the Queen's Grill or Princess Grill which have similar cuisine to the Britannia but also feature an ala carte menu and one open seating time.

Other dinner options include sit-down menus at Lotus and La Piazza, which double as buffet areas for breakfast and lunch. The former features Asian and the latter Italian cuisine. Reservations are necessary for these complimentary eateries at dinner time. Another section, the Chef's Galley, has "children's tea" from 5 to 6 p.m. when families can order kids' food with fairly swift service.

Our favorite dinner was at the alternative restaurant, Todd English, which charges $30 per person. Reservations are a must and can be made either in the passenger terminal or once you board the ship. The meal not only was top notch, but presentation was particularly attractive and featured a number of appetizers and desserts served on long, rectangular plates. The lobster bisque brimmed with huge chunks of lobster; the steak had a delicate yet flavorful sauce; and the "fallen chocolate cake" was truly a showstopper.

We also loved the breakfast and lunch options at the King's Court buffet area. I counted a whopping 16 different ingredients choices for made-to-order omelettes. Lunch was my favorite meal with hot and cold Italian fare at La Piazza; stir fry and sushi at Lotus; continental cuisine at The Carvery; and burgers and fries at Chef's Galley. With all these options, it was easy to maintain a lo-cal diet for lunch, at least until dessert and tea time! The Golden Lion Pub also served British style fish and chips daily.

Pleasant surprises

Throughout the cruise, I encountered unexpected pleasures which added to the entire panache of the ship. One of the best was tea time. Cruisers choose from traditional, sit-down tea in the Queen's Room; buffet style in the King's Court; and a roving tea cart for passengers relaxing on the Promenade Deck's wooden lounge chairs. I felt totally indulged when the cart showed up, complete with excellent scones, clotted cream and jam.

Another favorite was the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) troupe that sails on every QM2 crossing. I enjoyed the academy's two theatrical productions (one featured short scenes from Shakespeare and another from modern plays) as well as its dramatic workshops, complete with fun exercises presented by RADA actors.

In all my years of cruising, I had always heard about gentlemen hosts who sail some traditional ships and serve as non-romantic dance partners for single ladies. During our crossing, we came across gentlemen hosts on the Queen's Room dance floor. For the sake of journalism and because dance-partner husband was not on board, I partnered with two different gentlemen hosts who were very good dancers.

Another surprise was the variety of services including acupuncture and chiropractic treatments offered at the ship's Canyon Ranch Spa. I was disappointed, however, that passengers can only use the saunas for free on days they have paid for other spa treatments. Otherwise there is a $29 daily fee, which includes use of saunas and a huge indoor whirlpool. I have never had to pay for sauna use on any other cruise ship and felt it was an unnecessary charge.

The true luxury of QM2 was the spaciousness of indoor and outdoor public areas. With five pools, the deck areas never felt crowded like they sometimes do on Caribbean ships. Although QM2 is a world unto itself, its many pools and quiet deck areas afforded the best entertainment in my eyes – endless views of tranquil seas without anything other than occasional pods of dolphins in sight for five days. For, as aptly stated in QM2's brochure, "the journey may be even more magnificent than the destination." And it was.

Read previous columns

Luisa Frey Gaynor is the family cruise editor for CruiseMates.com, a contributing editor at Cruise Reports newsletter/Web site, and writes for other travel publications. Unlike USA TODAY staff writers, Luisa, who wrote this piece on a freelance basis, does sail on complimentary cruises. However, she is dedicated to offering unbiased opinions of cruise lines and their youth programs. She can be reached at travel@usatoday.com"

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Famous sailors celebrate Liverpool's link to the sea

THis appeared on a Liverpool UK newspaper website. Sounds very interesting series... especially the part by QM2 Captain...

 

"

THE first man to sail single-handed around the world is to launch a high-profile public lecture series to mark the importance of Liverpool's relationship with the sea.

Sir Robin Knox Johnston is among three of the country's most distinguished seafarers who will visit the city to talk about their exploits next month.

His appearance will be followed by explorer and author Tim Severin, who has reconstructed some of the world's most epic and terrifying journeys, including sailing across the North Atlantic in a leather boat, and Commodore Ronald Warwick, captain of the world's largest luxury liner, the Queen Mary 2.

The series, called Sea Liverpool, aims to celebrate the port's relationship with the sea as part of the Capital of Culture team's 2005 programme of more than 1,000 nautical events, being promoted under the banner: Year of the Sea.

Sir Robin was appointed patron of Sea Liverpool 2005 in March. His talk will focus on his life at sea and the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, which he founded after he was knighted in 1995, and will start and end in Liverpool in 2005/6.

He will also recount memories of becoming the first person to sail single-handed non-stop around the world in the Golden Globe Race in 1968-9, and winning the Jules Verne Trophy for the fastest circumnavigation in 1994.

Commodore Ron Warwick is captain of the world's largest and most expensive luxury cruise liner, the Queen Mary 2, which yesterday re-enacted the role played by its predecessor in announcing the end of the Second World War.

