Cunard to carry rare facsimile of the Salisbury Magna Carta

Queen Mary 2

A rare facsimile of the Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in English history, will be going on display on board Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and sister ship Queen Victoria between May and September 2015 to celebrate its 800th anniversary year.

Salisbury Cathedral will be lending a rare facsimile of its Magna Carta (dated 1215) to Cunard and is one of only four of the original documents in existence. The facsimile will be displayed in the Grand Lobby of Queen Mary 2 from early May until September. It will also be briefly carried on-board Queen Victoria in late May.

The cruise line already has experience carrying an original Magna Carta. During World War II, the Lincoln Magna Carta, one of the four originals, was moved to Washington DC for safe-keeping. In January 1946 it began its journey home, first to New York and then on board Queen Elizabeth for the voyage to Southampton.

Chairman of the Salisbury Cathedral 2015 Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Board Robert Key will be escorting the copy of Salisbury's Magna Carta during crossings on-board Queen Mary 2 on voyages departing 10 May and 4 September. He will also be on-board Queen Victoria's voyage departing 22 May.  Key will host two talks on each voyage about the legacy of the Magna Carta and the effect it had in shaping the world as we know it today.

"I, and Salisbury Cathedral, are delighted to be working with Cunard as we celebrate the Magna Carta's 800th anniversary by loaning a very rare facsimile of the document. The impact of the Magna Carta was not only felt ashore, but in these lectures we have a golden opportunity to explain and explore those fundamental freedoms that give Cunard ships the right to sail the seven seas – rights that we won 800 years ago and for which people the world over are still prepared to fight and to die" said Robert Key.

(Photo credit to Cunard Line)

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Queen Victoria Debuts Re-Fit on 2015 World Voyage

Cunard Line's Queen Victoria embarked on the start of her 2015 World Voyage last week following an intensive 20-day refurbishment project.

The refurbishment works were carried out at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg. During the works nine new single staterooms were installed, existing furnishings were refreshed and enhancements were made to the outdoor spaces.



2,000 contractors representing thirty different nationalities worked a total of 600,000 man hours around the clock to replace all 215,278 square feet (approximately 20,000 square metres) of carpet in the passenger areas. They also renewed all 3,167 mattresses on board and replaced more than 3.75 miles of pipe work insulation. A total of 2,695 gallons (approximately 12,250 litres) of paint were used inside and out.

“We are really pleased with the results of Queen Victoria’s refit – the ship is looking immaculate. We pride ourselves on listening to what our passengers want, and are delighted to have added the nine single staterooms in response – a similar addition is already proving popular with single travellers on Queen Elizabeth since her refit last year," said marketing director Angus Struthers.

"We have also installed awnings at the back of Queen Victoria’s Lido to provide more comfortable al fresco dining, and on the Upper Grill Terrace, to offer the option of shade for sunbathers – perfect for Queen Victoria’s forthcoming season in the Mediterranean. I’m sure our passengers will notice other the grace-notes around the ship, such as enhancements to the coffee service at breakfast and the new internet stations in the library."

In honour of the company's 175th anniversary, Queen Victoria welcomed her World Voyage passengers aboard with a commemorative flag-raising ceremony which took place at the ship's mast. This was to hoist the signature flag for the first time on board and as is traditional, was performed by the youngest crew member, 20 year-old deck cadet Fraser Browne. The flag will be flown at iconic landmarks across the world during all three of the fleet's World Voyages and will be auctioned at their conclusion with all proceeds going to The Prince's Trust, Cunard's official charity.

The ship's first call was at Ponta Delgada in the Azores on 23 January and she is now under way to the Caribbean before transiting the Panama Canal and heading for Hawaii and Australia.

(Photo credit to Cunard Line)

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Cunard celebrates the start of its 175th anniversary year

3 Queens in Southampton

Last weekend saw the start of the celebrations from Cunard to mark their 175th anniversary. Fireworks and marching bands marked the departure of Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth on their World Voyages.



Both Queen Mary 2 and sister ship Queen Elizabeth were in Southampton together on 10 January 2015. British actress Celia Imrie was aboard Queen Mary 2 while Kate Adie, former chief news correspondent for the BBC, was aboard Queen Elizabeth.

