Hello All

I write this on board Queen Victoria sailing in-between Cobh and Bilbao. That adds up to crossing both the Irish Sea and the top of the Bay of Biscay. Last night we had Force 8-9 with up to 50 knot winds – but happily today things are a lot calmer and the ship is riding very well. So – never let it be said I am a ‘Fair Weather President’ – and I am in good company with our guests and Ship’s Company. I will write a blog shortly as to how my visit went and some of the things I got up to. For now though let me introduce a guest blogger – Helen Longworth. She is with RADA – and we are getting rave reviews from the RADA activities on Queen Mary 2.

Guest Blog 

Helen Longworth 

RADA Company Manager 

Queen Mary 2 

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The company of six actors and alumni of London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art are delighted to be working in collaboration with Cunard on board Queen Mary 2. As a part of the ship’s fantastic programme of entertainment, RADA are presenting two specially adapted plays; Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ and Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’. ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is stylishly set in the 1940s to the background music of Glen Miller and the Andrews Sisters, and the ‘Canterbury Tales’ is a bawdy romp told by actor musicians in the style of medieval travelling players.

RADA are also enjoying performing in other spaces around the ship, with their Jazz and Beat poetry in the Chart Room; Passion and Piano love poetry in the Winter Garden, both musically accompanied; spooky ghost stories in the Illuminations theatre and bedtime stories in the Grand Lobby, where guests can sit comfortably with a nightcap (cloth or alcoholic!). It is a varied programme which offers something for everyone. 

The whole RADA team of actors would like to express how much we are also enjoying being part of the Cunard Enrichment Programme by offering fun and relaxed workshops to guests in the art of storytelling. The workshops have been very well attended and focus on what it is that makes a great storyteller using vocal and physical exercises taken from the acting course at RADA, whose alumni include Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Juliet Stevenson and Richard Attenborough. 

We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the guests who have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the exercises and activities. The end result has been their sharing of great stories, not only of their time on board Queen Mary 2 but also from their very varied lives and experiences. Connections have been forged between individuals travelling alone and groups of people finding common ground; two people even realising, through sharing their stories, that they were from the same town. 

“I would just like to express how much you have made the trip so fantastic for me. The workshops were fun and gave me many ideas to take back to my teaching at University. Thanks once again.” 

(Diane Rushton, Sheffield) 

The below photograph is of RADA’s very first ‘graduating class’ of 2011. Guests who attend the full schedule of workshops all receive a certificate from RADA,  and certainly have a lot of fun achieving it. 

We look forward very much to meeting the guests on the voyages and transatlantic crossings to come. 

Thank you Helen for a great guest blog. Before I sign off, I must also thank one of our readers – Daryl Cooper - for highlighting some discrepancies on how each ship’s webcam displays, we have reviewed and improved the hardware and they now all show the same comprehensive information for each ship. 

That is all for today – back soon with an update from Queen Victoria and with a full update on the first ‘Songwriters Crossing’ that took place on Queen Mary 2 recently. 

Best Regards 

Peter

Guest Blog

Marc Wilkinson

Sports Director

Queen Elizabeth

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Queen Elizabeth set sail on 5 May for her first voyage to the Mediterranean for 2011, visiting 3 ports for the first time in the two week exploration of ‘Mediterranean Delights’.  Leaving a surprisingly sunny Southampton, we set off with a full ship of expectant guests on a reversed itinerary as a result of Barcelona being too busy for us to call on our way down as had been planned.

The first of the maiden calls for Cunard’s newest Queen was Ajaccio in Corsica,

Queen Elizabeth set sail on 5th May for her first voyage to the Mediterranean for 2011, visiting 3 ports for the first time in the two week exploration of ‘Mediterranean Delights’.  Leaving a surprisingly sunny Southampton, we set off with a full ship of expectant guests on a reversed itinerary as a result of Barcelona being too busy for us to call on our way down as had been planned. 

The first of the maiden calls for Cunard’s newest Queen was Ajaccio in Corsica

The warm welcome of fabulous weather resulted in lots of tired, red faces at dinner that evening!

A busy day in Rome or the areas around the Italian port of Civitavecchia split us from the next maiden call to the picturesque town of Santa Margherita famed as a holiday destination for the elite.
   

And no wonder, with its stunning natural landscapes, luxuriant vegetation, colourful gardens, and fascinating Art Deco buildings around its bay and along the seafront promenade.  Many guests chose to venture to neighbouring Portofino, or to visit the aptly named Hotel Splendido, a former Benedictine monastery perched on top of the hill with beautiful views of the bay, all providing plenty of topics for that evening’s conversation.   
Not a maiden call, but a day to remember – our next stop, Livorno.  Would it be the historic city of Florence or the must-see tower at Pisa?  Or for the more energetic guests, the wonderful opportunity to visit both in the one day?  For those choosing to pack as much into their visit as possible the day started early, with the first departures leaving at 7.00am, finally coming home almost 12 hours later to the most welcome sight of refreshments lined up in anticipation……..
     

A big thank you to Stefan Engl, Food and Beverage manager and his team for bringing together the different departments to produce one of those classic White Star moments as tired faces beamed with delight both from the excitement of the day and the pleasure of arriving back home to welcoming ‘family’ faces. 
As our re-invigorated guests bounced up the gangway after their sparkling reception, the Bridge prepared to let go the lines for Queen Elizabeth to steam through the night for her arrival at 8.00am the following morning in Cannes, now spectacularly timed to coincide with the World famous film festival!
The Cannes film festival is the highlight of the film industry calendar and is steeped in history.  Once renowned for low budget arts films, it is now the show case for Hollywood blockbusters and the rich and famous.

