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Queen Mary 2 is the Grandest Ship of them All
Jan 30, 04 | 11:40 am
Billed as the grandest vessel ever, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is the largest, longest, widest and tallest ocean liner in the world. Featuring 17 decks and towering 236 feet from keel to funnel (equal to the height of a 23-story building), this new Cunard Flagship is 135 feet wide, weighs 151,400 tons, and carries 2620 passengers and a crew of 1300. At a length of 1132 feet, it is the longest compared to the ones that precede it: The Mariner of the Seas measured 1020 feet, the Queen Elizabeth II, 963 feet and the Titanic, only 882.8 feet. Above all, at $780 million or £550 million, this ocean liner is the most expensive passenger vessel ever built. Designed to revive the tradition of previous elegant trans-Atlantic voyages that faded with the advent of modern aviation, the QM2 continues in the proud history of Cunard whose first Atlantic crossing took place in 1840. On its maiden voyage from Southampton in England, QM2 docked January 26th at the Port Everglades (Terminal 21) of Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
The queen of all ships, QM2 has 1550 miles (2500 km.) of electric cable, 310 miles (500 km.) of ducts, mains and pipes, 2000 bathrooms, 80000 lighting points, 280000 square yards (250000 sq. m.) of fitted carpets, 144000 square yards (120000 sq. yards) of insulating material, 3,000 telephones, 8800 loudspeakers, 5000 stairs, 50000 fire detectors, 1100 fire doors and 8350 automatic extinguishers. Not to mention, the liner's first planetarium at sea doubles as a cinema and a 500-person lecture hall.
The Queen Mary has an engine system that allows it to go over 30 knots an hour. A Mermaid pod drive provides a 360-degree propulsion in which the main advantage lies in high maneuverability with minimum noise and vibration. As ocean liner, it is the first to launch in more than 3 decades. As opposed to the regular new cruise ships built for slow cruising in the calm waters of the Caribbean for instance, this ocean liner is built with an extra-thick steel hull. Equipped with a streamlined profile necessary for stability and speed when crossing open oceans, QM2 braves all weather conditions.
The Grand Lobby is the first major space passengers are impressed by upon boarding. On 2 decks, with the atrium above extending through 6 decks, the lobby offers access to the casino, bars, the Purser's Office, 2 glass lifts taking passengers to the King's Court. Opposite the lifts are the monumental sculptural relief of QM2 and 2 large paintings of the original Queen Mary. On the walls leading up to the Britannia Restaurant are beautiful reliefs depicting the four seasons.
Think of all the superlatives, QM2 has got them all as pointed out to me by the ship's spokesman, Cunard Line's Vice President for Marketing David Gevanthor, by whom I was fortunate enough to have been given the grand tour.
He said, "Three other superlatives QM2 prides of are its largest floating ballroom in the world, the biggest functioning library at sea with 8000 volumes and the largest wine collection on-board - 350 of the best labels over the 50,000 individual bottles of wine available."
Further he said, "It has 23 categories of space on-board and even though it is the most expensive ship, it is the most affordable in the world. A trans-Atlantic journey can cost $1499 with return-air or can go up to a lavish $27000 in the Balmoral suites)."
The Grand Duplex consists of a 2249 sq. ft Balmoral and Sandringham Duplexes, the most lavish and magnificent suite afloat. The sweeping living quarters with extensive balcony and spectacular view over the stern include a fully-stocked bar, dining for 8, dressing room, interactive plasma screen and home office corner. Upstairs the master bedroom has a private exercise facility, 2 marble 'his and hers' dressing room and connecting bathrooms with separate whirlpool bath and shower. The 1471 sq. ft. Windsor and Buckingham Duplexes and the 1566 sq. ft Holyrod Duplex are similar to the Grand Duplex, however feature a slightly smaller staterooms and balconies.
Queen Mary's kitchen has been developed by famed New York chef Daniel Boulud. And one out of 10 on-board, the award-winning alternative restaurant run by the famous Boston chef Todd English serves exotic, contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Passengers who fancy a change from their assigned restaurant or seek alfresco dining, find their way to Todd English. Over a forthcoming brief period, the Gourmet Magazine arranges for internationally-renowned chefs to feature their kitchens on 12 voyages with a series including February 23rd for Rio's Queen of Carnival, 12 nights Rio de Janeiro to Fort Lauderdale and from March 16th, the Explorer's Caribbean for 10 nights roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale in the U.S.
