Queen Mary 2 Makes a Big Splash
in Fort Lauderdale
The World’s Biggest Cruise Ship Enters
Service
By Phyllis Steinberg
The world’s biggest cruise ship made a big splash in
Fort Lauderdale recently. The $800 million 150,000 gross ton Queen Mary 2
arrived in her U.S. Winter home port in Port Everglades on Jan. 26 making
the last stop on her maiden Voyage from Southhampton, England.
Queen Mary 2 is the largest, longest, tallest, widest
and most expensive liner ever built. It is also the first transatlantic
liner to have been built since Cunard’s famous Queen Elizabeth 2 entered
service in May 1969.
I sailed on the Queen Elizabeth 2 many years ago and
enjoyed the Cunard brand of hospitality, service and fine dining. The Queen
Mary 2 hopes to expand on the services it offered on the QE2.
The
ship has some interesting innovations that have not been on previous Cunard
ships. Among them is the Canyon Ranch Spa Club, a 20,000 square foot spa
located on two decks and offering 51 Canyon Ranch personnel performing a
wide variety of services from massages to skin care.
Also
new on the Queen Mary 2 is ConneXions, a dedicated college at sea which
offers a program of education and dedicated courses on a variety of subjects
offered via the Oxford Discovery Program. There are also two computer
learning centers, a business center and a planetarium for passengers to
enjoy while sailing.
Shopaholics will enjoy 5,000 square feet of shops
including; Hermes, Dunhill and H. Stern.
Dining
options are plentiful. There is the Todd English dining for those who want a
change from their assigned restaurant. Todd English serves contemporary
Mediterranean cuisine. Reservations are required to dine but there is no
extra charge for dining in the restaurant. There are also small romantic
tables located in corners of the restaurant.
There
is also the Princess Grill where there is single seating dining for 178
guests. The Grill is reserved for those who occupy P grade staterooms on
board.
The
Britannia Restaurant is one of the most impressive spaces on board, seating
1, 347 guests in two sittings. The room is situated on two levels but
actually spans the space of three stories. There are sweeping central
staircases complemented by overhead lighting.
There
is also a delightful area where afternoon tea is served each day accompanied
by music and a singer.
The world’s largest luxury liner is here! It has 10
dining venues in all with the world’s first planetarium at sea, the largest
ballroom at sea, a two-story theater, a casino, five indoor and outdoor
swimming pools, hot tubs and children’s facilities.
Now, Cunard line officials hope the public will include
the Queen Mary 2 in their travel plans in the months ahead. The vessel will
sail 13 transatlantic crossings between England and New York, cruise the
Caribbean, do five European itineraries and two fall foliage cruises in the
year to come.
For more information about the Queen Mary 2, call
1-800-7-CUNARD.
TM
The
ship has some interesting innovations that have not been on previous Cunard
ships. Among them is the Canyon Ranch Spa Club, a 20,000 square foot spa
located on two decks and offering 51 Canyon Ranch personnel performing a
wide variety of services from massages to skin care.
Also
new on the Queen Mary 2 is ConneXions, a dedicated college at sea which
offers a program of education and dedicated courses on a variety of subjects
offered via the Oxford Discovery Program. There are also two computer
learning centers, a business center and a planetarium for passengers to
enjoy while sailing.
Dining
options are plentiful. There is the Todd English dining for those who want a
change from their assigned restaurant. Todd English serves contemporary
Mediterranean cuisine. Reservations are required to dine but there is no
extra charge for dining in the restaurant. There are also small romantic
tables located in corners of the restaurant.
There
is also the Princess Grill where there is single seating dining for 178
guests. The Grill is reserved for those who occupy P grade staterooms on
board.
The
Britannia Restaurant is one of the most impressive spaces on board, seating
1, 347 guests in two sittings. The room is situated on two levels but
actually spans the space of three stories. There are sweeping central
staircases complemented by overhead lighting. 
There
is also a delightful area where afternoon tea is served each day accompanied
by music and a singer.