The latest Queen Elizabeth, the third Cunard ship to bear the name, going back to 1938, was launched by its namesake, Queen Elizabeth II in October 11, 2009 in Southampton, England. The $634 million ship, built in the Fincanteri Shipyards of Venice, weighs in at 92,000 tons and is the third new vessel to be launched by Cunard in a decade. With a length of 964.5 feet and a beam of106 feet, she is a sister ship to the Queen Victoria. Due to a slightly different configuration at the aft, the Queen Elizabeth will be slightly larger and, therefore, the second largest Cunarder ever built (after the QM2). She will carry a maximum of 2,092 passengers.
The interior design is very similar to that of the Queen Victoria – mainly art deco touches – though the colorways are different. The layout of the decks is basically the same with the exception of the addition of the Yacht Club and the Garden Lounge, favorites on the QE2, and the Verandah Restaurant of original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth fame, which replaces Todd English. Stay tuned for more descriptions.
Itinerary: New York; Fort Lauderdale; Curacao; Limon, Costa Rica; Panama Canal transit; Acapulco; Cabo San Lucas; Los Angeles. And 9 days at sea!
I am getting ready for this new adventure. The suitcases are out...but that is as far as I've got with the packing. Well, you know me. And, no, there will be no last-minute light-bulb changing!!! I am going to start the blog when I leave for New York on January 12th, the day before sailing. There will be parties that day! And this just in.....................
On Thursday, 13 January 2011, Cunard Line's three luxury cruise ships flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the new Queen Elizabeth will meet together in New York Harbour for a true grand celebration, a Cunard Royal Rendezvous. The youngest fleet at sea is scheduled to depart at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time; Queen Mary 2 will depart from her home port, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, while Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth will depart from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal Pier 90 and Pier 88, respectively. All three Queens will rendezvous at the Statue of Liberty for a spectacular Grucci fireworks celebration at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Have a great trip, Elaine! You are really lucky to have a three Queens meet-up again in New York. We will be thinking of you! Love, Jeanne
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