QUEEN MARY 2 set to return to New York today

QUEEN MARY 2 set to return to New York today
After completing her maiden round the world cruise she berths in the Big Apple

Cunard's celebrated flagship Queen Mary 2 returns to New York today, April 10 after completing her maiden World Cruise and will be based in the Big Apple for the next 18 months, significantly expanding her New York service offering more signature Transatlantic Crossings, weekend getaways and Caribbean adventures.

In a move that underscores a continued commitment to New York and support of the arts, Cunard will host the The Britannia Ball, a gala fundraiser onboard Queen Mary 2 jointly benefiting the New York City Opera and Brooklyn Academy of Music, on Thursday, May 24. Guests who attend the gala and book the four-day Memorial Day Getaway to the Bahamas, departing the next afternoon, will be offered special "early embarkation" and invited to enjoy an extra night of classic ocean liner luxury by retiring to their stateroom after a glamorous evening of fine dining, dancing and entertainment.

"Queen Mary 2 is proud to call New York her North American home," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "With this expanded schedule of sailings, we're making it easier than ever to sail from New York to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Mediterranean and even Norway this year, without the burden of traveling to another city for departure."

Transatlantic Crossings
The only ship offering regularly scheduled Transatlantic service between New York and Southampton, Queen Mary 2 will offer 10 six-day eastbound crossings from New York, April through October 2007. In addition, the ship will offer two seven- and eight-day eastbound Transatlantic Crossings to Le Havre, France and Hamburg, Germany from New York this year. Fares start from $1,299.

Caribbean Adventures
Another addition to Queen Mary 2's 2007 itinerary is a collection of 10-day Connoisseur's Caribbean voyages, traveling roundtrip from New York, and two 13-day Panama and the Caribbean voyages. The Connoisseur's Caribbean itineraries include stops in classic Caribbean ports of call, including Road Town, Tortola; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Fares start from $1,249.

Queen Mary 2 offers her guests a very different way of seeing the Caribbean, underscored by the elegance and sophistication of this magnificent ocean liner and Cunard's maritime heritage. In addition, the ship's faster speed allows her to sail farther south than other ships out of New York, affording more Southern Caribbean port stops, such as Barbados, on ten-day voyages.

While soaking up the Caribbean sun they can still enjoy the classic Cunard white gloved service for traditional British afternoon tea, grand balls in the largest ballroom at sea, and truly experience the golden age of ocean travel.

In December, the ship's 14-day Caribbean Celebration takes passengers roundtrip from New York on an extended holiday journey to eight Caribbean ports of call. Fares start from $3,299.

Short Holiday Getaways
With fares starting from $749, the ship will also sail a series of three four-day Getaway voyages in 2007. Coinciding with popular long weekend holidays, two are roundtrip sailings from New York to sunny South Eleuthera, Bahamas, overlapping with Memorial Day 2007 and Fourth of July 2007. A Labor Day 2007 Holiday Getaway voyage travels to picturesque Halifax, Nova Scotia, roundtrip from New York, and in September, the ship's Splendours of the Fall itinerary takes autumn color-tour enthusiasts on a roundtrip journey from New York to five historic seaports: Newport, RI; Boston, MA; Bar Harbor, ME; Halifax, Nova Scotia and Quebec City, Quebec. Fares for the Splendours voyage start from $1,999.

A Trio of European Voyages
Interspersed in QM2's Transatlantic schedule are three European voyages departing roundtrip from New York. Two of the 12-day voyages focus on the Mediterranean, with port calls in such cities as Barcelona, Rome, Naples, Marseille and Lisbon. Departing in May and September, the Mediterranean Explorer and Mediterranean Medley, respectively, are priced from $3,829. In June, the 10-day Norwegian Odyssey traces a path through the magnificent fjords of Norway with stops in eight ports. This journey is priced from $2,609.