The Cunard Line flagship's whistle, which could be heard for ten miles from its berth at Southampton, Hants, was sounded at noon, commemorating the same action by the Queen Mary on August 15, 1945.

At the celebration, the ship's master, officers and crew also received the Freedom of the City of Southampton from the Mayor, Cllr Edwina Cooke.

Commodore Warwick, also a former Captain of the Queen Elizabeth 2, made Cunard history in 1990 by commanding the same ship as his Wirral-born father, the late Commodore William E. Warwick, the first Captain of the QE2.

Commodore Warwick, who grew up in Crosby, navigated the QE2's first world cruise in 1975 and was master when she was visited by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during Cunard's 150th anniversary in July, 1990. He was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Liverpool in July this year in recognition of his contribution to the shipping industry........."

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QM2 and VJ day

Queen Mary 2 Commemorates VJ Day 
At a special celebration in Southampton on Monday 15 August 2005 Cunard
Line's flagship Queen Mary 2, the largest, longest, tallest, widest and
most expensive passenger liner ever, will mark the 60th Anniversary of
VJ Day and the role the original Queen Mary played in announcing the
end of the War to the citizens of Southampton. At the same time Queen
Mary 2's Master, officers and crew will receive the Freedom of the City of
Southampton from the Mayor, Councillor Edwina Cooke.

Sixty years ago on 15 August 1945 Queen Mary sounded her whistle -
audible for ten miles - to announce to the citizens of Southampton that the
war was finally over and that the Japanese had surrendered. During the
commemoration at 12 noon next Monday Queen Mary 2 will mark this
anniversary when the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Edwina Cooke, sounds
the whistle - one of those originally on Queen Mary and used in 1945!

Cunard will also have the great privilege of the Freedom of the City
bestowed on the Master, Commodore Ron Warwick, officers and crew of Queen
Mary 2. It is a double honour for Cunard as the company's other ship
Queen Elizabeth 2, the world's most famous and fastest passenger liner,
received the honour in 1990 on the occasion of Cunard's 150th
Anniversary.

Carol Marlow, Cunard's European Director, says: "We feel immensely
privileged that the crews of both the company's liners have been granted
Freedom of the City status: such a distinction establishes more than
anything else could, the close, continuing and beneficial relationship
between Southampton and Cunard."

As part of the announcement, Cunard relesaed the following overview of
Cunard ships participation in military action:

Cunard ships have served with distinction in most major conflicts Great
Britain has been involved in. The earliest was Crimea, for which Sir
Samuel Cunard was rewarded with his baronetcy, and the most recent being
the Gulf War in 1991 when the crew of Cunard Princess witnessed Iraqi
scud missiles overhead as their ship served as a rest and recuperation
ship.

Cunard's Crimean War effort may have earned Sir Samuel an honour, but
it nearly finished the company as Cunard's absence from the Atlantic -
thanks to 14 of its 16 ships serving in the war - allowed foreign
competitors, unhindered by a commitment to disputes in faraway places, to
garner for themselves most of the lucrative transatlantic business. After
the war, Cunard struggled to regain its pre-eminence and finally did so
through major investment and a little luck. But the war effort gained
it the nation's respect as the company's contribution included not just
the transporting of 100,000 troops, but also that of 7,500 horses -
including all those that charged with the Light Brigade.

In the years that followed, Cunard ships took troops and stores to
Canada, to South Africa for the Zulu War and both Boer Wars, and to Egypt.

But they came into their own spectacularly in the First World War when
they carried over one million troops. In addition to transport, Cunard
vessels served as hospital ships, prisoner-of-war ships, food and
munition transports, and as armed merchant cruisers. It was in the latter
role that Carmania took the first German casualty of the war when she
sank the Cap Trafalgar - ironically disguised as Carmania - off South
America in November 1914.

Campania, meanwhile, was equipped with a 240-foot platform to serve as
a forerunner of today's aircraft carriers. The First World War resulted
in the loss of 22 Cunarders, including the Lusitania which, unarmed and
still in service as a passenger liner, was torpedoed off the Old Head
of Kinsale with the loss of 1,198 lives.

The Second World War saw Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth - the company's
newest ships and largest ever built at that time - in service as troop
carriers. After trooping from Australia and New Zealand, both began in
1942 to ferry one million American GIs to Europe unescorted and at full
speed. In summer, 15,000 were carried on each voyage - such a huge
number they had to sleep and eat in three shifts and observe a strict
one-way system on board. Queen Mary's master, Commodore Sir James Bisset,
noted that the number of soldiers on board was such that it made the ship
difficult to handle, to such a degree he was concerned about her
stability - especially when the British coast was sighted and there was a
movement of people to starboard. All told, Queen Mary made 28 such trips -
and Queen Elizabeth a similar number - taking soldiers eastbound and
prisoners-of-war and child evacuees westbound.

