Cunard Unveils 2018 Voyage Programme Featuring New Special Event Sailings and Maiden Calls

2018 Voyages on Sale September 6, 2016 featuring 20 maiden calls, Top 10 ports, and several overnight and evening port calls

Early Booking Benefit: Inclusive Amenities for Princess & Queens Grill Suites, and Up to $250 Onboard Credit per Stateroom^{^}

VALENCIA, Calif., Sept. 6, 2016 /CNW/ -- From March through December 2018, Cunard's three iconic Queens will set sail on a brand new programme of destinations and special event sailings. Guests will be able to visit extraordinary places around the globe and experience exclusive events never seen before at sea, all from the luxury and glamour of Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and newly-remastered Queen Mary 2.

On board every Cunard Queen, guests are welcomed to discover a wide array of entertainment and activities expertly curated to suit every taste. In addition to new itineraries, the 2018 Programme features a brand new lineup of special event cruises including high profile speakers and excursions themed around passion points to add an extra dimension to each voyage.

"On behalf of Cunard, we are proud to announce the robust 2018 Voyage Programme, comprised of exciting special event cruises and both iconic and intriguing destinations" said Richard Meadows, President, Cunard North America. "We continue to connect our guests to new destinations while delivering Cunard's quintessential experience of luxury on a grand scale."

Complimentary amenities in Princess and Queens Grill Suites
As a benefit of booking early, Cunard is offering a complimentary drink package^† and pre-paid gratuities^‡ in Princess & Queens Grill Suites, as well as up to $250 Onboard Credit^{^} per stateroom for guests who book by June 30, 2017.

Guests of Cunard's acclaimed Princess Grill or Queens Grill Suites enjoy one of the most treasured travel experiences at sea, the standard-bearer of refined elegance. Warmly greeted in their suite by an attentive steward or butler (Queens Grill) guests enjoy an array of special Grills offerings, including choosing their preferred pillow from nine choices; having their butler unpack upon arrival; working with the Concierge to arrange activities throughout the voyage, and enjoying personalized stationery.

In addition, Grill guests enjoy the storied enclave of the award-wining Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants, a club-like, single-seating dining experience known for serving world-class cuisine, showcasing flavours from around the globe, and featuring an extensive a la carte menu and "order off the menu" options.

Guests booked in a Balcony stateroom will also receive an on board credit of up to $250 per stateroom, dependent on length of voyage.

2018 Special Event Sailings:

Voyage du Vin (June 1-8, 2018 / Spain and Portugal):
Wine tasting on board Queen Victoria introduces guests to some of Europe's finest wine and port destinations, along with on board lectures from experts such as Will Lyons and excursions around the Atlantic Coast with port calls in Spain, Portugal and Guernsey.

A Photographic Journey to the Land of the Midnight Sun (July 1-13, 2018 / The Fjords):
Guests on Queen Elizabeth's Norwegian Voyage will learn professional tips from esteemed photography experts such as Ross Hoddinott, one of Englands' leading wildlife and landscape photographers, and take a trip to the Arctic Circle to photograph the stunning phenomenon of the "midnight sun."

Big Band Ball (August 24-28, 2018 / Netherlands Escape):
Once again Queen Elizabeth plays host to a spectacular celebration of music and dance with a 13-piece Big Band Orchestra delighting guests with music from Glen Miller and Duke Ellington.

Transatlantic Fashion Week (September 2-9, 2018 / Westbound Crossing):
This unique experience allows guests to indulge in the glamour of fashion shows on board Queen Mary 2 while being treated to inspirational talks with some of fashion's most reputable names including the respected British fashion writer and journalist Colin McDowell.

A Journey of Genealogy (November 4-11, 2018 / Westbound Crossing):
For the first time ever Cunard has collaborated with Ancestry.com, the largest online family history resource in the world, to offer guests the opportunity to trace their family trees on the remastered Queen Mary 2.

2018 Programme Highlights:

Signature Cunard Transatlantic Voyages:
Cunard continues to be the only company offering regular service across the Atlantic and the world's only remaining true ocean liner experience – something it's been doing since 1840. In 2018 there will be 22 seven-night Transatlantic Crossings with fares from $1,199 per person, based on double occupancy.

20 Exciting Maiden Calls for the Fleet:
Rockland (United States), Sept IIes (Canada), Visby (Sweden), Riga (Latvia), Klaipeda (Lithuania), Bodo (Norway), Narvik (Norway), Hvar (Croatia), Puerto del Rosario (Spain), La Rochelle (France), Gijon (Spain), Taormina (Italy), Portree (United Kingdom), Donegal (Ireland), Haugesund (Norway), Propriano (Corsica), Portoroz (Slovenia) and Rijeka (Croatia).

Top Ten Ports Brought Back in 2018:
Fort de France (Martinique), Kingstown (St Vincent), Gdynia (Poland), Bilbao (Spain), Corner Brook (Canada), Travemunde (Germany), Helsingor (Denmark), Alghero (Sardinia), Helsinki (Finland) and Kristiansand (Norway).

