A Classic Cunarder Unveiled!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Cunard Line and thought it would be
of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.

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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
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A Classic Cunarder Unveiled

First Details of Queen Victoria Released; Trademark Liner Hallmarks
Combine With Sea-going Innovations
December 2007 Maiden Holiday Voyages Open for Booking

VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 16
Announcing the first highly- anticipated details of Cunard's next new
ship, the company today revealed that Queen Victoria, scheduled to
enter service in December 2007, will be a quintessential Cunard liner
that includes not only hallmark features associated with the luxury
brand, but also exciting innovations including private viewing boxes
in the Royal Court Theater, alfresco dining for Grill guests, a
floating museum of Cunard memorabilia, and a two-story library with
6,000 books.

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With the addition of this new 90,000-ton vessel, the Cunard liner
legacy will be faithfully upheld, as Queen Victoria will offer all the
classic characteristics that have become associated with the company's
unique liner heritage. From the outside, her distinctive black and red
livery will hint at the experience that differentiates a Cunard liner
from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship's
homage to the liner traditions of the past with elegant public rooms,
many on a grand scale, and all graciously-styled with luxurious
finishings. The public spaces will set the stage for myriad programs
and amenities that also distinguish Cunard's liner persona as guests
enjoy entertainment and enrichment options that evoke a more civilized
era of travel. The ship will also feature the line's celebrated Queens
Grill and Princess Grill stateroom accommodations and private dining
rooms, another Cunard exclusive. And, of course, the ship has been
constructed with impressive sea-keeping qualities that will enable it
to travel easily and efficiently through the Atlantic and other
demanding waters around the world.

"Cunard has the unique distinction of having the only true liners in
the industry, and we're proud to be able to expand this heritage with
our new Queen Victoria," said Carol Marlow, Cunard's president and
managing director. "This vessel will offer our guests the classic
Cunard luxury and experience they have come to expect while at the
same time providing the most up-to-date amenities and facilities,
along with a few impressive innovations." Marlow added that the debut
of this ship is particularly noteworthy as it will mark the first time
that three Cunard Queens (Queen Victoria joins Queen Mary 2 and Queen
Elizabeth 2) have been in service together in the company's 167-year
history.

In keeping with Cunard's reputation for intriguing itineraries, Queen
Victoria will debut with two special maiden voyages -- a Christmas
Markets Voyage on December 11 and a Canary Islands Festive Celebration
on December 23 -- incorporating both Christmas and New Year. These
sailings open today for booking.

A Quintessential Liner

At 90,000-tons Queen Victoria will be the second largest Cunarder
ever. She will offer all the classic hallmarks of a true Cunard liner,
along with some new innovations. Highlights of the vessel include:

-- The Royal Court Theatre, reminiscent of a grand West End
theatre with
800 seats. Classically elegant in style, it features a
cruising
first -- elegant private boxes on the upper level

-- A two-story wood-paneled library with a spiral staircase and
two
full-time librarians overseeing a collection of 6,000 books

-- Alfresco dining for the Grill restaurants in an exclusive
outdoor
patio called "The Courtyard," reserved exclusively for Grill
guests

-- Also for Grill guests, an Upper Grills Terrace which serves as
a
secluded retreat for sunning and relaxing

-- A floating museum called "Cunardia" displaying historic
nautical
memorabilia, with an adjacent Cunardia shop

-- A grand conservatory with colonial ambiance called the Winter
Garden,
featuring a retractable roof which opens to the sky

-- The stunning, classically-inspired double height Britannia
Restaurant
with sweeping staircases

-- A three-story Grand Lobby featuring a dramatic staircase and
exclusive
artworks

-- The Royal Shopping Arcade with 4,000 square feet of
designer-name
shops over two decks, inspired by the Royal and Burlington
arcades
in London

-- A Todd English restaurant serving innovative Mediterranean
cuisine
that has proven so popular with guests on board Queen Mary 2

-- A 270-degree lounge called Hemispheres, the venue for classes,
lectures or relaxing before transforming into a stunning
nightclub
in the evening

-- A double height Queens Room with a 1,000 square foot dance
floor, for
afternoon tea or dancing before dinner

-- A traditional London pub

-- A large number of private balconies -- out of 1,007 guest
staterooms,
86 percent will be outside and of these 71 percent will feature
a
private balcony. Twenty cabins on the ship will be ADA
equipped.

Maiden Voyages Celebrate the Holidays

In keeping with Cunard's legacy of taking its guests on fascinating
journeys to exotic locales, Queen Victoria's first two cruises will be
special voyages, and will incorporate holiday celebrations.

Queen Victoria will depart on her maiden voyage on Tuesday, December
11, 2007 and feature a Christmas markets tour of Northern Europe. The
10-night roundtrip sailing will leave from the company's home port of
Southampton, and will call at Amsterdam, Copenhagen (overnight call),
Oslo, Hamburg and Bruges.

Queen Victoria's first Christmas will be spent in the sunshine of the
Canary Islands, Morocco and ports along the Iberian Peninsula. The
16-night voyage will leave Southampton on December 23, 2007 and will
call at Vigo, Lisbon, Malaga, Funchal, Las Palmas, Arrecife, Santa
Cruz de Tenerife, Casablanca and Gibraltar. Christmas Day will be
spent at sea.

Fares start from $1,899 per person for the 10-night sailing. For more
information about Queen Victoria and Cunard Line, call your travel
professional.

Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world
since 1840. Cunard vessels have a classic British heritage and include
the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. Queen Victoria joins
the fleet in 2007.

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.

Photography

Renderings of Queen Victoria are available by visiting www.cunard.com
and www.cunardimages.com.