Historic Cunard Royal Rendezvous!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Cunard and thought it would be of
interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.

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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
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Spectacular Historic Cunard Royal Rendezvous Between Queen Victoria
and QE2 Marks Queen Victoria's Maiden Call and QE2's Final Visit to
Sydney

VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 24
Thousands of "Sydneysiders" turned out to view the much-anticipated,
historic meeting of two of the world's most glamorous ocean liners in
Sydney Harbour -- Cunard Line's new Queen Victoria and legendary QE2
-- as they met during their respective World Cruises. The historic
Royal Rendezvous marked the only time that the two ocean liners will
ever meet in Sydney as this is QE2's 29th and final visit to the city,
arriving 30 years to the day since her 1978 maiden visit to Sydney.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080224/LASU001)

Source: Cunard Line

QE2's call to Sydney is part of her final world voyage, while Queen
Victoria is making her first visit as part of her maiden world voyage.

QE2 sailed past Queen Victoria in a history-making Royal Rendezvous
off Fort Denison. The passing of the two ships occurred in the early
evening -- Sydney time -- with the ships sounding their whistles as
they sailed by each other off Fort Denison. Queen Victoria then headed
to Brisbane, while QE2 berthed at Circular Quay.

The longest serving Cunard liner in history, QE2 will leave the Cunard
fleet in November this year to become a first-class tourist
destination in Dubai.

Visiting Sydney for the Rendezvous, Cunard President and Managing
Director Carol Marlow described QE2 as one of the icons of the 20th
century. "She's an amazing liner that has captured the world's
imagination and truly symbolized the romance and glamour of ocean
travel for more than four decades," Ms Marlow said.

"Sydney has been her most frequent port of call in Australia over the
years so we're thrilled that it's the setting for this magnificent
Royal Rendezvous on her final visit today. It's a fantastic way to
celebrate three great milestones -- Queen Victoria's maiden world
voyage and maiden call to Sydney and QE2's final world voyage -- and
to pay tribute to one of the most wonderful ways to travel," Marlow
added.

Only two months old, the luxurious 90,000-ton Queen Victoria debuted
in Sydney yesterday, with her guests enjoying an overnight stay in
preparation for the evening spectacular. The new Cunard Queen was
named in Southampton on December 10, 2007 by Her Royal Highness The
Duchess of Cornwall in the Presence of His Royal Highness Prince
Charles, The Prince of Wales.

The Royal Rendezvous of the two Queens comes almost a year to the day
since QE2 met her sister Queen Mary 2 in Sydney Harbour in an event
that drew tens of thousands of spectators to the foreshore.

Next year, Sydney will be visited by Queen Victoria (Feb 19-20, 2009)
and her magnificent sister, Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 (Feb 26,
2009), both sailing on their second world voyages.

About Cunard Line

Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, QE2 and
Queen Victoria, 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 travelers who relish the
Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service(TM), fine dining,
sophisticated adventure, the legacy of historic voyages and
transatlantic travel.

Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. The
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, member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles
and budgets. Together they offer exciting and enriching cruise
vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.