 
The list of film stars in town was endless, so along with many of our guests, I set out with the nice new pink ‘blog-designated’ camera,  determined to snap a couple of celebrities.  With the release of the new Pirates of the Caribbean, sightings of Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz were rumoured and I already had images in mind of Penelope draping herself over me as I posed with my most intellectual expression, passing acting tips on to Depp……  sadly the associated security teams didn’t seem to share these images and I was unceremoniously moved on.
Not deterred, I switched my focus.  The options included the release of the new Mission Impossible with Tom Cruise; Steven Spielberg’s release of two new films – Tintin the classic comic book, co-directed with award winning director Peter Jackson and the interestingly titled ‘Cowboys vs Aliens’ starring Harrison Ford.
Thwarted again by overly excited crowds, the vertically challenged Tom Cruise  played havoc with the camera zoom – another missed photo opportunity.
My thanks to the delightful 6 year-old soon-to-be-lady who pointed out that although Pixar would be a major player with their award winning cars, there was no value in hoping to catch a shot of the cars……they are computer generated, silly! 
By now, I’m becoming a little desperate to deliver to your expectations of pictures of the hottest stars on the red carpet……..my luck changed!  A rare spotting of Queen Elizabeth’s International Host, Inigo with his head stuck in Samuel L Jackson….

 
Mission accomplished!
Passing Queen Victoria on her way to Monte Carlo, we parked up in the ever popular Barcelona to round off the first Med of the season, thankfully delivering the all important glorious sunshine in our last port of call to light up the spectacular Gaudi architecture. 
Queen Elizabeth now begins her Maiden Fjords and Waterfalls voyage to the beautiful ports of Norway.  Watch this space for our next instalment ……..

Marc Wilkinson
Entertainment staff

Now you may ask why I would start a We Are Cunard blog with a quote from Sir Winston Churchill. Well earlier this week I attended an event at The Savoy in London which turned out to be rather special. It was a grand occasion in the beautifully renovated Savoy – hosted by The Daily Telegraph to announce the winners of the Daily Telegraph Ultra Travel Awards – where readers vote for their best holiday experiences. More of that later – as they are not the point of the story. We probably have too many of these sort of awards and as I walked up The Strand that morning, I felt a little guilty for attending an awards lunch rather than being at my desk. But as I walked back down The Strand that afternoon I felt great – I had experienced something very special indeed.

The special bit came from the fact that the awards this year were also to recognise ‘Help for Heroes’. This is a British Charity that was set up by a chap called Bryn Parry and his wife in 2007. They set it up after visiting some injured British soldiers and,having been in the army himself, Bryn felt he should give something back. Remarkably, since 2007, Bryn through ‘Help for Heroes’ has raised over £97 million pounds. Not happy with that – as he addressed us over lunch in a modest and humbling speech – he is on a mission to raise a further £45 million.

Here is Bryn telling us of his vision and it was hard not to feel a huge amount of respect for what he has achieved – if you would like to learn more then have a look at www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Back to the story. So the plan was that each section of the travel awards would be presented by true British Heroes. The first chap to be introduced was a young 97 year old chap by the name of William Walker. Now William is the oldest living Spitfire Pilot from WW2 and known as ‘The oldest of the few…’ up he came to the stage to a wonderful reception. But clearly at 97 he still has a sparkle is in his eye – rather than acknowledging the audience, he had his eye on the very presentable TV News Presenter Katie Derham. He made a bee-line for Katie and planted a kiss on her cheek – marvellous.

Photos: Steve Dunlop

It came towards the end of the awards, and the last three presenters were called up onto the stage. First was Warrant Officer Kim Hughes. Kim was awarded the George Cross for outstanding bravery as a bomb disposal expert in Afghanistan. Alongside Kim was Staff Sergeant Karl Ley, also awarded the George Cross. Remarkably Karl disarmed 139 bombs whilst in Afghanistan – more than any other soldier. But as they came up to the stage we were told that in his modesty, Karl preferred to speak of another colleague and friend Olaf Schmid. He had said that Olaf was a far better bomb disposal expert than either Karl or Kim would ever be. Tragically, Olaf Schmid lost his life whilst on duty in Afghanistan and had been awarded the George Cross posthumously – to represent him up onto the stage came his wife Christina Schmid.

Well it is hard to describe the reaction and emotion to these three people coming up onto the stage. In an instant the 500 guests stood up to very warm applause. But the applause did not stop – it went on for a very long time. We have all read about the bravery of our soldiers, and we have all read of tragic injuries and loss of life, But never had I, or most people in the room, been in the presence of Karl, Kim and Christina – or the other many representatives of ‘Help for Heroes’. These are very special people, very modest, humble and down to earth people – and it was very humbling to be in their presence.

They gave out their awards, the lunch came to its conclusion and I am sure that all those present left The Savoy all the better for having met and been in the presence of such special people – not least Bryn Parry for what he has achieved through ‘Help for Heroes’ – good for him.

So as I conclude – I come back to why is this story relevant to Cunard Line. Well after the applause had died down, Kim, Karl and Christina gave out their first award on behalf of Daily Telegraph Readers, it was for ‘Best Cruise Line’ The award went to Cunard Line – for the fifth year running. Now – proud as I am of all things Cunard, and the many wonderful people who work on our ships, I have to be honest and say that as I went up to collect the award and meet Kim, Karl and Christina – I could not think of anything Cunard, all I could think of was these three incredible people, their achievements, their pride and how humbling it was to meet them.

