Cunard Line announces 2013 voyage programme

N E W S 

 
Highlights include new itineraries, maiden calls in Italy, Iceland and the Mediterranean,
plus overnight stays in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Canada

Cunard Line has announced its 2013 Voyage Programme, offering an extensive range of sailings across its three ships featuring 106 voyages visiting 99 ports in 35 countries.  Highlights include several maiden calls and overnight stays, and multiple departures for its most popular itineraries, including the St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer, Fjords & Waterfalls and Greek Isles & Mediterranean Treasures voyages.


Cunard brings over 170 years of maritime heritage to the youngest, luxury fleet at sea – flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth – acquainting guests with captivating destinations and the Line’s enduring grandeur, glamour and elegance.  For those seeking to experience a luxury cruise vacation aboard Cunard, the Line’s classic traditions and legendary White Star Service coupled with contemporary and sophisticated on board offerings provide an unmatched ocean travel experience.

Queen Mary 2 will continue to offer her legendary Transatlantic Crossings between New York and Southampton, as well as to Hamburg, while Queen Victoria will spend her full 2013 season sailing Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Atlantic Isles, Iberia and Morocco, with a new 24-day voyage to the Black Sea and Turkey; and Queen Elizabeth will spend much of her season travelling from Southampton to Northern Europe and sailing the Mediterranean from Venice, Athens, Rome and Southampton.

“In addition to our superb White Star Service and glamourous on board experiences, Cunard is famed for its extensive itineraries with visits to the world’s most stunning ports of call,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.  “We’ve expanded next year’s programme to include multiple departures for our most popular itineraries, plus new ports of call and overnight stays to satisfy customer demand for these favoured regions.”

Queen Mary 2
The grandest ocean liner at sea, Queen Mary 2, will sail a total of 17 Transatlantic Crossings between New York and Southampton from May 2013 to January 2014.  In addition to the flagship’s popular seven-day Transatlantic voyages, Cunard introduces two eight-day Crossings, providing guests the most of Queen Mary 2’s exceptional travel experience and more time to enjoy the unique sense of timelessness that only a Transatlantic voyage can provide.  Extended nine- and ten-day Crossings between New York and Hamburg will also be available.

These longer Crossings offer additional time to explore the ship’s extensive on board amenities and activities, including lectures through the award-winning Cunard Insights programme; stargazing in the only planetarium at sea; white-gloved afternoon tea served in the Queens Room or a spin around the dance floor during a Royal Nights themed ball; taking in a performance or workshop by members of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art; or perusing the 8,000 volumes in the largest library at sea.

Guests travelling select European itineraries also may opt to combine their voyage with Transatlantic Crossings on either side, creating a “Grand” voyage.

Queen Mary 2 will also continue ventures to Northern Europe, plus roundtrip New York departures to New England and Canada – featuring an overnight stay in Quebec – and a visit to the Caribbean just in time for the holidays.  Maiden calls for Queen Mary 2 include Andalsnes, Norway and Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda.

Fares for the following voyages start from:

• Seven-day Transatlantic Crossings: $1199
• Eight-day Transatlantic Crossings:  $1499
• Seven-day Fjords & Waterfalls: $1699
• Five-day 4^th of July Getaway: $1349
• 12-day Autumn Colours (New England/Canada): $2499
• 15-day Northern Highlights: $2999
• 21-day Grand Fjords & Waterfalls: $4399

Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria will sail a range of voyages from Southampton to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Isles, Iberia and Morocco, including the popular seven-day Fjords & Waterfalls itinerary (Norway) and the St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer voyage, with an overnight stay in St. Petersburg.

Additionally, Queen Victoria will sail a series of Mediterranean voyages ranging from 12 to 17 days and, new for 2013, a 24-day voyage to the Black Sea and Turkey. Maiden ports include Agadir, Morocco; Isafjordur, Iceland; Palau–Costa Smeralda, Italy; Torshavn, Faroe Islands; and Warnemunde, Germany.  Overnight stays include St. Petersburg, Istanbul and Madeira (two nights).

Fares for the following voyages start from:

• 10-day Iberia & Moroccan Highlights: $1499
• 14-day Mediterranean Medley: $3099
• 14-day St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer: $2999
• 15-day Geysers & Glaciers: $3199
• 24-day Black Sea & Turkish Splendours: $5399

Guests sailing aboard Queen Victoria enjoy many distinctive features including the first private theatre boxes at sea (Royal Court Theatre); the classic art of fencing; Cunardia, a museum display of historic artifacts; and nods to HM Queen Victoria including original etchings drawn by The Queen and Prince Albert.

Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth’s 2013 schedule will take her to Iceland, the Norwegian Fjords, the British Isles and the Baltic Sea.  Later in the season, she will reposition to the Mediterranean and embark on eight voyages from Venice, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Athens (Piraeus).  These popular itineraries again include the Greek Isles and Holy Land voyages, and maiden ports include Akureyri, Iceland; Goteborg, Sweden; Isafjordur, Iceland; Izmir, Turkey; Marseilles, France; Reykjavik, Iceland; Salerno, Italy; Split, Croatia; Valencia, Spain; and Warnemunde, Germany. Overnight calls include St. Petersburg, Istanbul, Copenhagen and Venice.

Fares for the following voyages start from:

• 7-day Fjords & Waterfalls: $1399
• 12-day Greek Isles & Holy Land Explorer: $1799
• 12-day Mediterranean Odyssey: $1799
• 12-day Adriatic & Black Sea Explorer: $2499
• 14-day St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer:  $2799

Queen Elizabeth’s grand art deco interiors and unique art works, which pay homage to both the original Queen Elizabeth and Great Britain’s Royal Family, continue to fascinate and delight guests who sail aboard the Line’s newest Cunarder.  The ship’s Grand Lobby prominently displays the 18.5 ft. marquetry piece of the original Queen Elizabeth created by David Linley, only nephew of Her Majesty The Queen; and a specially commissioned portrait of The Queen, created by artist Isobel Peachey particularly for Queen Elizabeth’s 2010 debut.

All referenced fares are per person, based on double occupancy.

See Cunard’s 2013 Voyages Preview Calendar online at Cunard.com/2013voyages.
 
For more information and to book a voyage, consult your Travel Agent, call toll-free 1-800-728-6723 or go to www.cunard.com.

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About Cunard Line
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, 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 travellers who seek a civilised adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.

World’s Leading Cruise Lines
Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.  Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.