JANE SEYMOUR TO APPEAR ON 'QM2'

Jane Seymour (Cunard)

Award-winning actress Jane Seymour will be featured on the Queen Mary 2's Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton on June 3. Ms. Seymour will share her insights with guests during two Q&A sessions as well as participate in a screening of one of her many films. Also known for her art, Ms. Seymour will conduct painting classes for passengers, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for a fee. Guests will also have the opportunity to attend a book-signing session.

Although most famous for her roles in Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, James Bond’s Live and Let Die, Somewhere in Time, and Wedding Crashers, she is also a designer, writer, painter and art gallery owner.

CROSBY, STILLS AND NASH TO PERFORM ON 'QM2'

Crosby, Stills and Nash (Cunard)

From Woodstock to the Queen Mary 2 ... in the words of another music legend, that's a long and winding road. Fans of the group won't have to battle the elements on Yasgur's Farm this time around (the site of Woodstock). The trio is set to perform a series of exclusive concerts on board Queen Mary 2 during her Sept. 4-11 Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton.

More details from Cunard:

"Crosby, Stills and Nash (CS and N) burst onto the music scene in 1969 with their self-titled debut LP, now one of Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” The band members are among the few to have been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once with Crosby Stills and Nash, and a second time with The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and the Hollies. They have also been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of fame, with the honor recognizing both CS and N as a group and each member as individual solo artists.

Their debut album

"During the Queen Mary 2 crossing the trio will perform some of their greatest hits including “Teach Your Children,” “Southern Cross” and “Wooden Ships” in the Royal Court Theatre. They will also participate in a Q and A session and special autograph opportunity for passengers on board.

"This will be a unique experience for us,” said Graham Nash. “We're really looking forward to making music, bringing back memories and creating new ones—and this journey from New York to Southampton, on this beautiful vessel, will do just that.”

CONCERTS WILL MARK CUNARD'S 175TH YEAR

Britannia and the Queen Mary 2 (Cunard)

Passengers aboard the Queen Mary 2's July 175th Anniversary Crossing are in for a special treat. (175 years -- that's amazing for any business, yet alone the cruise business!) On July 4, 2015, that voyage will be celebrated with special concerts at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool, attended by all Queen Mary 2 passengers. The “Triumph of a Great Tradition” concerts will celebrate Cunard's long heritage.

"Queen Mary 2 will be berthed in Liverpool on the exact day 175 years earlier that Cunard’s first ship, Britannia, left Liverpool. Later that day Queen Mary 2 will follow in Britannia’s wake and recreate that epic first voyage, calling at Halifax and Boston (just as Britannia did) before arriving in New York." The departure from Liverpool will be marked by fireworks and the voyage will feature special events, including gala dinners and a 175 Ball in the Queens Room.

CHEF ENGLISH JOINING QM2 CRUISE

Celebrated chef and Cunard partner Todd English will join the festivities on board Queen Mary 2 on July 1 for her Independence Day Celebration voyage from New York to Boston. While on board, English will develop a new menu with the flagship’s culinary team, debuting later this summer, as well as sign copies of his cookbook, Cooking in Everyday English: The ABCs of Great Flavor at Home. Fans of English can follow him on Twitter (@ChefToddEnglish) and Facebook (Facebook.com/ChefToddEnglish).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 'QUEEN MARY 2'!

The Three Queens arrive at Southampton (Cunard)

A special occasion calls for a special celebration. On May 9, Cunard Line marked the 10th anniversary of Queen Mary 2 with a rare opportunity to view all Three Queens together – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria in their home port of Southampton.
The ships arrived to the sounds of “Happy Birthday” from the ships' foghorns. This was followed by a special reception and lunch aboard Queen Mary 2 for His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, "who last visited the ship when accompanying Her Majesty The Queen to name her in 2004."

We also want to wish Queen Mary 2 a very happy birthday, and many more to come! Here are some photos and videos from Cunard that captured the festivities:

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visits with
Captain Christopher Wells, master of the QM2

 

Captain Kevin Oprey takes His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and other guests

  on a tour

Gerry and Pam from their voyage on the QM2

3 QUEENS MEET TO CELEBRATE ON MAY 9

The Three Queens  (Credit: Cunard)

Cunard will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, on May 9 with the arrival of the whole three-ship fleet in Southampton. This will be a rare occasion to see Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth together, and Southampton will be the only place in the world to have hosted the Three Queens three times.

The celebration begins with an early morning Birthday Salute, a special reception and lunch on board Queen Mary 2 for invited guests in the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, and a big fireworks send-off in the evening before Queen Mary 2 leads the three ships in convoy down Southampton Water.