I have since written to each of our three ships to congratulate them on their award. I hope you enjoyed hearing of a very special day at The Savoy in London and that you can at least take away a sense of the pride we have in Britain for our Armed Forces, as Churchill said – ‘Never was so much owed by so many to so few…’

Best Regards

Peter Shanks
President and Managing Director
Cunard Line

Hello All

Cunard are enjoying a love affair with the city and people of Hamburg. Germany has always been important to us and we have been sailing there for many years. Of course Hamburg also has a wonderful maritime tradition – and there is something very special when you can take a ship right into the heart and soul of a city. Each year the city has their famous Harbour Party – an opportunity to celebrate all things of a maritime nature. For the last few years we have made sure that Queen Mary 2 is present on the river as part of those celebrations. I was on Queen Mary 2 with the team from our Hamburg office to launch our 2012 brochure for our valued German guests. I was not able to stay for the sailaway and celebrations – but Anja Tabarelli, who heads up all of our activities in Germany certainly was. So today she is our ‘guest blogger’ and I hope you enjoy reading about another marvellous experience for Queen Mary 2 on the river in Hamburg;

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Guest Blog

Anja Tabarelli

Cunard Line

Hamburg

On 4 May Queen Mary 2 had her ‘Season Opening Call’ into Hamburg for 2011. As with every time our Cunard Queens visit the city of Hamburg she was welcomed by many people, cheering her for the arrival and as well for her sailaway. She was leaving Hamburg at 6pm, making her way up the River Elbe for a short voyage to Oslo with 1900 German guests on board.

Photo: Michael Zapf

On 4 May the new 2012 programme with all German departures from Hamburg and Kiel was launched during a Press conference on board Queen Mary 2. Everyone was very excited as, during 2012 all three Queens will visit the city of Hamburg. Altogether our Queens will call into Hamburg 12 times and Queen Elizabeth will call into Kiel for the first time. An absolute highlight will be the World Premiere: 15 July Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth will be together in Hamburg. This will be the first ever meeting of 2 Cunard Queens in Hamburg and the Cunard Hamburg office is planning a big event around this!

The 822nd Hamburg Harbour Birthday took place from 6-8 May. The Hamburg Harbour Birthday Festival features a magnificent programme of entertainment on the water, in the air and on dry land. The ‘Harbour Mile’ hosts a vast array of stalls and stages offering local culinary specialities, shows and entertainment. The festival this year was officially opened by Prince Haakon of Norway.

With1.5 million visitors this year it was the most frequented Harbour Birthday in history.

Queen Mary 2 was a very special guest for the visitors of the Hamburg Harbour Birthday on 8 May, who came from all over the world. She was the star of the big Sailaway parade and was accompanied by 330 boats and ships of all sizes, coming from all over the world. The thousands of people standing at the banks of the River Elbe were cheering and shouting at her, waving with everything they had, including big bed sheets. So it was a very special moment as well for the guests sailing on board out of Hamburg to New York.

Photo: Michael Zapf

Hamburg is now waiting for Queen Mary 2’s next call on 26 May; she will be welcomed – as always – by people from all over Germany. The 20th call of Queen Mary 2 into Hamburg on 13 August will definitely be another very special event for the city of Hamburg.

We are looking to grow our activities in Germany and that will add to the special cosmopolitan mix of nationalities that sail on board Cunard ships. I always enjoy meeting so many different international guests on board – over dinner it is wonderful to see many guests from different parts of the world putting the very same world to rights. If you have not experienced Hamburg on Queen Mary 2 – I would encourage you to do so – there is something so special about sailing up the river and arriving in the beautiful city of Hamburg. For our North American guests – you can alas take a Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Hamburg and then stay on for a Northern Europe voyage – what could be better.

That is all for now. Next up I will be writing about a very emotional moment that happened to us at the Savoy Hotel earlier this week – not a blog you will want to miss…….

Best Regards

Peter Shanks

PS – Last week I teased on the blog as to ‘Who’ we had with us on Queen Mary 2 this week.  Well the secret is out on facebook and twitter – yes it was the one and only Roger Daltrey from ‘The Who’. He was a guest on our first ‘Songwriting Crossing’. It was magical – with a very special moment for our crew – and we will be telling you all about that here on Peter’s Blog in a few days.

Recently we had a very special reunion on board Queen Mary 2, during her first Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing of 2011. 15 World War 2 brides, along with their families sailed back to England to celebrate the 65th anniversary of when they sailed to the USA and Canada to be with their servicemen husbands. From 1939 – 1945 Cunard carried more than 2 million serviceman and their families on board our fleet and we were credited by Sir Winston Churchill as helping to shorten the war by a year. For many of the ladies it was the first time they had returned to the UK after making that life changing journey all those years ago.

During the Crossing, guests attended lectures from Bev Tosh, a Canadian war bride’s daughter and accomplished artist. Bev has interviewed hundreds of war brides in USA, Britain, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and these have evolved into a major touring exhibition called ‘one-way passage’

Ed Moffat from Queen Mary 2 met the group during the crossing, here he is with a guest blog and some great photos from the original crossings:

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Guest Blog

Edward Moffat

Assistant Entertainment Director

Queen Mary 2

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The commissioning of Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary during World War 2 did not end at transporting brave troops to and from Europe as part of the war effort. They had an additional roll of the transportation of a very precious cargo; they were of course the ‘War Brides’, women who had married service men from either Canada or the US and later decided to settle down with their new loved ones.

A group of around fifty ladies (and a few sons) all originally born in the UK lead by Beverly Tosh relived their special journey on board Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton. After over 60 years making the return trip home by sea passage to share memories of the liners and of course visit families back in the UK.

