Queen Elizabeth to Make Encore Visit to Newcastle in 2018
Newcastle’s positioning as a cruise destination has been given a major boost, with Cunard today announcing that its elegant Queen Elizabeth will make an encore visit to the city in March 2018.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
Queen Elizabeth last month made Cunard’s first call to the city in more than a century, cruising into Newcastle Harbour on her maiden visit on February 22.
The liner’s encore visit will happen two years later with Queen Elizabeth scheduled to call at Newcastle again on March 1, 2018 as part of her 122-night world voyage.
Announcing the 2018 visit, Ann Sherry, Executive Chairman of Carnival Australia, which represents Cunard, said Queen Elizabeth’s maiden call had been a great success.
“Newcastle put on a very warm welcome for Cunard’s guests who really enjoyed their time exploring the town and the nearby Hunter region,” Ms Sherry said.
“Guest feedback was very favourable so we were delighted to be able to schedule another visit to Newcastle in our latest world voyage program.”
Ms Sherry said a one-day transit visit by a cruise ship could generate up to $500,000 for local communities in crew and guest spending.
“Cruise tourism is booming around Australia so it’s wonderful to see Newcastle sharing the economic benefits,” she said.
Queen Elizabeth will also visit Sydney and Brisbane during her 2018 circumnavigation of the globe, which will feature calls to 39 ports in 25 countries.
Launched in 2010, Queen Elizabeth’s many features include more than 700 private balcony staterooms, more than 10 restaurants and cafes and a Games Deck featuring paddle tennis, croquet and bowls. Queen Elizabeth also offers a two-storey library complete with a unique leaded glass ceiling and around 6000 books, as well as a two-storey Queen’s Room ballroom and a three-deck Royal Court Theatre seating 800 guests and offering private boxes.
Cunard’s 2018 World Voyage program will be on sale from April
13. For more details on Cunard visit www.cunard.com,
phone 132 441 or see a licensed travel agent.
Ph: +61 2 9904 0011
