Cunard Revitalizes Legendary QE2

Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth 2, the world's most famous ocean liner, has completed an $18 million refurbishment program. The refit took place at Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany from Nov. 12 to Dec. 11, 1999. From the Grand Lounge and the Queens Room to the renowned restaurants and the Golden Lion Pub, there are new furnishings, draperies, carpeting and woodworking throughout the famous liner. In addition, QE2 added Harrods, the London-based luxury department store, to the shops of its Royal Promenade. "The QE2 is our flagship vessel, she embodies the essence of British heritage and all that is Cunard,'' said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. "With more than 160 years of tradition it is important that we retain that all-but-vanished experience that defines luxury ocean travel. We are preserving a piece of history that is the foundation for what has become the explosive growth of the cruise market.'' Cunard Line, one of the world's most recognized brand names with a classic British heritage, is operated by Miami-based Cunard Line limited, which also operates Seabourn Cruise Line, an ultra luxury cruise line with contemporary Scandinavian-style vessels. Cunard Line Limited is a unit of Carnival Corporation. The Cunard fleet includes the famed Queen Elizabeth 2 and Caronia (formerly Vistafjord). The Seabourn fleet includes the Seabourn Sun, Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend, and Seabourn Goddess I & II. Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line are members of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Line alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Together, these member lines share a commitment to quality and value, offering cruise vacations that appeal to the widest range of lifestyles and budgets and sail to some of the world's most exciting destinations. Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line represent nearly 50 percent of the world's luxury cruise market.