Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from Cunard and thought it would be of
interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Queen Victoria Sets Sail on Distinctive European Voyages in 2008,
Following Her Maiden World Cruise
From the Caribbean, Greek Isles, Scandinavia and Russia, to the Black
Sea, Cunard's Newest Queen Will Embark Upon Captivating Maiden Voyages
VALENCIA, Calif., March 15
2008 will mark an exciting year on the Cunard calendar. For the first
time in history, three Cunard Queens will be in service simultaneously
and the newest, Queen Victoria, will embark on 21 captivating voyages
that will include dozens of celebratory maiden calls around the world.
Queen Victoria's 2008 programme is highlighted by Cunard's exciting
return to Scandinavia and Russia, as well as eight different
Mediterranean itineraries affording guests' an in-depth exploration
into the renowned cities and ports of the region. The schedule also
features visits to Norway, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean on
itineraries of four to 22 days.
Among the highlights are three 14-day Russian Rendezvous itineraries
circling the Baltic Sea and featuring two full days in St. Petersburg,
Russia; a full range of Mediterranean ports featuring Egypt and the
Greek Isles, and the best ports of the Eastern and Western
Mediterranean including Monte Carlo, Florence and Istanbul; and a
22-day Caribbean Holiday voyage. These voyages follow Queen Victoria's
106-night Maiden World Cruise and will be detailed in Cunard's 2008
Voyages brochure to be published in mid-April.
"This is an exciting time in our history," says Carol Marlow,
president of Cunard Line. "Even as Queen Victoria is under
construction, we have been at work mapping out an incredible itinerary
of fascinating places to show off this extraordinary new ship. Whether
a guest is sailing with Cunard for the first time, or the fortieth
time, Queen Victoria will offer an array of once-in-a-lifetime
experiences reminiscent of the Golden Age of Ocean Travel."
An extraordinary shipboard experience awaits Queen Victoria's first
passengers. Long regarded as the trend-setter in glamorous ocean
travel, Cunard voyages offer the epitome of luxury and refinement and
Queen Victoria is no exception. The ship's sumptuous surroundings,
fine dining and renowned White Star Service(SM), together with sharply
focused itineraries and myriad entertainment and enrichment programs,
captivate passengers and confirm Cunard's place as purveyor of the
world's most extraordinary ocean voyages.
In her first full year at sea, Queen Victoria's itinerary features a
collection of engaging Mediterranean voyages, including:
* Mediterranean Delights -- A 14-day voyage, departing roundtrip
from
Southampton on May 6 with stops in Seville, Corsica, Rome,
Naples/Capri, Valletta, La Goulette and Gibraltar. Voyage
fares start
from $2,975.
* Legends of the Mediterranean -- Two 12-day voyages departing
Barcelona
on Aug. 25 and Oct. 24, with stops in Monte Carlo,
Florence/Pisa,
Naples/Capri, Valletta, Crete, Izmir, Athens, Sicily and Rome.
Voyage
fares start from $2,395.
* Classical Mediterranean -- Two 12-day voyages departing Venice
on
Aug. 13 and Oct. 12, with stops in Dubrovnik, Katakolon,
Mykonos,
Istanbul, Kusadasi, Sicily, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Marseille and
Barcelona. Both departures feature an overnight stay in
Venice.
Voyage fares start from $2,445.
* Jewels of the Mediterranean -- A 12-day voyage, departing
Southampton
on Aug. 1 and ending with an overnight stay in Venice, with
stops in
Gibraltar, Cannes, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Sicily, Corfu and
Dubrovnik.
Voyage fares start from $2,995.
* Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean -- Two 12-day voyages,
departing
on Nov. 5 and Nov. 17 from Rome and Athens, respectively, with
stops in
Naples/Capri, Sicily, Valletta, Alexandria (for Cairo/Giza),
Port Said,
Kusadasi, Istanbul, Kepez, Volos and Athens. Voyage fares
start from
$2,295.
* Connoisseur's Mediterranean -- A 12-day voyage, departing Rome
on
Nov. 29 and ending in Southampton, with stops in Naples/Capri,
Sicily,
Katakolon, Dubrovnik, Valletta, La Goulette and Malaga. Voyage
fares
start from $2,295.
