I remember when I was a young teenager every time I went to Heathrow airport in London, I would not look for the 747s or the big cargo planes, for me there was only one plane worth seeing……………………………………………Concorde.
This was the pinnacle of air travel and just catching a glimpse of this supersonic passport to far off places was something everyone, including myself, wanted to experience.
In today’s world of the cruise industry there is, and I say this with the greatest respect, only one company that still has that magical “Concorde effect” on people and that company is ……………………………………Cunard.
A few months ago the Carnival Freedom was in Barcelona docked along with five other new and shiny vessels. As the people of Barcelona came to view the vessels, they only had eyes for one ship and that was the Queen Mary 2. Even guests from our ship and the other cruise lines would make a point of taking photos of the famous red and blue smoke stack. Once again, the “Concorde effect” had taken place.
Before the Concorde there was the originator of this phenomenon and she was the Queen Elizabeth 2. Wherever she would go and whichever newer and bigger ships were docked with her, we only had eyes for Elizabeth. As you know, she will be retired from the fleet next year, leaving her two sisters the Queen Mary 2 and the soon to be launched Queen Victoria.
Queen Elizabeth 2 will be missed; however, the name Elizabeth will continue to provide the “Concorde effect” for generations to come as I proudly show you the following press release.
Southampton: 10 October 2007
CUNARD TO BUILD ‘QUEEN ELIZABETH’
New liner to enter service in 2010
Cunard Line announces that it has ordered a new 92,000-ton liner, to be named ‘Queen Elizabeth’, scheduled to enter service in the autumn of 2010. Cunard, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE CUK) signed an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of the new 2092–passenger ocean liner, which will be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard at an all-in cost of approximately €500 million. The vessel will be the second largest Cunarder ever built. In making the announcement, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, said: “Cunard already owns and operates the two most famous ocean liners in the world, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2, and a third – Queen Victoria – is due to be named by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales, in December of this year. The decision to order another ship for Cunard Line has been taken as a result of the strong booking response to the new Queen Victoria, and we are extremely pleased that Cunard will once again become a three-ship fleet so soon after the departure of the much-celebrated Queen Elizabeth 2 in November next year. Furthermore we are delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has given her blessing to our calling this new Cunarder ‘Queen Elizabeth’, after our first vessel of that name. ”
The new ship follows a long line of famous Cunard liners stretching back to the company’s inception as the first operator of a timetabled transatlantic service 167 years ago.
Speaking for Fincantieri, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Giuseppe Bono said:“It is a particularly special moment for Fincantieri to have secured a second order from Cunard at a time when we are nearing the completion of “Queen Victoria”. Cunard is the most famous name in passenger shipping and we are honoured to have been chosen to build Queen Elizabeth and to continue the tradition and heritage of that great company”. Queen Elizabeth will offer the very best of Cunard’s values and traditions, blended with every conceivable modern luxury that today’s discerning travellers expect. Through her opulent public rooms and impeccable service, the new ship will reflect the grandeur which has been associated with Cunard ships since the introduction of the Mauretania in 1907; and from the outside, her black hull, gleaming white superstructure and distinctive red funnel will echo the classic characteristics of the company’s distinctive liner heritage. Queen Elizabeth will fly the Red Ensign with her home-port Southampton, as is the case with the other ships in the Cunard fleet.
The agreement is subject to approval by the board of directors of Carnival Corporation & plc. Design details and initial itineraries will be announced in due course.
So, the family is complete once again.
Congratulations to Cunard and God Save the Queen.
John Heald
Cruise Director
M/V Carnival Freedom
Filed under: Catherine Zeta Jones, Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Splendor Godmother, Tales from the Ship
Now, that, good sir, is WONDERFUL news!
My only question would be what could be done to top the magnificent Queen Vitoria? She is a voluptuous lady, both stately and sensuous.
I have confidence that the new Elizabeth will do Cunard proud.
Thanks for passing along the news.
Regards,
Greg
Hello John: Hope everything is going well with Alan. We are praying for him.
NANETTE: We are sorry to hear about your sister in Law. Our thoughts are with you and your family a this time of loss and sorrow. I know this is an extremely difficult time specially for the childrens. Our heartfelt sumpathy to you the children and the family.
Regards,
Mary and Moe
Hi John,
You can forget the previous comments; I’ll start over.
I’m sailing on Carnival Pride, Super Bowl Sunday, so that is why I was asking about what sort of Super Bowl activities there were. Also, the Carnival Pride seems headed for drydock in December and I was curious if any special maintenance was to be performed.
About the Splendor. I am already booked on the Inaugural Baltic cruise, but was curious when this new “pre-Inaugural” cruise would go on sale. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of info on it floating around the Internet. But my wonderful TA twins provided almost all information except exact pricing which will be available soon, so that is covered. Hopefully, I will be able to do both.
But all this can wait. Hope to hear everything went well with Alan and wishing him a speedy recovery.
