World Voyages 2014

[capnpugwash]

Do the world voyages always start on January 10 (I know they did this year and will next year)?

 

No that is just coincidental. They do usually start within the first 14 days of the year though.:)

[Louise D]

Yes, I know that. I took it to Cape Town this year. In 2013 it is going through the Suez canal. In the past it has also gone round Cape Horn once. A good guess for 2014 is probably Cape Town which I would be happy to do. I have zero interest in going through Suez. But until Cunard releases the itinerary or some-one with good inside info posts it on here it is just a guess. I'd like to get beyond a guess and know which route QM2 will take when it leaves Southampton on January 10, 2014.

 

Cunard has scheduled QM2 to do another anti-clockwise circumnavigation of Australia in February/March 2014, starting from Perth, therefore it follows that the QM2 will proceed around the Cape of Good Hope and South Africa at the start of the World Cruise in 2014.

[roscoe39]

Cunard has scheduled QM2 to do another anti-clockwise circumnavigation of Australia in February/March 2014, starting from Perth, therefore it follows that the QM2 will proceed around the Cape of Good Hope and South Africa at the start of the World Cruise in 2014.

 

thats great louise....where did you hear that?

[Louise D]

thats great louise....where did you hear that?

 

Hi Roscoe,

 

One of the on-line travel agencies in Australia mentioned it today, and it has also just come up on the website of the Victorian Herald Sun newspaper.

[QE2 fan]

Peter Shanks says full schedule will be announced on 20 August.

 

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/queen-mary-2-makes-right-royal-return/story-e6frfq80-1226440519910

[SEFlyer]

That's great news. QM2 could go through Suez to get to Perth but I agree Cape Town is much more likely. That would be wonderful. I think we could persuade ourselves to do New York to Cape Town again.:D

 

It will be interesting to see if the stops between Southampton and Cape Town change. I'd love to stop in Madeira again. But Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Walvis Bay are hardly the tourist magnets of the world.

 

I look forward to the details in less than 3 weeks.

[Louise D]

I am not sure that the whole world cruise itinerary will be advised on 20 August. It seems the information is limited to the Australian circumnavigation. In any event, some travel agents are already giving details of the Australian circumnavigation, with prices. The four trips are:-

 

Sailing roundtrip from Perth (Fremantle), 12 February 2014 (22 nights)

Sailing roundtrip from Melbourne, 17 February 2014 (23 nights)

Sailing roundtrip from Sydney, 19 February 2014 (23 nights)

Sailing roundtrip from Brisbane, 21 February 2014 (23 nights)

 

I would not be rushing to book one of these trips unless I knew the whole itinerary of the world cruise, as I tend to book voyages of more than 22 or 23 nights, and it would be interesting for me to know the next leg of the voyage after the second time in Sydney or Brisbane as I might want to do this as well.

[Garybem]

Peter Shanks says full schedule will be announced on 20 August.

 

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/queen-mary-2-makes-right-royal-return/story-e6frfq80-1226440519910

 

Great info about when the 2014 QM2 world cruise coming on sale. We been eagerly awaiting it as we want to head from UK to Sydney and been hoping it will go via Asia - but as people say it seems they alternate the route year by year and does that routing in 2013 - so more likely to go via Asia on the return from Australia...

 

Roll on 20 August!

[roscoe39]

That's great news. QM2 could go through Suez to get to Perth but I agree Cape Town is much more likely. That would be wonderful. I think we could persuade ourselves to do New York to Cape Town again.:D

 

It will be interesting to see if the stops between Southampton and Cape Town change. I'd love to stop in Madeira again. But Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Walvis Bay are hardly the tourist magnets of the world.

 

I look forward to the details in less than 3 weeks.

 

hi seflyer, Im booked sydney to southampton on the Qm for 2013 and would be interested on your thoughts about walvis bay...

 

i think you guys will find that the QM2 has done both routes before, down around south africa and then back home via the suez after australia and of course next year down through the suez, australia and back via south africa, so either route for 2014 are distinct possibilities but they do seem to alternate them. As a kiwi all I can say is bring it on....the more she visits our shores the happier and the more converts we can have.

 

thanks louise....looking for the prices as we speak.....:D

[Louise D]

thanks louise....looking for the prices as we speak.....:D

 

Hi Roscoe,

 

As I can't mention the travel agent, I will post an example by reference to the prices for the Perth to Perth 22 nights sector.

