Countdown to Queen Elizabeth - 315 days

If you are back in Britain, America or Canada experiencing dreadful weather that comes with the beginning of December, you probably don’t want to hear how lovely it is in the Caribbean where Queen Mary 2 has just completed her first voyage of the season. Likewise the fact that it is warm and sunny in the Canary Islands where Queen Victoria has been for the last week, might seem like we are rubbing it in a bit; so I’ll get straight on with this special Blog.

 

Cunard is very proud of its association with The Prince’s Trust charity, founded by The Prince Of Wales, and it’s a pleasure to be involved with any activity or event that helps them continue their tremendous work. Regular readers may remember I interviewed Amie Hoyland, Head of Corporate Partnerships, in a Blog posted on the 25^th of June where she told us more of their important work.

 

http://wearecunard.com/2009/06/a-charitable-royal-partnership/

 

More recently in Southampton, Cunard hosted a special event where over eighty guests were invited to a fund raising lunch on board Queen Victoria. The guests were Cunard Platinum and Diamond World Club Members and supporters of the Trust, and thanks to their generosity, the event raised over £8,350, which means Cunard has now raised an amazing £423,000 for The Prince’s Trust.

 

The guests were joined by some of Queen Victoria’s senior officers including Captain Ian McNaught, Prince’s Trust Young Ambassador Chris Elkeke and Moira Stuart (BBC Newsreader and Broadcaster), who works as an Ambassador for the Trust. Richard Curtis, Cunard’s Head of Marketing, takes up the story:

 

Guest Blog - Richard Curtis - Head of Marketing for Cunard Line

 

Our beautiful Cunarder looked especially impressive basking in the autumn sun at Southampton’s Ocean terminal, but equally impressive when I arrived in the Queens Room for our Champagne reception was the stunning ice carving spelling out ‘The Prince’s Trust’ (complete with an ice apostrophe!). The attention to detail of our onboard teams and their ability to exceed expectations never ceases to impress me!

 

 

Moira Stuart spoke about the importance of the work achieved by the Prince’s Trust and the extra demands faced during today’s difficult times. Here she is pictured with Captain Ian McNaught.

 

 

Even more moving however was the eloquent story told by Chris Ekeleme, and how his involvement with east London gangs and a life of crime had been reformed after being introduced to The Trust. Chris has managed to turn his back on gang life and now works hard as a Prince’s Trust Young Ambassador and at a school in South London. Here is a picture of Chris with Moira Stuart, Paul Brown and Rhiannan Sarah Spugeon from the Trust, and myself.

 

 

Lunch on Queen Victoria is always a special occasion but the lunch on this wonderful day was particularly memorable as the menu had been designed and prepared by celebrity chef Todd English and our very own Global Culinary Ambassador Jean Marie Zimmerman. Todd had flown over especially from Las Vegas for the occasion and it gave our guests the opportunity to experience his delicious cuisine which can also be found in the Todd English Restaurants on both Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2.

 

The only problem with events such is that they go too fast and soon come to an end. I can guarantee that nobody attending the lunch wanted to leave Queen Victoria and wave good-bye that day, least of all myself.  As we watched lucky guests embarking the ship ready for a sixteen night Mediterranean voyage in the sun, it made leaving even harder!

 

Thank you Richard, and I certainly agree that it was a fantastic day which was not only really enjoyable, but we were able to play our part in helping raising money to help underprivileged youngsters. The Prince’s Trust does such an amazing job and if you would like more information you can visit www.princes-trust.org.uk.

 

I’ll be back soon with more news from the fleet as well as the regular updates. Cheers Alastair

 

 

Countdown to Queen Elizabeth - 316 days

Welcome to another Blog and the last one for this month which has been another busy one with a record numbers of readers, so thank you for continuing to log on.

 

We have lots of great posts planned for December which I hope you also enjoy reading. I know I was going to post the second set of photos and video from the interior of Queen Elizabeth, but I’m afraid that’ll have to wait till Thursday.

 

Meanwhile though, I have received a guest Blog from Cunard’s celebrity Chef, Todd English.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In case you didn’t see it I interviewed him in a Blog posted 30 July this year, where you can read more about his remarkable career. http://wearecunard.com/2009/07/

 

On this occasion he came on just for the day as he hosted group for lunch in his restaurant on Queen Victoria, which was also attended by members of the press and Captain Ian McNaught.

