Out To Sea: Cunard Line to feature high-profile speakers on select 2013 winter voyages

N E W S

Renowned for its award-winning Cunard Insights on board enrichment programme, Cunard Line has just announced a new roster of celebrated speakers to complement select 2013 winter voyages aboard its luxury fleet – flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

“Cunard was the first cruise line to invite a variety of distinguished speakers aboard its ships nearly 40 years ago,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “We are delighted to continue to welcome internationally respected figures who will add an extra dimension to our guests’ experience on board.”

Delving into a variety of compelling and relevant topics, Cunard Insights introduces guests to accomplished experts and visionaries who reflect the Line's legacy of adventure and prestige while sailing a luxury cruise vacation. Fascinating speakers aboard Cunard’s fleet of Queens in the coming months will include the following:

10 January 2013 – Martin Bell. Bell achieved fame as a BBC News Correspondent from 1962 to 1997, reporting from 100 countries and 18 war zones. He was also the Independent Member of Parliament for Tatton from 1997 to 2001, and is currently a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Bell will sail Queen Mary 2’s 18-day Southampton to Dubai World Voyage Segment departing 10 January 2013. Ports of call include Barcelona, Athens (Piraeus), transiting the Suez Canal, Sokhna (Egypt, for Cairo/Giza), and Safaga (Egypt, for Luxor/Karnak). Space for this segment is limited.

10 January 2013 – Jane Asher. A successful actress, author and businesswoman, Jane Asher has been working professionally in film, theatre and radio since age five, and has run her own London-based business, Jane Asher Party Cakes and Sugarcraft, since 1990, selling bespoke celebration cakes and sweets. She has also written more than a dozen books, including three best-selling novels. Jane recently finished a successful run of two plays at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, including playing Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde's classic, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” In addition, she will be seen on TV next spring in a new drama by Stephen Poliakoff.

“Queen of Cakes” Jane Asher will sail the first leg of Queen Victoria’s 2013 World Voyage, a Transatlantic Crossing on 10 January from Southampton to New York. Fares start from $749 per person.

20 January – Sir Alan Collins. Sir Alan Collins is a diplomat who has held several Ambassador and High Commissioner appointments in the public service arena both in the U.K. and many other regions of the world. He now serves as a non-executive Director of Amlin plc, the largest of the Lloyds insurers, which is a U.K.-based specialist in international insurance and re-insurance with offices in Europe and Asia. He is also a member of the Risk and Solvency and Audit Committees of the Amlin plc Board. He was educated at Strand School and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sir Collins will join Queen Elizabeth’s 14-day Atlantic & Caribbean Wonders voyage sailing 6 January 2013 from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, with stops in Madeira, Antigua, Tortola, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. Fares start at $1,599 per person.

28 January 2013 – Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE. Sir Jackie Stewart's enduring legacy stretches beyond his 27 Grand Prix wins in 99 races, three world championships and being one of the greatest motor-racing drivers ever to set foot in a Formula One car, to include his historic campaign that significantly changed auto racing safety standards across the industry. Upon retiring, this motor-racing legend embarked on a highly successful media and business career that continues today.

Sir Stewart will join Queen Mary 2 for her 20-day Dubai to Hong Kong World Voyage Segment departing 28 January 2013. En route the ship will visit Abu Dhabi, Cochin (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka, maiden call), Langkawi (Malaysia, maiden call), Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang, Malaysia), Singapore, Ko Samui (Thailand, maiden call), Bangkok (Laem Chabang, Thailand), and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My, Vietnam). This segment is now sold out.

9 February 2013 – General The Lord Dannatt, GCB CBE MC DL. Lord Richard Dannatt was a soldier for forty years in the British Army and retired in 2009 from the appointment of Chief of the General Staff. During his career, he served in Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus, Bosnia and Kosovo, and was in command of the Army during its most challenging years in Iraq and Afghanistan. In August 2009, General Dannatt was appointed by Her Majesty The Queen as Constable of The Tower of London; and in January 2011, he entered the House of Lords as an independent crossbench Peer.

General Dannatt will join Queen Mary 2's World Voyage on 9 February 2013, sailing from Singapore to Hong Kong via Ko Samui (Thailand), Bangkok (from Laem Chabang) and Ho Chi Minh City. This segment is now sold out.

These winter 2013 Cunard Insights speakers join Cunard's legacy of welcoming world-famous guests and experts on board, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Buzz Aldrin, James Taylor, Jean Chatzky, Tina Brown, Baz Luhrmann, Bill Bryson, Rona Barrett and E.L. Doctorow.

For more information about Cunard Insights or to book a voyage aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth, consult your Travel Agent, call Cunard toll-free at 1-800-728-6273 or go to www.cunard.com.

# # #

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 Transatlantic 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

Cunard can be found on: