Cunard Commences 175th Anniversary Year with Spectacular Start

Fireworks added a festive celebration to flagship Queen Mary 2's World Voyage departure from
Southampton on 10 January

SOUTHAMPTON, England, Jan. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cunard has commenced its 175^th anniversary year with a spectacular start, as fireworks and marching bands marked the departure of Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth on their World Voyages this weekend.  A magnificent year of celebrations is planned, with special features on board, a top-flight line-up of celebrity speakers and a series of World Class events and commemorative sailings in place for 2015.

Flagship Queen Mary 2 and sister ship Queen Elizabeth took centre stage in Southampton on Saturday as the two Queens embarked on their 2015 World Voyages. Joining guests on board were acclaimed British actress, Celia Imrie (aboard Queen Mary 2), and former chief news correspondent for the BBC, Kate Adie (aboard Queen Elizabeth), as part of Cunard's acclaimed Insights speaker programme, featuring high-calibre presenters throughout the year.   Further leading lights, including statesmen, authors, actresses, poets and politicians, will share their knowledge, stories and experiences with passengers on board Cunard's ships during this anniversary year.  These include:

• FW De Klerk (Queen Mary 2, Port Elizabeth to Durban, 15-17 April 2015),
• Sir Max Hastings (Queen Mary 2, Dubai to Hong Kong, 29 January-21 February 2015)
• John McCarthy (Queen Elizabeth, Dubai to Southampton,   13 April-3 May 2015)
• Sir Jackie Stewart (Queen Mary 2,  Dubai to Hong Kong, 29 January-21 February 2015)
• Actress Kim Novak (Queen Elizabeth, Honolulu to Auckland, 13-27 February 2015)
• Lord Michael Howard (Queen Victoria, Istanbul to Rome cruise, 10-24 October 2015)
• Anne Widdecombe (Queen Victoria,  Canaries, 10-22 May 2015)
• Simon Weston (Queen Victoria,  Caribbean, 20 January-2 February 2015)
• Pam Ayres  (Queen Elizabeth, Mediterranean, 21 October-7 November 2015)
• David Blunkett  (Queen Victoria,  Mediterranean cruise, 12-19 September 2015)

The 175^th anniversary will be celebrated across all three Cunard ships during the year, with

• Gala dinners with souvenir menus on cruises of more than four nights
• "Black, Red and Gold" themed Balls in the Queens Room aboard each ship
• 175^th themed commemorative drinks, from special blends of wine to craft beers, plus 175^th themed cakes and deserts at afternoon tea and formal dinners.
• Themed entertainment, including  175^th anniversary quizzes and the quirky side of Cunard's history presented by the RADA theatre group travelling aboard Queen Mary 2's transatlantic crossings
• Specially created 175^th merchandise, from  collectible posters to teddy bears and polo shirts to cufflinks and 18 carat Clogue gold jewellery
• Mail posted on board with be over-stamped with the 175^th anniversary logo
• In cabin stationery – postcards, writing paper and envelopes – will display the 175^th anniversary logo

Richard Meadows, President, Cunard Line, North America said:

"2015 is going to be an amazing year for Cunard.  We'll be celebrating our 175^th anniversary throughout the year with an exciting programme of commemorative sailings and special events.  Celebrity speakers will add an extra touch of sparkle and insight to the celebrations on board while the sheer spectacle of bringing the fleet together in Southampton and Liverpool and marking key dates in Cunard's history will make compelling viewing for both passengers and spectators ashore.  We want everyone across the globe to be able to share in these historic celebrations."

Highlights of Cunard's 175th year will include the gathering of Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria in their home port of Southampton on 3 May for a spectacular sailaway of the three Queens.   And up to one million spectators are expected to gather in the company's spiritual home of Liverpool for the "Three Queens, One Magnificent City" three day event 24-26 May.  This will culminate on 25 May when the Cunard fleet, made up of the three largest ships ever to appear in formation on the Mersey, will perform a series of carefully choreographed maneuvers within sight of the Three Graces on Pier Head waterfront, including the iconic Cunard Building which was the company's headquarters for nearly 50 years.

Cunard will also re-create the transatlantic voyage that marked the start of the company's 175 years of operation.  Queen Mary 2's "175th Anniversary Crossing" (Southampton to New York 2-14 July 2015 M511D) will sail into Liverpool on 4 July and depart the same day - exactly 175 years since Cunard's ship Britannia made her maiden crossing from the port, heading for Halifax and Boston.

One of Cunard's most famous ships, Lusitania, will also be respectfully saluted by Queen Victoria during a special Lusitania remembered sailing (3-10 May 2015, V510) as the ship sails into Cobh, exactly 100 years since Lusitania was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland on 7 May 1915.  A series of commemorative events have been organised in the town which passengers are invited to attend, while on board, expert historian Eric Sauder will display on board a special collection of Lusitania memorabilia including china, silver, brochures, postcards and souvenirs that will help tell the story of Cunard's former flagship. A few places remain on this historic sailing, with Cunard fares from $1,559 per person for inside accommodation.

Further details on 175th anniversary sailings will be announced shortly.
For more information about Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, and to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call Cunard toll-free at 1-800-728-6273, or go to www.cunard.com.

About Queen Mary 2
Christened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004, Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2 defines luxury travel for the 21st Century and continues an almost 175-year legacy of transatlantic travel.  Queen Mary 2 achieved her 200th Transatlantic Crossing in July 2013.  Famous names who have experienced this iconic voyage since 2004 include President George H.W. Bush, Desmond Tutu, James Taylor, Wes Anderson, Tilda Swinton, George Takei, Kim Novak, Uma Thurman, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cleese and Angela Bassett.

About Cunard Line
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travellers who seek a civilised adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.

World's Leading Cruise Lines
Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

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