MIAMI, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Cunard Line announced today that its new 85,000-ton cruise ship, which is scheduled to enter service in 2005, will be named Queen Victoria. Dedicated to the British cruise market, Queen Victoria will be the second largest Cunarder ever built carrying 1,968 passengers. Together with the current flagship, Queen Elizabeth 2, and Queen Mary 2, the
largest passenger ship ever, the Cunard fleet will include three Queens for the first time -- truly the most famous ocean liners in the world.
Currently being built at Italy's Fincantieri shipyard, Queen Victoria will enter service in the company's 165th anniversary and will operate round-trip Southampton cruises to the Mediterranean, Canaries, Northern Europe as well as cruises to the Caribbean. The vessel will feature a covered wrap-around promenade deck, a forward-facing observation lounge, and a large Lido pool with a retractable magrodome. Innovative "exterior elevators" with glass walls will uniquely tower 10 decks high on both sides of the vessel. Like QE2 and QM2, the liner will have a Queens Grill offering single-seating gourmet dining.
"Cunard Line was founded just after Queen Victoria came to the throne, and her reign saw the company develop hugely in every sense," said Pamela Conover, president and COO of Cunard Line. "Today, with more capacity than we have had for 40 years, Cunard is entering a new phase of expansion commensurate with that experienced under Queen Victoria, so it seems entirely appropriate for the new ship to bear the name."
The on-board menus, entertainment and lecture programming will be geared toward British tastes and the currency will be sterling. In design terms Queen Victoria will have an undeniably British feel with two British design teams being responsible for her interiors. Queen Victoria will offer a wide range of accommodations including large standard outside cabins (170 sq ft) and a high percentage of balcony cabins (67%) -- bringing new levels of luxury and choice to the British passenger.
Yet Cunard fully expects Queen Victoria to have world-wide appeal, especially in the American market. Cunard guests value the superior White Star Service(SM) and amenities the line has always offered. Queen Victoria will be a ship that's both modern and sophisticated, extending the Cunard lineage into the 21st century, and providing a full complement of comforts for vacationers with high expectations.
The new liner's inaugural voyage will be in early 2005, approximately one year after the launch of Queen Mary 2.
Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world since 1840. The Cunard fleet has a classic British heritage and includes Queen Elizabeth 2 and Caronia. In December 2003, the line welcomes Queen Mary 2, the largest liner in the world, and in 2005 Queen Victoria joins the fleet.
Cunard is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Windstar Cruises. Together, these member lines share a commitment to quality and value, offering cruise vacations that appeal to the widest range of lifestyles and budgets, and that sail to some of the world's most exciting destinations.
