Queen Victoria Sells Out!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Cunard and thought it would be of
interest. Wow, this maiden voyage sold out 21-months in advance. 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


QUEEN VICTORIA MAIDEN VOYAGE SELLS OUT

VALENCIA, California, March 2
Cunard Line's Next Ocean Liner Receives Enthusiastic Response
Queen Victoria's December 2007 Maiden Voyage is already sold out,
booked by guests who had been on a pre-registered interest list that
opened to the public in December 2002. The ten-night voyage departs
December 11 and calls at ports renowned for their Christmas
atmosphe Amsterdam, Copenhagen (overnight call), Oslo, Hamburg and
Zeebrugge.
"Queen Victoria is an eagerly-awaited addition to Cunard's fleet of
Queens and the response has been remarkable," said Carol Marlow,
Cunard's president and managing director. "She promises to be a
classic Cunarder and I'm sure, together with her sisters Queen Mary 2
and QE2, she'll soon be one of the most famous ocean liners in the
world."
For those who did not manage to book on the Maiden Voyage there is
still space on her second voyage, when Queen Victoria will spend her
first Christmas in the Canaries. The 16-night voyage will leave
Southampton on December 21 and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Malaga,
Funchal, Las Palmas, Arrecife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Casablanca and
Gibraltar. Christmas Day will be spent at sea. Cunard is currently
offering its past passengers an exclusive booking period for this
voyage, which is scheduled to go on sale to the general public on
April 3.
The 90,000-ton Queen Victoria will not only be a classic ocean liner,
offering the very best of Cunard's heritage and traditions, along with
all modern day luxuries, but will also feature some exciting
innovations. These will include the first traditional West End-style
private viewing boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre; the first
floating museum, Cunardia, housing Cunard artifacts and memorabilia
and the first two-story, 'spiral staircased' library at sea. The ship
will also feature the line's celebrated luxury Grills accommodation
and dining, further enhanced on Queen Victoria with exclusive deck
terraces and an al fresco dining option.
From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at
what differentiates a Cunard liner from a standard cruise ship. This
will be most evident in the ship's adherence to liner traditions of
the past, with elegant public rooms, many on a grand scale, featuring
rich wood paneling, intricate mosaics and gleaming chandeliers. There
will also be a grand, colonial-style conservatory, complete with
central fountain and a retractable glass roof.
And, of course, the ship has been constructed with impressive sea
keeping qualities that will enable her to travel easily and
efficiently through the world's oceans.
As well as being the second largest Cunarder ever built, the Queen
Victoria is particularly noteworthy as it is the first time that three
Cunard Queens (she joins the world's largest liner Queen Mary 2 and
the world's most famous and best-loved liner QE2) have been in service
together in the company's 167-year history.
Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world
since 1840. Cunard vessels have a classic British heritage and include
the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. Queen Victoria joins
the fleet in 2007.
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.