INDULGENCES passport by joseph schmitt Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth
Queen Victoria Grand Lobby 60 RAGE monthly | OCTOBER 2010
CRUISING FIT FOR QUEENS…
IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. Cunard
While the golden era of trans-Atlantic crossings began a steady decline decades ago, Cunard has been steadfast in its mission to maintain its upscale, iconic brand, most notably with the launch of the Queen Mary 2 in 2004. Featuring the prerequisite opulent public rooms and a distinctive red funnel, her extra-thick steel hull was designed with the strength and stability needed for trans-Atlantic crossings. The first authentic ocean liner in 35 years, the QM2 also held the honor of the largest passenger ship in the world, if only for a few months. In late 2007 Cunard launched yet another new ship, the Queen Victoria.
This Vista Class cruise ship is noticeably different from the QM2, not only because of her smaller size, but also due to the extensive use of glass in its superstructure, designed so that the vast majority of staterooms have verandahs or ocean views. While the QM2 is definitely an ocean liner, many cruising aficionados contest that the QV is simply another cruise ship. While many highbrow cruise critics heralded the massive QM2 with great fanfare, the Vista Class has been less enthusiastically received. But such snobs of the high seas should remember one thing, called the Panama Canal, something the QM2 isn’t able to squeeze through. The new Queen Elizabeth will be just slightly larger than QV at 92,000-tons, carry- ing 2,068-passengers and promises to deliver a timeless sophistication reminiscent of the years when Cunard’s first Queen Elizabeth ruled the seas. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will officially name the new Cunarder on Monday, the 11th of October, with all the pomp and circumstance we love so much. (Cunard’s Queen Victoria got named by Camilla, Duch- ess of Cornwall. I sense some sisterly jealously in the future.) What binds these ships, even more than Cunard’s rich history, is the level of service and sophistication found onboard. While most cruise lines are shifting towards freestyle dining and 24/7 casual wear, Cunard’s Queens still maintain a high level of old- world style with class-based dining rooms and numerous formal nights. Although less stuffy than in the past, you can still expect to experience the finest things in life, at sea, with any Cunard voyage.
Eurodam in port
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