A DOUBLE DECKER HISTORY LESSON

Loading onto the Queen Mary (Cunard)

If you are history buffs, as we are, you'll enjoy this item written by Michael Gallagher, public relations executive and historian for Cunard Line and part of an ongoing series of key moments in the Cunard Line's history.

"After purchasing Queen Mary, the City of Long Beach wanted to build an 'Olde London' village alongside their new acquisition. As well as buying the great Queen herself, the City purchased two London Double Decker buses to be used in the village. The easiest way to get them to Long Beach would be on Queen Mary. Before her final departure from Southampton in October 1967, the buses were loaded onto the aft decks of the ship.

"It would prove to be a very good revenue stream for Cunard as tickets (a dollar a time) were sold to passengers to sit on the bus as Queen Mary rounded the notorious Cape Horn.

"The 'Olde London' idea never quite came to fruition and neither did the plan to have live electric eels swimming in specially-made handrails on staircases in the Jacques Cousteau's Museum of the Sea which was built in the gutted machinery spaces!

"A London Double Decker Bus was used at ceremonies to mark the Float Out of Queen Mary 2 in March 2003. The bus ferried guests to and from the airport and then took them on an excursion into the dry-dock to see Queen Mary 2. An on board Conductor processed tickets giving the destination as 'QM2'. It was perhaps then we realized just how big she is...."

Credit: Cunard

PROOF THAT CRUISE SHIPS ARE BIG

Yes, we know cruise ships are big, but there's nothing like a photo to really put their size in perspective. Here's just that, courtesy of Cunard. Aside to the captain -- watch that first step! -- Gerry

"On Sunday (March 2), Cunard captured dramatic photographs of Captain Kevin Oprey, Master of Queen Mary 2, standing beneath the flagship’s soaring hull a mile off the coast of Bali during the ship's World Cruise in her 10th anniversary year. The amazing images by James Morgan show Captain Oprey surveying the scene from the top of Queen Mary 2's bulbous bow, an underwater projection that minimizes the creation of bow waves around the waterline when the ship is under way. Two safety craft were standing by during the photo shoot, but Captain Oprey remained sure-footed throughout."

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, QUEEN MARY 2

Queen Mary 2 (Cunard)

It seems like only yesterday when Pam and I boarded the Queen Mary 2 for the Transatlantic crossing from New York. Today we are among the thousands who have made that unforgettable journey aboard one of the world's most magnificent ships.

This year marks a milestone for Cunard Line’s flagship: Queen Mary 2 will celebrate her first ten years of service in 2014. Over that time she has taken a total of 419 voyages, including over 200 Transatlantic Crossings, and has called at 182 ports in 60 countries.

Along with this special video, http://bit.ly/1koe4jr, here are some more facts about her first ten years from Cunard:

JAMES TAYLOR ANNOUNCED FOR 'QUEEN MARY 2'

Credit: James O'Mara

Cunard has announced legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor will help commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Queen Mary 2 next year. Taylor will perform two concerts during the August 27 Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton, England, via Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Over the course of his career, Taylor has sold over 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards for classics ranging from Sweet Baby James in 1970 to October Road in 2002.

From the release: “I’ve always wanted to take an ocean liner back to Europe, and in June 2009 we got the chance to do that. It’s such a civilized way to go, and Queen Mary 2 is the last word in first-class travel,” Taylor said. 

VIDEO CAPTURES 'QUEEN MARY 2' CROSSING

Cunard has released a video following Queen Mary 2's historic 200th Transatlantic Crossing, which departed New York for Southampton, England, on July 6. It's the next best thing to being there. -- Gerry

'QUEEN MARY 2'S' HISTORIC JOURNEY

Sailing by the Statue of Liberty (Credit: Cunard)

As  the Queen Mary 2 makes her historic 200th crossing, Cunard is providing updates on her trip. Here is the latest:

"Cunard Line’s flagship Queen Mary 2 is making her historic 200th Transatlantic Crossing, having sailed from New York on Saturday en route to her home port of Southampton, England, arriving July 13.

"To mark the beginning of the historic voyage from New York, Queen Mary 2 performed a sail-by of the world’s most iconic statue atop Liberty Island. On board are keynote speakers presenting talks about the ship’s design, as well as special Big Band performances, and a celebratory Gala Dinner to be held on July 11.

