Cunard has announced an exciting new venture for its flagship, the Queen Mary 2, in 2017. The cruise line will offer three grand world cruises ranging from 108 to 188 days, covering over 37,000 nautical miles and visiting 40 ports across 23 countries. The itinerary includes stops at 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, nine new destinations, three overnight stays, and 11 late-evening departures.
Richard Meadows, Cunard’s president for North America, highlights that Cunard has been leading in world cruises since 1922, offering unique experiences whether exploring Asia or cruising the Amazon River. This new program caters to both seasoned world cruisers and those new to Cunard’s luxurious voyages.
The East-West voyage, starting on January 3, 2017, will depart from New York, travel to Southampton, and then head to South Africa and Australia. The Queen Mary 2 will visit 14 ports, including Sydney and Melbourne, and then continue to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Arabia, and Europe, passing through the Suez Canal before returning to Southampton and New York. Notable overnight stays include Cape Town, Singapore, and Dubai.
For the first time, the Queen Mary 2 will dock at several new locations: Le Port, Réunion; Kangaroo Island and Hobart in Australia; Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei; Keelung in Taiwan; Jeju Island and Busan in South Korea; and Busselton and Port Arthur in Australia.
Prices start at $18,300 for the 108-night Cape Town to New York voyage, $20,000 for the 118-night Southampton roundtrip, and $22,400 for the 132-night New York roundtrip.
The 2017 program will be the first Full World Voyage after a 25-day refurbishment at Blohm+Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. The Queen Mary 2 will feature new designs, including 15 Single Staterooms, 30 additional Britannia Club Balcony Staterooms, updated Grill Room décor, a new Corinthian Lounge for light meals, and expanded pet kennels. This refurbishment will also introduce the ship’s first-ever 132-night round trip from New York. For more information and bookings, visit Cunard’s website.