" In the Winter Garden, designed based on the conservatory at Kew Gardens, there are a total of 6 dining venues which 270 guests can enjoy including a classical concert over afternoon or high tea. King's Court is an alternative dining with 3 of the 4 venues customized for evening options of a specialty restaurant," Gevanthor said.
Our inaugural media luncheon 28th January took place at the Princess Grill. In our midst was celebrity chef Todd English who treated us to one his creations: crayfish phyllo basket for appetizer followed by butternut squash soup with smoked duck cranberry compote; for entrée, herb and citrus crusted halibut and braised fennel heart and roasted lamb loin with truffled scallion mash, morel mushrooms and tomato petals on tarragon bordelaise sauce.
"What a royal delight," mused book writer Chris Janus, also editor of Greek Star who have had the pleasure to sail on the first Queen Mary on her maiden voyage.
Janus will accompany lecturers of the Oxford Discovery Program, another QM2 exclusive to be featured in ConneXions. Cunard ConneXions is a first at sea dedicated college offering programs of education on a variety of courses.
One of the many other highlights of QM2 is the 2-storey, 20,000 sq ft luxurious spa run by Canyon Ranch, the famed Arizona relaxation, health and fitness expert. Attended by 51 staff, it offers a thalasso therapy pool with waterfall, jet streams and jacuzzi, a whirlpool, gym and fitness center, a thermal suite, a herbal and Finnish sauna, reflexology basin, an aromatic steam room and a relaxation lounge.
Cunard's owner Mickey Arrison said: "The challenge with starting QM2 lies in the fact that since Cunard is such a global name and a huge company, it's cruise company is a very, very small brand. Our greatest challenge was to establish the brand with what is available, to get this ship together and execute the inaugural stage. Faced with the situation where 70% of the original crew has not sailed before translated into extremely hard work and a lot of assistance to help staff get ready. Eventually the company succeeded. Everybody has done a good job."
Added Gevanthor, "On Queen Mary 2's first cruise, we were sold out. There were no empty cabins on-board. For the balance of the first year of operation, we are selling at a very brisk pace. Definitely, we will meet expectation of the owners. There is basically a small amount of space remaining in every cruise we operate and for those interested to do business with us, they only need to call."
Pre and post-cruise travelers are spoilt for choices in Fort Lauderdale. Guests of the Queen Mary 2 prefer the Embassy Suites right along SE 17th Street Causeway, a mere 4 blocks from the Port Everglades Cruise Ship Port. Only 2 miles away from the airport, ship guests can enjoy a quick rest before or after a cruise when booked in this property. Winner of the highest-ranked Hotel Guest Satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates for 5 consecutive years, the Mediterranean-style, 358 two-room all-suite hotel is landscaped with a 12-storey atrium, flagstone walkways, foot-bridges (lit by wrought-iron gas lamps) over fresh water lagoons and fish ponds.
Director of Sales Julie Tegan-Russell said, "For the most upscale luxury ship's clients, we offer a very upscale service. Being centrally-located is excellent; guests staying over night need not rent a car as we offer free shuttles to the downtown, as well as to the airport and port."
In the area, there are over 20 restaurants to choose from. Another way to experience nine great attractions of South Florida by water is through the new bio-diesel, hybrid-electric car, air-conditioned ferries called Water Taxi. This new transport system offers a view of the most impressive and expensive Lauderdale mansions and marina waterway city tours.
"With the arrival of the Queen Mary 2, more global awareness for the upscale audience has been generated. More recognition, more prestige was brought upon Fort Lauderdale which in essence, should be all guests' port of call. After all, this destination is the Venice of America," closed Tegan-Russell.