"In the course of Queen Mary 2’s 200 Transatlantic Crossings, Cunard Line estimates that a half-million passengers have consumed 8.4 million cups of tea; 980,000 scones; 481,000 bottles of champagne; 644,000 eggs; and 253,605 gallons of milk. In total, 22.4 million meals have been served over 600,000 nautical miles, excluding the ship’s annual World Cruise and sailings to the Canaries, Fjords, Iceland, the Low Countries, around Britain, up to Montreal and Québec in Canada, and among the Caribbean islands.

JULY 6 A SPECIAL DAY FOR 'QUEEN MARY 2'

Queen Mary 2  (Credit: Cunard)

July 6 will be a very special day for Cunard. Why? As Cunard's Peter Shanks writes in his blog: "On the 6 July Queen Mary 2 will make her 200th crossing of the Atlantic Ocean – and since 2004 will have delighted over 520,000 passengers. Over the coming weeks we will be celebrating this milestone – not least on the 200th crossing itself."

As two of those 520,000 delighted passengers, Pam and I have our own fond memories of making the Crossing, including the never-to-be-forgotten moment when we sailed out of New York harbor, past the Statue of Liberty, with Frank Sinatra singing "New York, New York" over the ship's speakers. Over the next six glorious days, it was truly a cruise like no other.

Peter sums it up best:

"Nine years and 200 crossings later on the 6th July, setting sail from New York will be every bit as special for those passengers lining the upper decks of Queen Mary 2. In our history, remarkably, we have carried over 10 million people to New York on our liners – many of whom have started a new life in North America. The world is a fast changing place – but there are some things in life that never change and some things in life that just get better and better. Queen Mary 2 on a Transatlantic Crossing is one of those things. If you have experienced it – then come and do so again. If you have not – then believe me you should."

We couldn't say it better ourselves. -- Gerry and Pam

'QUEEN MARY 2' MARKS 77TH ANNIVERSARY

Queen Mary visits New York  (Credit: Cunard)

Today is a special day for Cunard. When the Queen Mary 2 sails into New York harbor, concluding her Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton, it will mark 77th anniversary of the maiden call of the original Queen Mary in New York in 1936. Having cruised on the Queen Mary 2 from the Big Apple, we can imagine it was just as special then as now.

Here's a little of the backstory from Cunard:

"Queen Mary’s Maiden Voyage began in Southampton on May 27, 1936 when she departed to the sounds of gleeful bands and ecstatic crowds. On board were the famous bandleader, Henry Hall, scheduled to give a series of live radio broadcasts during the Crossing; the virtuoso harmonica player, Larry Adler; and well-known singer, Frances Day, who performed a song written especially for Queen Mary by Henry Hall. Interestingly, Miss Day was doubtful of the ship’s ability to provide fresh eggs throughout the voyage, and so brought along her own chickens.

"Seventy-seven years later, flagship Queen Mary 2 left Southampton last Saturday, May 25, for New York. On board to speak is Jeffrey Weinberg, adviser to seven U.S. Presidents; and passengers still enjoy Cunard’s renowned on board entertainment, including presentations from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Today, the eggs – all 45,000 of them – are fresh and plentiful, and the Line’s legendary Transatlantic Crossings live on.

"Queen Mary would cross the Atlantic another 1,000 times during her 31-year career before being retired in 1967. Queen Mary 2 will sail her 200th Crossing on 6 July – from New York – during this, her ninth year on the Atlantic." --Gerry

'QUEEN MARY 2' WILL MARK 200 CROSSINGS

In July, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 marks a major milestone. When she departs New York on July 6, it will be her 200th Transatlantic Crossing since the ship debuted in 2004. Special events are planned on board, including a lecture by Stephen Payne, mainly responsible for the overall design, and a commemorative dinner and gala in his honor. There will also be a group of musicians from the Juilliard School of Dance, Drama and Music performing in various venues throughout the ship.

Some fun facts from Cunard: In the course of the 200 crossings, they estimate passengers have consumed:

8.4 million cups of tea
980,000 scones
481,000 bottles of champagne
644,000 eggs
960,000 litres of milk

"In total, Queen Mary 2 has served 22.4 million meals and sailed over 600,000 nautical miles during her first 200 Crossings. These figures do not take into account her annual World Cruise or her sailings to the Canaries, Fjords, Iceland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, around Britain, up to Montreal and Quebec in Canada, or among the Caribbean islands.

"Looking at Cunard’s earlier vessels, Queen Mary (1936 - 1967) crossed the Atlantic 1,001 times; Queen Elizabeth (1940 - 1968) crossed 896 times; and Queen Elizabeth 2 (1969 - 2008) crossed 812 times." -- Gerry