On three occasions Queen Mary was the nerve centre of the Empire as Sir
Winston Churchill crossed the Atlantic to see President Roosevelt. And,
according to Churchill, the trooping record of the two Queens, along
with the Aquitania (which had the distinction of being the only passenger
ship to serve in both world wars) and Mauretania reduced the duration
of the war by at least a year.

But not all Cunard ships survived the war; ten were lost, most
tragically the Lancastria which was bombed in Saint Nazaire harbour as she was
embarking retreating Allied troops. The actual death toll will never be
known, but it was almost certainly in the region of 3,000.

And more recently QE2 was involved in the Falklands Campaign. Of
course, QE2 was not the only Cunard ship to go to the Falklands - the
Atlantic Causeway and Saxonia were there; the Cunard Countess and the England
were used in the months afterwards. However, a special mention must go
to the Atlantic Conveyor in which six Cunard officers and crew,
including Captain Ian North, died when she was sunk.

While it is to be hoped Cunard ships will never need to undertake such
duties in future, if they are called upon to serve the nation again in
time of war that is what they will do - just as they have so often in
the past.

According to Cunard, Freedom of the City is the greatest honour a city
can give and it publicly declares that the recipient of the honour is a
person or organization of distinction who has rendered eminent services
to the city. Southampton is our homeport and our ships, including all
of the great Cunard Queens, have been based in this city since 1921.

Freedom of the City is an award whose roots date back to 1835. In many
cities and towns custom prevailed - and by-laws were made to enforce
this custom - that no person other than a freeman could keep any ship or
carry on any trade of gainful occupation. There were three ways in
which a person could become a freeman - being apprenticed to a freeman, by
purchase (rarely allowed) or by being presented with the status.

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CUNARD AND ACCOLADES.... FREEDOM OF THE CITY

Cunard - Queen Mary 2 Commemorates VJ Day and Receives Highest Accolade From City Of Southampton

CCNMatthews, Canada AUGUST 11, 2005 - 05:55 ET

LONDON, ENGLAND--(CCNMatthews - Aug. 11, 2005) - At a special celebration in Southampton on Monday 15 August 2005 Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2, the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive passenger liner ever, will mark the 60th Anniversary of VJ Day and the role the original Queen Mary played in announcing the end
of the War to the citizens of Southampton. At the same time Queen Mary 2's Master, officers and crew will receive the Freedom of the City of Southampton from the Mayor, Councillor Edwina Cooke.

VJ Day Commemoration

Sixty years ago on 15 August 1945 Queen Mary sounded her whistle - audible for ten miles - to announce to the citizens of Southampton that the war was finally over and that the Japanese had surrendered. During the commemoration at 12 noon next Monday Queen Mary 2 will mark
this anniversary when the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Edwina Cooke, sounds the whistle - one of those originally on Queen Mary and used in 1945!

Freedom of the City

Cunard will also have the great privilege of the Freedom of the City bestowed on the Master, Commodore Ron Warwick, officers and crew of Queen Mary 2.

It is a double honour for Cunard as the company's other ship Queen Elizabeth 2, the world's most famous and fastest passenger liner, received the honour in 1990 on the occasion of Cunard's 150th Anniversary.

Carol Marlow, Cunard's European Director, says:

"We feel immensely privileged that the crews of both the company's liners have been granted Freedom of the City status: such a distinction establishes more than anything else could, the close, continuing and beneficial relationship between Southampton and Cunard."

Notes to Editors

Cunard's War Efforts

Cunard ships have served with distinction in most major conflicts Great Britain has been involved in. The earliest was Crimea, for which Sir Samuel Cunard was rewarded with his baronetcy, and the most recent being the Gulf War in 1991 when the crew of Cunard Princess witnessed Iraqi scud missiles overhead as their ship served as a rest and
recuperation ship.

Cunard's Crimean War effort may have earned Sir Samuel an honour, but it nearly finished the company as Cunard's absence from the Atlantic - thanks to 14 of its 16 ships serving in the war - allowed foreign competitors, unhindered by a commitment to disputes in faraway places,
to garner for themselves most of the lucrative transatlantic business. After the war, Cunard struggled to regain its pre-eminence and finally did so through major investment and a little luck. But the war effort gained it the nation's respect as the company's contribution included
not just the transporting of 100,000 troops, but also that of 7,500 horses - including all those that charged with the Light Brigade.

In the years that followed, Cunard ships took troops and stores to Canada, to South Africa for the Zulu War and both Boer Wars, and to Egypt.

But they came into their own spectacularly in the First World War when they carried over one million troops. In addition to transport, Cunard vessels served as hospital ships, prisoner-of-war ships, food and munition transports, and as armed merchant cruisers. It was in the latter role that Carmania took the first German casualty of the war when she sank the Cap Trafalgar - ironically disguised as Carmania - off South America in November 1914.

Campania, meanwhile, was equipped with a 240-foot platform to serve as a forerunner of today's aircraft carriers.

