Cunard Line Insights Program

Politicians, entertainers, best-selling authors, a CNN correspondent turned novelist, and a revered astronaut are among the eclectic variety of speakers in the award-winning Cunard guest enrichment program.



Guests are able to learn more about politics, entertainment, literature, science and history through renowned speakers from former vice president and editor-in-chief of Daily Variety Peter Bart, legendary British crime novelists P.D. James and Baroness Ruth Rendell CBE, to The Byrds musician Roger McGuinn and debut novelist Kitty Pilgrim, a former CNN correspondent turned novelist who features Cunard’s Queen Victoria in her debut thriller.

“This year’s speaker line-up certainly will appeal to a broad range of interests, giving guests a chance to update on favorite subjects as well as learn about something new,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “”

Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, 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. 

Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.

For full details of the Cunard Line Insights Program visit the Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine news item at 

http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-news-cunard-line-guest-speakers-0515.html

For more information about Cunard Line Insights Program, please visit http://www.cunard.com/

For a brief over view of Cunard Line take a look at the Prow’s Edge Cruise Line Magazine profile of Cunard Line


SeaDream Arrives in London

The afternoon of Saturday May 7, 2011 saw the stylish, 112-guest mega yacht SeaDream I arrive in London for the very first time, mooring alongside the HMS Belfast at Tower Bridge.

For two days – Sunday, May 8 and Monday, May 9 - SeaDream Yacht Club showcased SeaDream I to over 400 UK travel industry professionals and the media, with a series of exclusive invitational events. 



Says SeaDream’s President, Bob Lepisto: “Bringing SeaDream I to the UK was a long-held dream of both mine and the Owner/Chairman, Atle Brynestad… and to bring her to the pool of London over such a sunny weekend has been an absolute delight. Her arrival and departure were also greeted with much enthusiasm by crowds of well-wishers and tourists who crammed the towpaths and piazzas around the Tower of London and St Katherine’s Dock, making our visit all the more special.”

Together with sister vessel SeaDream II, SeaDream I is rated the ‘World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line’ (source: the Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2003-2011). Each vessel has just 56 staterooms, a crew of 95 and the two yachts are the only locations at sea to be certified members of the Thai Spa Association; and to have outside open-seating a la carte restaurants able to accommodate every guest, not just a privileged few.

Voyage-only fares are inclusive of open bar, complimentary champagne, wines with lunch and dinner, use of recreational and water sports equipment (subject to local conditions) and gratuities. For more information, contact 800-707-4911 or info@SeaDream.com or click here for an overview of SeaDream Yacht Club Cruises from Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine.

Entertainment with Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, announced an expanded line-up of renowned artists, lecturers, and entertainers for its 2011-2012 sailings. The impressive roster of onboard presenters as well as exclusive excursions and exhibits provides guests of The Gauguin educational experiences to enhance their appreciation for the natural and cultural history of French Polynesia.

As part of the authentic Polynesian experience aboard The Gauguin, guests are invited to sample the local cuisine and watch electrifying Polynesian performances, or choose to indulge in traditional Tahitian spa treatments and experience the beauty of French Polynesia through an array of optional shore excursions. To further enrich the onboard experience, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers lectures by special guests in art, history, ecology, and Polynesian culture. Lecture topics include the history of the South Pacific, the conservation of coral reefs and marine creatures, astronomy, island formation, black pearl farming, and much more, and, in addition, respected Polynesian artists offer regular exhibits of paintings and photography. Celebrated guests include:

· Bobbie Verdegaal: The Gauguin’s onboard naturalist, Verdegaal is a trained marine biologist and environmental educator with extensive experience in the waters of French Polynesia. With her wealth of knowledge and engaging manner, she is well equipped to teach and discuss a wide range of topics associated with the marine environment of the beautiful South Pacific.
· Mark Eddowes: Eddowes is an acknowledged authority and researcher in the field of Polynesian anthropology. Almost every voyage offers entertaining and enlightening lectures by this renowned archaeologist and scholar—and gifted raconteur.
· Cécile Gaspar: President of Te Mana O Te Moana, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation, education, and research, Gaspar will enlighten guests on the organization’s efforts to rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles and return them to the deep.
· Gotz Donaghy Philippe: Appearing on the July 9, 2011 sailing, painter and artist Gotz Donaghy Philippe uses his in-depth knowledge of Polynesian life to pen a humorous comic strip. Donaghy is also an expert on the Polynesian art of tattooing, having written several books on the subject. Guests will gain a unique perspective of French Polynesia through his artwork.
· Jean-Pierre Vigato: Parisian Celebrity Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato - owner and Chef Propriétaire of the two-star Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius in Paris - will join guests aboard the July 30, 2011, culinary sailing, where he will personally prepare gourmet dishes and offer demonstrations of his culinary techniques.
· Devlin, The Matador of Magic: A professional magician for more than 30 years, Devlin brings a Latin flair to his style of magic, which has earned him the sobriquet "Matador of Magic!" The recipient of the Society of American Magicians’ highest honor, Magician of the Year, he has appeared (and disappeared!) on stages around the world—including select sailings aboard The Gauguin.