Forgot to add…
another day, another cruise…
Had to throw something together to see what the pre-Inaugural might look like…
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/splendor_pre/splendor_pre.htm
Hi John/Heidi/Everyone:
Great news about Cunard.
She sounds like she will be quite a beauty.
Thinking of Alan and Nanette!
David
First of all, congratulations John for this wonderful award. You deserve it. My husband and I got home safely after our wonderful Carnival Freedon Grand Med. cruise from Sept. 22nd-Oct.4th. Although we missed the ship we are happy to be back home. Just recovered from a long jet-lagged. Sorry that I didn’t get to meet you personally, since there were so many passengers during the cruise. Also, I an very shy and dreaded to go up the stage during your show, so I remained quiet about my b-day. I had a wonderful time aboard the Carnival Freedom and had a great time during my b-day celebration on Sept. 29th. Spent the day touring Athens. I’d like to share my art blog where I posted a short story about my bithday. Pls. check it out here:
http://forever-art.blogspot.com/
The ship sounds lovely. I too wish to extend thoughts of Alan and a speedy recovery. Nanette as I told you personally, my prayers are with you and Eugene, your family. Maybe you will stop being sad dreaming of this proud ship, ya?
La vida es un viaje, no un destino…
Take good care, Kathie
Nanette: My deepest sympathies at the loss of your sister-in-law. Hold tight to the good memories of your times together.
Alan: Still praying for your complete and speedy recovery.
John: Thanks for the exciting info about the new Cunard ship. And I enjoyed your story of your run in with the Italian constabulary over the sound system. Speaking of concerts, you should do an “Eagles” concert. Now there’s some good music!
Heidi: Stay strong and kind. I’m sure you need both to deal with everything that’s going on.
Best Wishes,
Myra
Hello John:
What a great piece on the Cunard Royal family. It reminds me of my Great Aunt Loretta. She sailed many times on the QE1 & the QM1. In fact when we in California we ate dinner on the QM1 and I had some poor fellow looking for her name in the passenger registries’ from 1950 & 1960’s when she had last sailed. I even called my mum on the cell asking for the correct year but we drew a blank.
They shall be a fine trio to sail the seas for sure.
Hope everything is going well with Alan.
We are still praying for him & Alison
Also sending hugs & good vibes to you & Heidi ’s way as well
ALSO Hello to all out other fellow bloggers
Take Care.
The Tuckers
TA Cruise 18 days and counting…..
P.S. NANETTE: We are sorry to hear about your loss
Good evening John and Heidi,
I just returned home to Juneau on Sunday the 7th from my cruise on the Carnival Victory. Strange one of the first blogs I read mentioned the magnificent Queen Mary II. When we docked in Boston on Sunday the 30th we were priviledged to be tied up right in front of the Queen Mary II……what a sight to see. I went up to the aft deck area to get photos after returning from my shore tour and realized that they were getting ready to depart. There was a small group of Victory passengers and a large number of crew who all had cameras ready to snap photos as the Queen Mary II slowly backed away. Probably the most impressive part of her departure was the sounding on the horn………..created very large goosebumps.
We also made a port call at Halifax and I now understand your description about the stunning entry to the harbour. The bagpiper who played as we set sail was a very special thing also. I made sure I paid a visit to Tim Horton’s while in Halifax where I consumed donuts in your honor.
While onboard the Victory CD Malcom Burn put in a plug for your the blog written by the cruise industries best Cruise Director.
Well 277 days and counting until the Carnival Splendor.
My prayers and good wishes are with you and Heidi right now.
Kersplott
Hi John,
This is my first time posting, but I must say that I look forward to reading your blog every day. It is great to hear someone live from a cruise ship with different stories every day. Great news for Cunard. Speaking of new ships… I know Carnival has several on order… 2 of which I believe are 130,000 tons (a new class). I was wondering if you have any information abou the pinnacle project that I read about a while ago (info that you are allowed to share)? I have not heard about this in a while, and I was wondering if this was just an idea or if this is planned to become a reality. Thanks for the blog, it really is great!
The QE2 will be retired and along with her will go the last single rooms on a cruise ship. This is sad. I would love to take a cruise with myself. I am sure i am not the only person who would love a single cabin.
Maureen
Good Morning John
I am now only 11 weeks away from sailing on the new Queen Victoria and your recent blog has made the feeling I have for this beautiful lady stonger. I have a friend whom I have been sharing this journey of expectation with and we both feel that I will need valium before I embark. Your comments and photgraphs have been wonderful so please keep up the fantatic work.
Edward Condon
Adelaide South Australia
Dear John
My husband Carsten & I sailed with you on the the Liberty in November 2006 and thoroughly enjoyed your shows. We will be sailing on the new Carnival Splendor in September 2008 and wonder who will be their cruise director, I’d love for it to be you…..
Enjoy life, it’s much too short.
Kind regards
Carsten & Miriam Schernekau
Tillsonburg, Canada