The First World War resulted in the loss of 22 Cunarders, including the Lusitania which, unarmed and still in service as a passenger liner, was torpedoed off the Old Head of Kinsale with the loss of 1,198 lives.

The Second World War saw Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth - the company's newest ships and largest ever built at that time - in service as troop carriers. After trooping from Australia and New Zealand, both began in 1942 to ferry one million American GIs to Europe unescorted and at full speed. In summer, 15,000 were carried on each voyage - such a huge number they had to sleep and eat in three shifts and observe a strict one-way system on board. Queen Mary's
master, Commodore Sir James Bisset, noted that the number of soldiers on board was such that it made the ship difficult to handle, to such a degree he was concerned about her stability - especially when the British coast was sighted and there was a movement of people to
starboard. All told, Queen Mary made 28 such trips - and Queen Elizabeth a similar number - taking soldiers eastbound and prisoners-of-war and child evacuees westbound.

On three occasions Queen Mary was the nerve centre of the Empire as Sir Winston Churchill crossed the Atlantic to see President Roosevelt. And, according to Churchill, the trooping record of the two Queens, along with the Aquitania (which had the distinction of being the only
passenger ship to serve in both world wars) and Mauretania reduced the duration of the war by at least a year.

But not all Cunard ships survived the war; ten were lost, most tragically the Lancastria which was bombed in Saint Nazaire harbour as she was embarking retreating Allied troops. The actual death toll will never be known, but it was almost certainly in the region of 3,000.

And more recently QE2 was involved in the Falklands Campaign. Of course, QE2 was not the only Cunard ship to go to the Falklands - the Atlantic Causeway and Saxonia were there; the Cunard Countess and the England were used in the months afterwards. However, a special mention must go to the Atlantic Conveyor in which six Cunard officers and crew, including Captain Ian North, died when she was sunk.

While it is to be hoped Cunard ships will never need to undertake such duties in future, if they are called upon to serve the nation again in time of war that is what they will do - just as they have so often in the past.

The Freedom of the City

Freedom of the City is the greatest honour a city can give and it publicly declares that the recipient of the honour is a person or organization of distinction who has rendered eminent services to the city. Southampton is our homeport and our ships, including all of the
great Cunard Queens, have been based in this city since 1921.

Freedom of the City is an award whose roots date back to 1835. In many cities and towns custom prevailed - and by-laws were made to enforce this custom - that no person other than a freeman could keep any ship or carry on any trade of gainful occupation.

There were three ways in which a person could become a freeman - being apprenticed to a freeman, by purchase (rarely allowed) or by being presented with the status.

In 1835 the Municipal Corporation Act was passed and section 14 of that Act abolished these exclusive rights of trading, but being presented with the status was retained and continued.

The Local Government Act 1972 empowers the Council to create honorary freeman. The decision to give this award is made as a special council meeting with the support of all the political groups represented on the council.

Visit the Cunard website: www.cunard.co.uk

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MY REVIEW ON CRUISE-CRITIC.COM

My review also appeared on the cruisecritic.com site

 

ANd was featured as a link in their latest newsketter under the NERW REVIEWS section.

 

To see the review on the site: click here

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MY REVIEW ON SHIP-HAPPENS.COM

My review has started to be posted ona  few sites. One of these is the SHIP-HAPPENS site.

 

The person who runs the site wrote to me saying:

 

"Dear Gary,

Thank you for your e-mail enclosing your cruise review of Arcadia.  I confirm that we have added it to our "Just Reviews" area of the site this evening and you can now see it by going to the Ship Happens! home page, clicking on the "Just Reviews" button and then scrolling down to the P&O section.

We were delighted to read that your cruise on Arcadia enjoyable - that's just what we like to hear from our returning cruisers.  We wish that everyone could have as good a time on their cruises!   And we were interested too to read your critical comments and agree that the
standard coffee served on cruise ships leaves a great deal to be desired.  We hope that P&O and other cruise lines will take note.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your review with us and our readers - it is wonderfully detailed and a real treat to read!

Thank you too for your support of Ship Happens! and Happy Cruising!
Alex
on behalf of Ship Happens!"

 

To see my review on the site: click here

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RESPONSE TO MY REVIEW # 2

Also from the same group:

 

"

Hi Gary - nice report - I agree pretty much with most of your comments.

We didn't notice as many 'moaners' as in May but there are still quite a few !!

Well - I've managed to catch my breath a little now so here are my thoughts on J510, I won't bother much with the actual ship as that has been done to death !

The first couple of days were a little disappointing weather-wise as was St Tropez where it rained in the morning.
We thought Florence was a great place (even the glove shops !) and had a good day there. We stayed on board in Civitavechia and just sat around the aft pool at the railing overlooking the busy port - it was nice to experience the quietness of a ship in port !

Alghero we thought was a fantastic little port - much better than Cagliari - just wandered round the place most of the day and had a nice lunch overlooking the marina.

