Three Cunard Queens in Southampton

All three of Cunard’s Queens will meet in their homeport of Southampton on Tuesday 22nd April 2008. It will mark another historic first for Cunard Cruises. Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will salute QE2 as she celebrates the 39th anniversary of her official entry into service in 1969. Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says: “We are delighted that this unexpected opportunity for Southampton to host our three ocean liners arose after we took the recent decision to have QE2’s scheduled 2008 refit in her homeport. We would like as many people as possible to witness this historic spectacle”.

Cunard Take to New York

Thousands of people lined the shores of New York harbour to witness a celebratory procession of three of the most famous cruise liners in the world, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, QE2 and the new girl on the block, Queen Victoria. The procession began with a whistle salute from each liner as they set off on their respective voyages illuminated by a resplendent firework display befitting their Royal status. It was the first time in the Cunard line’s 168 year history that three ‘Queens’ have been in service simultaneously. The festivities were arranged to welcome Queen Victoria to the fleet following her launch in Southampton on 10 December 2007 which was undertaken by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. Queen Victoria will now embark on her maiden world cruise stopping in 37 ports in 23 countries on the 105-day journey. QE2 will also depart on what Cunard says will be her 26th and last world cruise.

Cunard’s Queen Victoria Named

The latest addition to the Cunard Lines Royal range has today been named by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in Southampton. The crew and passengers on Queen Victoria’s inaugural voyage may be crossing their fingers though and praying for luck after the bottle failed to break at the ceremony. Queen Victoria will cross the Atlantic with her sister, QE2, to meet up in with Queen Mary 2 for a celebration in New York in January 2008 before setting out on her maiden world cruise. When leaving New York, it will be the first time that three ‘Royals’ will have been in service together in Cunard’s 168 year history.

Cunard Queen Victoria Godmother Camilla

Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall has been named by Cunard to be Godmother of Queen Victoria. The liner will be christened in Southampton in December.

A statement from Cunard read:

“Cunard Line is delightedly announcing that Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, will attend a ceremony in Southampton on December 10, 2007, to mark the introduction of Cunard’s new 90,000-ton liner Queen Victoria. At this ceremony, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will perform the naming of the ship. This naming will be a milestone in both Cunard and British maritime history, and will be a major event of worldwide interest, with over 2,000 VIP guests from around the globe in attendance at the prestigious ceremony.”

“This will be an historic occasion. We are most honoured that Their Royal Highnesses have accepted our invitation and that Her Royal Highness will name our newest Cunarder,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “Every one of our Cunard Queens has been named by a member of the Royal Family and we are therefore delighted that Queen Victoria will follow in that tradition. In addition, this particular ceremony will mark the beginning of a new era, as it will be the first time in our 168-year history that we will have three Cunard Queens in service at the same time,”

The Duchess of Cornwall joins the Queen in terms of Royal patronage. Her Majesty has already been Godmother to Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1964 and Queen Mary 2 in 2004. The Prince of Wales will be attending the ceremony with his wife and they will be joined by over 7,000 guests from around the world. Queen Victoria will set sail on her maiden voyage on Tuesday, December 11, 2007.

Camilla to be Queen Victoria’s Godmother

Cunard Cruise Lines today have announced that Camilla, The Duchess of Windsor and wife of Prince Charles will be the Godmother of Queen Victoria when she is christened in December at Southampton. She joins her mother in law, The Queen who herself is Godmother (though the term is not used) to both the Queen Elizabeth 2 (in 1969) and Queen Mary 2 (2004).

A statement from Cunard read:

Cunard Line is delightedly announcing that Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, will attend a ceremony in Southampton on December 10, 2007, to mark the introduction of Cunard’s new 90,000-ton liner Queen Victoria. At this ceremony, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will perform the naming of the ship. This naming will be a milestone in both Cunard and British maritime history, and will be a major event of worldwide interest, with over 2,000 VIP guests from around the globe in attendance at the prestigious ceremony.

“This will be an historic occasion. We are most honoured that Their Royal Highnesses have accepted our invitation and that Her Royal Highness will name our newest Cunarder,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “Every one of our Cunard Queens has been named by a member of the Royal Family and we are therefore delighted that Queen Victoria will follow in that tradition. In addition, this particular ceremony will mark the beginning of a new era, as it will be the first time in our 168-year history that we will have three Cunard Queens in service at the same time,” added Marlow.

Queen Victoria will not only be a classic Cunard ocean liner, offering the very best of Cunard heritage and traditions, but will also be the second largest Cunarder the company has ever built. She will be in Southampton for four days, during which time over 7,000 guests from around the world will visit the ship. She will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday December 11, 2007.

Cunard Queen Elizabeth 2 Turns 40

There was cause for celebration at Cunard and for maritime enthusiasts the world over today when former flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 had her 40th birthday. Although she was christened in 1969, she was first floated two years before.

Queen Elizabeth 2 has travelled the world in many capacities but her recent role has been that of a cruise liner operating from Southampton in the United Kingdom. Her last function will be as a floating hotel in Dubai when Cunard retires her from active service next year.

Queen Elizabeth 2 celebrates 40 years!

Queen Elizabeth 2, celebrates 40 years today, though christened in 1969, she was first floated in 1967.

Cunard Queen Victoria Sea Trials

Cunard confidently expect that their new cruise liner, Queen Victoria, will be on target to be in Southampton in December 2007 to commence her maiden season. Cunard have confirmed that she has undergone extensive sea trials in order to check out her sea safeness and to see just how well she performs. Cunard seem happy that all is well and cruise enthusiasts all over the world will be getting ready for her to take her first bow.

Queen Victoria has undergone her first Sea Trials

Cunard’s Queen Victoria has undergone her first Sea Trials. These are to test both her abilities and sea safeness. If all goes to plan and Cunard are giving no reason to expect anything different, she will hit her target date of arriving in Southampton in December of this year for her inaugural season.

QE2 Sold!!!

QE2 Sold!!!, Cunard’s grand old lady is set to be sold to Dubai World in November 2008 after her last cruise. With new legislation the cost of updating QE2 was deemed by Cunard to be Prohibitive, hence the sale.

QE2 will be transformed into a luxury hotel, the same fate as Queen Mary and placed at the retail and entertainment complex in Dubai’s The Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island.

The cost $100 million. More details about QE2 Sold will appear here shortly.

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