Actors Need Not Apply

Crossing the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2 is a special experience. It's on every experienced traveler's “must do list.” After they've done it, it's not simply checked off; it's an experience they want to repeat as often as they can.

Those who haven't thought about doing it, don't quite understand it. That's why Cunard put together a video that explains what it means to cross the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2.

They didn't write a script for a voiceover announcer to read, or get actors to read their lines in a  script. Cunard had actual passengers on a real crossing sit down and tell them about the experience.

The complete story appeared in the July 25 edition of Cruise News Daily.

They Were Not Alone

Most of the passengers aboard Queen Mary 2's world cruise earlier this year on the segment through the Gulf of Aden didn't realize it at the time, but also aboard was an armed squad of former Royal Marines, set to defend the ship in case of a pirate attack.

Passengers were made aware of the unlikely possibility of an attack when Captain Peter Philpott sent a letter to each stateroom giving passengers basic instructions should there be an attack, and asking them to keep their balcony lights off at night. Passengers were also made aware the ship was under the protection of an international task force that protects merchant ships from pirate attacks. There was a uniformed Royal Marine Colonel aboard who gave passengers a security briefing.

The complete story appeared in the June 20 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - April 17, 2018

CND subscribers also read about:

• Queen Mary 2 passengers being among the first to visit the newly opened QE2 hotel in Dubai
• Most calls continuing as scheduled at Roatan despite the damaged pier

Details appeared in the April 17 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - December 8, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:

• Silver Cloud makes first expedition call at Antarctica
• "The Greatest Showman" made its world premier aboard Queen Mary 2 tonight. Video from the red carpet is below.
• Last night, MSC and Port Miami celebrated the completion of the new Terminal F which will be used by MSC Seaside when it arrives in its new home port on December 21 and by MSC Divina. 

Details appeared in the December 8 edition of Cruise News Daily.



Video courtesy of Cunard Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - June 27, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:

• A race between Queen Mary 2 and four boats from France to New York. 
• A man with a problem

Details appeared in the June 27 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Queen Mary 2 and one of the trimarans it is racing to New York

Photo courtesy of Cunard. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

Cunard Again to the Rescue

A 73-year-old British man was rescued by Queen Mary 2 over the weekend in the middle of the Atlantic when a severe storm disabled the yacht he was sailing along across the Atlantic as part of a 22-yacht race from Plymouth to Newport, Rhode Island.

The storm had 60-knot winds and 45-foot waves. Four of the yachts declared emergencies, with two of them sinking and another losing a mast. QM2 was only involved in the one rescue, however. At this point, only nine of the yachts remain in the race.

The complete story appeared in the June 12 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - May 11, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:

• Meyer Turku delivering Mein Schiff 6
• Micky Arison talking about transatlantic crossings and building Queen Mary 2

Details appeared in the May 11 edition of Cruise News Daily.

The Ultimate "Hello from Sydney" Postcard

Queen Mary 2 arrived at Sydney early Sunday morning as part of a Royal Rendezvous with Cunard's Queen Elizabeth. When the iconic ship sailed into the harbor it paused by one of Sydney's most recognizable landmarks, the Sydney Opera House to give Sydney residents a spectacular view of the grand ship. But what's that atop one of the Opera House's sails?

It's Queen Mary 2's master, Capt. Chris Wells waving hello to Sydney. Few people have a selfie like this.

Photos courtesy of Cunard Line, copyright James Morgan. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Enjoy Queen Mary 2's arrival into Sydney a bit faster than it actually happened, and now you'll better understand the end on this video.

Overboard from Queen Mary 2

A 74-year-old British woman went overboard from Queen Mary 2 sometime early Friday morning (December 23) while the ship sailed from New York to St. Maarten.

Details appeared in the December 27 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

So Good You'll Want to Do It Again

Occasionally, you come across a commercial that's so good, you want to watch it again, so you do. And maybe even a third time. Cunard just released one like that.

The video supports their new campaign entitled, “Everything you wanted, nothing you expected.”