 

The first price is said to be the brochure price, and the second price is the early booking special price.

 

Inside (from)$11,309.00 $6,109.00

 

Oceanview (from)$13,929.00 $7,659.00

 

Premium Balcony - Sheltered (from)$16,509.00 $7,759.00

 

Deluxe Balcony (from)$17,809.00 $8,369.00

 

Princess Suites (from)$33,919.00 $13,909.00

 

Queens Suites (from)$36,519.00 $17,529.00

 

* All prices are quoted in Australian dollars, based on per person double occupancy unless stated otherwise.

[roscoe39]

Hi Roscoe,

 

As I can't mention the travel agent, I will post an example by reference to the prices for the Perth to Perth 22 nights sector.

 

The first price is said to be the brochure price, and the second price is the early booking special price.

 

Inside (from)$11,309.00 $6,109.00

 

Oceanview (from)$13,929.00 $7,659.00

 

Premium Balcony - Sheltered (from)$16,509.00 $7,759.00

 

Deluxe Balcony (from)$17,809.00 $8,369.00

 

Princess Suites (from)$33,919.00 $13,909.00

 

Queens Suites (from)$36,519.00 $17,529.00

 

* All prices are quoted in Australian dollars, based on per person double occupancy unless stated otherwise.

 

 

thanks louise, interestingly...you could have left out the suites rates for me...im purely a steerage boy!:mad:

[Salacia]

.... Queen Mary 2 will be in Australian waters for 33 days as she completes the circumnavigation, visiting Fremantle (Feb 12, Mar 6) Melbourne (Feb 17, Mar 12) , Sydney (Feb 19, Mar 14) , Brisbane (Feb 21, Mar 16) Whitsundays (Feb 23), Darwin (Feb 27) Bali (Mar 2) and Adelaide (Mar 10).

copied from http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/134193/queen-mary-2-to-circumnavigate-australia-again-in-2014

[Louise D]

thanks louise, interestingly...you could have left out the suites rates for me...im purely a steerage boy!:mad:

 

You might want to splash out on a suite one day.

 

By the way, does your QM2 Sydney to Southampton sector in 2013 include the New Zealand circumnavigation, or is that over by the time you come on board? The NZ sector has been booked out for months, but there is no roll call for this trip. It is very strange indeed.

[Whitemarsh]

You might want to splash out on a suite one day.

 

By the way, does your QM2 Sydney to Southampton sector in 2013 include the New Zealand circumnavigation, or is that over by the time you come on board? The NZ sector has been booked out for months, but there is no roll call for this trip. It is very strange indeed.

 

I agree, it's very strange, and a complete reversal on the situation last year with the roll call for the circumnavigation of Australia; that roll call was huge!

 

I wonder how much pent up demand there is for two circumnavigations of Australia - in as many years? It will be interesting to see how this one goes. Last time there were some pretty good deals if you were willing to wait until after final payment to book. I note they have priced this circumnavigation more expensively than the first one.

 

Cunard must have made a ton of money on the first circumnavigation.

[SEFlyer]

hi seflyer, Im booked sydney to southampton on the Qm for 2013 and would be interested on your thoughts about walvis bay...

.....:D

 

Hi roscoe39, Walvis Bay is an ugly industrial port on the edge of the desert. Of course, the QM2 can go there because it is a deep water port. We had been there in 2009 so our return for a day in 2012 was unexciting.

 

If you've never been you can do a harbour cruise on a small boat. There's lot of wildlife to see and they have the seals habituated enough to jump onboard. You'll also see the oyster farm operations. There's also a lagoon south of the city which is teaming with birdlife.

 

But I would recommend you take a tour that includes time in Swakopmund and a look at the desert. Swakopmund still looks like the small German colonial town that it was from the 1880's until WW1. Lots of the original German architecture and street names are still intact and it is a town that caters to tourists. It is 40 km north of Walvis Bay, less than half an hour by car. You should also get a short ride on a 4 x 4 into the desert and see the life in what looks like a lifeless environment. There are a couple of places that offer such short excursions on the road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

 

You can buy tours, of course, from Cunard. But you can also get a local taxi at the port gates, a 5 minute walk from the ship's gangway. The locals will try to take you for a ride figuratively as well as literally so make sure you ask others what they are paying and bargain hard.