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll let Todd English take up the story:

 

Guest Blog – Todd English – Cunard Celebrity Chef

 

At the end September, I had the opportunity to welcome Queen Victoria to Boston, my home for the past 20 years, for her maiden call to the city. Upon reaching the harbour, I could see her funnel and was excited that she was here, even if just for a day.

 

That afternoon, I had the distinct honour of hosting a small group for lunch at my namesake restaurant, Todd English, on board the liner. I loved being back on Queen Victoria, and even managed to sneak off for a pint at The Golden Lion pub – a favourite haunt of mine when aboard.

 

Being in the restaurant again reminded me of when I was first asked by Cunard to create a restaurant on board what was to be their newest ship, Queen Mary 2. I was given the opportunity to design an innovative and enticing culinary experience to add to the line’s renowned reputation of fine dining. I was so honoured that of all the chefs in the world, I would get to put my stamp on this iconic and prestigious brand.

 

The Todd English restaurants are found exclusively aboard Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2, and they are truly a reflection of who I am as a chef. First and foremost, the menus reflect my love for Mediterranean cuisine. I also try to find a balance between offering dishes that are familiar and comforting to those that are unique and different, bringing a bit of romance and fantasy into the guests’ dining experience. I want guests to feel like these restaurants are similar to out-of-the-way gems they discover when they travel to new cities – after all, the ships are really like cities themselves.

 

I hope that you have the opportunity to sail on what I truly believe are the most beautiful and majestic ships at sea and experience my restaurants. I look forward to hosting you soon.

 

I’d like to thank Todd English for this Guest Blog and as always it was a pleasure to see him on board. I’ll be back on Thursday with the promised pictures and video from my recent visit to Queen Elizabeth, and I’ll also have a report from another recent function, this time a special event with our friends at The Prince’s Trust. Cheers Alastair

 

 

What a week it’s been in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this week with two Cunard Queens visiting this historic city. The name Cunard resonates around the city and nowhere more than at the Statue of Sir Samuel Cunard himself, which is the focal point for any Cunarder. Queen Mary 2 made her call three years to the day after Cunard Line and The Halifax Foundation unveiled the bronze statue of Samuel Cunard, and for Queen Victoria it was her maiden call and what a celebration it was.

 

Before I take you through the events of the day I would like to thank you again for all the comments on the Blog this week. I know you have many questions about Queen Elizabeth and as soon as announcements are made I’ll definitely pass them on to you, but as I mentioned in previous Blogs, the naming details probably won’t be confirmed until about three months before her maiden voyage. I’ll have more pictures soon as well, thanks to Simon in Monefalcone, which show the incredible pace of her progress.

 

Now it’s time for this week in Cunard’s history for the week 9^th to the 15th^th of October.

 

October 7 2006

Cunard Line and “The Halifax Foundation” unveiled a bronze statue of Sir Samuel Cunard, prominently presiding over the Port of Halifax waterfront, the towering bronze statue appropriately depicts Cunard standing beside a ship’s telegraph, an iconic symbol of steamship travel. Joining the celebration were Sir Samuel Cunard’s great, great, great, great grandsons Benjamin and Samuel Paton.

 

October 9 1967

Captain “Pip” Read was advised that Caronia was to be sold.

 

October 10 2007

Cunard announces the building of the new 92,000 ton Queen Elizabeth that will enter service in October 2010

 

October 11 1973

QE2 makes her maiden call at Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

I really do love New England and it’s such a great itinerary for our guests to enjoy; mind you the crew seem to love it too! On this voyage, it was my first time to visit Portland, Maine and it was a perfect sunny autumn day. The leaves are just turning and the picturesque town gave us all a great welcome.

 

 

Another first was trying Blueberry Beer; yes a new one on me and I am now officially a convert to the idea so have even brought a bottle back for the landlord of my local!

 

The following day was another inaugural visit for Queen Victoria, and this time it was to what I consider the home of some of the best lobster you’ll ever find; Bar Harbor, Maine. You could say this small and very charming town has a thing about it; well who else would have lobster ice cream.

