Cunard Line has long been associated with many legendary maritime firsts, including having undertaken more world cruises than any other company…
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.
r 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.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
