jimmy
11-22-2006, 06:42 AM
First QEII trip to Liverpool sold outNov 22 2006
By Sam Lister, Daily Post Staff
PASSENGERS hoping to stand on board the historic Queen Elizabeth 2 during the spectacular double celebration as it sails into Liverpool next year are in for a disappointment.
Every place on the 1,778 bed ship has already sold out - ten months ahead of the special cruise to mark its 40th birthday and the official opening of the city’s new landing stage.
But the stop-off is still expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the waterfront for a day long party, including a major firework display.
Last night Cunard spokesman Eric Flounders told the Daily Post: “The places went very rapidly.
“We are delighted because it reinforces our belief that the QE2 is held is extremely high regard.
Story continues
ADVERTISEMENT
“The Liverpool stop will be a big celebration and we are very much looking forward to it.
“It is unusual for a cruise to sell out quite so quickly but this is a very special event.”
Passengers phoning to book on to the eight day cruise, which starts at Southampton on September 15 next year, have been told their only option is to go on the waiting list in case of cancellations.
When the ship arrives at the landing stage on September 21 invited guests will be allowed on board for a party with the captain. But a day long celebration culminating in a firework display will be open to everyone.
The QE2 has great links with the city with around 1m people turning out to see it when it called at Liverpool for the first time in 1990.
It has always been considered one the most luxurious vessels and its name is one of the most known around the world.
It was quite a feat of engineering weighing at more than 70,300 tonnes and has sailed 5.5m nautical miles, which is more than any other ship, carrying 2.1m guests.
The uber-ship can also go faster backwards than most cruise ships can go forwards.
Crewed by a staff of 1,000, it has a top speed of 32.5 knots. It cost £29,091,000 to build but Cunard has since spent more than 15 times that amount in refitting.
Liverpool Culture Company announced earlier this week that it is searching for contractors to run the platform at the Pier Head.
The £19m development will allow the biggest and best cruise ships to berth in Liverpool. The 250m extension of the landing stage and the development of a link span bridge for vehicles will make it possible for Liverpool to be a major cruise destination.
More than 25 ships a year are expected to call at the city, bringing in around 100,000 extra visitors between its launch and 2010.
Keith Blundell, head of tourism at Liverpool Culture Company, said: “Because of the QE2’s historic connections with the city, staging a double celebration to mark its 40th birthday and the official opening of the landing stage seemed very appropriate.
“There will be an opening ceremony as well as a firework display.
“It’s no surprise the cruise has already sold out. Cunard has a very loyal market and the celebrations will make it extra special.
“There are more and more vessels coming to Britain and western Europe and we are already seeing a strong interest in 2008.”
By Sam Lister, Daily Post Staff
PASSENGERS hoping to stand on board the historic Queen Elizabeth 2 during the spectacular double celebration as it sails into Liverpool next year are in for a disappointment.
Every place on the 1,778 bed ship has already sold out - ten months ahead of the special cruise to mark its 40th birthday and the official opening of the city’s new landing stage.
But the stop-off is still expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the waterfront for a day long party, including a major firework display.
Last night Cunard spokesman Eric Flounders told the Daily Post: “The places went very rapidly.
“We are delighted because it reinforces our belief that the QE2 is held is extremely high regard.
Story continues
ADVERTISEMENT
“The Liverpool stop will be a big celebration and we are very much looking forward to it.
“It is unusual for a cruise to sell out quite so quickly but this is a very special event.”
Passengers phoning to book on to the eight day cruise, which starts at Southampton on September 15 next year, have been told their only option is to go on the waiting list in case of cancellations.
When the ship arrives at the landing stage on September 21 invited guests will be allowed on board for a party with the captain. But a day long celebration culminating in a firework display will be open to everyone.
The QE2 has great links with the city with around 1m people turning out to see it when it called at Liverpool for the first time in 1990.
It has always been considered one the most luxurious vessels and its name is one of the most known around the world.
It was quite a feat of engineering weighing at more than 70,300 tonnes and has sailed 5.5m nautical miles, which is more than any other ship, carrying 2.1m guests.
The uber-ship can also go faster backwards than most cruise ships can go forwards.
Crewed by a staff of 1,000, it has a top speed of 32.5 knots. It cost £29,091,000 to build but Cunard has since spent more than 15 times that amount in refitting.
Liverpool Culture Company announced earlier this week that it is searching for contractors to run the platform at the Pier Head.
The £19m development will allow the biggest and best cruise ships to berth in Liverpool. The 250m extension of the landing stage and the development of a link span bridge for vehicles will make it possible for Liverpool to be a major cruise destination.
More than 25 ships a year are expected to call at the city, bringing in around 100,000 extra visitors between its launch and 2010.
Keith Blundell, head of tourism at Liverpool Culture Company, said: “Because of the QE2’s historic connections with the city, staging a double celebration to mark its 40th birthday and the official opening of the landing stage seemed very appropriate.
“There will be an opening ceremony as well as a firework display.
“It’s no surprise the cruise has already sold out. Cunard has a very loyal market and the celebrations will make it extra special.
“There are more and more vessels coming to Britain and western Europe and we are already seeing a strong interest in 2008.”