Gib was Gib - although it was shrouded in cloud all morning and looked very similar to Skull Island in King Kong !

The service and food standards again we found were excellent - but we had a table at the back again in the Meridian Lower overlooking the wake - again we found it a little noisy, but not enough to warrant asking for a move. Had the seas been rougher that may have changed.

We ate in the Orchid once which was very good, but we avoided Arcadian Rhodes.

The theatre company were once again on form - it was the same Cirque show from May but I have to say I found it even more spectacular 2nd time round - it has to be the most impressive performance at sea.

I only caught the tail end of the 'adult comedians' in the Globe on the first night but I heard a rumour that they got booed off very quickly on the 2nd night and walked out - don't know if anybody else can confirm this ?

Having read Cruisa's comments regarding the teenagers we now wish we were booked back on Arcadia next year and not Aurora - perhaps I'm getting old, but I do think P&O need to give more thought here about a slightly 'heavier' presence at night (I'm sure there will be more on this topic !).


Cheers

Dave"

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RESPONSE TO MY REVIEW FROM THE "WE LOVE CRUISING" GROUP #1

This was from the lovely lady that did our original booking:

 

Gary

Thanks for your review - I always love to read other peoples opinions.
We loved the ship too and hopefully will be going back on there (kids
permitting!) I just hope all the whingers have got off by then
because thats about all that spoilt it for us.

xxYMxx

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MY REVIEW OF P&O ARCADIA J510 MED CRUISE

Well, here it is!

 

My review of the FANTASTIC new P&O ship ARCADIA. This was going to be the new Cunard Queen Victoria that got changed into a P&O ship.

 

We loved it.

 

ARCADIA REVIEW

 

The short summary is that we LOVED this new ship to the P&O fold and we loved the cruise around the Mediterranean, finding nothing major to highlight as areas P&O could focus on to make it better! The areas we wrote on the feedback form I will cover later in the review.

 

We did find – however - that very regular P&O cruisers seemed almost eager to want to find things about the ship that they did not like. We found as we met people that they were constantly trying to compare it to other P&O ships, versus focusing on the merits or otherwise of the ARCADIA. That is probably a reflection of just how popular the other ships are! As when we pushed and asked exactly what do you not like, we almost always got the response "um, well, um, we can't quite put our finger on it, but it just isn't the same". Although surely if you want the same you go on the same ship?

 

The 4 specific things people we spoke to did not like were things that (in my view) a bit of simple research before the cruise would have told people about, and are well covered in the brochure, the detailed P&O website (http://www.pocruises.co.uk) and the various P&O groups / chat rooms. These things were:

1) The ship wasn't "glitzy" enough. The P&O material sent out through the building of the ship and in the brochure/ website seems to talk and show how they were going for a more “British”/ under-stated / sophisticated look.

2) The atrium wasn't spectacular. It is (admittedly) only 3 decks high and very simple. People seem to feel that this was a missed opportunity and an important part of any ship that was missing.

3) The Crow’s Nest is not that great. I agree. The one in AURORA, for example, with its tiered seating and layout creates a much better atmosphere and is a much better place to visit and spend time in. the one on ARCADIA is a bit sterile.

4) The ship was too big, and takes too long to walk from the back to the front....

 

We did, however, think the ship is fantastic. And would go back on it in a flash!

 

The fact that it is an adult only ship was a big plus too, as we could get easy access to the pools at all times...

 

The ship, in our view, itself is very tastefully done in muted colours and stylish contemporary fittings and furniture. It was not loud and brash anywhere, except the disco that was funky (although maybe a bit like a teen/ kids fun club). The ship overall is not brash and “Las Vegas” like.

 

The overall look is fairly consistent through the ship, and there is a not a lot of difference in the various rooms. They have gone for consistency, rather than making every public area very different from each other. This is probably the thing some people missed from other ships.

 

Here are some thoughts on some of the areas and rooms:

Cabin. B059 Hong Kong Suite

We were in this suite on B deck. It was fantastic. It is large (over 500 square feet including the expansive balcony). It has a great seating area with large sofa and chairs. There is a small dressing room, and bathroom with separate shower and “Jacuzzi” bath and 2 basins. The bed was very comfortable and huge – especially when together as they make a king size at least. It has a flat screen TV and DVD player, and piles of storage (we took loads of clothes and stuff and did not even use all the storage).

 

It had butler service (which I still do not really understand!! Perhaps it is just that we don’t use them enough as all he really did was bring canapes, our breakfast a few times and chatted to us!)

 

Saying all the above, I am not sure the cost of a suite on the ship is worth it. I think a mini-suite would be very good indeed, and from what we saw the staterooms were a great size and had decent sized balconies. I will go for one of these 2 options next time

 

 

Meridian Restaurant

On 2 levels, at the back of the ship, it has an open and bright feel with lots of windows and very striking and unusual light fittings. The food was excellent, and service outstanding.