Celebrations will continue throughout the year on all three vessels including:

• Gala dinners with souvenir menus on cruises of more than four nights
• "Black, Red and Gold" themed Balls in the Queens Room aboard each ship
• 175th themed commemorative drinks, from special blends of wine to craft beers, plus 175th themed cakes and deserts at afternoon tea and formal dinners.
• Themed entertainment, including  175th anniversary quizzes and the quirky side of Cunard's history presented by the RADA theatre group travelling aboard Queen Mary 2's transatlantic crossings
• Specially created 175th merchandise, from  collectible posters to teddy bears and polo shirts to cufflinks and 18 carat Clogue gold jewellery
• Mail posted on board with be over-stamped with the 175th anniversary logo
• In cabin stationery – postcards, writing paper and envelopes – will display the 175th anniversary logo

Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria will all reunite in their home port of Southampton on 3 May 2015 for a special sail away of the three Queens. This is expected to draw large crowds as is the gathering of the three vessels in Liverpool during a special three-day event between 24 and 26 May. On 25 May the trio of vessels will appear in formation on the Mersey where they will perform a series of carefully choreographed manoeuvres within sight of the Three Graces on Pier Head waterfront, including the iconic Cunard Building which was the company's headquarters for nearly 50 years.

As part of the celebrations Cunard have also released a short animated video chronicling the line's 175 years of service.



(Photo credit to Cunard Line)

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Hollywood Rocks on board Queen Victoria

Celebrating the glamour of Hollywood’s heyday as well as movie soundtracks that have captured modern hearts, Cunard's  Queen Victoria has a brand new stage show ‘Hollywood Rocks’.  

The  production takes passengers on an imaginative journey from the silent screen, through the golden age of cinema, to contemporary Oscar winners. The show features song and dance numbers from some of the most famous movies in history including classics such as ‘Over the Rainbow’ from the Wizard of Oz, ‘Singing in the Rain’ which catapulted Gene Kelly to international stardom, ‘I Will Always Love You’ from The Bodyguard, ‘The Time of My Life’ from Dirty Dancing and an ABBA medley from ‘Mamma Mia’.

During the 45-minute performance guests can enjoy hits from blockbusters such as, ‘The Bodyguard’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Titanic’ as they sit back and relax in Queen Victoria’s three tier Royal Court Theatre, complete with the first theatre boxes at sea.

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Winter Cruises from Broadway Travel from £299pp

Set sail with Broadway Travel this winter. They are offering a Belgium Christmas Market cruise from £299pp and a 12 night Atlantic Coast Cruise from £539pp.

£299pp - Five-Star Queen Victoria Belgium Christmas Market Cruise with Balcony Cabin

Bruges, Belgium: Spend three nights, full board, exploring Belgium this Christmas.

The Queen Victoria offers a range of dining options to suit every guest and also offers two swimming pools, a spa and four whirlpools. Guests can explore the cities of Bruges and Ghent – perhaps the best preserved medieval cities of Northern Europe with their cobbled streets, medieval edifices, glassy canals and of course their magical Christmas markets.

Ship departs and returns from Southampton from 16 December 2014.

Prices based on two sharing.

P&O Oriana, Iberian Cruise

£539pp - Four-Star 12 Night Atlantic Coast Cruise 

Spain & Portugal:  Beat the post-Christmas blues with a 12 day full-board winter cruise. Relax on board the P&O Oriana around one of the pools or the ships own spa. The ship will set sail to destinations across the Atlantic including Casablanca, Malaga, Cadiz and Lisbon (above).

Ship departs and returns from Southampton on  11 January 2015.

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Credit yourself with a little indulgence thanks to Cunard

Cunard has a new ‘Indulge Yourself’ campaign, offering the chance to savour a variety of on board treats for no cost on a range of cruises.

Passengers looking to book a voyage with Cunard - from a seven-day Transatlantic crossing with Queen Mary 2 to a lavish 23-day Mediterranean cruise with Queen Victoria - will be given additional onboard spending money when they make their booking before 30 November 2014.

The offer is available on selected sailings on board Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth (above) and Queen Victoria departing May - June 2015 and October 2015 - January 2016.

Guests can choose to use the money in the ships’ spas, dining in one of the alternative fine-dining restaurants, choosing favourites from the Martini Menu in the Commodore Club bar, or exploring one of the shore excursions.

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Cunard's 175th Anniversary Details

Fans of British traditionalists Cunard will be pleased to know the company has released details of the celebratory voyages it has planned in 2015 to mark the 175th anniversary of its first ship, Britannia, which set sail in July 1840.  

 

Britannia inaugurated the first-ever regularly-scheduled service across the Atlantic and every year since then Cunard ships have crossed and re-crossed the Atlantic, in peace and war, without fail. 

