History Buffs, Star Gazers, Bestselling Novelists and Broadcasters Headline Cunard Insights This Summer and Autumn

    Renowned Maritime Historians and Experts Lecture aboard QE2's Final

        Crossings during October Tandem Crossings with Queen Mary 2



    SOUTHAMPTON, England, July 15 /EMWNews/ -- Already considered the

finest onboard enrichment programme in the industry, Cunard Line's

intellectual pedigree will be further established this summer and autumn

with a Cunard Insights line-up featuring history buffs, star gazers,

bestselling authors and broadcast personalities aboard Queen Mary 2's

celebrated Transatlantic voyages and aboard QE2's final Crossings. A

special highlight will be the ships' October tandem Crossings and the

inclusion of renowned maritime historians and experts lecturing aboard QE2

during these historic voyages. Insights lecturers on these Crossings

include:



    QE2: October 10, Southampton-New York:



    -- Bill Miller -- Famed author and maritime historian Bill Miller is

considered an international authority on the subject of ocean liners and

cruise ships, having written 70 such books. Among his many other titles, he

is the adjunct curator of the Ocean Liner Council at New York's South

Street Seaport Museum, the assistant editor of Ocean & Cruise News and

created the ship database for the Ellis Island Museum. He received the

National Maritime History Award in 1994 and the Silver Riband Award in

2005. During this voyage, he will provide a series of lectures on the great

liners of the 20th Century.



    -- Ted Scull -- A New York-based author, travel writer and lecturer

specializing in maritime subjects, railway history and New York City, he

has been sailing on Cunard passenger ships since 1964. Among his four

presentations, one will pay special tribute to QE2, the longest serving

Cunarder.



    -- Sir Michael Parker -- Longtime organizer for Royal and National

events including Her Majesty The Queen's Silver and Golden Jubilees, and

the anniversaries of VE and VJ Day.



    QE2: October 16, New York-Southampton



    -- Jennie Bond -- BBC broadcaster and journalist, and former Royal

Correspondent.



    -- Stephen Payne -- Being appointed as new build project manager and

lead architect for Cunard's Queen Mary 2 was, in Payne's view, the greatest

and most prestigious assignment that any naval architect could wish for.

Among his lectures on ocean liner history, he will present an illustrated

history of famous Cunarders.



    Queen Mary 2: October 10, Southampton-New York



    -- Barry Brown -- Film historian and former BBC TV producer, he will

present a series of lectures about some of cinema's most beloved luminaries

including Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Gene Kelly, Clint Eastwood, David

Niven, Ingrid Bergman and Alfred Hitchcock. (Brown is also sailing on the

ship's October 16 Transatlantic Crossing.)



    -- Derek Fraser -- Modern British historian will speak about key Prime

Ministers in recent history. (Fraser is also lecturing aboard Queen Mary

2's July 16 and July 22 Crossings.)



    Queen Mary 2: October 16, New York-Southampton



    -- Lynn Truss -- Bestselling author of "Eats, Shoots, Leaves: The Zero

Tolerance Approach to Punctuation" and "Talk to the Hand: The Utter Bloody

Rudeness of the World Today" will share her witty take on these themes.



    -- Eric Dolin -- Author of eight books, he will lecture on the history

of whaling in America.



    -- David Whitehouse -- Noted author, astronomer and Royal Astronomical

Society Fellow, he is the United Kingdom's most well known broadcast

commentator on science, including frequent appearances on BBC News and Sky

News. He will present compelling lectures about the sun, the moon, the

universe and space.



    "A Transatlantic Crossing is a pinnacle travel experience for the

scholarly Cunard guest who is captivated by the Golden Age of Ocean

Travel," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "At Cunard, we

deliver on this promise through a dynamic and carefully researched

programme of speakers who are among the most highly regarded authorities in

their respective fields."



    Highlights of upcoming Cunard Insights programmes and speakers on Queen

Mary 2's Transatlantic Crossings include:



    -- Steve Rivellino -- July 15



    A leading producer in theater and former vice president and general

manager of New York's Radio City Music Hall.



    -- John Maxtone-Graham -- August 13



    Renowned maritime historian and speaker.



    -- Royal Astronomical Society -- August 13 and November 15



    A new Cunard partnership with RAS brings "star parties" on deck and

compelling lectures on topics including the "Big Bang" theory and the

nature of black holes.



    -- A Tribute to Bob Hope featuring Linda Hope -- September 4



    Linda Hope, daughter of the iconic entertainer, will share an intimate

look inside the life of her world-famous father. Her appearance is in

advance of the first-ever Bob Hope Estate Charity Auction.



    -- Margaret Atwood -- August 27



    Author of 40 books in genres ranging from fiction and poetry to

literary criticism.



    -- Boston Symphony Chamber Players -- September 4



    BSO artistic administrator Anthony Fogg joins a distinguished group of

Chamber Players for special performances and musical insights.



    -- Joanne Harris -- September 21



    Bestselling author of "Chocolat" and her first book geared toward young

adults, "Runemarks".



    -- Giancarlo Impiglia -- October 4



    Italian painter, sculptor, art historian and lecturer, whose work can

be found onboard Queen Mary 2.



    Cunard has long been synonymous with onboard enrichment. 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, debates, social gatherings, and workshops, guests connect

with personalities who have achieved notable distinction in areas including

history, world affairs, science, politics, arts and literature. The

Insights programme underscores Cunard's longstanding view that onboard

entertainment should afford guests a provocative and rewarding cerebral

experience.



    For more information and reservations about Cunard, contact your travel

professional, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to http://www.cunard.com.

    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.