 

The Palladium Theatre

Wow! Over 3 levels this is huge. It is hard to remember that you are on a ship. The stage has all sorts of fancy features like in the West End.

 

The shows ranged from a Cirque style show (which was VERY impressive), Andrew Lloyd Weber Best of, West End Favorites, Flashback Review of 60s – 90s. The cabaret was an old TV personality from the UK TV shows “Catchphrase” which was not our taste and a Violinist Showman who we did not go and see.

 

Saying that, I thought the shows were better than we had seen on the QE2 in December by a long way!

 

Cafe Vivo

A small coffee shop I used a fair bit as the filter coffee in the other areas was terrible! You pay for the coffee and you get muffin or sandwich etc included. A pleasant enough area situated next to the Cyber lounge. It did not seem overall to be used that much.

 

Belvedere Self Service

We usually do not like the lido style places on ships, but we liked this one. It was much better décor than the usual, something most people commented on. The seating runs along large windows on either side of the ship offering great views. It was very large with spread out counters all themed on different types of food, and open 24 hours. The layout meant much less queueing than in many lido style places on ships we have been on so far. We used it much more than we have ever on other ships.

 

Gym

This is very large and overlooks the bow of the ship. Bright with wide range of machines and free weights. A good number of classes were on offer.

 

Spa

Very large but horribly over-priced with fairly inexperienced therapists. NOT worth the money. A lot of passengers agreed! This is a pity as they have given up a lot of space for the spa and it is just not good value for money at all.

 

Cyber Room

Good size and number of PCs. But as with many ships access was expensive. There was wireless access in most of the public rooms but not in the cabins (unfortunately).

 

Arcadia Rhodes and Orchid Restaurants

These are the 2 alternative dining options where you pay a surcharge. Both are lovely rooms. We went to the Gary Rhodes one. It was a nice evening – but to be honest the food in the main restaurant was so good and varied that we did not really think it worth the extra cost and so did not go back. It seemed to be fairly empty, although later in the cruise it did get busier we believe.

 

Pools

Very nice indeed! We used them a lot as the weather was very good.

 

The areas that we suggested P&O think about in our feedback were:

1. Spa – this needs to be sorted out as it is too expensive and staff are not experienced enough for the prices.
2. Crows Nest – needs some work to turn it into a more pleasant and inviting space.
3. Casino – A great range of equipment and games. But the staff is all so miserable. Everywhere else the staff are cheery and helpful. Something is not right in the casino!
4. Filter Coffee – this is terrible! Get another brand please!
5. Wireless access – get it into the cabins

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QM2 to do world cruise in 2007 ... along with QE2!!!

Well, after much discussion in groups where people thought QE2 would be retired from world cruises in favour of QM2, it was announced today that the QM2 WILL BE DOING a world cruise in 2007 but so will the QE2... AND I would so love to do a round-the-world (the plan is still on for 2009...)

 

The press release said:

 

"Queen Mary 2 Joins Cunard's Grand Heritage of World Cruising in 2007

Queen Mary 2 Embarks on Maiden World Cruise at the Same Time

QE2 Commences 25th Sailing Around the Globe
   
    VALENCIA, Calif., Aug. 8 /CNW/ -- Cunard Line has long been
associated with many legendary maritime "firsts," including having undertaken
more world cruises than any other company.  Now Queen Mary 2 continues the
company's time-honored liner tradition as she embarks on her very first world
cruise in 2007.  Even more history will be made as the "grand dame" of world
cruises, QE2, sails on her 25th voyage around the world -- and the two ships
sail simultaneously on their global adventures.

    The two iconic liners will depart Fort Lauderdale together on January 10,
2007, initially sailing on a southward journey that will see Queen Mary 2
circumnavigate the globe in 80 days while her sister QE2 celebrates her Silver
Jubilee World Cruise with an exotic 108-day itinerary.

    Both world cruises are also available as a series of liner voyages from 22
to 102 days in length, recreating some of the most famous liner voyages of
old.  Passengers will enjoy a special $300 per person, per segment discount
when booking two more of these shorter journeys.

    The 2007 world cruises and liner voyages will continue a legacy Cunard
began when it introduced the first world cruise in 1922.  Due to the fine
seakeeping capabilities of these two famous liners, the circumnavigations can
take place at high speeds and in great comfort for the guests, who will travel
in truly luxurious surroundings.  Passengers will enjoy their exotic journey
in the grand manner of the golden age of travel, with an abundance of sea days
allowing time for the sometimes forgotten art of conversation, fine dining,
self enrichment and the opportunity to meet fellow sophisticated travelers.

    "As the only true ocean liners in operation today, Queen Mary 2 and QE2
are ideally suited to deliver memorable world voyages," said Jan Swartz,
senior vice president of customer service and sales for Cunard Line.  "With
these unique dual world cruises, we're continuing Cunard's legacy of providing
distinctive and adventurous travel experiences that recreate the bygone era of
glamorous ocean travel.  Our guests are sure to bring home lasting memories
and friendships from these historic journeys."

    Swartz added that guests will enjoy the rare experience of the two Cunard
Queens sailing initially side by side until they each venture off onto their
distinct global routes.  In addition, the famous ships will rendezvous again
one more time when they arrive on February 20 in Sydney Harbor, Australia.
   
    Queen Mary 2 Sails Around the World in 80 Days

    Queen Mary 2's maiden world cruise will transport guests on an 80-day
voyage visiting 20 of the world's most famous cities (including 13 capitals),
such as Athens, Paris, Rome, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Cairo, San
Francisco and Rio de Janeiro.

    The 26-day Ft. Lauderdale to San Francisco voyage features QM2 cruising
the Atlantic Ocean for several days before arriving in the dazzling Brazilian
city of Rio de Janeiro.  From there, the ship sails deeper into South America
to the bottom of the world via scenic cruising in Uruguay and around the
historically renowned waters of Cape Horn.  Santiago, Chile is the next
highlight before sailing the Pacific Ocean en route to Acapulco, Mexico.  The
ocean liner makes its much-anticipated, first-time arrival in San Francisco
two days later.

    From Northern California, the 14-day San Francisco to Sydney journey
features Queen Mary 2 continuing to sail the Pacific Ocean on her way to
Honolulu, Hawaii and another maiden call, Pago Pago in American Samoa.
Crossing the International Dateline, she will sail two days in the storied
South Pacific as the ship ventures into more new territory in Auckland, New
Zealand, and Sydney, Australia.

    From deep Down Under into the mysterious Far East, Queen Mary 2's 19-day
Sydney to Dubai segment traverses the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, Indian
Ocean and Arabian Sea.  Transporting guests to some of the world's most exotic
locales, travel enthusiasts will be enchanted with stops in bustling Hong
Kong, shopping-central Singapore, multi-cultural Kuala Lumpur and for some,
the piece de resistance: an overnight visit in Cochin, India with an optional
trip to the famed Taj Mahal.

    Next, the exotic oasis of Dubai is the launching point before cruising the
high seas again -- the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and transiting the
Suez Canal -- on the 15-day Dubai to Southampton voyage.  Another first-time
highlight will be the ship's arrival in Alexandria, Egypt.  Europe awaits with
calls in Athens, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Paris (Le Havre), before journeying
to Southampton and the seven-day voyage home to Ft. Lauderdale.
    Double occupancy early booking fares for Queen Mary 2's complete Around
the World in 80 days world cruise start from $21,195 per person, with
individual segment fares starting from $4,199 per person.
   
    QE2 Celebrates Silver Jubilee World Cruise

    She has sailed more than five million nautical miles, carried more than
three million people around the world and has long been the gold standard for
world cruises.  Celebrating her 25th round-the-world sailing, QE2 will
continue to showcase this legendary vessel's global appeal during the 108-day
journey.  The grande dame of world cruising will depart roundtrip from New
York (January 8) or Ft. Lauderdale (January 10).

    In addition to the 108-day adventure, guests can also book segments to
best suit their interests and travel schedule.  Voyages from New York or
Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles or San Francisco are available in 12, 14 and
16-day segments.  QE2 will visit Grand Cayman and Costa Rica, transit through
the Panama Canal, and call in Acapulco, Mexico before arriving in Los Angeles,
or in San Francisco two days later.

    Guests can enjoy the 30-day Los Angeles to Sydney or 28-day San Francisco
to Sydney legs as the ship continues across the Pacific Ocean and heads to
Hawaii; Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia; Tonga; Fiji; Auckland,
Wellington, and Christchurch, New Zealand; and Tasmania, Melbourne, and
Sydney, Australia.

    Next, the 27-day Sydney to Singapore voyage includes visits to Brisbane
and Port Douglas for the Great Barrier Reef/Cairns (Yorkey's), followed by
calls to Papua New Guinea; Yokohama and Osaka, Japan; Shanghai, China; Hong
Kong; Da Nang (Chan May) Vietnam; and Bangkok, Thailand.

    The 31-day Singapore to Southampton voyage takes the ship to Sri Lanka;
India; the Seychelles Islands; Mauritius; Durban and Cape Town, South Africa;
Namibia; Canary Islands; and Madeira before arriving in Southampton.  From
Southampton, a westbound transatlantic crossing to New York (6-day) or
Ft. Lauderdale (8-day) concludes the 108-day world cruise.

    Double occupancy early booking fares for QE2's 108-day Silver Jubilee
World Cruise start from $16,845 per person, with smaller segments priced from
$1,899 per person.

    The early booking fares for these voyages represent a 15 percent per
person savings off brochure rates.  As an extra bonus, guests will save an
additional 5 percent when bookings are made by January 31, 2006.
    New for 2007, Cunard is offering all World Cruise voyages as non-air which
translates to lower fares and increased flexibility for travelers.  For those
who prefer air inclusive packages, air add-ons from 161 gateways are available
at an additional cost.

