QM2 adds Cherbourg, QE2 sets maiden calls in 2008

**Ally** · 03-16-2007, 05:51 AM

In 2008, Queen Mary 2 will offer an expanded trans-Atlantic season with new calls to and from France, and Queen Elizabeth 2 will feature four maiden calls on European itineraries.

Voyages open for sale to past customers on April 1 and to the general public on April 2. The 2008 brochure will be available in mid-April.

The year will start with the Jan. 13 meeting of all three Cunard Queens – including the new Queen Victoria – in New York Harbor, marking the first time in Cunard’s 168-year history that three Queens have been in service simultaneously.

Queen Mary 2 increases the number of crossings between Southampton and New York to 24 and builds on the popularity of its 2006 voyages to and from Hamburg with the continuation of four such sailings. New for next year are a pair of trans-Atlantics to/from Cherbourg, France, one of which departs July 15, the day after Bastille Day.

In addition to the crossings, QM2 offers five 10-day ‘Southern Caribbean Calypso’ voyages roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, explores the Mediterranean on two 12-day cruises, offers three holiday getaways from New York and travels up the Eastern Seaboard to Canada/New England. The 2008 program culminates with a 14-day ‘Caribbean Celebration’ for Christmas/New Year's.

The well-traveled QE2 still has new destinations to visit: Cephalonia in Greece (May 11), Split in Croatia (May 14), Propriano in Corsica (July 24) and Grandafjordur in Iceland (Aug. 4). The liner’s 17-voyage program includes half a dozen diverse Mediterranean sailings, as well as voyages to the Canary Islands, Norway, Iceland and North America. All sail roundtrip from Southampton.