 

Here are the details of the major events to come in 2015.

The 175th Anniversary Crossing

Flagship Queen Mary 2 will recreate history when she sails from Liverpool on July 4, 2015, following in the wake of Britannia, which left the city 175 years earlier to the day. This will also be the first time since January 1968  a Cunard ship has departed from Liverpool for America. The 10-night crossing from Liverpool will call at Halifax and Boston, just like Britannia, and will conclude in New York on July 14.

The full voyage, number M511D, begins in Cunard's homeport of Southampton on July 2 and the 12-night crossing from Southampton to Liverpool, Halifax and New York has fares from £2,249 per person.

There has been intense excitement about this voyage since it was initially announced and demand is expected to be high. Whether joining in Southampton or Liverpool, passengers will be taking part in the signature celebration of the company’s 175 years and will themselves become part of Cunard’s illustrious history.

A Salute to Liverpool

Cunard was founded in the city of Liverpool and the company’s Head Office remained there for 128 years. Today, the magnificent Cunard Building forms one third of the World Heritage-listed ‘Three Graces’ on the Pier Head. It is fitting, therefore, that 175 years after the inauguration of Cunard’s transatlantic service from Liverpool, the current fleet salutes the company’s ‘spiritual’ home. From May 24-26, 2015, Liverpool will play host to the three largest Cunard ships ever built in an historic three-day event.

Queen Mary 2 will arrive in Liverpool on May 24 and make her first ever overnight stay in the city, berthed in sight of the Cunard Building. The following morning, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria will sail into the city and, for a time, all three ships of the fleet will line up on the Mersey in a spectacle that is expected to draw huge crowds. Over a million people saw QE2 sail into Liverpool for the first time in July 1990.

Queen Mary 2 will then take her leave and sail out of Liverpool late morning on the 25th as Queen Elizabeth berths at the landing stage, where she will remain until late that night. Queen Victoria, meanwhile, will anchor in the Mersey.

Late in the evening, Queen Elizabeth will set sail and Queen Victoria will then take the berth and remain overnight, and for the following day, May 26. The event also features as a highlight of three very different cruises that go on general sale from 1pm on March 13:

Queen Mary 2: 10-night ‘British Isles – Liverpool Salute’

May 17-27, 2015. Voyage number M506. Fares from £1,499 per person.
This ‘lap-of-honour’ by the Cunard flagship leaves Southampton and calls at Cobh, Dun Laoghaire, Greenock (where celebrations to recognise the 125 Cunard ships built on the Clyde since 1840 will take place), Oban, Liverpool and St Peter Port before returning to Southampton.

Queen Elizabeth: 16-night ‘Baltic – Liverpool Salute’

May 11-27. Voyage number Q507. Fares from £1,849 per person.
Southampton – Oslo – Copenhagen – Stockholm – Tallinn – St Petersburg (overnight) – Warnemunde – Kirkwall – Liverpool – Southampton.

Queen Victoria: six-night ‘Liverpool Salute’

May 22-28. Voyage number V512. Fares from £899 per person.
Southampton – St Peter Port – Liverpool (overnight) – Southampton

Let the Party Commence – Southampton, May 3, 2015

Cunard’s 175th celebrations will start in earnest at its homeport of Southampton on May 3 when all 3 ships will sail into Southampton together and depart later that day in formation. This will be the first time Queen Mary 2 will have led the fleet out of Southampton in daylight.

After the meeting, Queen Victoria will depart on her ‘Lusitania Remembered’ voyage; QM2 will head for New York (seven-nights; voyage number M504, fares from £1,299 per person); and Queen Elizabeth will set sail for Northern Europe (eight-nights calling at Hamburg and Amsterdam; voyage number Q504A, fares from £849 per person). Places on these two sailings go on general sale from 1pm on April 8.

‘Lusitania Remembered’

On May 7, 2015, it will be exactly 100 years since Cunard flagship Lusitania was torpedoed while en-route from New York to Liverpool. The ship sank approximately 14 miles off the old Head of Kinsale in Ireland. In all, Cunard lost 22 ships during the First World War, including Carpathia, which had rescued all of the survivors of the Titanic.

This special seven-night cruise by Queen Victoria will commemorate the loss of Lusitania and of Cunard crew and ships in World War One more generally. The ship will call at Cobh (formerly Queenstown) on May 7, 100 years to the day since Lusitania was lost. A special service ashore will be held, to which all passengers on Queen Victoria will be invited, in addition to a number of other tributes that will be made that day.
 

