QM2 World's Largest & Grandest Liner Ever Delivered!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Cunard and thought it would be of
interest. On a personal note, I am really looking forward to sailing
on her next month. 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


Cunard Takes Delivery of Queen Mary 2 World's Largest and Grandest
Liner Ever

SAINT NAZAIRE, France, Dec. 22
Cunard officially took delivery today of Queen Mary 2 -- the largest
(151,400 tons), longest (1,132 feet/345 metres), tallest (236 feet/72
metres), widest (135 feet/41 metres) and most expensive ($800 million)
ocean liner ever built. Queen Mary 2 is the first true transatlantic
liner to have been built since the line's legendary Queen Elizabeth 2
entered service in May 1969.

The historic ceremony at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard here
included the symbolic changing of the flag where the Blue ensign and
the Cunard house flag -- a gold lion rampant on a red background --
were raised. Queen Mary 2 then officially became a Cunarder, carrying
the Cunard name, with its associated heritage and traditions, into the
future. The ceremony also included a celebratory lunch on board for
600 guests.

According to Pamela Conover, Cunard Line's president and chief
operating officer, "Queen Mary 2 is the most extraordinary passenger
liner ever built and is destined to be the most famous ship in the
world. The superb quality and exacting care with which she was built
will ensure that she is the ultimate in ocean travel for years to
come."

Patrick Boissier, chairman and CEO of Chantiers de l'Atlantique, said:
"Today is a proud day for all of our employees and partners associated
with this magnificent vessel. Without question, Queen Mary 2 is the
new benchmark for shipbuilding excellence. She will be our best
ambassador on the seas."

After several days of manoeuvres the new flagship of the Cunard fleet
will arrive in her homeport of Southampton, England, on Boxing Day,
December 26. The vessel will be met by fireboats and is expected to
receive a tumultuous welcome. Her Majesty The Queen will name Queen
Mary 2 at a gala ceremony in Southampton on January 8, 2004. The ship
enters service on January 12 with a Maiden Voyage from Southampton to
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In her inaugural year Queen Mary 2 will sail 13 transatlantic
crossings between England and New York as she takes over the role
currently operated by her sister ship, QE2, as Cunard's transatlantic
liner. On April 16, she will make her maiden westbound transatlantic
crossing from Southampton to New York. The vessel will also introduce
a series of Caribbean cruises from New York and Fort Lauderdale; a
voyage to Rio de Janeiro and back, timed for Carnival; five European
itineraries and two fall foliage cruises to ports in Canada and New
England. Her maiden eastbound crossing on April 25 will be historic
for Cunard as both Queen Mary 2 and QE2 will depart New York together.
The day in New York will be the first time two Cunard Queens have been
berthed in the port together since March 1940.

Queen Mary 2 features 10 dining venues with acclaimed Chef Daniel
Boulud serving as Cunard's culinary advisor and Chef Todd English
operating a Mediterranean speciality restaurant of the same name. The
liner also has the only Canyon Ranch SpaClub® at sea, the world's
first planetarium at sea, the largest ballroom at sea, the largest
library at sea, and the largest wine collection at sea, as well as a
Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, a two-story theatre, a casino, five
indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, boutiques and children's
facilities complete with British nannies.

For more information, consult a travel agent.

Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world
since 1840. Cunard vessels have a classic British heritage and include
QE2 and Caronia. In 2004 the line welcomes Queen Mary 2, destined to
recapture the glamour of the original Queen Mary, currently a hotel
and attraction in Long Beach, CA. In 2005, another newbuild, Queen
Victoria, joins the fleet.

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, Windstar 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.

Ray Goldenberg wrote:

Cunard Takes Delivery of Queen Mary 2 World's Largest and Grandest
Liner Ever

SAINT NAZAIRE, France, Dec. 22
Cunard officially took delivery today of Queen Mary 2 -- the largest
(151,400 tons), longest (1,132 feet/345 metres), tallest (236 feet/72
metres), widest (135 feet/41 metres) and most expensive ($800 million)
ocean liner ever built. Queen Mary 2 is the first true transatlantic
liner to have been built since the line's legendary Queen Elizabeth 2
entered service in May 1969.

This is an incredible day for those of us who have followed this ship
from it's first kernel of development, the very first rumblings of a
new mega ocean liner, to the present. I feel very lucky to have been
in on the ground floor of seeing this ship grow and and am thrilled to
have some of the "keepsakes" (preliminary blueprints, etc), soon to be
ocean liner memorabilia, of this grand ship.

We were to sail on her maiden voyage from Southampton
in January and be present for her christening by the queen, but
becaues of professional and person issues. we'll be onboard for that
first west/east transatlantic crossing in April instead. I can't
wait! :-)

Karen






__ /7__/7__/7__
\::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.cupcaked.com/reviews
(...and leave off the "potatoes" to e-mail)

Here are the superlatives and hyperbole from Carnival/Cunard. Largest,
perhaps. Grandest, that has to be earned and there's always an
argument as to what is most grand.

Let's hope it doesn't develop pod problems. Hopefully this tall ship
is stable on the high seas. This is, however, one of the few "new"
ships that really is new. And it is interesting to me, however
oversized it seems to me right now.

Ben


Ray Goldenberg wrote in message . ..
Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Cunard and thought it would be of
interest. On a personal note, I am really looking forward to sailing
on her next month. 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


Cunard Takes Delivery of Queen Mary 2 World's Largest and Grandest
Liner Ever

SAINT NAZAIRE, France, Dec. 22
Cunard officially took delivery today of Queen Mary 2 -- the largest
(151,400 tons), longest (1,132 feet/345 metres), tallest (236 feet/72
metres), widest (135 feet/41 metres) and most expensive ($800 million)
ocean liner ever built. Queen Mary 2 is the first true transatlantic
liner to have been built since the line's legendary Queen Elizabeth 2
entered service in May 1969.

The historic ceremony at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard here
included the symbolic changing of the flag where the Blue ensign and
the Cunard house flag -- a gold lion rampant on a red background --
were raised. Queen Mary 2 then officially became a Cunarder, carrying
the Cunard name, with its associated heritage and traditions, into the
future. The ceremony also included a celebratory lunch on board for
600 guests.

blah, blah, blah

I'll be on board from Jan.31 to March 6. Maybe I'll meet you, finally.

A 22 Dec 2003 10:16:49 -0800, (Benjamin
Smith) escribió:
Here are the superlatives and hyperbole from Carnival/Cunard. Largest,
perhaps. Grandest, that has to be earned and there's always an
argument as to what is most grand.

Indeed: "Grand" is a word that is always subjective, and
therefore every supplier can -- and all suppliers that
profess to offer a superior product, SHOULD -- use, based
solely on its own subjective evaluation of the product
they're offering.


--
bicker®