Cunard is stepping back to the 1930s with the launch of new ship Queen Elizabeth in October 2010.
The vessel, named after Cunard’s original Queen Elizabeth, launched in 1938, will feature art-deco “flourishes” and swing dance classes reminiscent of that era as well as modern touches such as a spa and high proportion of balcony staterooms.
Cunard president and managing director Carol Marlow said the public rooms and décor will pay tribute to the 1930s (more details below Queen Elizabeth images).
Photos: Queen Elizabeth artist’s impressions
The Midships Bar is named after the same room on the original Queen Elizabeth and will feature artwork from the 1930s. The ballroom will be decorated in a regal blue similar to that used on the lounges of the original ship.
She said: “This will appeal to people looking for tradition in a modern 21st-century ship.”
Queen Elizabeth, which is the same length as 36 London buses and holds 2,092 passengers, goes on sale around the world at 1.30pm British Summer Time on April 2. There’s a preview booking day for past Cunard passengers on April 1.
The ship’s maiden voyage is a 13-night cruise to the Canary Islands departing October 12 2010. Prices start from £1,489 per person. The ship stays in the Mediterranean until December 22, when it sets off for a 22-night Christmas cruise to the Caribbean. Prices for that cruise start from £2,999 per person.
Marlow said a dedicated Queen Elizabeth brochure and point-of-sale materials are being sent out to agents and there is a new training module focusing on the ship on the Waves of Wisdom website.
She said: “Agents are taking advance registrations and we believe there is a lot of interest. We hope bookings will be on a par or better than for Queen Victoria.”