For more information about these and other special guests, please visit http://www.pgcruises.com/onboard/special-guests.aspx.

For a brief over view of Paul Gauguin Cruises take a look at the PROW'S EDGE CRUISE LINE PROFILE OF PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES

All About Tahiti

Just in time for summer vacation planning, Paul Gauguin Cruises launches a new online experience, taking you on a journey through the exotic paradise of Tahiti. MeetMeInTahiti.com is a unique interactive site that asks you how you would spend five minutes exploring Tahiti.

MeetMeinTahiti.com allows you to “get away” to Tahiti with your Facebook friends. Check in to Tahiti on Facebook places and select three lucky friends to come along with you on a “Choose Your Own Adventure” through Tahiti’s best activities.

Enjoy videos of just some of the exciting excursions Tahiti has to offer, from swimming with stingrays in the morning, heading on a jeep safari in the afternoon and sipping cocktails with your favorite friends after the sun goes down. You can even take home (via email, Twitter or Facebook) postcards of you and your friends to share.

Paul Gauguin was inspired by them, Rogers & Hammerstein immortalized them in song, and James Mitchener wrote, “Anyone who has ever been there wants to go back.” I hope you’ll take five minutes to Meet Me in Tahiti, where luxury and chic adventures abound.

For an overview of Paul Gauguin Cruises, take a look at the PROW'S EDGE CRUISE MAGAZINE CRUISE LINE PROFILE FOR PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES

New Commodore of the Cunard Line fleet

Captain Christopher Rynd has been appointed Commodore of the Cunard Line fleet – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – the youngest fleet in the industry and The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World. Captain Rynd assumes the title held by Commodore Bernard Warner who retired from the company on 19 April 2011.

Captain Rynd joined Cunard in 2005 when he took command of Queen Elizabeth 2. While on QE2, he came to appreciate Cunard’s distinctive product and traditions. Since then, he has commanded both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. He took Queen Mary 2 on her Maiden World Voyage and attended the Queen Victoria during her construction and sea trials and later proudly served as her master.

“I am delighted with the appointment of Captain Rynd as Commodore of Cunard Line and am sure that many of our regular guests will be as pleased as I and will join me in congratulating him on this notable achievement,” Shanks said.

Captain Rynd was born in New Zealand and grew up in Singapore, Sri Lanka, and in the islands of Fiji and Samoa of the tropical South Pacific. He began his sea career in 1970 at the age of 17 in New Zealand. The influence of his father and upbringing helped in this choice.

After completing his cadetship, Captain Rynd joined his first passenger liner, P&O’s Oronsay. His early sea days were in P&O vessels on routes between Australia and the UK, which also included cruising. Since then, most of his career has been in passenger cruise ships on worldwide itineraries. Additionally, he expanded his experience with eight years as a reserve officer in the British Royal Navy. He gained his qualification as Master in London in 1979. During his time with P&O and Princess Cruises, he commanded Royal Princess, Regal Princess, the first and second Pacific Princess, Pacific Sky and Sapphire Princess.

In 2008, Captain Rynd was elected a Fellow of the Nautical Institute, the international professional body for maritime professionals, and he took time out in 2009 / 2010 to work as a coach under the auspices of the Company’s training facility, ‘CSmart,’ in the Netherlands. This was an opportunity to travel in ships across the corporate fleets and be involved in the introduction of new procedures that enhance the safe operations in navigating ships.

Captain Rynd and his Australian wife Julie have three children who are now young adults, which allows Julie to accompany her husband at sea most of the time. When not at sea, they spend time in both Britain and Australia but visit New Zealand each year to hike and fish trout.