Sailing round-trip from Southampton on May 3, Voyage number V510, Queen Victoria will call at St Peter Port (Guernsey), Le Havre, Cobh and Dublin. Fares start from £799 per person. This sailing goes on general sale from 1pm on March 13.

 

More info: call 0843 374 0000 or visit www.cunard.co.uk.

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Cunard Are Scent-Sational

There will be something new in the air aboard the Cunard trio of Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria this year: the famous line has joined forces with British perfumiers Penhaligon’s to enhance its in-cabin amenities. 

The distinctive look and fragrance of the Royal Warrant-holder’s Quercus body lotion, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner will all be introduced across the fleet in 2014.

The Quercus scent was created in 1996 and named after the English oak to embody strength, tradition and essential 'Englishness', the perfect complement to Cunard’s classic style. The musk and sandalwood base notes are warmed with jasmine and cardamom and topped by citrus and bergamot to produce an elegant and uplifting fragrance with equal appeal to men and women.  

Queen Elizabeth is the first of Cunard’s ships to feature the Quercus products, which will be introduced to Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 in the summer.  In response to passenger testing, shower gel and shampoo will be supplied in larger sizes while body lotion and conditioner will be in smaller bottles. Soaps will also be provided and all items will be replenished as required.  

Enhanced ranges will be offered for passengers travelling in Grills accommodation and the top grade Suites will have the added benefit of a Scent Library containing 10 samples from across the Penhaligon’s fragrance spectrum.  

Angus Struthers, Cunard Marketing Director, said: “With its intriguing mix of tradition and

modernity, the classic and the quirky, Penhaligon’s perfectly accords with the distinctly British feel of our three ships.  We are very happy to be working with Penhaligon’s, which like Cunard has a distinguished history and long association with the Royal family.” Matthew Huband, Head of Global Marketing at Penhaligon’s, added: “Like Cunard, Penhaligon’s has a long and illustrious history, drawing customers of taste and refinement. We are thrilled to be able to share this most British of fragrances and look forward to a long relationship with Cunard and the Three Queens.”

Penhaligon’s has been ‘entertaining England’s nostrils’ since 1870 and the spirit of founder William Penhaligon touches everything the company does today. Its scents are still made and bottled in England using the highest quality ingredients. Penhaligon’s is proud to hold two Royal Warrants: from HRH The Prince of Wales (granted in 1988) and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (granted in 1956).  

More info: visit www.cunard.co.uk or call 0843 374 0000.

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Cunard Plan 10th Anniversary Special For Queen Mary 2

Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 will celebrate her first ten years of service this year with a series of special events and ceremonial markers for the last genuine transatlantic liner. 

Since her spectacular naming by Her Majesty The Queen in Southampton on January 8, 2004, QM2 has undertaken a total of 419 voyages, including more than 200 transatlantic crossings and called at 182 ports in 60 countries.

Since becoming Cunard’s flagship on completion of her maiden transatlantic crossing in May 2004, the vessel has remained unchallenged as the world’s largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive ocean liner ever built and the most famous and fastest passenger ship in operation today.

At 1,132ft in length, she would be taller, if stood on her stern, than the tallest building in Europe, the Shard in London, and would be over three times the height of St Paul’s Cathedral. Her 151,400 gross tonnage is the equivalent of nearly 19,000 London buses, and she boasts over four times as many rooms as the Dorchester hotel. 

In her first 10 years of service she’s sailed the equivalent of three times to the moon and back. She’s carried over 1.3 million guests, enough to fill Westminster Abbey 651 times. As well as human guests, over 2,000 dogs have travelled on Queen Mary 2, five times as many as in Battersea Dogs Home! 

QM2 departed on her eighth World Cruise yesterday, sailing together with Queen Elizabeth from Southampton after a fusillade of celebratory fireworks. The major 10th Anniversary celebrations will begin on May 9, however, when all three ships of the fleet will arrive together in their homeport of Southampton and Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth will salute the flagship’s first ten years. 

The day will feature special sail-pasts, a celebratory lunch and a spectacular send-off of fireworks as all three set sail together that evening, with Queen Mary 2 leading the way. Further details about the day’s events planned will be forthcoming soon.

Fares for the May 9-16 crossing to New York start from £1,279 per person, including a one-way transatlantic flight and $80 on board spending money. Fares for the May 16-23 crossing from New York to Southampton start from £1,249, with the same benefits.

