QM2 - Long May She Reign

YOUR TRAVEL MAGAZINE

Winter 2017

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AN ALASKAN ESCAPE FOR TWO

THE GLORIOUS REIGN of the Cunard Queen Mary 2 cruise LOST IN WINE COUNTRY Discover Waiheke Island, New Zealand LUXURIOUS OMAN Unearth the new jewel of the Middle East

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CRUISE – SOUTH PACIFIC

Long may she reign The near-180-year old shipping line, Cunard, is quick to remind us of the lofty traditions that brought it to where it is today.

WORDS RODERICK EIME

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1. QM2 Queens room. 2. QM2 makes her debut in Sydney, February 2007.

ESCHEWING VULGAR ACCOUTREMENTS such as skating rinks, climbing walls and cartoon characters, Cunard remains true to its long heritage of ocean-going prowess by retaining such institutions as scrumptious high teas, ballroom dancing and superior dining with many options.

When the new flagship, Queen Mary 2 (QM2), was launched in 2004 at more than 150,000 gross tons, she was the largest passenger ship afloat and set out amid great fanfare on the first of her many world tours. We all remember her maiden visit to Sydney in 2007 when just about everything that floated was on the harbour to greet her.

Cunard ships in Sydney Harbour recall the war years when the original Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary (now permanently docked as a museum ship and hotel in Long Beach, California) ferried thousands of our men and women to hostile shores.

Today, Australians continue to make up the majority of passengers aboard Cunard vessels while travelling in southern waters.

On QM2’s most recent sold-out sojourn, which included maiden calls to both Kangaroo Island and Tasmania, hundreds

of us went aboard to sample the famous vessel’s legendary allure. QM2 offers 14 decks packed with sports, entertainment, lounges, bars, shops, five pools and more than 10 dining options. The liner is also home to the only planetarium at sea, as well as the largest library and ballroom afloat.

Almost 75 per cent of her 1360 staterooms offer private balconies.

One of the most significant alterations to QM2’s configuration was the overhaul of the King’s Court open-dining bistro. These upgrades were made largely due to passenger

The liner is home to the only planetarium at sea, as well as the largest library and ballroom afloat.

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FIVE FACTS

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Queen Mary 2 is the NEWEST, LARGEST AND FASTEST proper ocean liner in service and the only one still offering regular transatlantic voyages.

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BUILT AT A COST OF US$800M in 2004, QM2 was ‘remastered’ in 2016 at a cost of AU$150m, which included the addition of 50 new staterooms and a Liverpool lamppost for the canine passengers.

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For the first time in the company’s history, Cunard will HOMEPORT A SHIP IN AUSTRALIA. The 90,000 tonne Queen Elizabeth will offer cruises from Sydney and Melbourne for two months in 2019.

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While most cruise ships will travel at around 20 knots at a maximum, QM2 is engineered for speedy transatlantic crossings at speeds up to 30 KNOTS thanks in part to two gas turbine (jet) engines providing extra power when needed.

feedback that demanded greater menu choice as well as easier access to seating and servery areas. Additionally, the Todd English premium restaurant has been replaced with The Verandah Grill, in deference to the original which first appeared on the original Queen Mary 80 years ago.

A Cunard ‘royal tour’ to Australia usually coincides with simultaneous visits from QM2’s regal siblings, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

The two younger, slightly smaller royals are built to the popular Vista Class category of cruise ship used by parent company Carnival with other lines, Holland America and Costa, meaning QM2 remains unique as a purpose-built ocean liner and the definitive reigning monarch. All of which only goes to prove that Australian cruise passengers are still deeply enamoured by the thrill of sailing aboard what many will argue is the most prestigious shipping line afloat. •••

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Record numbers of ships and passengers are now sailing Australian waters. More than 40 SHIPS will make 900 PORT CALLS with 23 of those ships offering return cruises to Australian ports.

ABOUT THE WRITER Roderick Eime took his first cruise as a ten year old aboard P&O’s SS Himalaya and has completed dozens of cruises since.

Twitter @rodeime

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