Queen Victoria Journeys to Paradise

Queen Victoria Royal Spa - Courtesy Cunard Line

Cunard’s Queen Victoria Bids “Aloha” to Hawaiian Voyages in 2011 

American Entertainment News Pioneer Rona Barrett Joins 17 February Voyage
to Raise Awareness for the Needs of Seniors

Riding the Surf on the Big Island, Hawaii

What is your Idea of Paradise?

In late January 2011, as part of Queen Victoria’s debut Americas Season, Cunard Line will offer guests the opportunity to experience The New Golden Age of Ocean Travel with luxury cruise vacations to the tranquil islands of Hawaii. 

Additionally, guests sailing on the 17 February voyage will enjoy a very special Cunard Insights programme presented by Rona Barrett, recognized as the “first lady of entertainment news.”

The Hawaiian Adventure cruises depart round-trip from Los Angeles for two relaxing weeks sailing the Hawaiian Islands; starting 30 January and again on 17 February, guests aboard Queen Victoria will visit Hilo (Hawaii), Honolulu (Oahu), Nawiliwili (Kauai) and Lahaina (Maui), as well as a quick visit to Ensenada (Mexico).

“Enjoying the tropical paradise of the Hawaii Islands is one of the many ways guests can create memorable experiences aboard Queen Victoria,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “We look forward to welcoming Rona Barrett as part of our Cunard Insights enrichment programme and know our guests are eager to hear her up close and personal stories about some of Hollywood’s most intriguing celebrities.”

Barrett is one of the pioneers and innovators in entertainment news reporting and publishing in the United States. She developed the first in-depth personal TV specials about the celebrities of film, television, music, sports and politics, and published a series of magazines on the entertainment industry for consumers and for industry insiders, including Rona Barrett’s Hollywood. She was also one of the original reporters for “Good Morning America” on ABC. Barrett recently returned to the spotlight, now appearing in a one-woman show, “Rona Barrett: Nothing But the Truth,” which premiered at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills in June. Elements of this stage show will be performed for guests on board Queen Victoria as part of her enrichment programme. Barrett created the show to tour and raise funds in support of The Rona Barrett Foundation on behalf of senior citizens in need.

Proceeds from Barrett’s show appearances will support her foundation’s project of building The Golden Inn and Cottages, a pilot facility that can be constructed in communities throughout the U.S. to provide affordable housing and care, among many other elderly needs.

Delving deeply into a variety of compelling and relevant topics, Cunard Insights introduces guests to stimulating experts and accomplished visionaries who reflect the Line's heritage of adventure and prestige. Through a series of lectures, Q&A's, social gatherings and workshops, guests connect with personalities who have achieved notable distinction in areas including history, world affairs, science, arts and literature. The award-winning Insights programme underscores Cunard’s longstanding view that on board entertainment should afford guests a provocative and rewarding cerebral experience.

Barrett joins Cunard's illustrious legacy of welcoming world-famous guests, experts and intriguing presenters including Winston Churchill, President Nelson Mandela, Jean Chatzky, Tina Brown & Sir Harold Evans, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Elizabeth Taylor, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Buzz Aldrin.

Queen Victoria will spend more time on the west coast in winter 2011 as she comes off Cunard’s historic Royal Rendezvous in New York – where all three Queens will be docked on 13 January. Continuing to sail her Americas voyages, she will make three visits to the Panama Canal – including two transits, multiple visits to the port of Los Angeles, and her first short Getaway voyage to Mexico.

Cruising Hawaii

ALOHA!! Close your eyes for a moment and let the peace and warmth of this greeting consume your inner soul. Let it wisk you away to the land where tropical breezes blow, sunsets paint the evening skies, and volcanoes add color to the night as the glowing lava journeys to the sea. Keep your eyes closed and listen to the waves pounding against the shore, the wind blowing through palm trees, the distant beat of drums calling you to this island paradise.

Open your eyes and step from the ship's gangway into a land where warmth, friendliness, hospitality, and generosity will greet you, and remain with you throughout your visit and long after you return home. A friendly native greets you with a flowered lei as you disembark the ship. ALOHA!! Welcome to Hawaii. You graciously smile, returning the greeting. ALOHA!!

From this moment, your life has changed. It has been transfigured to something perhaps beyond your understanding. You feel very peaceful. All your worries have been carried away by the gentle trade winds.
The greeting you have just experienced is one of many that you will receive throughout your visit. The people of Hawaii are very friendly and want to share with you the spirit of Aloha. They also want to share their culture with you so that you understand their way of life and the deep rooted traditions that guide them on their journey.

It is time for your first exploration. You have heard about the lava flows that have shaped this part of the world. Your tour takes you to Volcanoes National Park to see the facinating world of active volcanoism. Later that evening the captain of your ship will pass the same volcano as your journey to your next port of call. The glowing lava moves so slowly as it heads towards the sea.
You unwind in your cabin and reflect on your first day in Hawaii. Tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to visit Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is hard to imagine what lies ahead as you continue to explore Hawaii. It is time to rest now, since you have another marvelous day in paradise tomorrow.

Each island has something unique to offer. A cruise offers the opportunity to explore many of the different facets of Hawaii. We have just scratched the surface of this marvelous destination. In future articles, I'll revisit Hawaii and take a closer look at the various attractions. Aloha!!