Agents are being advised to book early for 2009 as Cunard’s fleet is reduced from three to two following the QE2’s departure this year and before Queen Elizabeth’s arrival in 2010.
President and managing director Carol Marlow said: “We were successful selling three cruiseships this year and early bookings dominated so the moral of the story is book early.”
Early booking savings of up to 45% are available, while single supplements for inside and outside staterooms have been reduced for 2009 as Queen Mary Two has no single cabins.
The cruiseline is charging 75% instead of its usual 100% single supplement costs and only 50% for some April and May cruises. “This recognises there are no longer single staterooms we had on QE2,” said Marlow.
Queen Mary 2 offers an extended season of 25 transatlantic crossings in 2009 and undertakes its maiden trip round the British Isles to mark its fifth anniversary.
Increasing demand for transatlantic trips to and from the US and stays in the US has resulted in the cruiseline offering more New York hotels, escorted tours and airport connections in the US.
Queen Victoria will operate a full season of summer and autumn cruises out of Southampton, taking on QE2’s former ex-UK cruises to the Mediterranean, Fjords and Atlantic Isles, as well as the Baltics.