QM2, the worlds biggest is now in service.

NEW YORK, April 16, 2004 - On Thursday, April 22, 2004, the world's grandest luxury liner - Queen Mary 2 - will arrive at her U.S. home port of New York for the first time on her maiden westbound transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England. The flagship of Cunard Line and the British merchant fleet will be welcomed to New York in grand fashion. Escorted by two U.S. Coast Guard vessels amidst a massive water display by fireboats, Queen Mary 2 is scheduled to dock just before 8:00 a.m. at Pier 92 at the New York Cruise Terminal.

Queen Mary 2 is the largest (151,400 tons), longest (1,132 feet/345 meters), tallest (236 feet/72 meters), widest (135 feet/41 meters) and most expensive ($800 million) liner ever built. It is also the first true transatlantic liner to have been built since Cunard's famous Queen Elizabeth 2 entered service in May 1969.

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg will formally welcome Queen Mary 2 at a brief quay side ceremony upon her arrival. Also in attendance will be Pamela Conover, president of Cunard Line; Micky Arison, chairman of Cunard's parent Carnival Corporation; Commodore Ronald Warwick, master of Queen Mary 2; Cristyne Nicholas, president of NYC & Company, and other dignitaries.

Plans call for Queen Mary 2 to sail past the Statue of Liberty at approximately 6:45 a.m. en route to the pier. Her arrival will be heralded by a rousing welcome from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY) band and the New York Maritime College marching band.

According to Cunard's Conover, "Thursday, April 22 is an historic day for Cunard Line, for it is the first time in 35 years that we will welcome a new ship to New York. We have a special relationship with this great city as the only company to provide regular transatlantic service between England and New York for over 158 years."

Sunday, April 25, will also be a special day for Cunard Line as both Queen Mary 2 and her famous sister ship Queen Elizabeth 2 will be together in New York. Their legendary namesakes Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were last berthed in the port together in March 1940. The two Queens will cross the Atlantic in tandem, arriving in Southampton on May 1.

To celebrate this milestone, prior to leaving the harbor, both vessels will be positioned near the Statue of Liberty at approximately 8:30 p.m. for a spectacular serenade of fireworks by Gucci, the award-winning creators of fireworks programs for three sets of Olympic Games, six U.S. presidential inaugurations and three World's Fairs. The fireworks display is being sponsored by American Express and American Express Travel.

Queen Mary 2 was named by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a gala ceremony held in Southampton on January 8, 2004. The ship officially entered service on January 12 with her Maiden Voyage from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, FL, followed by a series of Caribbean cruises and a voyage to Rio de Janeiro and back, timed for Carnival. In her inaugural year, she will sail 13 crossings between England and New York as she takes over the route currently operated by QE2. In between offering April to October transatlantic crossings, Queen Mary 2 will operate five European itineraries, two Fall foliage cruises to ports of call in New England and Canada, and serve as the flagship of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Queen Mary 2 features 10 dining venues, including a Mediterranean specialty restaurant operated by celebrity chef Todd English. The liner also has the only Canyon Ranch Spa Club® at sea, the world's first planetarium at sea, the largest ballroom at sea, the largest library at sea, and the largest wine collection at sea, as well as a Venue Aliquot Champagne Bar, a two-story theatre, a casino, five indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, boutiques and children's facilities complete with British nannies.

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