By Hazel Heyer
eturbonews.com Florida
www.Travelvideo.tv - your news source for the travel and tourism industry. (The site has been renamed and the link is now at http://beabroda.com/cruise-ships/queen-mary-2-is-the-grandest-ship-of-them-all/)
Billed as the grandest vessel ever, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is the largest, longest, widest and tallest ocean liner in the world. Featuring 17 decks and towering 236 feet from keel to funnel (equal to the height of a 23-story building), this new Cunard Flagship is 135 feet wide, weighs 151,400 tons, and carries 2620 passengers and a crew of 1300. At a length of 1132 feet, it is the longest compared to the ones that precede it: The Mariner of the Seas measured 1020 feet, the Queen Elizabeth II, 963 feet and the Titanic, only 882.8 feet. Above all, at $780 million or £550 million, this ocean liner is the most expensive passenger vessel ever built. Designed to revive the tradition of previous elegant trans-Atlantic voyages that faded with the advent of modern aviation, the QM2 continues in the proud history of Cunard whose first Atlantic crossing took place in 1840. On its maiden voyage from Southampton in England, QM2 docked January 26th at the Port Everglades (Terminal 21) of Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
The queen of all ships, QM2 has 1550 miles (2500 km.) of electric cable, 310 miles (500 km.) of ducts, mains and pipes, 2000 bathrooms, 80000 lighting points, 280000 square yards (250000 sq. m.) of fitted carpets, 144000 square yards (120000 sq. yards) of insulating material, 3,000 telephones, 8800 loudspeakers, 5000 stairs, 50000 fire detectors, 1100 fire doors and 8350 automatic extinguishers. Not to mention, the liner's first planetarium at sea doubles as a cinema and a 500-person lecture hall.
The Queen Mary has an engine system that allows it to go over 30 knots an hour. A Mermaid pod drive provides a 360-degree propulsion in which the main advantage lies in high maneuverability with minimum noise and vibration. As ocean liner, it is the first to launch in more than 3 decades. As opposed to the regular new cruise ships built for slow cruising in the calm waters of the Caribbean for instance, this ocean liner is built with an extra-thick steel hull. Equipped with a streamlined profile necessary for stability and speed when crossing open oceans, QM2 braves all weather conditions.
The Grand Lobby is the first major space passengers are impressed by upon boarding. On 2 decks, with the atrium above extending through 6 decks, the lobby offers access to the casino, bars, the Purser's Office, 2 glass lifts taking passengers to the King's Court. Opposite the lifts are the monumental sculptural relief of QM2 and 2 large paintings of the original Queen Mary. On the walls leading up to the Britannia Restaurant are beautiful reliefs depicting the four seasons.
Think of all the superlatives, QM2 has got them all as pointed out to me by the ship's spokesman, Cunard Line's Vice President for Marketing David Gevanthor, by whom I was fortunate enough to have been given the grand tour.
He said, "Three other superlatives QM2 prides of are its largest floating ballroom in the world, the biggest functioning library at sea with 8000 volumes and the largest wine collection on-board - 350 of the best labels over the 50,000 individual bottles of wine available."
Further he said, "It has 23 categories of space on-board and even though it is the most expensive ship, it is the most affordable in the world. A trans-Atlantic journey can cost $1499 with return-air or can go up to a lavish $27000 in the Balmoral suites)."
The Grand Duplex consists of a 2249 sq. ft Balmoral and Sandringham Duplexes, the most lavish and magnificent suite afloat. The sweeping living quarters with extensive balcony and spectacular view over the stern include a fully-stocked bar, dining for 8, dressing room, interactive plasma screen and home office corner. Upstairs the master bedroom has a private exercise facility, 2 marble 'his and hers' dressing room and connecting bathrooms with separate whirlpool bath and shower. The 1471 sq. ft. Windsor and Buckingham Duplexes and the 1566 sq. ft Holyrod Duplex are similar to the Grand Duplex, however feature a slightly smaller staterooms and balconies.
Queen Mary's kitchen has been developed by famed New York chef Daniel Boulud. And one out of 10 on-board, the award-winning alternative restaurant run by the famous Boston chef Todd English serves exotic, contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Passengers who fancy a change from their assigned restaurant or seek alfresco dining, find their way to Todd English. Over a forthcoming brief period, the Gourmet Magazine arranges for internationally-renowned chefs to feature their kitchens on 12 voyages with a series including February 23rd for Rio's Queen of Carnival, 12 nights Rio de Janeiro to Fort Lauderdale and from March 16th, the Explorer's Caribbean for 10 nights roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale in the U.S.