 

 

Yes that is lobster ice cream and for reporting purposes I did try some. Having just enjoyed a fantastic lobster lunch this was a strange experience when I discovered chunks of lobster in vanilla ice cream. I think it must be an acquired taste so I’m afraid I won’t be rushing back too quickly to get some more, but am very happy I’ve tried it!

 

The town is delightful and along with all the ports we have visited this week, they gave us a tremendous welcome and Queen Victoria certainly provided a very elegant backdrop for the town that day.

 

 

Friday the 2^nd of October will always be an import date for the for the ship  and the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia as it was the first time Queen Victoria visited the home town of Cunard’s founder Samuel Cunard. It was here where his ship, the Britannia arrived for the first time, on the 17^th of July 1840 having completed her maiden 14 day voyage from Liverpool.

 

Halifax was a very different city when Queen Victoria arrived 169 years later, and we are thankful to Andrew Langley for taking this picture from the Dartmouth shore.

 

 

 

 

 

The celebrations started as soon as Queen Victoria docked as reporters from the local press and television stations interviewed Captain McNaught in front of the magnificent Sir Samuel Cunard monument. Our on board photographers were able to join in and take this picture of Captain Ian McNaught with members of the 78^th Highlanders.

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to show off Cunard’s latest addition to the press and distinguished guests, as they came aboard for a special reception.  It is traditional that when a ship visits a port for the first time that an exchange of plaques takes place.  However as a new Cunard ship was visiting Halifax for the first time Queen Victoria was afforded something even more special. Pipe Major Andrew Bruce, played a specially composed piece of music written to mark the occasion. David Danskin, representing the Halifax Citadel National Site, then presented the Captain with a framed picture of the music score.

 

 

Photographed from left to right are: John Langley Q.C., Chairman of the Cunard Steamship Society, Mark MacDonald, Chair of the Halifax Port Authority, Margaret Wittingham-Lamont from the Mission to Seafarers, David Danskin from the Halifax Citadel National Site, Captain Ian McNaught, Minister Percy Paris, Nova Scotia Minister for Tourism, Culture & Heritage, David Hendsbee, Deputy Mayor for the Halifax Regional Municipality and Pipe Major Andrew Bruce.

 

It was great to see John Langley again and I’m sure many readers will know him not only as the Chairman of the Cunard Steamship Society, but also as a frequent a lecturer on our ships.  I asked John how he felt about this amazing day. He told me:

 

‘The feeling was almost tangible…. a presence felt among guests gathered at an onboard reception to celebrate Queen Victoria’s inaugural visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia this fine autumn day. Not far from where the ship lay berthed, the larger than life-size bronze statue of company founder Samuel Cunard gazes out over the waterfront, admiring the new Cunarder. On closer examination one could almost perceive a look of satisfaction on his face. Now, at last, ‘Cunard’s Line’ has a ‘Queen Victoria’ in its fleet. The company’s historic connection with Halifax dating back to 1840 is reborn yet again with the arrival of this newest of Cunard liners. The Cunard tradition continues…long live Queen Victoria!’

 

As we sailed that night everyone was excited to have been able to be a part of another great day in Cunard’s rich history. We had a day at sea before sailing up the St. Lawrence River and the stunning port of Quebec, but that deserves a blog of its own! So thanks again for logging on and cheers for now - Alastair

 

We started our final lap of the British Isles with QE2 full to capacity and a feeling of sadness and excitement all at the same time… Captain Ian McNaught at the helm and everyone poised for a Legendary, Elegant and Memorable Voyage… Our first stop Cherbourg, France…

 

This was not to be, the weather was against us and the Captain made the decision to press on to Cobh, Ireland for an overnight… an overnight to be enjoyed by both guests and crew alike…As usual there was plenty happening onboard during the first couple of days such as seminars in the Yacht Club and dance classes in the Queens Room. Maritime Historian William Miller’s Lecture captivated a packed house in the theatre and as always Carol Marlow’s talk on ‘Queen Victoria and a Year in the Life of Our Cunard Queens’ was fascinating.