For more information about Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, and to book a voyage, consult your travel professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD (1-800-728-6273) or go to www.cunard.com.

Click here for or an overview of Cunard Line

Holland America Line announced today that it has selected Maria Henderson’s essay as winner of the contest held to commemorate the line’s 40th anniversary of its transition from offering scheduled trans-Atlantic crossings to becoming entirely dedicated to pleasure cruising. A panel of judges chose the winning essay from more than 400 entries.

For her literary winning story, Henderson will receive a cruise for two on ms Rotterdam’s July 12, 2011, celebratory trans-Atlantic voyage from New York to Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The “Your Trans-Atlantic Story” contest focused on classic Holland America Line crossing experiences during the line’s nearly 140-year history, whether told firsthand or through a family member or friend.

Henderson’s essay told the story of her family’s crossing from Rotterdam to New York City in 1956 aboard ss Groote Beer, a Holland America Line ship at the time. She, her four sisters and her parents made the journey to America to fulfill her father’s desire to become a U.S. citizen after being liberated from Buchenwald concentration camp in 1945. Throughout the years Henderson and her family continued to take Holland America Line cruises, including one in December 2010 where she met two American men who served in Gen. George S. Patton’s army that liberated her father in 1945. Making the tale even more incredible was that she also met a fellow guest who, she discovered after a chance encounter in the dining room, was on the same trans-Atlantic crossing aboard ss Groote Beer in 1956.

Upon hearing that her essay had won, Henderson said the news was yet another emotional twist of fate in her relationship with Holland America Line.

"It was on April 13, exactly 55 years ago, that my family and I sailed past the Statue of Liberty and into our American life,” she recalled. “I am excited to cruise back, hopefully with my siblings, to greet our cousins in Holland that as children waved good-bye to us from the banks of Rotterdam's River Maas those many years ago. I feel I have come full circle, this is a dream come true!" added Henderson.

For more information and cruise fares, contact a professional travel seller, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

For a brief overview of Holland America Line visit PROW'S EDGE CRUISE LINES - HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

2 Cunard Queens in Dubai

The Grand Celebration continues as Queen Elizabeth, Cunard Line’s newest ship, made a very special maiden call to Dubai on 31 March during her Maiden World Voyage, meeting Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), the longest-serving Cunarder, for the first time.

Upon her arrival in Dubai for an overnight visit, Queen Elizabeth exchanged whistle salutes with QE2, which left the Cunard fleet in 2008 after more than 40 years in service, to take up permanent residence in Dubai.

The new Queen Elizabeth is on the final leg of her first circumnavigation around the globe – the Middle East & Mediterranean Memories segment with remaining ports of call to Aqaba, Jordan; Suez and Port Said, Egypt; Athens; Rome; and Lisbon before returning to her homeport of Southampton on 19 April.

For more information about Cunard visit the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine Profile for Cunard or for information about Queen Elizabeth and to book a voyage, contact your travel agent, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD, or visit www.cunard.com

Oceania Cruises New Marina

Oceania Cruises’ new flagship, Marina, arrived in Manhattan for the first time on Saturday, April 2, 2011. New York City is the last port of call in the U.S. before Marina crosses the Atlantic for a summer season cruising the Mediterranean and Baltic seas.

The new ship is not just the first cruise ship tailored for epicureans with 10 dining venues, but also the first to embrace a residential aesthetic in its design. Partners in the new design include:

• Ralph Lauren Home, which furnished the Owner’s Suites designed by S.B. Long Interiors
• Dakota Jackson, designer of Oceania and Vista suites
• Kravet and Lee Jofa supplied the luxurious residential fabrics which adorn Marina’s furniture
• Wine Spectator magazine, designer of the wine-tasting room La Reserve
• Lalique, the French glass artisans who crafted the grand staircase and atrium chandelier
• Bon Appétit magazine, designer and host of the only true cooking school at sea
• Chef Jacques Pépin, Oceania Cruises’ culinary director and the namesake of his first-ever restaurant
• Canyon Ranch, the leader in health and wellness resorts, presents their full-service fitness facility and spa

To learn more about Marina, contact a travel professional, visit OceaniaCruises.com or call toll-free at 800-531-5658.

For an overview of Oceania Cruises take a look at the Oceania Cruises Profile at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine