Cunard’s Newest Queen and Most Famous Queen travel the world

Cunard has released its 2008 World Cruises brochure, giving Australians the opportunity to tour the globe on the world’s most famous ship – the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 – and its newest cruise liner, Queen Victoria.

Queen Victoria will sail a 106-night roundtrip maiden voyage world cruise from Southampton in early January, calling at 38 ports in 23 countries, blending what Cunard describe as exotic destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and classic cosmopolitan capitals including Rome.

Cunard’s most famous liner, the QE2, will set sail on the same day for her 26th world cruise, taking her passengers on a 103-day journey encompassing five continents and 19 countries, visiting destinations as varied as South America, Asia and Tahiti.

Named after the longest serving monarch in British history, the 2014-passenger Queen Victoria will set sail for the first time on January 6, 2008, visiting Sydney in February 2008, making the 90,000-ton ship the newest cruise liner to ever visit Australia.

Cunards earlybird discount offers passengers savings of up to 30% on brochure fares for all new bookings made by the end of January 2007, securing their chance to experience Cunard’s very special white-glove service and fine dining at a very special rate.

Free shore tours, onboard spending credits and a range of other bonuses are available on longer sectors.

The new brochure also includes a series of shorter cruise options for Australian travellers keen without having to commit to a longer line voyage or the full world cruise.

Queen Victoria will offer a series of short cruise sectors ranging from 13 to 24 nights, with fares for the 13-night cruise from Singapore to Dubai available from AU$2829* per person in a complete twin and a 24-night sector from Los Angeles to Sydney from AU$7699*.

Short sectors on the QE2 range from six to 24 nights, with fares for the 14-night sector from Sydney to Singapore starting from AU$2909* per person and an 18-night cruise from Santiago to Sydney from AU$5579*.

Together, the two elegant liners will make 10 visits to Australian ports and four visits to New Zealand ports during their globetrotting world cruises, calling at seven different ports in the two countries – more than ever before for Cunard.

Thousands of Sydneysiders and tourists are expected to turn out to see the two queens in Sydney on February 24, 2008, when Queen Victoria’s first visit to the city will coincide with a call by her famous sister, the legendary QE2.

Hotel and air packages are also available as well as a range of onboard credits of up to US$1800 per person for select cruises.

For more information call Cunard on 13 24 41 or visit www.cunardline.com.au

*Fares are cruise only, per person, in Australian dollars, based on complete twin D7 interior stateroom, inclusive of an earlybird discount of up to 30% for new bookings made before January 31, 2007. Supplements apply for other cabin categories – contact Cunard Line for details. Subject to availability. Conditions apply.

To be read with the Passage and Booking Conditions in the Cunard World Cruises 2008 brochure by which passengers will be bound. 

Report by The Mole