Cunard's Queen Mary 2 Receives Warm Welcome for Maiden Call in Amber Cove

SOUTHAMPTON, England, Nov. 24, 2015 /CNW/ -- Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2 was greeted with excitement during her inaugural visit to Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, November 22. Coming from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands on her Caribbean voyage, Queen Mary 2's visit to Amber Cove marked the first call that the ocean liner has ever made in the Dominican Republic. 

Queen Mary 2's arrival was celebrated during a traditional maritime ceremony aboard, during which port officials and dignitaries exchanged decorative plaques with Captain Kevin Oprey to commemorate the maiden visit. Local executives who welcomed the ship included Vice Minister of Tourism, Julio Almonte; Director of National Police, Coronel Jose Isaia Santana Morillo; Commander of the Air Force, General Richard Vazquez.

"It is an honour to bring Cunard guests to Amber Cove, and to join Carnival Corporation's major cruise brands in making regular visits to the Puerto Plata," said Captain Kevin Oprey, Master of Queen Mary 2. "We thank the kind people of Dominican Republic for such a warm and hospitable welcome, and we look forward to further time Queen Mary 2 will be spending here in January as part of her World Voyage."

Set in a cove among a mountainous and lush tropical landscape, Amber Cove features dramatic architectural elements that reflect the area's storied Victorian and Colonial past. The waterfront welcome center hosts a variety of retail offerings, including a marketplace for Dominican crafts and souvenirs, as well as a wide range of unique food and beverage establishments featuring an array of specialty dishes of the north coast along with an artisanal coffee shop that brews and sells locally grown coffee.

"On behalf of the President of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina, The Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia and the city of Puerto Plata, we wish to thank Cunard for the arrival of Queen Mary 2," said Julio Almonte, Vice Minister of Tourism for the Dominican Republic. "We are very happy and honored to have this important ship visiting our destination. It is a day of joy and celebration for the arrival of Queen Mary 2."

Named by Her Majesty The Queen in Southampton, England, in 2004, Queen Mary 2 is the largest Cunarder ever built. Queen Mary 2 offers an array of entertainment and educational activities including a state of the art 3D Cinema, a planetarium, a casino, a superb Canyon Ranch SpaClub and life enriching workshops. Coupled with luxurious staterooms, a host of dining options and a variety of bars and nightlife venues, Queen Mary 2 affords guests with a complete luxury on a grand scale experience.

From Amber Cove, Queen Mary 2 continued on her 13-night voyage, ending in New York on Wednesday, November 25.

For more information about Queen Mary 2 or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call Cunard Line at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com.

About Queen Mary 2
Christened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004, Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 defines luxury travel for the 21st Century and continues a 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
Defining true excellence at sea with over 175 years of legendary voyages, Cunard is the operator of luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth that are renowned for impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Cunard has long 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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SOURCE Cunard