A Royal Rendezvous(TM) in Ft. Lauderdale: Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 Set Sail for Simultaneous World Cruises on January 10

A Royal Rendezvous(TM) in Ft. Lauderdale: Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 Set Sail for Simultaneous World Cruises on January 10

VALENCIA, Calif. -- On January 10, 2007, maritime and Cunard ocean liner enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to see the line's legendary liners -- Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 -- set sail on simultaneous, but different, World Cruises. A "Royal Rendezvous" of the world's most famous ocean liners, the two iconic ships will depart Port Everglades, Fla. on southward journeys; Queen Mary 2 on her first-ever World Cruise -- an 81-day circumnavigation of the globe -- and Queen Elizabeth 2 on her "Silver Jubilee World Cruise" -- an exotic 108-day voyage marking her 25th around the world.

Views of the historic event are available from several vantage points, including the 17th Street Causeway Bridge. At 5 p.m., viewers can also watch the ships sail together from Fort Lauderdale Beach, at either the pier or beach at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park.

"The start of any Cunard World Cruise is cause for celebration so we are doubly excited about this first-ever simultaneous departure from Ft. Lauderdale," said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line. "Watching these celebrated ships as they set sail on such extraordinary journeys is a thrilling experience, even for a veteran cruiser."

The World Cruises are just a part of the ships' compelling 2007 itineraries. In the coming year, the flagship Queen Mary 2 will offer an expanded season of transatlantic travel, as well as introduce a series of 10-day "Connoisseur's Caribbean" voyages and series of four-day "Getaway" sailings. Out of her homeport of Southampton, Queen Elizabeth 2 will depart for a range of magical European voyages, with the highlight being her "40th Anniversary Celebration" Voyage, visiting Newcastle, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Greenock, where she was named by Her Majesty the Queen, 40 years ago to the day. The year concludes with the highly anticipated maiden voyages of the new Queen Victoria, which will mark the first time in Cunard's 167-year history that three Cunard Queens will be in service simultaneously.

Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2 and QE2, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British finesse since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, the Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travelers who relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service(SM), fine dining, sophisticated adventure and the legacy of historic voyages and transatlantic travel.

Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world since 1840. Cunard vessels have a classic British heritage and include the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. Queen Victoria joins the fleet in 2007.

Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together they offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

Source: Cunard Line