Jean Fell, originally from Yorkshire, England sailed on board Queen Mary on 3 June 1946 to join her new husband in Canada where she still lives. Beforehand her husband had returned home to Canada on board Queen Elizabeth a few months before her arrival. The Queen Mary was of course still in Military refit and painted grey. Jean recalls “getting sea sick after 3 days into the journey and spending a few nights in the Hospital which was originally the First Class cocktail bar”.

“This was also the time when penicillin was first heard of and the doctor ask if I wanted a shot in my rear and thought he said ear to which I leaned forward to offer my ear for an injection to which young doctor whispered no, in your rear!”

When Jean was not in the hospital she remembers the room in which she slept ‘Having eight bunks in the one cabin.’ she also recalled that the particular crossing she was recorded as one of the fastest at that time.

Kitty Snyder also joined her new husband with their son on board Queen Mary in 1946 making the journey over to the US.

“The one thing I was curious about was seeing my husband in his Civvies, I, of course had only ever seen him in his army fatigues, both my son and I were invited to dine twice with the Captain, I guess he was intrigued to find such a young mother travelling only with her son”.

Whilst on board Kitty had received a cable from her dad wishing her a safe trip and hoping that everything was going well.

“The weather was so rough all I can remember was spending the whole trip in my bunk.” It was also common for the captain of the Queen Mary to wish all the new brides well in the new homes.

Kitty Flew back home October 1947 for 2 months and made the return trip to the US on board Queen Elizabeth. She also spent a year working for Cunard on 48/49 Broadway, New York as a typist.

Lillian Burgess sailed from Southampton to New York on board Queen Mary in June 1946 to join her new husband in Halifax Nova Scotia.  Also sailing on the same crossing was the Canadian Prime Minister McKenzie King “Mr. King personally welcomed all the ladies to Canada prior to our arrival there.

Joan James sailed on board Queen Mary from Southampton to New York in August 1946 with her 14^th month old son. “There were so many other children on the trip, six years later we took a return trip back to the UK on The Sydney the children were looked after so well by the staff on board they were even treated to a tea party in First Class.”

Captain Paul Wright met the group and said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome this group of women and their families aboard Queen Mary 2, Cunard and these women share a unique and proud history of providing service and dedication during war time.”

Thank you for a great guest blog Ed, what a special crossing that must have been! We’ll be back with more blogs this week, including Queen Mary 2 in Hamburg and we will reveal ‘Who’ was sailing with us to New York…

Hello everybody – I trust you are keeping well. Greetings from North America – I have been on the West Coast for a few days meeting with our Cunard North America Sales Team. North America remains a very important place for Cunard, where we have many regular and valued guests. It is always good for me to spend time with our Sales Team – they provide me with ideas and feedback both from our guests and Travel Agents in North America. I was encouraging them to read our We Are Cunard Blog as it keeps them in touch with what we are up to and how the ships are doing. Talking of ships – they are all doing well. As I write, Queen Mary 2 is mid-Atlantic – and much excitement on board as we have some exciting and different entertainment on board this week – ‘Who’ I hear you ask – well that’s a clue and you will read about it here next week. Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria are settling nicely into their European season. I will be sailing on Queen Victoria for a couple of days soon – looking forward to that and will let you know what I find.

Today we want to introduce you to our new Entertainment Director on board Queen Victoria. Keith is very much enjoying his first experience with Cunard – and from the feedback we have had from guests so far he has got off to an excellent start. I hope you enjoy reading more about him – and that you are able to meet him personally next time you are on board.

Before that – I have a fun picture to show you. Imagine what it would look like on approach to an airport runway from the bridge of Queen Mary 2 – well let me show you;

How did we do that I hear you ask. Well as Queen Mary 2 sailed up the Elbe River to Hamburg last week, they sailed past the massive Airbus factory – and they have their own runway (I guess if you build planes then you need your own runway). Captain Paul Wright took this picture from the bridge and sent it to me. It was taken from the side window of the bridge on Queen Mary 2 – but the perspective really looks as though Paul is about to land the ship on a runway – now that would have been quite a story.

So – over to Keith;

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Keith Maynard

Entertainment Director

Queen Victoria

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Congratulations on your permanent appointment as Entertainment Director; how have your first few months gone on board Queen Victoria?

Thank you! Well I must admit it’s been a fantastic roller coaster ride so far – Cunard does things very differently to other companies and it’s been a revelation to become part of such a dedicated and professional team. From my initial awe at first stepping on board Queen Elizabeth in December and then joining Queen Victoria 6 days later in Southampton to the present where I still occasionally pinch myself just to make sure that this isn’t all a dream. Queen Victoria is such a beautiful ship. I am surrounded by reminders of the Golden age of the transatlantic liners, pictures of these amazing Leviathans of the sea and the stars that became synonymous with them! I walk out onto the stage in the Royal Court Theatre and I could be anywhere in the West End or Broadway! But most of all I’ve loved meeting so many wonderful guests – people from all over the world who have had so many stories to tell of their past voyages on the Queens. As you can probably tell – I am very happy!

What did you know about Cunard before you joined Queen Victoria?

Funnily enough in the year leading up to me joining Cunard I had started to read extensively on the history of the great Ocean Liners. I think I had reached that point in my career where I had decided I was going to stay at sea rather than just saying, ‘well I’ll do one more contract and then I’ll move on’. Of course you can’t research or read about Ocean Liners and not be captivated by the wealth of history Cunard enjoys as one of the original pioneers of the industry. Discovering that throughout its 171 year history Cunard has been involved in almost every major world event, from the invention of the first Marconi wireless sets on the Lucania to Churchill’s belief that Queen Mary and Elizabeth singlehandedly shortened WWII by at least a year, I became enthralled with a company that for me represented some much needed national pride.

