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Cunard's next superliner, the 85,000 ton Queen Victoria, will be named in Southampton after the port beat off a challenge from Liverpool to host the prestigious event next year.
It was, however, bitter-sweet news for Southampton as Cunard also officially confirmed previous reports, revealed by the Daily Echo, that the ship will not now be permanently based in the city, as first announced by the company, and instead will operate fly-cruises in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
The decision to hold the international ceremony in Southampton ends months of uncertainty in the port, during which time the shipping line examined the possibility of holding the event in Liverpool.
Queen Victoria, the second largest Cunarder ever built, will follow in the wake of Cunard's 151,400 ton transatlantic liner, Queen Mary 2, named here earlier this year.
"Peter Shanks, Cunard's European senior vice-president, said: "Now that a decision has been made about the venue for the naming ceremony, we can begin in earnest on planning the event.
"We acknowledge that the recent naming ceremony of Queen Mary 2 in Southampton, probably the most spectacular naming ceremony anywhere ever, will be difficult to beat but we certainly intend to try.
"Next year is going to be extremely busy for Southampton as far as Cunard is concerned, because on top of the Queen Victoria's inaugural events we have 22 calls by Queen Elizabeth 2 and 18 by Queen Mary 2, the largest passenger liner in the world.
"That means during next year more Cunard passengers will pass through Southampton than in any year since the 1960s. This is being seen as a huge boost for the local economy.
"In her first year of operation Queen Victoria will offer fly-cruises to the Mediterranean during the summer months, followed by exotic winter cruising in the Caribbean. Full itinerary details will be announced shortly.''
Cunard's decision to opt for Southampton as the venue for the ceremony strengthens even further the city's tight grip on the UK cruising industry and the dominance the docks have in this lucrative sector over other rival ports in the country.
In a few weeks time this year's hectic cruising season will get under way in Southampton with all three of the port's passenger terminals busy handling in excess of half a million passengers.
Altogether 210 separate cruise ship calls have been booked with Southampton Docks during 2004, more than all the other UK ports put together, and there are already indications that next year will see even greater numbers.
Delays in constructing a special liner berth in Liverpool will now result in Queen Victoria sailing up Southampton Water, rather than the Mersey, for the ceremony in April next year, the 165th anniversary of Cunard's formation.
Southampton is the most experienced port in the UK for staging these events, with six different vessels being named in the docks during the last 12 months alone, and plans are now well under way for another christening ceremony in May when Royal Caribbean International's next ship, Jewel of the Seas, enters service."Pam
Cunard will not be able to top the QM2 celebrations at Southampton, so they should not even try. A choice of a different port would automatically create a different feel to the occasion and would not automatically draw comparisons.
The locals in Southampton are probably starting to overdose on ship naming ceremonies.
I prefer Dover, myself!
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:I’m not really sure what the magnetism of the port of Southampton is? In many ways Liverpool has as much history to offer. Who knows, Paul McCartney may have been available to name the ship?Cunard will not be able to top the QM2 celebrations at Southampton, so they should not even try. A choice of a different port would automatically create a different feel to the occasion and would not automatically draw comparisons.The locals in Southampton are probably starting to overdose on ship naming ceremonies. I prefer Dover, myself!
It's closer to London than Liverpool.
quote: Southampton to Host Cruise Liner Naming CeremonyBy Peter Woodman, Travel Correspondent, PA NewsThe Scotsman, UKTue 16 Mar 20043:33pm (UK)The port of Southampton, which this year witnessed the naming, by theQueen, of the world’s biggest cruise liner, the Queen Mary 2, is tohost another gala opening, it was announced today.Cunard Line said it would be naming its 85,000-tonne cruise ship QueenVictoria, currently being built in Italy, in a ceremony in Southamptonin April next year.Peter Shanks, Cunard’s Europe senior vice president, said: “Now that adecision has been made about the venue for the naming ceremony, we canbegin in earnest on planning the event.“We acknowledge that the recent naming ceremony of Queen Mary 2 inSouthampton, probably the most spectacular naming ceremony anywhereever, will be difficult to beat – but we certainly intend to try.”After the 150,000 tonne QM2, the Queen Victoria will be the largestCunard vessel ever built.Features include a two-storey main dining room, 10 lounges including aforward-facing observation lounge and a large Golden Lion pub designedin the classic British tradition with a sports area, bar and patioarea.Fitness facilities will include a covered wraparound promenade deck,three swimming pools, and a large spa and fitness centre.Exterior glass-walled lifts will serve 10 of the 12 passenger decks.A wide range of accommodation will be available, with the ship havinglarge standard cabins as well as a large number of balcony cabinsIn her first year of operation Queen Victoria will offer fly-cruisesto the Mediterranean during the summer months, followed by wintercruising in the Caribbean. Full itinerary details will be announcedshortly.
The Scotsman, UKTue 16 Mar 20043:33pm (UK)
The port of Southampton, which this year witnessed the naming, by theQueen, of the world’s biggest cruise liner, the Queen Mary 2, is tohost another gala opening, it was announced today.
Cunard Line said it would be naming its 85,000-tonne cruise ship QueenVictoria, currently being built in Italy, in a ceremony in Southamptonin April next year.
Peter Shanks, Cunard’s Europe senior vice president, said: “Now that adecision has been made about the venue for the naming ceremony, we canbegin in earnest on planning the event.
“We acknowledge that the recent naming ceremony of Queen Mary 2 inSouthampton, probably the most spectacular naming ceremony anywhereever, will be difficult to beat – but we certainly intend to try.”
After the 150,000 tonne QM2, the Queen Victoria will be the largestCunard vessel ever built.
Features include a two-storey main dining room, 10 lounges including aforward-facing observation lounge and a large Golden Lion pub designedin the classic British tradition with a sports area, bar and patioarea.
Fitness facilities will include a covered wraparound promenade deck,three swimming pools, and a large spa and fitness centre.
Exterior glass-walled lifts will serve 10 of the 12 passenger decks.
A wide range of accommodation will be available, with the ship havinglarge standard cabins as well as a large number of balcony cabins
In her first year of operation Queen Victoria will offer fly-cruisesto the Mediterranean during the summer months, followed by wintercruising in the Caribbean. Full itinerary details will be announcedshortly.
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