As she criss-crosses the Atlantic Ocean and cruises the world, Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth 2 lulls hundreds of guests to sleep on a regular basis…
As she criss-crosses the Atlantic Ocean and cruises the world, Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth 2 lulls hundreds of guests to sleep on a regular basis. Come 2003, the most famous liner in the world will become the first ship to offer a pillow concierge service so that its passengers can feel even more cozy in bed.
In true luxury liner fashion, all accommodations aboard QE2 feature standard-size pillows that are filled with a blend of down and other premium feathers. The new concierge service lets passengers choose from king-size feather blend, standard- and king-size synthetic, 100 percent goose down, U-shaped, neck rolls, companion and head support cushions.
According to Deborah Natansohn, Cunard’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, Having the right pillow is just one more luxurious touch that enhances your comfort while on Queen Elizabeth 2.
The right pillow can make all the difference
According to a 2002 poll by the National Sleep Foundation, Americans sleep about 6.9 hours every weeknight. Over the years, that number has continued to fall and complaints about sleepless nights and tired mornings continue to rise.
Pillows can also reduce snoring, but Cunard is not making any guarantees! Research shows that neck roll and U-shaped pillows are thought to reduce snoring because the contoured foam elevates the chin from the chest, keeping the jaw forward and airways open, which makes snoring less likely.
Obviously, for travellers with sleep, neck, or leg problems, the number and type of available pillows can be a real concern while on vacation. Cunard’s new pillow concierge will help guests select from nine types of pillows to ensure restful snoozing while on board QE2.
Among the more unusual pillows in the group are neck roll head supports. These look like a typical, rectangular pillow, but with a neck roll pillow attached on one side. The roll supports the neck while the head rests on the pillow and can be used for sleeping on your back or side. Such pillows are ideal for people with headaches or neck pain.
U-shaped pillows are also offered. Shaped more like a candy cane than a horseshoe, these hypoallergenic pillows are beneficial for those who sleep on their sides. When properly used, the head rests along the curve, permitting the sleeper to cradle the long, straight section.
For the ultimate in luxury for passengers without allergies, Cunard Line offers 100 percent goose down pillows with a cambric cotton cover. Down consists of light and fluffy clusters of feathers that trap air by interlocking and overlapping each other. These air pockets help maintain temperature and produce superior loft or volume. Accordingly, all-down fill is widely regarded as the fluffiest and most luxurious of fills available.
2003 marks farewell transatlantic season
In addition to its unique pillow concierge service, Cunard Line’s feted QE2 is presently the world’s only ship offering regularly scheduled transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton, England. The liner will celebrate her Farewell Transatlantic Season with 17 gala crossings from April through December 2003. Beginning in 2004, the transatlantic route will be assumed by the line’s new, $800-million Queen Mary 2, currently being built in France. While 2003 marks the final season of transatlantic crossings for QE2, the ship will continue to operate Cunard’s annual World Cruise and will offer a full schedule of exciting new voyages departing from Southampton.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