Having been at sea some years now how does it feel joining the Cunard family?

I feel a little like the prodigal son. Such is the welcome I have received. I feel totally at home now and can honestly not imagine working anywhere else! There really is a genuine team spirit on here and you know that all you need to do is ask and people are almost queuing up to help!

What have been some of the highlights during your career at sea?

Well I started back in 2000 and was lucky enough to be a part of the famous World Cup Cruise where for the first time since 1966 the entire English Football team meet up and spent two weeks aboard the M/S Sundream. I introduced the likes of Jack Charlton and Sir Jeff Hurst onto the stage and chatted at length with Nobby Stiles and Gordon Banks and the lovely Alan Ball. I’ve still got a wonderful picture at home of me holding the world cup surrounded by the team! Of course nothing quite compares with my most recent highlight – sailing out of New York for the first time as part of the historic royal rendezvous of the three Queens! To stand there in the freezing winter night air with Queen Mary 2 ahead, Queen Elizabeth behind, the Empire State Building lit up in Cunard Red and the fireworks exploding all around it was a moment I will truly treasure forever!

Although you are still fairly new to the company, what does “We Are Cunard” mean to you?

If I was to sum it up in one phrase it means ‘we are here for you’. And in saying that I make no distinction between guests and employees. Never have I known a company put so much effort into looking after everyone on board. Cunard is never happy complying with the base line or the bare minimum – we strive to set an example to the rest of the industry about how things should be done.

What would be your favourite golden nugget of advice to guests coming on a voyage for the first time?

Bring two sizes of clothing – one for the start and some slightly larger more comfortable fitting garments for the final few days…the food is incredible and there’s so much of it!

What is your ideal way of relaxing when you are on leave?

I ride my motorbike around the UK visiting friends and family. Currently I own a BMW1200GS which is sitting in my brother’s garage. My mum used to take me to school on a motorbike (much to my horror at the time) and both my brothers ride Motorbikes so you could say it’s a family calling – rather like their vocations –as both my father and two of my brothers are vicars and my sister is a missionary! I suppose you could be forgiven for thinking that I am the black sheep of the family – the one who ran away to sea!

When I am not spending time on the open road relishing Britain’s beautiful countryside I like to travel to some of the more remote areas of the world. I’ve been lucky enough to backpack around India, Thailand & more recently Cambodia where I was awe-struck by the majesty & splendor of Ankor Wat!

I am also a keen Scuba Diver and adore the chance to explore our amazing ports of call from under the water. My last dive was in Bonaire with the Chief Engineer Ronnie Keir. It was right in front of the ship so we had a chance to inspect the hull – I am happy to report that everything looked in good working order!!

In June I have booked to go back out to Thailand with my friend Gun Sukwanna who is the social hostess on Queen Mary 2. Our plan is simple – fly to Bangkok – buy a map of Thailand – and randomly point at a spot on the map (blindfolded) and then well…. who knows!

Do you have any unfulfilled dreams?

I have always wanted to meet the Dalai Lama and in a similar vein travel to Tibet. I would also love to ride an old Enfield Bullet across India and into Nepal – oh and one day I need to dive the Galapagos Islands!

Career wise though I have always wanted to be a TV Presenter – I got very close a couple of years ago when I got down to the last two for the BBC’s search for a new CBBC presenter. In the end the producer of CBBC rang me and told me that it had taken them over a week to decide but that they chose the other chap because he had blond hair which was more of a contrast to the rest of the presenters! It was the first and only time in my life I wished I had been born blond!!!

What is your favourite quote and who said it?

‘Beauty is in the heart of the beholder’. HG Wells

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It is marvellous to read how enthusiastic Keith is – and I am sure he has a bright future with us and hopefully many of you will be able to meet with him in the future. He joins the list of Cunard Entertainment Legends – none more of a legend that the ‘James Bond’ of the Cruise Industry our very own Queen Mary 2 Entertainment Director Ray Rouse.

That’s all for now – back soon with a lovely story about ‘War Brides’ and the answer as to exactly ‘Who’ is travelling on Queen Mary 2 this week. Any guesses?

Best Regards

Peter

This year we have introduced a designated Cunard World Club voyage on each of our Cunard Queens with special enhancements for Cunard World Club members. The first voyage was Queen Victoria’s Canary Islands Idyll that departed from Southampton on 14 April 2011. Maureen Ryan who travelled on this voyage as our Cunard Ambassador is known to many of you as Queen Victoria’s Madrina and the only person to have served on Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, QE2 and Queen Mary2 . Here is Maureen’s blog of the voyage.

Guest Blog

Maureen Ryan

Queen Victoria’s Madrina

Cunard Ambassador

As Queen Victoria sails north through the Bay of Biscay, I’m in the Lido, reflecting on the last 10 days.  This has been the Maiden Cunard World Club Voyage and I have had the honour of being aboard as the Cunard Ambassador, a duty which I have much enjoyed – it is lovely to be back on board, seeing  many familiar faces amongst the guests and crew, and also making contact with the newer Cunarders who have recently  started to travel with Cunard Line.

The first morning at sea, I was invited by the Entertainment Director, Keith Maynard, to be a guest on the TV show “Catch Up With Keith”.  It’s a great show, expertly presented and good fun, I recommend you tune in when next on board.