Overnight Calls in Spectacular Destinations:
Funchal (Portugal), Quebec (Canada), Reykjavik (Iceland), St Petersburg (Russian Federation), Rotterdam (The Netherlands) and Venice (Italy).

Evenings in Port (departures at 9:00 pm or later):
Barcelona (Spain), Bilbao (Spain), Bodo (Norway), Boston (United States), Bridgetown (Barbados), Dublin (Ireland), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Gran Canaria (Spain), Mallorca (Spain), Narvik (Norway), Oslo (Norway), Philipsburg (Saint Maarten), Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Tenerife (Spain) and Venice (Italy).

Mediterranean Cruises:
An exciting and flexible Mediterranean cruise programme is available on Queen Victoria from September to November. Offering the "best of the Med" destinations covering the Western, Central and Eastern Mediterranean regions, there is a choice of three different embarkation ports (Civitavecchia, Venice, and Barcelona) and a range of 7, 9, 10, 12, 14 or 21-night options. Queen Victoria's seven-night Mediterranean cruises feature fares from $1499 per person, based on double occupancy.

Roundtrip New York:
In 2018, there will be 12 opportunities to sail roundtrip from New York on Queen Mary 2, offering guests the chance to visit the Caribbean, New England and Canada or Europe when combined with a pair of Transatlantic Crossings. Visit historic cities, beautiful landscapes, national parks of Canada and crystal clear waters with fares from $1,199, based on double occupancy.

For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com.

All fares mentioned are based on double occupancy, plus additional Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses.

2018 Early Booking Benefit
^† The Free Drinks Package is applicable only to guests reserving a Queens or Princess Grill Suite on voyages 6 nights or longer and the 5-night Queen Mary 2 (M824) Roundtrip New York New England & Canada voyage. The Complimentary Drinks offer applies to all drinks $12 and under purchased on board during the cruise. Drinks under this promotion can be purchased and consumed free of charge by the participant only, and may not be purchased for people who are not booked on the promotion. Guests under 18 years of age (21 years of age while present in United States ports or territorial waters) may only purchase non-alcoholic drinks on this promotion. Paying the difference between the threshold and the higher price is not permitted. The standard 15% service charge applied against all bar orders will be included under this promotion for all drinks ordered under the price threshold. Tipping beyond the 15% is at the discretion of the guests. For drinks purchased over the price threshold, the 15% service charge will apply as standard. Drinks ordered on this promotion will be signed for in the normal way with the cost of the drinks appearing on the sales receipt - the cost receipt. The cost is credited back to the guest folio on a nightly basis. This promotion does not apply to drinks ordered as room service or in-room mini-bar (except Queens Grill), bottles of wine or drinks packages. Cunard operates a Responsible Service of Alcohol Policy. Offer is not available for third/fourth berth guests, is not transferrable and may not be combinable with other offers. No cash value.

^‡ The Free Gratuities offer is applicable only to guests reserving a Queens or Princess Grill Suite on voyages 6 nights or longer and the 5-night Queen Mary 2 (M824) Roundtrip New York New England & Canada voyage. Free Gratuities of up to $405 offer is based on the 30-night Queen Mary 2 (M835D) Southampton to Hamburg New England & Canada voyage (Queens and Princess Grill Suites). Gratuities are based on the pre-payment by Cunard of the suggested gratuities in the amount of $13.50 per person per day for Grill Suites. Offer is not available for guests booked in Britannia Staterooms. Offer is not available for third/fourth berth guests, is not transferrable and may not be combinable with other offers. No cash value.

^{^} The Free Onboard Credit offer is applicable only to guests reserving a Balcony Stateroom or Grill Suite on voyages 6 nights or longer and the 5-night Queen Mary 2 (M824) Roundtrip New York New England & Canada voyage. Up to $250 Onboard Credit offer ($125 per person) is based on reserving a Queens or Princess Grill Suite or Balcony Stateroom on any 2018 voyage 19-nights19 nights or more. Onboard Credit amount varies by length of voyage. Onboard Credit offer does not apply to third/fourth berth guests. Guests paying the single occupancy supplement receive double the per-person Onboard Credit. Offer is not available for third/fourth berth guests, is not transferrable and may not be combinable with other offers. No cash value.

* 2018 Voyage Early Booking Benefit applies to guests reserving a Queens or Princess Grill Suite, on voyages of 6 nights or longer in addition to the 5-night Queen Mary 2 (M824) Roundtrip New York New England & Canada voyage. Package is included in the Launch Fares. Subject to availability. All offers are based on double occupancy and exclude third / fourth berth guests. Vouchers will be distributed to your stateroom. Offers must be used on a single voyage only, are not redeemable for cash or substitutions, are non-transferable and expire at the end of that voyage. There is not credit given for forfeited service. Offers expire 30 June 2017. Please reference promo code: ZEB.

About Cunard
Defining true excellence at sea with 176 years of legendary voyages, Cunard is the operator of luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, which are all renowned for impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Cunard has been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840.Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled transatlantic 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, Seabourn and Fathom. 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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