More info: call 0843 374 0000 or visit www.cunard.com.

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Cunard’s New Dining Aboard Queen Victoria

A new alternative dining venue, The Verandah, has opened on Cunard's Queen Victoria, replacing the Todd English restaurant. The new 100-seat option is based on the same concept as the popular and award-wining Verandah on Queen Elizabeth, with a slightly different menu featuring a sophisticated, contemporary and relaxed theme.

Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, explained: "Queen Victoria's new restaurant is an exciting addition to the Cunard culinary offering, which now includes some of the most highly-rated dining at sea and no fewer than12  different venues. The passenger feedback we have received for both lunch and dinner in these first days of the Verandah’s operation has been very positive indeed and booking has proved essential for evening dining in particular."
 
The menu has been created by Jean Marie Zimmermann, who is a Michelin starred chef as well as Cunard’s global culinary ambassador. A particular highlight is Carpaccio of Smoked Beef with Marinated Aubergine, Quail’s Egg and Truffle Mayonnaise, which combines magical pairings of flavours with theatrical touches – the dish is served under a glass cloche filled with scented smoke.

There is a choice of seven entrees, 11 plats principaux and six dessert choices. Plats principaux include Beef and Lobster Flambéed with Cognac and Truffle with Parmesan Fries – the most popular dish to date – and Baked Rack of Lamb in Pastry with Morel Mushrooms and Madeira Reduction.

Todd English, offering a vibrant taste of the Mediterranean, will remain the alternative restaurant on Queen Mary 2 as befits her transatlantic crossings and more even mix of British and American passengers. This first-ever Todd English venue at sea has proved highly successful since its introduction in 2004.

Other evening dining alternatives include the Kings Court (Queen Mary 2) and The Lido (Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria). By night, these areas transform into intimate and casual spaces that offer cuisine from around the world. Queen Elizabeth's other choices including the South American grill Asado; Jasmine, with its menus drawn from across Asia; and Aztec, which adds its own twist to Mexican classics. Queen Victoria’s Lido transforms into Bamboo (Asian flavours), Coriander (Indian cuisine) and Prime (steaks and seafood).

The Kings Court on Queen Mary 2  offers delicious Italian dishes in La Piazza; traditional British dishes in The Carvery; and flavours from across Asia in Lotus. In addition, the Cunard flagship features the Boardwalk Cafe, offering burgers on deck.

Pictured above: Monkfish and Scallops in Brown Butter, Spinach and Parmesan Ravioli, Smoked Bacon Velouté, from the new Verandah restaurant menu. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Cunard's Behind Closed Doors

For those intrigued about what goes on behind doors marked ‘Crew Only’ or for those who are just plain curious on how an ocean liner ticks, Cunard has just the thing. Adding to its comprehensive range of on board activities, the company is now offering Behind the Scenes Tours. Led by senior officers, the tours offer passengers unprecedented access to private areas such as the Engine Control Room, Butchers Shop, Bridge, Medical Centre and mooring deck.

Participants will see everything from how 15,000 litres of used cooking oil is recycled to how more than 5,000 lines of consumable products, from shower gel to beef joints, are ordered and stocked. During the tour, passengers learn first-hand about the many provisions required to manage Cunard Line’s ocean liners.

Tour stops include:

• The Bridge – The Captain and navigational officers will greet guests and give a tutorial of all the dials, buttons, radars and navigational charts that help them safely helm Cunard’s Queens.

• Royal Court Theatre – Guests will inspect more than 3,000 costumes in the costume store, and light and sound engineers give hands-on lessons in operating the stage equipment.

• Galley and Provisions – Guests will catch a glimpse of the complex logistics of moving provisions around the world in containers, picking them up in different ports mid-voyage, and accommodating up to 11 tons per day on board. The tour includes stops at the food stores, Butchers Shop, freezers and the galley.

• Mooring Deck – Guests learn the purpose of the anchor winches, windlasses and other critical machinery on the most forward part of the ship.

• Medical Centre – Guests tour Cunard’s floating hospital and meet the medical staff that keeps everyone on board healthy and well.

• Burma Road – Guests tour the only main crew passageway to run the entire length of the ship and get a behind-the-scenes look at where the crew and officers socialise after work. Interestingly, the main working alleyway on Cunard ships is known as ‘Burma Road’ to reflect the hustle and bustle as members of the crew go about their business.