 

I hope that helps a little. Enjoy your cruise. We loved our New York to Cape Town voyage.

 

Incidentally, we were in Auckland, Napier and Wellington in April. I think seeing the QM2 anchored off Napier would be quite a sight.

[SEFlyer]

I am not sure that the whole world cruise itinerary will be advised on 20 August. It seems the information is limited to the Australian circumnavigation.

 

"Full details of Cunard’s 2014 World Voyages program will be released on August 20."

 

A quote from Salacia's very helpful link in post #37. Roll on August 20. :D

[roscoe39]

You might want to splash out on a suite one day.

 

By the way, does your QM2 Sydney to Southampton sector in 2013 include the New Zealand circumnavigation, or is that over by the time you come on board? The NZ sector has been booked out for months, but there is no roll call for this trip. It is very strange indeed.

 

Hi louise, I did originally consider doing the nz cirumnavigation but pretty well did it this year while on the QE. I know its booked out now but have been told it may open again 3 months before sailing. It would have to be a pretty good deal to add it on....38 days from sydney to england will be enough I think as it is. As for the suite, ive think bettered it by scoring a really good upgrade that gives me enough kudos to look the grills square in the eye!

 

But I think it is your mission in this life Louise to start the roll call.... go on...you know you want to....

 

I got the e from Cunard today for the pre interest in 2014, boy....the nz australian exchange difference between what you posted and what i got made my eyes water!

[roscoe39]

Hi roscoe39, Walvis Bay is an ugly industrial port on the edge of the desert. Of course, the QM2 can go there because it is a deep water port. We had been there in 2009 so our return for a day in 2012 was unexciting.

 

If you've never been you can do a harbour cruise on a small boat. There's lot of wildlife to see and they have the seals habituated enough to jump onboard. You'll also see the oyster farm operations. There's also a lagoon south of the city which is teaming with birdlife.

 

But I would recommend you take a tour that includes time in Swakopmund and a look at the desert. Swakopmund still looks like the small German colonial town that it was from the 1880's until WW1. Lots of the original German architecture and street names are still intact and it is a town that caters to tourists. It is 40 km north of Walvis Bay, less than half an hour by car. You should also get a short ride on a 4 x 4 into the desert and see the life in what looks like a lifeless environment. There are a couple of places that offer such short excursions on the road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

 

You can buy tours, of course, from Cunard. But you can also get a local taxi at the port gates, a 5 minute walk from the ship's gangway. The locals will try to take you for a ride figuratively as well as literally so make sure you ask others what they are paying and bargain hard.

 

I hope that helps a little. Enjoy your cruise. We loved our New York to Cape Town voyage.

 

Incidentally, we were in Auckland, Napier and Wellington in April. I think seeing the QM2 anchored off Napier would be quite a sight.

 

thanks...ive copied your comments to my trip file for future reference...was exactly the information I was looking for. Really looking forward to south africa and mauritus, and I think Walvis bay for a oncer will have enough flamingos and wildlife to keep me satisfied.

 

As for the QM in Napier....i think shes a sight anywhere she goes. I think seeing her in my home town of the Bay of ISlands next year will almost worth the 3 hour drive even if i just turn around and come back to Auckland straight afterwards...(sorry mother!)

[demo]

We are looking forward to see the date, route and prices for the part from Dubai to Europe.

Since we want to stay at the QE2 in spring 2014 and travel back with the QM2.

Cheerio

Dennis

[Louise D]

Hi louise, I did originally consider doing the nz cirumnavigation but pretty well did it this year while on the QE. I know its booked out now but have been told it may open again 3 months before sailing. It would have to be a pretty good deal to add it on....38 days from sydney to england will be enough I think as it is. As for the suite, ive think bettered it by scoring a really good upgrade that gives me enough kudos to look the grills square in the eye!

 

But I think it is your mission in this life Louise to start the roll call.... go on...you know you want to....

 

I got the e from Cunard today for the pre interest in 2014, boy....the nz australian exchange difference between what you posted and what i got made my eyes water!

 

Hi Roscoe,

 

Here are the official Cunard prices for Australians, which are a little higher than the on-line agency prices in my previous post:

 

First price is for inside, second for outside, third for balcony, fourth for PG and last for QG.

