Topic: Queen Mary 2 is going down under...

Good point

QUOTE:

Whats the betting that the new Queen Elizabeth is used on the Transatlantic runs?

Completely different ship. Only 90,000 tonnes and not built as an ocean liner. More akin QV than QM2. I think its going to be for one season

QUOTE:

Cunard has announced that the Queen Mary 2 will be based in Australia throughout 2012.

The 'Royal Circumnavigation' is expected to generate $10m for the Australian economy.



Carnival Australia CEO, Ann Sherry, said the decision was a sign of confidence in the Australian cruise market.

"This one decision will generate at least $10 million for the Australian economy as the local cruise industry remains on track to contribute more than $3 billion and carry one million Australians annually by 2020,'' she said.

Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks said he expected strong demand for the voyage from Australian and international markets.

The mammoth voyage that will see her visit ports in five states and the Northern Territory, will be the longest time the liner has away from Southampton.

Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each see two visits.

This report leaves one thinking the QM2 is staying in Australia for the whole of 2012 ! No, No, No. She is spending 28days DURING HER WORLD CRUISE circumnaviagating Australia then will return to her home ports (Southampton and New York) in that March !! I quote "Cunard Line has announced today that Queen Mary 2, its flagship, will circumnavigate Australia in 2012, spending 28 nights in Australian waters as part of its world cruise". Dear Cruise Dot administrator - take care with the communications !!!!!!!!!!!!!! You had us all 'at sea' then !

QUOTE:

Cunard has announced that the Queen Mary 2 will be based in Australia throughout 2012.

The 'Royal Circumnavigation' is expected to generate $10m for the Australian economy.



Carnival Australia CEO, Ann Sherry, said the decision was a sign of confidence in the Australian cruise market.

"This one decision will generate at least $10 million for the Australian economy as the local cruise industry remains on track to contribute more than $3 billion and carry one million Australians annually by 2020,'' she said.

Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks said he expected strong demand for the voyage from Australian and international markets.

The mammoth voyage that will see her visit ports in five states and the Northern Territory, will be the longest time the liner has away from Southampton.

Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each see two visits.

Does this mean that I will not be able to do my 2012 world voyage on the QM2 which I have been saving for over 20 years for. We also need the QM2 for transatlantic crossings as she is the tops for that. Why can't they have the Victoria instead.
EDNA
We want a badge please.

The news item is inaccurate!

The Queen Vic and Queen Lizzy (both Vista class cruise ships, not Ocean liners) are not capable of replacing the QM2 on her Transatlantic voyages. They would quickly suffer structural damage. They do not even have the speed or sea-keeping abilities.

Why was I not consulted by Carnival. This is not cricket as QM2 is the only Ocean Liner in the UK. Will she ever return to the UK? I guess the 2012 World Cruise will begin from Sydney and end in Sydney?

Consider both the Victoria and Elizabeth, are the same as Noordam and one of P&o ships are of the design all have shallow draft, in future allot of passenger will not take transatlantic,crossing.Because the Adlantic can be very rough,it a cruise ship not a Liner,and would give a very unpleasent crossing in rough seas.Why do they want to send QM2 would it not be better to send one of the the others Ships ? They will be offering on the transatlantic from a 5 star reduced to a 4 Star, The top end of there market the big spenders . Will perhaps not bother, using Cunard because of an inferior product. Just look at Berlitz wright ups and there is no comparison between QM 2 and the other Queens.I think Carnival will live to regret it.

PHEW! Pure marketing after all.

Cunard Line Announces Queen Mary 2's First Circumnavigation of Australia

8 March 2010 - Cunard Line has announced that the world's grandest ocean liner, its majestic Queen Mary 2, will be based in Australia in 2012 for a history-making circumnavigation which will see her visit five states and the Northern Territory.

Queen Mary 2's Royal Circumnavigation of Australia is a first for Cunard.

The largest ship ever to visit Australia, Queen Mary 2 will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays, as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey's Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali.

Australians will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options - a 22-night voyage departing Sydney on 14 February 2012, a 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on 8 February 2012 and a 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on 11 February 2012.

In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits from the liner during her Australian season.

The Australian deployment will mark the longest period of time that Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.

Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line, said, "Cunard has strong and proud links with Australia, going back many years."

"Recognising the enduring appeal and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to offer this series of legendary voyages for our flagship Queen Mary 2 in Australia 2012," he said.

The Royal Circumnavigation of Australia will go on sale this spring as part of the announcement of the 2012 World Voyage programme.

For more information about Queen Mary 2 and to book a voyage, consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to Cunard: The Most Famous Ocean Liners In The World.

LINK: http://www.cunard.com/news/Default.a...ontentID=8383&

Why is is always the bottom of the second page before you get the real story?
All those trips sound fab, We've sailed from Sydney before (twice) and loved it. Once to Singapore via the South coast & Freemantle and once to NZ Via Tassi.
If it's an option I would jump at any of these trips, and as it's our real wedding anniversary (Feb29th) during this circumnavigation we may have to give it serious thought.