• Waste Handling Room – Guests observe Cunard’s round-the-clock waste handling operation, and learn the differences between five waste-sorting streams: hazardous, recyclable, suitable for incineration, food waste and suitable for donation.

Available on board Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, Cunard’s Behind the Scenes Tours last three and a half hours and cost $120 per person. Currently, one tour with a maximum of 16 guests is available per voyage and can be booked on board through the Tours Office. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Cunard's New Brochure & Fares

Cunard's new brochure for 2013/14 features some great new offers and special lead-in prices that are sure to make attractive Christmas presents this year! Take your pick from:

New brochure fares
Fares for the 70 featured cruises now start from just £80 per person per day for a 10-night Iberia and Morocco sailing while, at the other end of the scale, the most lavishly appointed suite next Christmas comes in at £1,933 a day.

£80 a day lead-in fares
The lead per-day fare of £80-a-day represents exceptional value for money, opening the door to Cunard’s world of gracious living in unhurried, uncrowded luxury.

Vantage Fares
Cunard is focusing on its Vantage Fares, which have a Price Promise built in so that early bookers can be confident, should the price of the voyage subsequently fall, that the reduction will be automatically made up to them in the form of complimentary on board spending money or an accommodation upgrade. The Price Promise acts like a kite-mark for holiday value.

Vantage Fare benefits
In addition, the following benefits – which research indicates are most valued by passengers - will apply to people booking Vantage Fares for sailings of 7 nights or more from the new brochure:

• Free on board spending money of $80-$210 per person per day.
• Free car parking at Southampton worth up to £275 OR Free coach transfers to the ship in Southampton worth up to £130 per person OR free airport parking (for holidays beginning and ending in the same place).
• Low deposit – only 10% instead of the standard 15% (for bookings made by February 28).
• Flybe regional airfares to Southampton airport from £159 per person return, including flights from Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.

Fares in the new brochure range from £249pp for 2 nights to £23,199pp for 13 festive nights aboard Queen Mary 2 next year. Lead fares start from £799pp for 7 nights in the Fjords; from £999pp for 12 nights in the Mediterranean; and from £1,139pp for 7 nights crossing the Atlantic aboard Queen Mary 2.  

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Cunard's Extra-Value Winter Sparkle

Cunard’s Winter Holidays gained an added sparkle today as the luxury line announced a series of January 2013 sailings from Southampton to exotic locations that will now have two-night hotel stays in some of the world’s greatest cities, transfers, flights home and upgraded balcony accommodation on board all provided on a complimentary basis.

Departures aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria are all included and hotel stays, transfers and flights back to the UK are offered in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Auckland, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Featured hotels include noted properties such as the Four Seasons in Sydney, Kowloon Shangri-La in Hong Kong and Fairmont Singapore, in keeping with Cunard’s own legendary standards of service on board ship. Complimentary upgrades from outside accommodation to balcony staterooms are offered on all featured sailings.

CEO Peter Shanks commented: "Faraway winter holidays are becoming more popular as well as more adventurous and the best way to see a variety of exotic destinations is by ship. Cunard has created the perfect winter holiday, with relaxing arrivals into each new port of call now complemented by longer stays at signature cities across the globe, as well as flights home. Combined with Cunard’s legendary service levels on board, it adds up to a superb value winter sun option."

The winter holidays series with these benefits covers these voyages:

Queen Mary 2 Southampton to Dubai: Jan 10-30, 2013; 20 nights now from £2,299 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Singapore: Jan 10-Feb 11; 32 nights now from £3,999 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Hong Kong: Jan 10-Feb 19; 40 nights now from £4,999 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Sydney: Jan 10-Mar 7; 58 nights now from £7,399 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight.

Queen Victoria Southampton to San Francisco: Jan 10-Feb 5, 2013; 26 nights now from £3,299 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Sydney: Jan 10-Feb 26; 46 nights now from £5,799 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight.

Queen Elizabeth Southampton to Los Angeles: Jan 6-Feb 6, 2013; 31 nights now from £3,399 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Auckland: Jan 6-Feb 22; 46 nights now from £6,199 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. 

For bookings, see this link to the UK's luxury cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Cunard's Sisters in Norway

Norway saw two of Cunard's liners together in the country for the first time this week as both Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria sailed through the Fjords, and are pictured here at Flaam, near Sognefjord, where they called for a day. In true Cunard style, the sisters saluted each other several times with the echoes of their whistles reverberating through the mountains for long periods after the initial blasts.

