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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » contract completed for QUEEN MARY 2

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Topic: contract completed for QUEEN MARY 2

jake14
First Class Passenger
Member # 602

posted 11-06-2000 07:42 PM

FROM CUNARD'S SITE Alstom Chantiers de l'Atlantique Will Build World's Largest Liner for Cunard
LONDON- Cunard Line today announced that a contract has been signed with Alstom Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, to build the world's grandest and largest passenger vessel ever constructed, Queen Mary 2.
The 150,000-ton ocean liner, which is expected to enter service in late 2003, will be built at a cost of approximately $780 million (U.S). Queen Mary 2 will have a passenger capacity of 2,620 based on two guests per cabin and measure 1,132 feet in length and 237 feet in height from keel to funnel top, with beam of 135 feet, making it not only the longest but also the widest passenger ship in the world.
Nearly three-quarters of the ship's 1,310 staterooms will offer their own private balcony. A diesel and gas turbine power plant will produce 157,000 horsepower, enabling the ship to travel at speeds of nearly 30 knots or 35 miles per hour.
"From the time we first considered purchasing Cunard, our plans always included building a new liner," said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Cunard's parent company, Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL). Arison, who, ironically, immigrated to the United States in the 1950's aboard the Cunard liner Mauretania, also added, "Cunard's tremendous global brand equity was built by many famous liners and now will be carried on by Queen Mary 2."
Patrick Bossier, chairman and CEO of Alstom Chantiers de l'Atlantique, stated, "We are extremely pleased to have been selected for one of the most sought-after and highly anticipated shipbuilding contracts in modern-day cruising. Queen Mary 2 will be a piece of history and a work of art, and perhaps the world's most famous liner even before she sails."
Commenting on the Queen Mary 2's place in Cunard history, Larry Pimentel, Cunard president and CEO, said, "Cunard has been carrying people between Europe and America and around the world for more than 160 years. For the last six decades, there has always been a Cunard Queen on the sea. Queen Mary 2 will be the heir to all that has gone before and she will be a showcase of the art of shipbuilding in its most refined and masterful form. Queen Mary will carry the grace and elegance of a bygone era into the future."
Because the ship is a prototype of such unique design, contract negotiations were unusually detailed and extensive research was required, according to Pimentel. Teams of architects, engineers, designers and maritime experts, led by Carnival Corporation's shipbuilding unit in London, have been at work on the project for more than two years.
Design Highlights:
- At 1,132 feet, Queen Mary 2 will stretch nearly four football fields in length.
- She will feature 17 decks and tower 200 feet above the waterline, equal to the height of a 23-story building.
- Several dining venues, all featuring ocean views, include Cunard's traditional "Grill Rooms" for the higher stateroom categories and a restaurant for the deluxe and standard categories. Recalling the classic dining salons of grand liners of the past, the magnificent three-deck-high main dining room will span the full width of the ship with a sweeping central staircase creating a dramatic showcase for those wishing to make the ultimate grand entrance.
- Another classic feature will be a 360-degree Promenade Deck, recreating an environment which historically served as an important social venue aboard transatlantic liners. The spacious deck, whose total circumference exceeds one-third of a mile, will be lined with traditional steamer chairs while leaving expansive room for guests to stroll.
- Interior promenades circling several decks will provide attractive walking venues, as well.
- A large indoor swimming pool in the spa as well as four outside pools, one of which will have a retractable glass roof.
- A planetarium on board will offer a variety of constellation shows, as well as other presentations.
- A unique educational center will feature seven flexible classroom venues for housing Cunard's College At Sea enrichment programs. Classes in everything from computer training, seamanship and navigation to cooking, art and wine appreciation, languages and photography will be taught by expert instructors within the various rooms which are capable of being separated or joined to adjust for varying class sizes.
- The ship's whistle will be an exact replica of the one on the Queen Mary so that her famous predecessor's voice will once more be heard on the ocean.
- A luxurious space ratio of 57.25 allowing for a variety of public areas of grand scale and some truly magnificent living spaces.
- Four MerMaid ™ podded propulsion units, providing nimble maneuverability.
Accommodations
- Standard cabins measuring a comfortable 194 square feet, some with spacious eight-foot-deep balconies.
- Deluxe cabins featuring balconies and measuring 291 square feet.
- Seventy-eight suites including balconies which measure 388 square feet.
- Six penthouses at 570 square feet featuring butler and concierge service and private balconies.
- Four deluxe penthouses overlooking the bow measure between 861 and 1,076 square feet can be combined together and connected with two of the suites to create a single luxurious living area totalling more than 5,000 square feet with balcony and concierge service.
- Five duplex apartments which are two stories high and measure more than 1,650 square feet. Overlooking the stern, breathtaking sea views are provided via a two-story glass wall. Each apartment features its own gymnasium and balcony and butler and concierge service. For the ultimate in luxury, duplex apartments can be connected to a penthouse to create a stunning 2,220-square-foot living space, an accommodation choice simply unrivalled on any other passenger ship.
"There are a number of other very exciting concepts in entertainment, education and public areas, details of which will be revealed at a later date," said Pimentel. "However, it should be clear to all, including the hundreds of people who have already requested passage on the maiden voyage, that the Queen Mary 2 will be the greatest liner of the new century," he added.

[This message has been edited by jake14 (edited 11-06-2000).]

Posts: 136 | From: susanville ca us | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

pungpui
First Class Passenger
Member # 1218

posted 11-07-2000 03:51 AM

thats just simply charming

Posts: 419 | From: Sydney, NSW, Australia | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Terry
First Class Passenger
Member # 448

posted 11-10-2000 04:41 PM

No matter what yout reservations, it does seem that Larry and his boys are getting it right. After some of the Joe Farcus inspired inputs in the new Holland America ships I wondered. But so far, I can't find a thing to criticise on QM2.

Terry Donegan

Posts: 391 | From: Brandon, Norfolk, UK | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

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