ON THE ROAD AGAIN A Luxury Ocean Liner For The 21st Century

Cunard's queen Mary 2 is the defining luxury ocean liner for the 21st century in every possible aspect. Having entered service in January 2004, she combines over 160 years of tradition with modern innovations hardly dreamed of only a few years ago. As the largest, longest, tallest, widest and grandest liner ever built, QM2, as she is affectionately called, carries 2,620 guests in degrees of comfort and style ranging from pampered elegance to almost unimaginable luxury.
What other ship in the history of ocean travel has offered the option of a 9,000-square-foot duplex living space with private elevators, butlers and staff? What other ship, since the heyday of the French Line a half-century or more ago, has offered the creative genius of not one, but two of the world's best-known chefs and a bar devoted to the finest champagne? Or the intellectual stimulation of one of the world's top universities and the excitement of Britain's most famous theatre school? And a planetarium with virtual reality rides through the galaxies, not to mention the exquisite pleasures of America's best-known spa?
With this incomparable pedigree, it is no wonder that QM2 is graced with grand spaces, including the largest ballroom at sea, domed salons, sweeping staircases and majestic promenades, or that there is one attentive staff member to serve every two passengers. Yet the ship is as daringly modern as it is appreciative of tradition, particularly in its functionality. Taking advantage of the very latest in technology and engineering, QM2 offers possibly the smoothest ride of any ship, with noise and vibration levels minimal even at her extraordinary speed. She is so versatile that she can dock with ease without the use of tugboats.
QM2's 14 passenger decks are packed with comforts, luxuries and a dazzling variety of things to do, entertainment to be enjoyed, luxury boutiques to shop in and places to eat in exceptional style. Staterooms include five duplex apartments - each with its own exercise area, balcony, marble bathrooms, private library and other impressive features - which can be combined together to form a grand, 9,000-square-foot suite unrivaled by any other ship afloat. There are also four Forward Suites, which also can be combined to create a 4,000-square-foot living space - 75 junior suites and a choice of stateroom configurations and sizes.
QM2 also embraces Cunard's lengthy tradition of serving the finest of shipboard cuisine and carries it significantly further. The &#8220hot” celebrity chef Todd English, has created his own 156-seat shipboard restaurant on the newest Queen featuring his Mediterranean cuisine. In addition to the two Grills and the elegant Britannia Restaurant, which can effortlessly seat 1,351 passengers, guests on QM2 may choose to dine at a choice of four venues in the innovative Kings Court or, for more casual fare, the golden Lion Pub and boardwalk Grill, and, for afternoon tea, the Winter Garden.
Complementing QM2's restaurants is an inspiring selection of bars and lounges. The Queens room, with its crystal chandeliers, is the largest ballroom at sea. The Royal Court Theatre hosts musicals and revues worthy of London's West end and Broadway. the Empire Casino and G32 nightclub offer equally exciting entertainment options. Jazz sets the tone for the Commodore Club, with its wrap-around panorama of ocean and moonlit sky while fine wines are the featured attraction at Sir Samuels. For the ultimate in sophistication and refinement, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar is a must. Fine Waterford Crystal and Wedgwood china add a further element of elegance to the ship's dining and entertainment experience.
QM2's offering of activities is as impressive as its options or accommodations, restaurants, bars and lounges. These include:
Canyon Ranch SpaClub, QM2's 20,000-square-foot health club, offering a full range of famous Canyon Ranch services, treatments and products. Considered the number one spa company in North America, this shipboard Canyon Ranch, a first for the company, features a thalassotherapy pool, gym, weight room, juice bar, saunas and whirlpools and services ranging from aromatherapy to therapeutic body cocoons.
Illuminations, a full-sized shipboard planetarium offering a variety of constellation shows and virtual reality rides through the heavens, which also serves as the ship's movie theatre and lecture hall.
 Oxford Discovery, an ambitious program of educational lectures, discussions, seminars and presentations by some of the world's best-known scholars, organized by the feted University of oxford in England.
Workshops, lessons and presentations by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), enabling passengers to not only watch the stars of tomorrow in person, but actually study the skills of acting with them.
Cunard ConneXionsTM, a complex of seven classrooms used for enrichment programs and the latest cyber-era equipment.
The Mayfair Shops, an on-board collection of fine boutiques and famous brand names, including Hermes, Chopard, Dunhill and Harrod's.
For more information of QM2, contact a professional travel agent, call Cunard toll-free at 1-800-7-CUNARD or visit the website www.cunard.com.