Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 to Make San Francisco Maiden Call
World’s grandest ocean liner to sail beneath the majestic Golden Gate Bridge
VALENCIA, CA – January 4, 2007 - Queen Mary 2, the grandest ocean liner ever
built, will make maritime history when she makes her maiden call to San Francisco on
February 4-5, 2007. A rare overnight visit, Queen Mary 2’s arrival in the City by the Bay
is cause for celebration, as the iconic ship – which measures four times the height of
San Francisco’s famed Telegraph Hill and nearly 280 feet longer than the height of the
Transamerica Pyramid – will make this her only visit to the West Coast in 2007.
“When Queen Mary 2 visits a port for the first time, we are delighted that she is
welcomed in royal fashion with unprecedented fanfare,” said Carol Marlow, president
and managing director of Cunard Line. “In the midst of an extraordinary waterfront
renaissance, San Francisco is uniquely equipped to celebrate Queen Mary 2’s maiden
call and so we look forward to an enthusiastic welcome.”
Thousands of maritime enthusiasts and well-wishers are expected to view the ship
as she sails beneath the Golden Gate Bridge at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday,
February 4. Surrounded by a flotilla of ships, yachts and escorted by San Francisco fire
boats, Queen Mary 2 will circle the harbour before docking at Pier 27 at 8:00 p.m. On
Monday, February 5, local dignitaries will board the ship for a tour and luncheon prior to
the ship’s 8:00 p.m. departure.
The ship’s arrival can be seen from several excellent viewing locations, including:
o The Golden Gate Bridge - Vista points on both north and south sides of
bridge
o Pier 45 and Pier 39
o Fort Mason
o Aquatic Park
o Crissy Field
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Queen Mary 2’s San Francisco arrival marks the 26th day of her maiden Around
the World in 80 Days voyage. From San Francisco, she’ll sail a south-westerly course
toward the South Seas, Australia, China, India, Egypt and the Mediterranean.
As the defining luxury ocean liner for the 21st century, Queen Mary 2 entered
service in January 2004 as the largest liner ever built. She combines over 165 years of
tradition with modern innovations hardly dreamed of only a few years ago. She carries
2,592 guests in degrees of comfort and style ranging from pampered elegance to
almost unimaginable luxury and is best known for her signature 6-day Transatlantic
Crossings between New York and Southampton (UK) which she sails regularly from
April to October. In the fall she begins sailing her 10-day Connoisseur’s Caribbean
itineraries roundtrip from New York.
Queen Mary 2 is graced with grand spaces, including the largest ballroom at sea,
domed salons, sweeping staircases and majestic promenades, with one attentive White
Star ServiceSM staff member for every two passengers.
Yet the ship is as daringly modern as she is appreciative of tradition, particularly in
functionality. Taking advantage of the very latest in technology and engineering, Queen
Mary 2 offers possibly the smoothest ride of any ship, with noise and vibration levels
minimal even at her extraordinary speed.
The ship also embraces Cunard’s lengthy tradition of serving the finest of shipboard
cuisine prepared by world-class chefs and carries it significantly further. Celebrity chef
Todd English has created his own 156-seat shipboard restaurant featuring his
Mediterranean cuisine.
In addition to the Queens Grill, Princess Grill and the two-story Britannia
Restaurant, which can effortlessly seat 1,351 passengers, guests may choose to dine at
a choice of four venues in the innovative Kings Court or, for more casual fare, the
Golden Lion Pub or Boardwalk Cafe, and, for afternoon tea, the Queens Room.
Complementing her restaurants is an inspiring selection of bars and lounges. The
Queens Room, with its crystal chandeliers, is the largest ballroom at sea. The Royal
Court Theatre hosts musicals and revues worthy of London’s West End and Broadway.
The Empire Casino and G32 nightclub offer equally exciting entertainment options.
Jazz sets the tone for the Commodore Club, with its wrap-around panorama of ocean
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and moonlit sky while fine wines are the featured attraction at Sir Samuels. For the
ultimate in sophistication and refinement, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar is a must
for toasting great travel adventures. Fine Waterford Crystal and Wedgwood china add a
further element of elegance to the ship’s dining and entertainment experience.
Queen Mary 2’s offering of activities is as impressive as its options for
accommodations, restaurants, bars and lounges. These include:
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Canyon Ranch SpaClub, QM2’s 20,000-square foot health & wellnes club,
offering a full range of famous Canyon Ranch services, treatments and products.
Considered the number one spa company in North America, this shipboard
Canyon Ranch, a first for the company, features an Aqua Therapy Centre,
weight room, juice bar, saunas and whirlpools and services ranging from
aromatherapy to therapeutic body cocoons.
Illuminations, the only planetarium at sea, offers a variety of constellation shows
narrated by Hollywood celebrities and virtual reality rides through the heavens,
which also serves as the ship’s movie theatre and lecture hall.
Workshops, lessons and presentations by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
(RADA), enabling guests to not only watch the stars of tomorrow in person, but
also to actually study the skills of acting with them.
Cunard ConneXions™, a complex of seven classrooms used for enrichment
programmes and the latest cyber-era equipment.
The Mayfair Shops, an on-board collection of fine boutiques and famous brand
names, including Hermes, Chopard, and Harrod’s.
Continuing Cunard’s illustrious history of hosting society luminaries, famed
entertainers and royalty, since Queen Mary 2’s debut she has played host to such
notable guests as John Cleese, Rod Stewart, Uma Thurman, Angela Bassett &
Courtney Vance and Dame Shirley Bassey, while eminent visitors have included Her
Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Her Royal Highness
Princess Michael of Kent, former President George Bush, New York Mayor Michael
Bloomberg and Senator Hillary Clinton.
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About Cunard Line
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2 and QE2, has long been
synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement
since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in
1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travelers who relish the Cunard
hallmarks of impeccable White Star ServiceSM, fine dining, sophisticated adventure, the
legacy of historic voyages and transatlantic travel. Queen Victoria joins the fleet in
December 2007.
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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 and brand graphics are always available online at
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For more information, contact:
Jackie Matthews, Cunard Line, 661.753.1035, jmatthews@cunard.com
Maria Andriano, Redpoint Marketing PR, 212.229.0119, andriano@redpointpr.com
Brian O’Connor, Cunard Line, 661.753.1060, boconnor@cunard.com
Cindy Adams, Redpoint Marketing PR, 212.229.0119, adams@redpointpr.com