The complete story appeared in the December 21 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - September 2, 2016

CND subscribers also read about:

• Pride of America sailing early to avoid Hurricane Lester
• Costa Luminosa's round the world cruise
• The first Transatlantic Fashion Week aboard Queen Mary 2
• The final voyage of Costa Concordia

Details appeared in the September 2 edition of Cruise News Daily.

A Quick Look Around

Queen Mary 2 returned to service a couple weeks ago after a month being “remastered” in a German dry dock. Cunard has produced a video that gives us an overview of the process and then a look around at the stunning finished product, now back in service and regularly crossing the Atlantic.

Things Are Humming along in Hamburg

Cunard’s iconic Queen Mary 2 is taking something of a vacation. For 25 days (May 27 to June 21) it’s being “remastered” at the Blohm + Voss yard in Hamburg. When it returns it will be completely refurbished with some outstanding new features (including a fire hydrant and a lamp post to be installed in the dog-walking area of the kennel to make the canine passengers feel more comfortable and at home).

The major new features include the new Veranda Restaurant which will replace the Todd English Restaurant, 30 additional Britannia Club Balcony staterooms will be created, and 15 new single staterooms will be created as well, and to make sure that fire hydrant gets plenty of use, ten additional kennels will be added.

Below, we have some behind-the-scenes and time-lapse video of the ship arriving at the yard and being prepared for the work to begin.

Sneak Peek

As we get closer to the date when Queen Mary 2 will be “remastered” in dry dock in Germany, Cunard keeps giving us tantalizing little peaks behind the curtain.

Earlier this week they released a video of what the iconic ship’s Grand Lobby will look like after the refit.

Digging a New Cellar

When Queen Mary 2 returns to service next month after its refit, it will have a new feature that will mean nothing to many people. It will be a wonderful find for others that will be one of the highlights of their time aboard the iconic flagship - if they can afford it.

Experts have spent more than a year assembling a new fine wine cellar for Queen Mary 2. Four hundred and fifty fine wines comprise the collection along with a unique assemblage of vintage ports, each produced in a key year of Cunard's 176-year history. Many of the port wines will be on display in the new Carinthia Lounge.

Details appeared in the May 26 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Remastering the Restaurants

Dining has always been a memorable experience aboard Queen Mary 2. With the upcoming “remastering” of the ship, Cunard intends to make the dining experience aboard their flagship even more memorable with new restaurants and menus.

With the June date for the liner’s trip to the yard soon approaching, the finishing touches are being put on the plans - and on the new menus which will debut with the remastered Queen Mary 2.

The videos below will give you a look at how the new menus were created and a quick look at the new spaces where you will be dining on these creations.

The complete story appeared in the April 26 edition of Cruise News Daily.

I’ve Seen That Dress Somewhere Before

Passengers aboard the transatlantic crossing of Queen Mary 2 on August 9 are going to be in for a rare and interesting treat.

Passengers will have the opportunity to see selections from the world’s largest collection of film-worn Marilyn Monroe costumes.

The complete story appeared in the April 19 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Cunard to Supply Fireworks on Independence Day Cruise

The “Remastered” Queen Mary 2 will leave New York on a special Independence Day cruise on July 1, so passengers will miss the spectacular New York City fireworks on the Fourth of July. But those are nothing compared to the fireworks which often erupt from the two guest speakers which will be aboard for the Cunard Insights program.

For this special sailing, Cunard has booked the husband and wife team of political commentators Mary Matalin and James Carville, who have completely opposite political perspectives.

Details appeared in the February 23 edition of Cruise News Daily.

First Born

Queen Mary 2 arrived at New York on Sunday morning from Southampton, at the end of the first leg of its world cruise, and it had an extra passenger aboard. It wasn’t some poor soul picked up along the way whose boat was sinking. That’s old hat for QM2. This was a brand-new occurrence for the giant ocean liner.

The complete story appeared in the January 19 edition of Cruise News Daily.

The Verandah to Replace Todd English aboard Queen Mary 2

When Queen Mary 2 emerges from its refit in June, Todd English will be out, to be replaced by the line’s new signature restaurant, the Verandah.

The complete story appeared in the December 8 edition of Cruise News Daily.