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| · December 12, 2003 · |
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· New Luxury Liner Queen Mary 2 To Offer Two 'Carnival In Rio' Cruises MIAMI (December 11, 2003) - The spectacular annual revelry at the Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro will take a decidedly British turn in 2004 when Cunard's brand new 2,620-passenger Queen Mary 2 serves as a five-star floating hotel for the festivities. The largest, longest, tallest, widest, and - at $780 million - the most expensive luxury liner in the world will call at the heady Brazilian resort city as part of its inaugural cruise season.
The ship's "Rio Queen of Carnival" voyages depart February 11 from Fort Lauderdale and February 23 from Rio. The two sailings combined will allow 5,240 fortunate travellers the luxury of staying aboard this new icon while at the same time experiencing the thrill of Carnival ashore. As a highlight, Cunard Line includes hard-to-come-by reserved grandstand seats (a $245 value) at the Sambadrome - the open-air pavilion where the Samba parade is held. More of a contest than a parade, Samba schools traditionally spend up to eight months rehearsing for the big event. The schools are judged on energy, enthusiasm, the quality of the floats and costumes, the theme, the Samba song, and how it all comes together. According to Deborah Natansohn, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Cunard Line, "When mapping out itineraries for Queen Mary 2, we thought it made perfect sense to have the grandest luxury liner of our time at the most extraordinary celebration in the world." Rates for the 12-day voyage start from $1,999 per person, double occupancy. Southbound guests depart Fort Lauderdale calling at St. Thomas and Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, before arriving in Rio for an overnight aboard ship. The northbound itinerary begins with an overnight on board prior to QM2 leaving Rio. Ports of call include Barbados, Martinique, St. Maarten and St. Thomas before disembarkation in Fort Lauderdale. Passengers can sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale and save 30 percent with fares starting at $3,499 per person, double occupancy. Depending on the departure date, passengers will visit Salvador de Bahia. Brazil's first capital offers a fascinating melange of cultures, menus and music that reflect its African, Indian and European influences. Often regarded as the most Brazilian city in the country, Bahia is also the home of voodoo and the Black Magic "candomble" religion. Other ports of call include British-flavoured Barbados is the easternmost of the Caribbean islands. This beach resort also brims with interesting attractions, including Andromeda Gardens, Harrison's Cave and Sam Lord's Castle, an estate built with the spoils of wrecked ships. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, Queen Mary 2 will visit St. Thomas, what has become a requisite stop in this region because of its incredible duty-free shops in Charlotte Amalie. Guests can also seek out beautiful beaches at Magens Bay, Coki Point, or Turtle Cove, which is also a nesting ground of the endangered hawksbill sea turtle. When visiting St. Maarten - an island under two flags - visitors can sample the Dutch treats of Philipsburg: chocolate, cheese, delftware. However, on the French side, it is derigeur to linger over pain chocolat in a quaint cafe or shop for Parisian perfumes. French (and Creole) shops, restaurants, cafes and bars abound in neighbouring Martinique. QM2 calls at Fort-de-France, set in a large bay on the leeward side of the island looking out onto the Caribbean Sea. The town has mushroomed from less than 10,000 inhabitants at the time of the eruption of the volcano Montagne Pelee in 1902 to its current level of nearly 100,000 people. Among the extraordinary facilities to be found on Queen Mary 2 are 10 dining venues, including the only shipboard restaurant by celebrity chef Todd English, the only Canyon Ranch SpaClubSM at sea, the world's first planetarium at sea, the largest ballroom at sea, the largest library at sea, the largest wine collection at sea and the only Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar at sea. There are several other bars and lounges, a two-story theatre, casino, five indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, boutiques and an extensive children's facility. For more information or to reserve a voyage, contact a professional travel agent, call Cunard at 1-800-7-CUNARD or visit the website www.cunard.com. AOL keyword: Cunard. Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world since 1840. Cunard vessels have a classic British heritage and include QE2 and Caronia. In 2004 the line welcomes Queen Mary 2, destined to recapture the glamour of the original Queen Mary, currently a hotel and attraction in Long Beach, CA. In 2005, another newbuild, Queen Victoria, joins the fleet. Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together they offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Media Contact: Gary Gerbino M. Silver Associates 305-463-3388 gary@msilver-pr.com Julie Davis Cunard Line 305-533-1163 jdavis@cunardmail.com |
| Produced by Judi Janofsky, Rich Steck and the Golf Press Association |