quote:

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QM2 charts historic Cape Horn passage
12/11/2004
Cunard Line’s 2006 winter cruise programme features two coast-to-coast liner voyages by Queen Mary 2 that will virtually circumnavigate South America. The new itineraries offer a number of maiden calls including a visit to Los Angeles.
The 38-day ‘South America Odyssey’ takes passengers around Cape Horn via the Drake Passage, Beagle Channel and the Straits of Magellan. QM2 will become the largest passenger vessel ever to navigate those waters. Prices start from $8,499 per person, double occupancy.

From January through April 2006, QM2 will offer a range of itineraries, including the liner voyages which are also available in segments ranging from three to 14 days. ‘Panama & the Caribbean’ operates roundtrip from New York, two cruises sail between New York and Rio de Janeiro and two between Rio and Valparaiso. All are 12 days each. Also scheduled are two sailings between Valparaiso and Los Angeles (14 days each), a three-night voyage to Ensenada roundtrip from Los Angeles and an 11-day cruise to Hawaii roundtrip from Los Angeles.

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However, it was only published Friday (Nov 12) on the Cunard web site.

Brian

[ 11-19-2004: Message edited by: Brian_O ]

The "West Indies" are, of course East of the US. But they are West of the British Isles, ergo "The West Indies." The "Middle East" is a geographic draw, but "Southeast Asia," is definitely more West of North America, than East. And Indonesia used to be "The Dutch East Indies." QED="Go figure,"

A geographer once proposed that the area be called "Southwest Asia," or "Swasia" for short. He got nowhere.

I like the French term: "L'extreme Orient." It can get pretty extreme out there at times. But "Orient" is East, of course.

Eurocentric as hell.

And, much closer to home, the Atlantic Beaches of the Delmarva Penninsula, on which I live, are still called "The Eastern Shore," by local TV pundits. No, dammit, I live on the Eastern Shore of The Chesapeake Bay.

So, it can be sometimes more Americocentric, than Eurocentric ;-)

QM2 is a british flagged ship, and I think Cunard is still nominally a british firm, so in their publications they use a (rather old fashioned) name for the Caribean, which is "English". But if you want to sound "typically Olde English" 't has to be right !

I thought after the demise of the West Indies Federation, the name was only used any more in Cricket.
You can't use anymore really "East Indies" for Indonesia, except, perhaps in historical works, to place this region not only in geografical but also chronological/historic terms.

I thought the same about "West Indies", but apparently not.

The East Indies and West Indies are named for the hemispheres in which they are located (not their positions relative to the USA. ) Of course the definitions of the hemispheres are Eurocentric but internationally accepted.

Johan:

The name West Indies refers to the islands and the name Caribbean refers to the sea. The name West Indies was in use long before the formation of the Federation to which you refer. As for the so-called West Indies cricket team, it is a mere shadow of its former self and loses a lot more often than it wins nowadays. Even the great Garry Sobers (the best all round cricketer who ever played the game) will have trouble putting that shop back in order, assuming that the PTB that recently hired him as a consultant even listen to his advice.

BTF:

It's not even clear that QM2 will actually round Cape Horn at all. QM2 does not need to go anywhere near the actual Cape to call at the ports listed. OTOH, she does have to go at least part way through the Straits of Magellan to call at Punta Arenas. Cunard seems to be using the term Cape Horn as a generic term in the same way that the name Cape of Good Hope is used for voyages from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans.

Brian

[ 11-22-2004: Message edited by: Brian_O ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian_O:

It's not even clear that QM2 will actually round Cape Horn at all. QM2 does not need to go anywhere near the actual Cape to call at the ports listed. OTOH, she does have to go at least part way through the Straits of Magellan to call at Punta Arenas. Cunard seems to be using the term Cape Horn as a generic term in the same way that the name Cape of Good Hope is used for voyages from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans.

Brian

[ 11-22-2004: Message edited by: Brian_O ]

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Highlighting the new programme is a Liner Voyage in the grand Cunard tradition. The 38-day “South America Odyssey” lets passengers round Cape Horn via the Drake Passage, Beagle Channel and the Straits of Magellan. When Queen Mary 2 embarks on her journey, she will be the largest passenger vessel to ever navigate those storied waters.

“Cape Horn & Chilean Fjords” is a 12-day navigation of Patagonia. The Rio to Valparaiso (Santiago) voyage – departing January 27, 2006 – visits Montevideo, Uruguay; Ushuaia, Argentina; and Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt in Chile. The reverse itinerary departs March 22, 2006.

[ 11-22-2004: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

Your post does not clear up the matter. As I said above, Cunard seems to be using the term "Cape Horn" generically rather than in its true geographic sense. Perhaps they will show the actual route in the brochures.

Brian

[ 11-22-2004: Message edited by: Brian_O ]