A Cunard celebration 175 Years in the making

 N E W S

 Cunard Line to celebrate company milestone with salutes to Liverpool, a re-creation of the first transatlantic crossing, remembrance of Lusitania and more

Cunard Line’s iconic Transatlantic crossings, pioneered by the company in 1840, were with Britannia. Cunard continues to be the only cruise line offering regularly scheduled Crossings between New York and Southampton, England – aboard flagship Queen Mary 2.
 
Cunard Line will proudly celebrate its 175^th Anniversary in 2015 with a special collection of remarkable anniversary cruises and events that will pay homage to significant moments in the company’s illustrious history.

These highly anticipated sailings will give loyal and new Cunarders exciting opportunities to explore the ultimate in cruising adventures with Cunard’s luxurious vessels – flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

The 175^th Anniversary Cruises are on sale and past passengers may also receive 5% off fares through 31 August 2014.
Among the momentous celebrations, all three Queens will meet in Southampton on 3 May 2015 at the close of their spectacular World Cruises.

This Royal Rendezvous will be followed by the unprecedented sight of all three Queens together at Cunard’s “spiritual” home of Liverpool on 25 May – the first time the entire fleet will have been together on the River Mersey.  Liverpool is Cunard’s birthplace and was home to the Line’s Head Office from 1839 to 1967.  The Cunard Building on the Pierhead remains one of the most significant buildings in the city and part of a World Heritage site.

Queen Mary 2 will arrive in Liverpool on Sunday 24 May 2015 and make her first-ever overnight stay in the city, berthed in sight of the Cunard Building.  The following morning, on Monday 25 May, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria will sail into the city and for a time all three ships of the Cunard fleet will line up on the Mersey in a spectacle that is expected to draw huge crowds.  Over a million people saw Queen Elizabeth 2 sail into Liverpool for the first time in July 1990.

Queen Mary 2 will then take her leave and sail out of Liverpool on Monday 25 May as Queen Elizabeth berths at the landing stage and Queen Victoria remains anchored in the Mersey.  Late in the evening, Queen Elizabeth will set sail and Queen Victoria will then take the berth for an overnight stay.

Prior to that, Queen Victoria will call at Cobh, Ireland, on 7 May to commemorate the 100^th Anniversary of the sinking of Cunard’s Lusitania – a poignant visit that will give passengers the opportunity to attend ceremonies at the town’s memorial.  In all, Cunard lost 22 ships during the First World War, including Carpathia which had rescued all of the survivors of the Titanic.  A special tribute will be paid to the ships, and Cunard men, that were lost in the War.

The 175^th Anniversary celebrations will continue in true Cunard style with Queen Mary 2 echoing the very first Transatlantic Crossing, which was inaugurated by Cunard’s Britannia in July 1840.  Every year since then, Cunard ships have crossed and re-crossed the Atlantic, in peace and war, without fail.  Queen Mary 2 will depart Liverpool on 4 July – 175 years to the day since Britannia began her journey – and will be enthusiastically welcomed at both Halifax and then Boston, just as Britannia was 175 years previously.  This will also be the first time since 1968 that a Cunard ship has departed from Liverpool for America.

“Cunard history reads like no other,” said David Dingle, CEO of Cunard Line.  “For so long, the heartbeats of Cunard and Britain have been as one, and we intend to celebrate this landmark anniversary in grand style.  These special voyages have been planned over many months to commemorate key dates in the company’s history with all who wish to be part of Cunard’s special and unique heritage.”

Dingle continued, “We look forward to delivering this year of spectacle and celebration to the many people who share the pride we feel in Cunard’s ongoing success on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond.”

Details on Cunard’s 175^th Anniversary Sailings include:

Lusitania Remembered – 100 Years to the Day

• Queen Victoria
  • Voyage V510:  7-day Western Europe sailing roundtrip Southampton (3 May 2015). Fares starting from $1,399.

Three Queens in Liverpool (25 May Liverpool Salute)

• Queen Mary 2
  • Voyage M506:  10-day British Isles sailing roundtrip Southampton (17 May 2015). Fares starting from $2,199.
  • Other voyage options:
    • M505A:  17-day sailing New York to Southampton (10 May 2015). Fares starting from $3,348.
    • M505B:  24-day sailing roundtrip New York (10 May 2015). Fares starting from $4,497.
    • M506A:  17-day sailing Southampton to New York (17 May 2015). Fares starting from $3,348.
       
• Queen Elizabeth
  • Voyage Q507:  16-day Baltic sailing roundtrip Southampton (11 May 2015). Fares starting from $3,499.
  • Other voyage option:
    • Q506A:  18-day sailing from Hamburg to Southampton (9 May 2015). Fares starting from $3,898.
       
• Queen Victoria
  • Voyage V512:  6-day Western Europe sailing roundtrip Southampton (22 May 2015). Fares starting from $1,199.

The Original Transatlantic Crossing

• Queen Mary 2
  • Voyage M511D:  12-day Transatlantic sailing from Southampton to New York (2 Jul 2015). Fares starting from $2,599.
  • Other voyage options:
    • M510B:  23-day sailing roundtrip New York (21 Jun 2015). Fares starting from $4,798.
    • M511:  14-day sailing Hamburg to New York (30 Jun 2015). Fares starting from $2,999.
    • M511E:  20-day sailing roundtrip Southampton (2 Jul 2015). Fares starting from $4,148.

All fares quoted are based on double occupancy.

For more information about Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Agent, call Cunard Line at 1-800-728-6273 or visit 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.

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