Cunard Line has announced that the world’s most famous ship, its magnificent Queen Mary 2, will be based in Australia as part of her World Voyage in 2012 for a history-making circumnavigation which will see her visit five states and the Northern Territory.
Queen Mary 2’s “Royal Circumnavigation of Australia” is a first for Cunard.
The largest ship ever to visit Australia, Queen Mary 2 will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali.
Customers will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options – a 22-night voyage departing Sydney on February 14, 2012, a 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on February 8, 2012 and a 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on February 11, 2012.
In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits from the liner during her Australian season.
The Australian deployment will be the longest Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.
Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said Cunard had strong and proud links with Australia, going back many years.
“Recognising the strong growth of cruising in the Australian market and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to base the most famous ship in the world, Queen Mary 2, in Australia in 2012,” he said.
Shanks said he expected very strong demand for the voyage from Australian and international markets. It will also be an attractive option for those UK guests who want to go around the world and during the voyage take a few weeks out to visit friends and family in Australia. The voyage will go on sale at the same time as the 2012 World Voyage in the Summer.
I will be taking pre registrations for these Voyages so please let me know if you are interested.