 

 

Fremantle to Fremantle

22 Nights | 12 Feb 2014$6,499$8,149$8,249$14,799$18,659

 

Melbourne to Melbourne

23 Nights | 17 Feb 2014$6,799$8,499$8,599$15,499$19,499

 

Sydney to Sydney

23 Nights | 19 Feb 2014$6,799$8,499$8,599$15,499$19,499

 

Brisbane to Brisbane

23 Nights | 21 Feb 2014$6,799$8,499$8,599$15,499$19,499

 

Great news that you have a favourable upgrade. At least we in the Antipodes can get a good deal sometimes.

 

I agree that there should be a roll call for the NZ circumnavigation, but I think it would be better if this was started by someone just doing the circumnavigation. I will be on board QM2 from Hong Kong so I don't think I am best placed to do it.

[roscoe39]

Hi Roscoe,

 

Here are the official Cunard prices for Australians, which are a little higher than the on-line agency prices in my previous post:

 

First price is for inside, second for outside, third for balcony, fourth for PG and last for QG.

 

 

Fremantle to Fremantle

22 Nights | 12 Feb 2014$6,499$8,149$8,249$14,799$18,659

 

Melbourne to Melbourne

23 Nights | 17 Feb 2014$6,799$8,499$8,599$15,499$19,499

 

Sydney to Sydney

23 Nights | 19 Feb 2014$6,799$8,499$8,599$15,499$19,499

 

Brisbane to Brisbane

23 Nights | 21 Feb 2014$6,799$8,499$8,599$15,499$19,499

 

Great news that you have a favourable upgrade. At least we in the Antipodes can get a good deal sometimes

 

I agree that there should be a roll call for the NZ circumnavigation, but I think it would be better if this was started by someone just doing the circumnavigation. I will be on board QM2 from Hong Kong so I don't think I am best placed to do it.

 

yes...thats the e i got with the amounts converted to nz more or less... its rare we get as good a deal as some of the others but i couldnt have bettered the upgrade so very happy.

 

I looked at the trip you are doing its got some great ports. should be a great trip .. youll be able to keep mr whitemarsh company...

 

i might ask you to keep my chair warm in the commodore club for me...and no martini stains on it please.

[Whitemarsh]

yes...thats the e i got with the amounts converted to nz more or less... its rare we get as good a deal as some of the others but i couldnt have bettered the upgrade so very happy.

 

I looked at the trip you are doing its got some great ports. should be a great trip .. youll be able to keep mr whitemarsh company...

 

i might ask you to keep my chair warm in the commodore club for me...and no martini stains on it please.

 

It will be a great trip, although I'm now just doing Singapore to Brisbane.

 

I was interested to read your thoughts that the NZ circumnavigation opening up after final payment. I wonder what late deals will eventuate with that voyage.

[Louise D]

i might ask you to keep my chair warm in the commodore club for me...and no martini stains on it please.

 

Actually Roscoe, you will have to fight me for the chair as I will still be on board when you embark in Sydney.

 

It will be a great trip, although I'm now just doing Singapore to Brisbane.

 

I was interested to read your thoughts that the NZ circumnavigation opening up after final payment. I wonder what late deals will eventuate with that voyage.

 

 

I am not sure that a lot of cabins will become available after final payment, because two-thirds of the bookings are supposed to have come from people on board during the 2012 circumnavigation, and we all know they were mainly Australians. They will lose their deposit if they try to cancel.

[roscoe39]

It will be a great trip, although I'm now just doing Singapore to Brisbane.

 

I was interested to read your thoughts that the NZ circumnavigation opening up after final payment. I wonder what late deals will eventuate with that voyage.

 

I dont think there will be any real great deals and not many availale, like Louise I was aware that the circumnaviagation was ooked out by those on board but there is a reasonably specialist travel agent here I was talking to at the time who told me he is holding a block booking which he intends on marketting later in the year. Ill be checking his prices but dont think it'l be in my churchmouse budget,

 

Louise, I thought you were getting off in sydney...how much further are you on for?

[Louise D]

Louise, I thought you were getting off in sydney...how much further are you on for?

 

Just a couple more days later when the ship arrives in Melbourne - I fully expect to be soaking up the atmosphere in the Commodore Club until the very last moment, particularly as my cabin is nearby.

 

I agree with you that it is unlikely an agent holding a block booking for the NZ circumnavigation is keeping it to sell off cheaply at a later time. I suppose it also depends what kind of cabins the agent is holding. He/she might have a number of less-desirable insides. Who knows?