Cunard Line will send all three ships on epic voyages in 2013

 

In a growing demand for longer cruises, Cunard says the 2,014-passenger Queen Victoria will set sail from New York on Jan. 10, 2013 on a 105-day trip around the world, while the 2,620-passenger Queen Mary 2 will sail a 106-day world cruise from Southampton, England.The 2,068-passenger Queen Elizabeth will spend three months traveling from Southampton to the South Pacific and back.

"At a time when some economies around the world are still finding it tough, we're seeing an increase in interest for longer voyages in the winter," Said Cunard Line president Peter Shanks.

Vacationers these days are seeing value in longer cruises as on a per day basis they end up being a relatively affordable way to get to some of the world's most far-flung destinations.

Customers can book a partial “segment” of Cunard’s longest world cruise; however the line is seeing strong demand for full sailings that last three months or more.

A lot of people are going right around the world, (and) they're booking these full world voyages far in advance.

The Queen Victoria's around-the-world sailing in 2013 will be a westbound trip that includes 34 stops in 23 countries. From New York, the ship will head to Fort Lauderdale before passing through the Panama Canal to San Francisco and then across the Pacific Ocean to the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and India. From India, the voyage continues into the Persian Gulf and through the Gulf of Aden and Suez Canal into the Mediterranean before ending in Southampton, England.

The Queen Mary 2's world cruise from Southampton will be a loop eastward to New Zealand and back that includes 34 stops in 18 countries. The ship will sail through the Mediterranean to the Suez Canal and Middle East before visiting India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Australia and New Zealand.

After a 12-day circling of New Zealand -- billed as a highlight of the trip -- the ship will head back westward to South Africa and up the west coast of Africa back to Southampton.

The Queen Elizabeth, will be visiting 22 ports in 11 countries in early 2013 as it sails a 91-day trip to the Americas and the South Pacific. The line is selling the trip to the North American market in segments that include a 36-day "Pearls of the Pacific" roundtrip sailing out of Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2013 with calls in Honolulu, Kahului and Hilo in Hawaii; Pago Pago and Apia in Somoa; Papeete and Bora Bora in French Polynesia; and Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand.

Fares for the world cruises on the Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 start at $19,995 per person, based on double occupancy. Customers who book before Feb. 29, 2012 also can save up to 10% off Early Book Fares and get an on-board credit of up to $3,000 per cabin. Cunard's World Club members will receive additional discounts.

Fares for the Queen Elizabeth's 36-day Pacific voyage start at $6,245 per person, based on double occupancy. Customers also can tack on a 15-day Panama Canal sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles and an 18-day Los Angeles to New York sailing on either end of the trip to create a 69-day trip.