During the days at sea, I joined in many activities with the guests – line dancing, get-togethers for solos and ballroom dancing (my samba is much improved!).  Captain Rynd’s welcome aboard cocktail parties presented another chance to find many guests from over the years, including Mr and Mrs Keith Gledhill,   Mrs Dulcie Gate, Mr Donald Jackson and Mr and Mrs Eric Johnston.

Our ports of call were Madeira, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Vigo, and I escorted some lovely tours, including the Cable Car and Toboggan excursion in Madeira.  In Tenerife, views of snow-capped Mount Teide against the blue sky and sunshine were spectacular, and in Lanzarote my coach enjoyed the Cactus Garden and the Aloe Vera Farm.

As part of the Cunard Insights programme, I gave an illustrated talk  in the Royal Court Theatre, recalling my years at sea on Cunard ships, when I was a Lady Assistant Purser and Social Hostess.

Most evenings I co-hosted a table at dinner in the Britannia Restaurant.  The Deputy Captain, Simon Love, and the Chief Purser, Jan Kristiansen,  were two of the officers that I hosted with and we  welcomed  to the table, among others, Mrs Doreen Williams, Mr Joseph Mason and Mrs and Mrs William Brown.  The conversation flowed, and we always seemed to be the last table to leave the Restaurant!  After dinner, I caught some of the excellent shows in the Royal Court Theatre and visited the Ascot and Victoriana Balls in the Queens Room, where great music enticed many of our guests to the dance floor, it was the most beautiful sight.

After Lanzarote, I took part in the wine tasting event for all Platinum and Diamond Cunard World Club members. We tasted five different wines and the sommeliers provided very clear descriptions of the wines and explanations of what we tasted. It was a great way to spend the afternoon!

I also attended the Cunard World Club cocktail parties, another great occasion to mix with members.  I was delighted  to be asked to announce the Top Sailor, Mr Tony Stockwell, who started sailing with Cunard in 1970, and who has done 10 World Voyages and has now accumulated a wonderful 1,392 days sailing on Cunard ships!  After the presentation to Mr Stockwell, Captain Rynd introduced Queen Victoria’s new Captain, Captain Ian Hutley, who takes over from Captain Rynd on Queen Victoria at the end of this voyage. Captain Hutley then announced news that was “hot off the press” that following the retirement of Commodore Warner from Queen Mary 2, Captain Rynd has been appointed Commodore of the Cunard Fleet.  A memorable Cunard World Club party and many congratulations to Commodore Rynd!

During the voyage, Cunard World Club guests were given commemorative badges – very attractive, featuring the bow of Queen Victoria and the date of the voyage.  Also a certificate,    signed by Captain Rynd depicting a map of the voyage was sent to the cabins, plus a small gift, which was specially made for the Cunard World Club voyages of 2011.

And now, the voyage is almost over, and Queen Victoria will dock tomorrow in Southampton. Having been the ship’s godmother (Madrina) during the float-out ceremony in Venice, in January 2007, I have a special interest in the ship. I can only say that I have been so impressed. Apart from being a lovely ship, immaculately maintained, Queen Victoria is a true Cunard vessel, encompassing everything that has always been so special about the company – wonderful food, White Star Service, elegant, but relaxed and welcoming.  The crew are simply the best, nothing has been too much trouble at any time, their level of service is so high and continuously, each day, the standard is maintained.  I am extremely proud of my god-daughter!

I would like to say a special ‘thank you’ to Louisa Gould, Senior CRM and Loyalty Executive from the Cunard office and to Anna and Hayley, the Voyage Sales Specialists on Queen Victoria for all their help and kindness to me during the voyage.

Thank you Cunard for inviting me to be the Ambassador on the first Cunard World Club Voyage.

Thank you Maureen, and thanks to everyone on board who made this such a memorable voyage. If you were unable to make it this time Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing on 22 August and Queen Elizabeth’s Holy Lands voyage on 28 October are also Cunard World Club voyages, and there are 3 more in 2012.

Life seems to be getting back to normal here in England – with Easter, Bank Holidays and the Royal Wedding we have had so many days off work we don’t know if it’s the weekend or midweek. We have also had marvellous sunshine here for at least two weeks – that’s probably the summer done now. I am keen to involve more Cunarders in our Blog activity and today we have one of our Officers from Queen Victoria who recently interviewed our new Commodore Christopher Rynd. First up though – I wanted to share with you a fairly typical and interesting day in the life of a Cunard President………..

Pods at Heathrow….and a marvellous day on Queen Mary 2 in Hamburg

I mentioned that I was flying over to Hamburg earlier this week to spend the day on board Queen Mary 2 – it was a very good day and more of that in a minute. First, for those of our guests and bloggers who use Heathrow Terminal 5 – I wanted to share with you my first ‘Pod’ experience – and give you some useful advice. What on earth is a ‘Pod’ I hear you say. Well ever since they opened T5 – they have been preparing a driver-less Pod system to transport you to and from the T5 Business car park and T5 itself. They have had a lot of problems in getting it ready and I was looking forward to the day when they would be ready – and when I arrived at the car park at 0600 on Wednesday – it was working for the first time. So I parked and jumped out of the car ready for a new 21st century travel experience. This is what it looks like;

So in I get , the door closes , and a ‘Voice of God’ says – ‘We are now departing for Terminal 5′. Nothing happened. Then the same voice said ‘Any second now’. I smiled and sat in the motionless pod. Then ‘There will be a short delay’ – then we were off. It is electronic, does not drive on rails but more as a small car would – takes you up over the road and delivers you into the terminal. Actually it was impressive. As you travel, you are informed on a small screen that the pod has zero carbon emissions, needs half the power of the equivalent bus journey and will save over 50,000 bus journeys a year. This is good stuff, it was only 0610 and I was doing my bit for the environment.

