Her Majesty The Queen Names Cunard’s Newest Liner, Queen Elizabeth

SOUTHAMPTON, England--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Continuing a grand royal tradition, Her Majesty The Queen officially named Cunard Line's newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, today during a regal ceremony amongst a VIP audience of more than 1500 guests, celebrities and dignitaries.

“Our grand celebration today reinforces Cunard’s renaissance as one of the oldest names in passenger shipping now operating the youngest fleet in the world.”

“Today marks a milestone in British maritime history and the continuation of a longstanding tradition of Royal Namings of our Cunard Queens,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “Our grand celebration today reinforces Cunard’s renaissance as one of the oldest names in passenger shipping now operating the youngest fleet in the world.”

With a capacity of 2,068 guests and an estimated total cost $634 million, Queen Elizabeth features many unique Cunard traditions linking her with her sister ships and their predecessors, together with all the modern day luxuries Cunard’s guests have come to expect. From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at an experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This is most evident in the ship’s adherence to liner design traditions, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, luxuriously endowed with rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, hand-woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, reflecting The New Golden Age of Ocean Travel. She will depart on her sold-out Maiden Voyage on 12 October 2010.

For more information and to book a voyage aboard Queen Elizabeth, consult your Travel Agent, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD (1-800-728-6273) or go to http://queenelizabeth.cunard.com/.

Note to Editors:

Royal Connection

• In 2004, Her Majesty The Queen christened Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2.
• Her Majesty The Queen named Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967.
• As Princess Elizabeth in 1947, HM The Queen performed the ceremony for Caronia, "The Green Goddess."
• The late Queen Mother, as Queen Elizabeth, launched Queen Elizabeth in 1938. As a princess, Her Majesty The Queen was present at this naming.
• Queen Mary, wife of King George V, launched Queen Mary in 1934 - and in so doing became the first monarch ever to launch a merchant ship.

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Queen Elizabeth Naming Ceremony photography available online at: www.CunardQE.com

About Cunard Line

Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travellers who seek a civilised adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service^TM, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.

World’s Leading Cruise Lines

Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

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