Queen Victoria is currently on a 14-night 'Norwegian Fjords and North Cape Discovery' voyage (which will include a maiden call at Ny-Alesund in Spitsbergen and in Trondheim) while Queen Elizabeth completes her one-week 'Fjords and Waterfalls' voyage by returning to Southampton tomorrow.

For more information about Cunard cruises, follow this link to The Cruise Line the UK's cruising specialists. 

 

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Cunard's Three Queens Jubilee Celebration

It is now just four days to this summer's BIG cruise event, taking place in Southampton as Cunard stage a special Diamond Jubilee ship parade in the famous south coast port.

The above graphic highlights exactly what will be going on, and when, and should make for a magnificent spectator event on the special Bank Holiday day.

All three Cunard vessels - the flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth - will arrive in The Solent together, for a processional cruise to mark Her Majesty The Queen's 75th anniversary on the throne.

The day's events will continue with a special fly-over by the Red Arrows and conclude with a grand fireworks display and sail-out of the three vessels.

Be sure to look in detail at the graphic to see the best viewing points  as the ships sail in between 3.25am and 6am.

For more information on the Cunard cruise style, and bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Cunard's Diamond Event

Cunard Line will celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a unique Three Queens event in Southampton on June 5, the final day of the extended bank holiday Jubilee celebration. 

Her Majesty has long been associated with Cunard, being the only person to have attended the naming of all three Cunard Elizabeths, beginning in 1938 and this will be the first time the fleet's three ships – the largest Cunarders ever built – will have been seen arriving and departing together in formation at their home port. 

Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 will approach the port soon after first light on Tuesday June 5, sailing in single file up the Solent, with a flotilla of small boats expected to welcome them in.

As Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria tie up at their berths, Queen Mary 2 will follow on, turning in the upper swinging ground and then passing each ship in turn, with crew lining the foredeck of all three vessels, and the ships’ whistles sounding in salute of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. Events will be happening throughout the day, to create both an outstanding passenger experience and a fitting commemoration of The Queen's 60-year reign. 

The celebrations will culminate in an evening spectacular where all three ships will be brought within close proximity and a fusillade of fireworks and special effects will light up the evening sky. Queen Mary 2 will then lead her sisters in single file down the Solent as all three set out on celebratory Diamond Jubilee voyages. Further details of the day’s events will be released in due course.

For booking details on any Cunard voyage, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Check Out The Big Cunard Sale

Cunard Line has a wonderful offer to start the new year, with a value-for-money approach to their usual high-quality style and a 10% off booking incentive that runs until February 29.

The iconic line, who promise to over-deliver in their attention to detail, quality and attainable price-point, are featuring the ‘Your Cunard Sale’ for all voyages currently on sale in 2012 and 2013, if booked by the end of next month. Highlights include:

· Queen Mary 2's grand seven-night transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York, which start at just £799 per person, including a flight in the opposite direction (M233, 15-22 Dec 2012).

·  Queen Victoria's varied 2012 itineraries, including a 3-day voyage from just £399 per person (V211, 5-8 May 2012), and a 7-night fjords sailing from only £749 per person (V228, 13-20 Dec 2012).

· Queen Elizabeth, in her maiden season of Mediterranean fly-voyages, offers nine-night sailings from £1,099 per person (Q216, 28 Aug-6 Sep 2012); 14-night Caribbean voyages are also available from just £1,649 per person, plus complimentary spending money of $100 per person (Q302, 6-20 Jan 2013)

· The most spectacular value for money in the Big Sale period is offered on Cunard’s two World Voyages, which sail round-trip from Southampton in 2013. Queen Mary 2’s eastward 106-night full world voyage begins at just £10,699 per person, while for those booking the liner’s prestigious Grill accommodation, savings can amount to more than £12,000 per person. Complimentary spending money of $350-$1,600 per person completes the offer.       

Queen Victoria’s westward 105-night circumnavigation starts at £10,899 per person, plus $350 complimentary spending money. Sectors of the World Voyage are also available, such as the 18-night sailing from Dubai to Southampton (8-26 April 2013) featuring Aqaba for Petra, Sharm el Sheikh, Sokhna for Cairo, the Suez Canal, Rome and Lisbon, with prices including the outward flight from just £2,399 per person and $75 complimentary spending money.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Cunard Celebrates Royal Wedding In Style

In view of Cunard's long association with the British Royal family, it is fitting that the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton should be celebrated with enthusiasm and aplomb on all three of the company's ships.

Flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria - the first two named by Prince William's grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, and the latter by his stepmother, the Duchess of Cornwall - will all be at sea on the day so it is anticipated there will be heavy demand for the live big-screen showing of the wedding itself in the ships' Royal Court Theatres. And each passenger will receive an invitation to the 'wedding', delivered the night before!

In the afternoon, after the screening, a Royal afternoon tea will be served in the appropriately decorated Queens Room on each ship; this will feature a special edition menu and a commemorative blend from tea specialists, Twinings. Champagne will be available with tea.

Dinner in the evening will boast an eight-page commemorative menu offering a celebratory four-course meal devised by Cunard's renowned Chef Zimmerman. As guests enter each dining room, they will see at the door a traditional multi-tiered wedding cake decorated with cream and white icing, and featuring the flower emblems of the four parts of the United Kingdom - the English rose, the Scottish thistle, the Welsh daffodil and the shamrock of Northern Ireland.

Each guest will be given a complimentary glass of champagne, together with a piece of wedding cake - and dinner in each restaurant will be 'interrupted' by a visit from the Captain, who will propose a toast to the bride and groom.

And, as is customary at British weddings, at the conclusion of dinner each guest will be able to take away with them a piece of wedding cake in an individual commemorative box. And, again as is customary with British weddings, the celebrations will conclude with dancing at a Royal Ball to be held in each of the ships’ Queens Rooms – the largest dance floors at sea.

In fact, being at sea with Cunard on April 29 will be just like being invited to Westminster Abbey - with only the bride and groom missing!

For more info on Cunard cruises, visit www.cunard.co.uk.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Cunard's Royal Flush

Here's a fun little press release from Cunard this week: The three most famous ships among UK adults, according to a new survey, were all named by The Queen.

The YouGov survey, which included a random sample of 2,065 adults and weighted to represent the population as a whole, showed the most recognised ship in unprompted responses from the general public is Cunard's former flagship Queen Elizabeth 2, closely followed by the company's current flagship Queen Mary 2, and the newly-launched Queen Elizabeth.

The survey also targeted those who had cruised in the last five years and the top three most recalled ships again comprise Cunard's total current fleet! In first place is Queen Mary 2, followed by Queen Victoria - named by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall in 2007 - and then Queen Elizabeth. Other findings in the survey, which was commissioned by Carnival UK and conducted last November, also show Cunard deliver against the key attributes which are important to cruisers in such areas as food quality, service standards, trustworthiness and standard of accommodation.

For information about Cunard Cruises, visit www.cunard.co.uk or contact luxury cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Crystal Showcases Emerging Artists on Alaska Voyages

Whether you’re addicted to X Factor or a patron of the arts, it’s always exciting to discover new talent. For this reason, Crystal Cruises is treating guests to its own performance series of high-calibre “Emerging Artists” during its new Alaska season, which kicks off in May.

Through its partnership with The Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, seven “Experiences of Discovery” theme cruises from May to August will feature a total of 22 gifted young artists, including members of the San Francisco Ballet, accomplished composers and songwriters, students from Juilliard School and the Berklee College of Music and an “America’s Most Talented Kid” TV show contestant.

The 17-25-year-old participants are all alumni of the Center's renowned Spotlight Awards programme, which nurtures the audition and performance skills of senior school-aged artists from Southern California. The year-long intensive course of study culminates in the Spotlight Awards presentation, with many award-winners invited on Crystal Symphony to showcase their talents in ballet, classical piano, Broadway-style vocals, international dance, opera, jazz and blues.

While sailing amongst ice-blue glaciers and serene wildlife of the Last Frontier, guests will be able to enjoy performances as well as observe a Master Class between artists and Music Centre Master Class teachers/ambassadors. These exclusive seminars will give an insider’s peek at the intensive training professional performers undergo to perfect their art.

Round-trip from San Francisco, the 12-night voyages are set for May 21; June 2, 14 and 26; July 8 and 20; and August 1, calling at Sitka, Juneau, Skagway/Haines, Ketchikan, Victoria, Vancouver and either Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier.

Prices start from £4,188 per person (based on May 21 and June 2 departures) including free return economy class flights, 12 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks and port taxes. In addition, as part of Crystal's "All Inclusive - As You Wish" promotion, guests on this voyage will also receive onboard spending money of $500 per person, which can be spent on shore excursions, spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, purchases in the onboard boutiques, gratuities or Vintage Room experiences.

For reservations, visit http://www.crystalcruises.co.uk/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.