Arriving in Hamburg and seeing Queen Mary 2 in the river in the heart of the city is always a great sight. I was there to announce our 2012 Cunard German programme and brochure. I was taken aback by the press reception up in The Atlantic Room on the ship – we had 36 journalists and 4 TV stations. We have a true love affair between Queen Mary 2 and Hamburg. The highlight of our news was not only that next year we would have all three of our ships visiting Germany, a wider range of voyages including departures from Hamburg and Kiel – but that on the 15th July next year we will have a Royal Rendezvous with both Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 on the river in Hamburg for one of those very special occasions – Sehr Gut ! The reaction was tremendous and it’s another Cunard event for us all to look forward to – we expect many of our regular guests to book those voyages.

The day got even better when Paul, our Entertainment Director, took me down to Illuminations for a preview of our new 3D film performance. Wow – I have to admit I have not been to the cinema recently to watch a 3D film. On went the special Cunard glasses and I was amazed at the quality and the experience. First I saw a preview of Toy Story 3, then a snippet from the full theatre production of ‘Lord of the Dance’. It was as though we were watching it live – the perspective is incredible. Our plans are to show these, along with ‘Alice in Wonderland’ ‘Carmen’ and the new ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ through this summer. We already have our much admired Planetarium in Illuminations – but this will provide our guests with another unique experience.

I had time to catch up with Captain Paul Wright and with Hotel manager John Duffy. The recent Transatlantic voyage had gone very well – but as ever John was working on ways to improve our guest experience further. He has a wonderful way with the team on board – as does Paul Wright and we are fortunate to have their unequalled experience. It was only a brief visit, but I managed to say hello personally to around 30 of our crew and that – as always – was the part of the day I enjoyed the most. So I left the ship enthused – but wishing I was staying for longer.

So a good day – but then I landed back at Terminal 5 and set off to get in the ‘Pod’ back to the car. Problem – where was the entrance to the Pod? I could not see any signs anywhere. I went to level zero where the bus would normally have been before the world of Pods. No bus – they have been replaced by the Pod – and no signs. So I went up to level five where departures are – no sign of any pod and no sign of any signs. Tired, wanting to be at home – my idea of fun was not a one man tour of T5. Eventually, I found a man in a yellow jacket and asked him where the Pods are – I said ‘I can’t find them as there are no signs’. He responded with the wonderful line of ‘Ah yes Sir – we have not put up any signage yet’. Marvellous I thought – millions of pounds in building the Pods – but nobody thought of putting a sign up to tell you where they are.
So – to all of our guests and bloggers who may find themselves looking for the Pods I can let you into a well kept secret. When you arrive at T5, follow the exit signs to the car parks. Take the lift to the 2nd floor, as you come out of the lift (elevator for our North American friends), turn right and continue as far as you go and there you will discover ……a Pod !

Onto our interview with Commodore Rynd ;

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Adam Ritchin

Guest Computer Services Manager

Queen Victoria

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Shortly after his appointment as Commodore for Cunard Line, I was able to sit down and talk with Commodore Christopher Rynd. He shares his insights of forty years of sea with all of us. Captain Rynd was born in New Zealand and grew up in Singapore, Sri Lanka, and in the islands of Fiji and Samoa of the tropical South Pacific.

When did you start working at sea?

My first day at sea was March 2, 1970 at the age of 17. It was horrible, the ship was small and we were in very rough seas.  I could clearly smell oil and rust on the ship, and the ship’s movements were extreme.  It was a very foreign environment.

Which ranks have you held?

I started off as a Junior 3rd officer, as in those days, we had Junior, Middle, and Senior 3rd officers on board.  I have worked all of the ranks from Junior 3rd up to 1st, then Safety Officer, Deputy Captain, and Captain.

Which Cunard ships have you worked on?

I joined Cunard in 2005 when I took command of Queen Elizabeth 2, I  have also served on both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. I took Queen Mary 2 on her Maiden World Voyage and attended Queen Victoria during her construction and sea trials and later proudly served as her master.

What is the biggest change now compared to when you started?

The biggest change is with electronic navigation, GPS, and Electronic Charts.  It is much, much easier and safer now than in the pre-electronic age.

What additional duties do you have as Commodore?

I will be showing the flag at various events for Cunard, and helping maintain tradition and standards.  My goal is to set the ultimate example not just for my ship, but for all of Cunard.

What does “We are Cunard” mean to you?

It means that all of us identify with the brand, and that while we have strong British signatures, we cater to guests of all nationalities.  When any of us are at our position, we truly are in the spotlight, and we must exemplify the legendary tradition and excellence Cunard stands for.

What do you do when you are on leave?

I enjoy the domestic life for about two weeks.  After that, I want to be outside–enjoying the natural environment for my recreation.

What advice would you give to new staff members at Cunard?

The most important thing is attitude, and our service credos illustrate what you can do with the right attitude.

What would you like to tell our guests?

I am pleased and proud to hold this role, and to serve you on the Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World.

That’s all for today – I hope you are keeping well and do let us have your comments and views of anything Cunard.

Best Regards

Peter Shanks

Social Hostess

Queen Elizabeth

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It would be hard to imagine a more Royalist and inexorably devoted to Cunard individual than the legendary Thomas Quinones, so it will come as no surprise to anyone who knows him to hear how excited he was to be combing a wonderful Royal Wedding with a day on Cunard’s newest addition to the fleet, Queen Elizabeth. Talking to him the day before, he said he was as nervous as if he was getting married himself and had not been able to sleep in the anticipation. So, he took himself off to rest in the early evening of 28 April and set his alarm for just after midnight to get started on his big mission – to create Cunard’s own Royal Mile along deck 2 of Queen Elizabeth.