    For more information about Cunard or 2007 World Cruises on Queen Mary 2
and QE2, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.
   
    Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world since
1840.  Cunard vessels have a classic British heritage and include the
legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2.  Queen Victoria joins the fleet
in 2007.  Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines.  The
exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line,
Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.
Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value,
member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  Together they
offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable
destinations."

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CUNARD ONLINE BOOKING... ABOUT BLOODY TIME!!!

Hooray – anyone who has had the “pleasure” of trying to call CUNARD to book a cruise will be pleased to see that at long last, it looks like online booking is coming…

 

“Cunard Debuts First Electronic Booking Capability on Highly Praised POLAR Online

Aug 04, 05 | 8:41 am

 

Providing a significant benefit to the travel agent community, Cunard debuts POLAR Online today, a powerful real-time booking engine that gives agents the ability to make a booking 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new tool is accessible through the company's website( www.cunard.com), and is directly linked to Cunard's own reservation system.

 

POLAR Online's valuable features for agents include global booking access, option extensions, ability to search voyages by price, ability to make changes and see rates before confirming a reservation, access to all past passenger fares, list of bookings by voyage, the ability to create and modify all bookings including those made by phone or other tools, a view to commission details, and a greater ease in booking groups and "cloning" multiple bookings.

"Cunard's debut of POLAR Online will make it easier than ever to book a voyage on Queen Mary 2 or QE2," says Jan Swartz, senior vice president of customer service and sales for Cunard Line. "Now, agents are virtually present in our reservations department and can easily create, research and modify bookings with this excellent system. We know agents will applaud the enhanced customer service this new tool will provide."

POLAR Online is the same booking tool used by Princess Cruises. Debuting less than a year ago, it has become travel agents' #1 choice for making online Princess cruise reservations.

If agents are currently using POLAR Online, they can use their existing username and password to access Cunard.

Agents can register by going to www.cunard.com/agent”

 

This appeared on: http://travelvideo.tv

 

Huge wave - making ships disappear?

Just having returned from our trip on the P&O ARCADIA which took us through the Med, we looked back at the pictures from our crossing in December on the QE2. And realised just how ROUGH that was!

 

It was therefore, interesting to read this article that appeared on http://www.nature.com and refers to the HUGE wave that hit the QE2 some years back… and warns we may be seeing more…

 

 

 

“40-metre monsters may account for mysteriously vanished ships.

 

Immense waves capable of sinking the largest ships might not be freaks of nature, but a common result of hurricanes.

That's the implication of new evidence that Hurricane Ivan, which whirled across the Gulf of Mexico last September, probably generated waves greater more that 40 metres high from crest to trough.

David Wang and his colleagues at the Naval Research Laboratory in Mississippi say that the water pressures measured by their array of seafloor sensors, 60 to 90 metres below the ocean off the northeast coast of the gulf, indicate the passage of waves nearly 30 m high.

But they say that the waves near the eye of the hurricane, which unfortunately passed over the sensors while they were not taking measurements, would probably have topped 40 metres.

"These are the largest wave heights ever recorded with instruments in US waters", says Wang's colleague William Teague. "They're larger than we ever thought they would be." Ivan wasn't even a particularly large hurricane, he adds.

Sunken ships

Terrible walls of water are a staple of nautical lore. But oceanographers have only recently come to accept them, as simple statistics suggest that such extreme events should almost never happen.

 

But there's no fundamental reason why ocean waves can't grow to immense sizes. "Nobody knows what the upper limit might be," says Paul Liu of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The largest waves to hit shore come from tsunamis - waves generated most often by seafloor movements during major earthquakes. But while at sea these waves are just a few centimetres high, only growing as they reach shallow waters. The Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004 reached 30 metres above sea level in the hardest hit areas.

There are eyewitness accounts of similarly enormous waves at sea. In 1995, the Queen Elizabeth 2 liner survived an encounter with one about 30 metres high in the North Atlantic, and six years later a similar wave smashed windows on the cruise ship Bremen in the South Atlantic and nearly sank it.

It is now widely suspected that such rogue waves, generated by wind and currents, might explain the mysterious, regular disappearance of large ships at sea. One, the German supertanker München, vanished in 1978.

No freak

Such waves are generally ascribed to unusual circumstances, such as fast-moving storms. But the new findings, reported in Science¹, suggest that waves even larger than these might romp across the oceans whenever a hurricane hits.

 

Shuyi Chen, a specialist on computer modelling of hurricanes at the University of Miami, agrees, saying that the latest hurricane models predict such waves should occur "very often". The findings are consistent with less accurate measurements made from ships, she adds.

Il Ju Moon, an oceanographer at the University of Rhode Island who studies the interactions of hurricanes and oceans, points out that the study may spell bad news for ships and coastal defences. If hurricane activity increases, as some expect to happen along with climate change, such giant waves could become more frequent.”