if you want to be the first on your block to
sail on the first true ocean liner (as opposed to cruise ship) to be built
since the Queen Elizabeth 2. Cunard's new Queen Mary 2, scheduled to take
over the New York-Southampton transatlantic route from the QE2 in 2004, will
be a completely 21st century vessel, setting a new standard for "the only way
to cross."
Although the new ship won't begin to sail until January 12, 2004, there is
already a list of people waiting to reserve space. Four early cruises have
been designated "maiden" voyages--but from a sentimental point of view, the
fourth will be the best. That's set for April 25, 2004, when both ships will
depart New York--QE2 on her final eastbound crossing and QM2 on her first,
passing the torch from one era to another in transatlantic sea travel. At the
end of the voyage, QE2 will begin another phase of her long life, cruising
from Southampton.
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Cunard opens its books for Queen Mary 2's inaugural season on August 1, 2002.
Reserving now will save you 20 percent off the brochure prices. But a word of
caution: Any vessel's first season should be approached with an open mind.
Things can go wrong, no matter how wonderful the ship or the planning may be.
Other than that, get excited. Right now the Maritime Museum in Paris has an
exhibit about her. The French are even developing a Queen Mary rose.
Here's the scoop on this much-anticipated vessel. She will be 1,132 feet
long, measure 237 feet high from keel to funnel and have a draft of 32 feet. At approximately 150,000 tons she is slated to become the largest passenger liner ever built.
The QM2 will have 13 decks and every amenity imaginable, and Cunard will
offer pre- and post- cruise hotel packages so travelers can enjoy time in New
York and London.
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With the famed Canyon Ranch Spa aboard, passengers can be pampered for the
entire crossing, leaving them refreshed enough to enjoy the sights, the
theater and shopping before flying home. Once again, you will be able to
cruise to the Caribbean from New York, thanks to QM2's speed and stability.
Also from New York in 2004, Cunard has slated two short cruises to nowhere,
celebrating Mother's Day and the Fourth of July.
Almost three-fourths of the staterooms have balconies. Those cabins are
spacious, at 248 sq. ft.,
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with eight-foot-deep verandahs. Standard cabins
will be 194 sq. ft. The luxury component includes a concierge floor of
suites; duplexes with their own exercise area, a breathtaking two-story glass
wall and a butler; and penthouses. All will be huge. When combined, they can
be enormous, up to an unimaginable 5,000 square feet.
Thanks to computer-generated images with fabric and furniture designs, we can
get a realistic impression of what the ship's interior will look like.
Britannia, the main restaurant,
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will soar three stories, with two dining levels and a grand curving staircase. A giant tapestry of a classic Cunard
ship will hang at one end of the room--just one piece of the $5 million worth
of art commissioned for the ship. A very high-tech vessel, QM2 will cost a
whopping $800 million to build. Each stateroom will have interactive TV so
passengers can book shore excursions and spa appointments, pay their bill and
read email right from the cabin.
Theoretically, there will never be a line, and the service will be pure
luxury. To that end, there will be one crew member for every two passengers.
Wow!
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Foodies rejoice: Food quality should be exemplary with the renowned Daniel
Boulud as the QM2's consulting executive chef. Award-winning chef Todd
English, of "Olives" fame, will have his own restaurant serving Mediterranean
cuisine.
After dark, the King's Court, a daytime buffet venue, will morph like
Cinderella's pumpkin into four distinct restaurants: Asian, Italian, the
Carvery, and the Chef's Galley, where diners will watch and listen as the
chef prepares the evening's dishes before they enjoy the final creation. The
Golden Lion Pub returns, as do the Queens and Princess Grills for suite
passengers.
Queen Mary 2 will have five pools, including a family/children's pool and
play area, and a terrace pool limited to adults only. Another will be an
all-weather pool with the return of the innovative magradome, first
introduced on QE2.
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British-trained nannies will be on hand for infant care. Other innovations
include the first seagoing planetarium, and an expanded enrichment/education
program called Cunard Connexions, envisioned as an open university at sea. A
museum-quality historical audio tour will guide ship buffs through Cunard's
history as a leader in transatlantic passenger travel for more than 150
years. Tried and true amenities include the library, business center,
florist, kennel, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, golf driving range and
putting green.
The largest dance floor afloat and a full dance orchestra highlight the new
Queens Room.
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Never fear--Cunard's traditional white-glove high tea will be
served every afternoon promptly at 4 p.m. Evening entertainment will be
varied, from specially written shows to Q32, a nightclub with staff in
overalls and hard hats while images of the ship being built appear on the
walls. One other point: To accommodate all those balconies, the shops,
casino, theater, Queens Room and Britannia are relegated to Decks 2 and 3,
below the cabins. Kings Court, the Grill restaurants and the Spa are on deck
7.
Imagine New England in the autumn aboard this magnificent new ship, or
Carnival in Rio from Fort Lauderdale. But I still think transatlantic is
best. I guess that's the romantic in me.