And what a magnificent job he did of it too, with flags adorning the walkway all through from stern to stem, from the Britannia restaurant, past Café Carinthia, through the Queens Room and past the Golden Lion, leading guests on to the Royal Court Theatre.  There were Union Jack flags, hats and bunting everywhere:

 Not least, of course surrounding Her Majesty herself!

Early on the morning of 29^th, all that remained was to await the crowds’ arrival at both Westminster Abbey and deck 2…….

Knowing this was certainly the next best thing to being at Buckingham Palace for the occasion, Thomas was determined to uphold Cunard’s standards and dressed to befit the event.  This is how Queen Elizabeth’s guests were welcomed into the Royal Court Theatre boxes…… 

Eagerly anticipating the arrival of first the handsome princes and then the beautiful, elegant bride and her sister, the burning issue was the world’s best kept secret – ‘The Dress’:  Who had designed it?  What would it be like?  A collective gasp of delight could be heard around the ship as the beaming Kate Middleton emerged and the jaw-droppingly gorgeous dress was revealed, the audience was rapt, the atmosphere punctuated only by cheers and applause as first Prince William said ‘I will’ and then Kate. It was as if no-one dared to move for fear of missing the magic of the moment, or the much anticipated kiss – it was almost a relief to stand for the National Anthem!

The bonhomie continued through the rest of the day adding a touch of poignancy to the end of the voyage for the guests who were almost all disembarking in Southampton on 30^th, but who nevertheless managed to find time to fit in their last afternoon tea with the extra special touches for this very extra special day.

 After tea followed the last frenzied packing and putting out suitcases for collection, all valuable activities to ensure an appetite for the celebration Royal Wedding dinner, with congratulations sealed by Captain Chris Wells inviting all guests to toast the happy couple and take home the traditional piece of the spectacular wedding cake.  

Executive Pastry Chef, Romualdo Rebello poses here by his masterpiece which was displayed complete with a complementary bridal train!

And finally for those who still had some energy left, an elegant Royal Dance in the Queens Room with none other than the fabulous Thomas leading the way with the Gay Gordons (we could well imagine the Royal Family partying to Scottish music).  For the band break – what else could be more appropriate than the Catherine Waltz and Balmoral Blues!

In Thomas’ own words; “A truly legendary, elegant and magnificently memorable day!”

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Paul O’Loughlin

Entertainment Director

Queen Mary 2

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Preparations for the big day began in back in New York when bunting was delivered ready for decoration, provisions arrived ready to make a celebratory meal fit for royalty, and cases of champagne were stored in the ship’s hold ready to be put on ice for a toast to the happy couple.

In the early hours on the day itself, the Entertainment Staff were up at the crack of dawn to prepare the ship’s public areas for the day’s festivities. Festive bunting was hung around the Queens Room, and at the entrances to the Royal Court Theatre, Illuminations and Golden Lion Pub where guests could watch a live feed of the events taking place in London, around 1,500 nautical miles away. Queen Mary 2 was on her Eastbound Transatlantic crossing and two hours behind London time. Time and distance differences aside, the atmosphere on board was transformed and by the time Afternoon Tea was served talk was on little other than the dress, the carriage and of course the kiss.

The order of the day soon switched from observation to celebration, after eating their beautifully prepared Royal Wedding Dinner,  Guests in the Golden Lion pub tested their knowledge of all things Royal with a themed trivia, followed by a traditional British sing along that raised the rafters. The focus of the evening was in the Queens Room, where a Royal Wedding Reception was held. Resident International Band Vibz provided the party music

Social Hostess Gun provided the party spirit, culminating in a special red white and blue balloon drop over a packed dance floor.

Celebrations lasted into the night, but as a final touch, and in British wedding tradition, guests returning to their staterooms discovered that a piece of wedding cake had been delivered by Cunard Royal Mail in a commemorative box. A luxurious end to a lengthy day.

One Guest commented to me ” It was amazing, just as if we were at the Royal Wedding itself!”

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Keith Maynard

Entertainment Director

Queen Victoria

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Proud to be British! 29 April at 1pm Ships time saw 1400 of our guests all gathered in the Royal Court Theatre, Queens Room and Golden Lion Pub to watch the Royal Couple tie the knot. Many more chose to enjoy Room Service and relax in their Staterooms.

The champagne was flowing and the atmosphere a mixture of pride, excitement and anticipation!

As prince Harry cast a cheeky look down the aisle at Kate and reassured his big brother a ripple of laughter and applause erupted from the Theatre followed only moments later by the dabbing of many eyes as vow’s were exchanged and promises made. Several hymns later you could almost feel Queen Victoria roll slightly as 1400 people stood in unison for the National Anthem proud to share in this special moment with the 2 billion people worldwide.

Our guests enjoyed a celebratory menu in the evening, complete with wedding cake baked on board by our wonderful chefs:

In the evening our signature show Victoriana had the packed auditorium calling for more as hundreds of Union Jacks swayed back and forth to Land of Hope and Glory!

In the Queens Room Jamie our Social Host added a touch of fairy tale magic into the Victoriana Ball with a special Cinderella Waltz and traditional Bridal Bouquet toss!

There were many lovely comments as guests headed back to their staterooms with their commemorative menu tucked under arms and the phrase uttered by almost all was that today was a day they were proud to be British and what better way than to spend it on board a Cunard Queen, launched by member of our Royal Family.