" In the Winter Garden, designed based on the conservatory at Kew Gardens, there are a total of 6 dining venues which 270 guests can enjoy including a classical concert over afternoon or high tea. King's Court is an alternative dining with 3 of the 4 venues customized for evening options of a specialty restaurant," Gevanthor said.
Our inaugural media luncheon 28th January took place at the Princess Grill. In our midst was celebrity chef Todd English who treated us to one his creations: crayfish phyllo basket for appetizer followed by butternut squash soup with smoked duck cranberry compote; for entrée, herb and citrus crusted halibut and braised fennel heart and roasted lamb loin with truffled scallion mash, morel mushrooms and tomato petals on tarragon bordelaise sauce.
"What a royal delight," mused book writer Chris Janus, also editor of Greek Star who have had the pleasure to sail on the first Queen Mary on her maiden voyage.
Janus will accompany lecturers of the Oxford Discovery Program, another QM2 exclusive to be featured in ConneXions. Cunard ConneXions is a first at sea dedicated college offering programs of education on a variety of courses.
One of the many other highlights of QM2 is the 2-storey, 20,000 sq ft luxurious spa run by Canyon Ranch, the famed Arizona relaxation, health and fitness expert. Attended by 51 staff, it offers a thalasso therapy pool with waterfall, jet streams and jacuzzi, a whirlpool, gym and fitness center, a thermal suite, a herbal and Finnish sauna, reflexology basin, an aromatic steam room and a relaxation lounge.
Cunard's owner Mickey Arrison said: "The challenge with starting QM2 lies in the fact that since Cunard is such a global name and a huge company, it's cruise company is a very, very small brand. Our greatest challenge was to establish the brand with what is available, to get this ship together and execute the inaugural stage. Faced with the situation where 70% of the original crew has not sailed before translated into extremely hard work and a lot of assistance to help staff get ready. Eventually the company succeeded. Everybody has done a good job."
Added Gevanthor, "On Queen Mary 2's first cruise, we were sold out. There were no empty cabins on-board. For the balance of the first year of operation, we are selling at a very brisk pace. Definitely, we will meet expectation of the owners. There is basically a small amount of space remaining in every cruise we operate and for those interested to do business with us, they only need to call."
Pre and post-cruise travelers are spoilt for choices in Fort Lauderdale. Guests of the Queen Mary 2 prefer the Embassy Suites right along SE 17th Street Causeway, a mere 4 blocks from the Port Everglades Cruise Ship Port. Only 2 miles away from the airport, ship guests can enjoy a quick rest before or after a cruise when booked in this property. Winner of the highest-ranked Hotel Guest Satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates for 5 consecutive years, the Mediterranean-style, 358 two-room all-suite hotel is landscaped with a 12-storey atrium, flagstone walkways, foot-bridges (lit by wrought-iron gas lamps) over fresh water lagoons and fish ponds.
Director of Sales Julie Tegan-Russell said, "For the most upscale luxury ship's clients, we offer a very upscale service. Being centrally-located is excellent; guests staying over night need not rent a car as we offer free shuttles to the downtown, as well as to the airport and port."
In the area, there are over 20 restaurants to choose from. Another way to experience nine great attractions of South Florida by water is through the new bio-diesel, hybrid-electric car, air-conditioned ferries called Water Taxi. This new transport system offers a view of the most impressive and expensive Lauderdale mansions and marina waterway city tours.
"With the arrival of the Queen Mary 2, more global awareness for the upscale audience has been generated. More recognition, more prestige was brought upon Fort Lauderdale which in essence, should be all guests' port of call. After all, this destination is the Venice of America," closed Tegan-Russell.
By Hazel Heyer
eturbonews.com Florida
www.Travelvideo.tv - your news source for the travel and tourism industry. (The site has been renamed and the link is now at http://beabroda.com/cruise-ships/queen-mary-2-is-the-grandest-ship-of-them-all/)