Cruise Lines Plan for Libya Calls

Poor Timing?  

Political unrest continues to plague the world as Libya becomes the latest country with political demonstrations against the existing government. On Friday opposition forces and government troops clashed causing several deaths and injuries.

Azamara Quest

Azamara Club Cruises

Azamara Quest, one of the line's two 694-passenger ships, will visit Libya's Al Khums and Tripoli during a Mediterranean voyage that begins on Oct. 16, 2012.  This will be the only voyage with Libya ports of call.

Azamara Club Cruises announced changes in 2010 which include more immersive port visits. More than half of all their port calls in 2012 will feature late night and overnight stays. The overnight stays make it possible for guest to experience the vibrant nightlife in those ports of call.

Other destinations featured in the 2012 program include the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Croatia, Holy Land and Black Sea, as well as Asia,South America and lesser-traveled islands of the West Indies,

Crystal Serenity

Crystal Cruises


For the first time ever, Libya will be a port of call this Fall on one of the ships.

Crystal Cruises announced that the 1,080-passenger Crystal Serenity will visit the Libyan port of Tripoli during the vessel's 11-night "Italian Splendor" voyage from Venice to Barcelona that begins Nov. 16. The voyage also includes calls in several Italian ports including Naples, Civitavecchia (for Rome) and Livorno (for Florence) as well as Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The recent reversal of Libya's longtime ban on American tourists is behind the addition of a Libyan port to both cruise line's schedule.   We will want to continue watching Libya as the political unrest could jeopardize these plans.

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.