 

We arrived into Cobh at around 3pm with crowds of people welcoming us as we came alongside… The gangways were jam packed as guests proceeded ashore to enjoy the sights and sounds of Ireland… What a sail out! Everywhere you looked, people lined the shoreline and every vantage point to say a final farewell to QE2…

The next day we arrived in Liverpool, England and everyone was anticipating a spectacular day there… and it was… the Celebratory QE2 Concert at Liverpool’s magnificent Anglican Cathedral was unbelievable. What a venue… the cathedral is one of the largest in the world and just an absolute splendour, and yes it takes your breath away…Nearly two thousand in attendance and there was not a dry eye in the house, the service was deeply touching, with performances by The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra combined with the Liverpool Cathedral Choir, Natasha Marsh and Jon Christos who where absolutely impressive to say the least… Time to Say Goodbye left a lump in everyone’s throat… and what a sight when the Band of the Welsh Guards marched up the isle and Natasha broke into Jerusalem…

A 39 foot ‘Paying Off’ Pennant, the largest in Cunard history, 1 foot for every year the QE2 has been in service was presented to the Lord Mayor of Liverpool…The tributes paid to QE2 included one by Dame Beryl Bainbridge in which she talked about the progress of time and how things we love change and move on. Amongst others, QE2’s former Captain Robin Woodall, Carol Marlow and Captain Ian McNaught each delivered wonderfully moving tributes to QE2 and a resounding rendition of Rule Britannia with plenty of passion and flag waving perfectly rounded off a truly unforgettable event…Take a look at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7651948.stm  to see for yourself some clips from this wonderful occasion.

 

When QE2 started to untie from the berth for her sail-away there were spectacular fireworks which lit up the Liverpool sky and soon after the Beatles Tribute Band kicked off at the Funnel Bar… It was not so much a final farewell but, a celebration of what Liverpool means to Cunard and to QE2…As we moved away from the berth QE2 sounded her whistle to let everyone know who has the best baritone in the industry, prickling the hairs on your arms… What a finish to a very special day!

 

Belfast was yet another fabulous sail in with a flotilla of boats escorting us in, we came along side at around 2pm… Once again the locals where out to welcome QE2 despite the poor weather…On the crossing to Belfast HMS Ark Royal paid a surprise visit and came alongside to pay her respects and just before arriving the Red Arrows gave us an amazing display with their death defying stunts to an excited and captivated crowd from the QE2’s aft decks.

That morning Commodore Ronald Warwick’s lecture in the theatre ‘The QE2 Story’ was standing room only… He is a well loved Captain with crew and guests alike…In the evening the Local Show ‘Gaels Afloat’ dazzled the guests in the Grand Lounge with audience participation, Irish dance, music and lots of good ole’ Irish humour… The old favorite ‘Danny Boy’ was definitely a crowd pleaser…The Beatle’s Tribute Band performed after the Local Show, and oh my goodness I have never seen the Queens Room so alive with the rhythms and sounds of ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘Hello Goodbye…’ and all those Beatles favorites… very reminiscent of a bygone era…

 

Richard Curtis, Cunard’s Head of Marketing was on QE2 for her call into Greenock and was kind enough to give me a few words on the arrival:

 

As we made our way to Greenock on Saturday morning we were treated with one of those perfect (and very rare) autumn days – chilly and fresh but not a cloud in the sky! Sailing towards the approach of the Clyde we were first greeted by type 42 frigate HMS Manchester who made a graceful sweep around us and the followed closely behind, occasionally speeding up and drawing level.

Over the next hour she was joined by more and more boats, every one packed full with admirers of QE2’s beauty and grace and to cheer and wave their best wishes.

 

As we got closer to Greenock the flotilla swelled further to several hundreds and included craft of every shape and size including speed boats, pleasure cruisers, yachts, jet skis and several Scottish Isles ferries specially chartered for the day.

On the banks of the Clyde every conceivable space was taken by rapturous admirers franticly waving and cheering. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7651286.stm for a video of her arriving in Greenock.

 

Finally at 12 noon as we approached her berth QE2 sounded her whistle and was answered by a cacophony of every conceivable pitch.

 

Such a special moment that sent many thousand shivers down the spines of all fortunate enough to be there, and which will always be remembered as one of those very special and unique Cunard moments.

 

After a resounding send off from Greenock with many thousands of QE2’s fans and admirers enjoying yet another spectacular firework we headed on our way towards Edinburgh and Newcastle which I will tell you more about in a few days time.  Also, thank you to Richard Curtis for supplying these pictures of QE2 on this wonderful voyage!

 

Warren