* Greek Isles and Aegean Shores -- Two 12-day voyages, departing
Rome on
Sept. 6 and Sept. 30, with stops in Naples/Capri, Santorini,
Izmir,
Istanbul (overnight), Samos, Athens, Zakinthos, Dubrovnik and
Venice.
Voyage fares start from $2,695.
* Crimean Coasts -- A 12-day voyage, departing from Venice on
Sept. 18
and ending in Rome, with stops in Kusadasi, Istanbul
(overnight),
Odessa, Yalta, Athens, Sicily and Rome. Voyage fares start
from
$2,795.
A Return to the Baltic and Northern Europe
Cunard returns to the Baltic with Queen Victoria's voyages to
Scandinavia and Russia during the summer months. The voyages, which
circle the Black Sea, include:
* Russian Rendezvous -- Three 14-day voyages, departing roundtrip
from
Southampton on May 27, June 22 and July 18, with stops in
Zeebrugge,
Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg
(overnight),
Tallinn and Gdansk. Voyage fares start from $3,375
Norway also figures prominently on Queen Victoria's calendar, with
captivating voyages including:
* Norwegian Fjords -- A seven-day voyage, departing roundtrip
from
Southampton on May 20, with stops in Bergen, Hellesylt,
Geiranger,
Aalesund and Stavanger. Voyage fares start from $1,675.
* Voyage of the Vikings -- Two 12-day voyages, departing
roundtrip from
Southampton on June 10 and July 6, with stops in Bergen,
Tromso,
Honningsvag (for the North Cape), Trondheim, Hellesylt,
Geiranger,
Olden and Stavanger. Voyage fares start from $2,895.
Other alluring Queen Victoria voyages in 2008 include:
* Canary Islands Splendour -- A ten-day voyage, departing
roundtrip from
Southampton on April 22, with stops in Madeira, Tenerife, Gran
Canaria,
Lisbon and Vigo. Voyage fares start from $1,775.
* Spring Getaway -- A four-day voyage, departing roundtrip from
Southampton on May 2, with stops in Paris/Normandy (Le Havre),
Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. Voyage fares start from $995.
* Caribbean Holiday -- A 22-day voyage, departing roundtrip from
Southampton on Dec. 11 with stops in Ponta Delgada, Antigua,
St. Kitts,
St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Madeira and Vigo. Voyage fares
start
from $5,695.
All pricing is based on Early Booking Fares, per person, double
occupancy and reflect 35% off Brochure Fares for Transatlantics and up
to 30% off Brochure Fares on other voyages.
The 90,000-ton Queen Victoria will not only be a classic ocean liner,
offering the very best of Cunard's heritage and traditions, along with
all modern day luxuries, but will also feature many exciting
innovations. These will include the first traditional West End-style
private viewing boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre; the first
floating Cunardia museum display, housing Cunard artifacts and
memorabilia and the first two-story, 'spiral staircased' library at
sea. The ship will also feature the line's celebrated luxury Grills
accommodation and dining, further enhanced on Queen Victoria with
exclusive deck terraces and an al fresco dining option.
From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at
what differentiates a Cunard liner from a standard cruise ship. This
will be most evident in the ship's adherence to liner traditions of
the past, with elegant double- and triple-height public rooms
featuring rich wood paneling, intricate mosaics and gleaming
chandeliers. There will also be a grand, colonial-style Winter Garden
complete with a retractable glass roof.
As well as being the second largest Cunarder ever built, Queen
Victoria's arrival is particularly noteworthy as it will mark the
first time that three Cunard Queens have been in service together in
the company's 168-year history. She joins the world's grandest ocean
liner, Queen Mary 2 and the world's most famous ship, QE2.
For more information about Queen Victoria's 2008 itineraries, call
your travel professional.
About Cunard Line
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2 and QE2,
has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the
epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled
steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring
together like-minded travelers who relish the Cunard hallmarks of
impeccable White Star Service(SM), fine dining, sophisticated
adventure, the legacy of historic voyages and transatlantic travel.
Queen Victoria joins the fleet in December 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 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. |
