Australia to Become Queen Mary 2’s

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Cunard Line has announced that the world’s most famous ship, its magnificent Queen Mary 2, will be based in Australia in 2012 for a history-making circumnavigation which will see her visit five states and the Northern Territory.

The “Royal Circumnavigation of Australia” is a first for Cunard and will generate an economic windfall around the country.

The largest ship ever to visit Australia, she will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane.  Her circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali.  

Australians will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options – a 22-night voyage departing Sydney on February 14, 2012, a 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on February 8, 2012 and a 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on February 11, 2012. 

In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country.  As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits from the liner during her Australian season.

The Australian deployment will be the longest she has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York. 

Speaking onboard the liner during her visit to Sydney, Ann Sherry, Chief Executive of Carnival Australia which represents Cunard Line in Australia, said the decision was a sign of confidence in the Australian cruise market.

“This one decision will generate at least $10 million for the Australian economy as the local cruise industry remains on track to contribute more than $3 billion and carry one million Australians annually by 2020,” Ms Sherry said.

 Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said Cunard had strong and proud links with Australia, going back many years.

“Recognising the strong growth of cruising in the Australian market and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to base the most famous ship in the world, Queen Mary 2, in Australia in 2012,” he said.

The Royal Circumnavigation will not go on sale until mid 2010 to allow the final itinerary details to be finalised with the various port authorities around the country.

However, Cunard will be taking expressions of interest from this Friday, March 12, 2010 from travellers interested in sailing on Queen Mary 2 from Sydney, Fremantle or Adelaide before deciding the voyage’s sectors.*  Expressions of interest should be logged at www.queenmary2.com.au/register

Australian travellers will also be able to join Queen Mary 2 as she sails to Australia from Cape Town, and as she departs Sydney on March 7, 2012, bound for Singapore.

*Itinerary is based on preliminary plans and subject to change before its sale date.