The Cunard Story Opens on Queen Mary

The Cunard Story Opens on Queen Mary

By Erin

The Queen Mary’s new exhibit, The Cunard Story, is officially open! There was a special presentation with Cunard, City Officials, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Cunard’s first woman Captain, Inger Thorhauge. If you love history, The Queen Mary, Cunard or Long Beach, you will want to check this exhibit out.

In partnership with luxury cruise line, Cunard, the iconic RMS Queen Mary has unveiled her new, permanent exhibition, ‘The Cunard Story,’ on July 5th in Long Beach, CA. The exhibition showcases Cunard’s remarkable 179-year history, its relationship with The Queen Mary, its founder’s vision, the ships it inspired and continues to bring forward, and their influence on immigration, global maritime policies and technological innovation. ‘The Cunard Story’ showcases the company’s legacy through artifacts, photographs and film, and will also feature an ‘immigration salon’ that allows visitors to digitally explore ancestry databases. Through the offerings, visitors can experience ancestor arrival dates and specific ships that carried them, allowing for a deeply personal experience.

The Queen Mary alone transported thousands of passengers during her Cunard service; and approximately one in five immigrants sailed to the U.S. on a Cunard ship at the height of the immigration period during the latter part of the 19th century and early 10th century.

The list of companies having enjoyed a century of success is short. Cunard, the revered maritime icon began its voyage to success 179 years ago in Halifax, Canada. For nearly two hundred years the company has forged a reputation for sea-going leadership, competence, vision and service to the world-at-large. Cunard ships have been legends in their own time; the best in their class – holding records of achievement for speed, comfort, engineering breakthroughs and more. Lusitania was a Cunarder. Perhaps the line’s most recognized  ship was the original RMS Queen Mary. Indeed, the Queen Mary still reigns supreme; she is the only ship of her class and prominence to have survived eight decades on the public stage. Like the company responsible for her advanced technologies, uncompromising grace and head-turning style, the Queen Mary epitomizes Cunard’s legacy of excellence.  

“This partnership between Cunard and the Queen Mary has allowed two icons of maritime pioneering to curate an immersive experience that illustrates their remarkable history, offering guests a deeper understanding of the impactful setting and creation of the Queen Mary within the Cunard legacy” said Chris Wilmoth, Director of Marketing, The Queen Mary.

Such are the histories of Cunard and Queen Mary – together they influenced culture, economies, strategic alliances, gave hope and security to the oppressed and set the ultimate standards for elegance, romance and the allure of ocean voyaging at its zenith. Their partnership is thoughtfully presented as the Queen Mary dedicates the ‘Cunard Story’ – the dramatic story of a great company and its remarkable ships.

“The exhibit beautifully presents Cunard in its historical sense and does equal justice to our modern luxury fleet and today’s Cunard experience. We are proud of our legacy, and thrilled to have partnered with The Queen Mary to bring this exhibition to life,” Leibowitz stated.

Soon celebrating her 85th Jubilee Year the Queen Mary represents all that Cunard stands for. Retired from service in the 1960s, the ship remains known world-wide and attracts over 1.5 million visitors each year.                 

About the Queen Mary

Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary, an Urban Commons property, features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary’s signature restaurants include Sir Winston’s, Chelsea Chowder House, Promenade Café, Observation Bar, as well as, a weekly award-winning Royal Sunday Brunch served in the ship’s Grand Salon. History buffs enjoy the ship’s museum with various daily tours, and currently the ship is featuring their newest exhibition, Their Finest Hours: Winston Churchill and the Queen Mary. The Queen Mary features 35,000 square feet of event space in 13 remarkable Art Deco salons as well as a tri-level, 45,000-square- foot Exhibit Hall. The Queen Mary boasts 347 staterooms including nine suites. For more information or for reservations, visit www.queenmary.com or call (800) 437-2934. The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach.

About Cunard

Cunard is the operator of luxury cruise ships Queen Mary 2 ® , Queen Victoria ® and Queen Elizabeth ® . Renowned for impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment, all three Queens offer luxury accommodations in Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill Suite and Queens Grill Suite staterooms. Cunard is the only line to offer regularly scheduled Transatlantic service between New York and London, and it continues to celebrate the freedom of travel on exciting World Voyage and Grand Voyage itineraries that visit Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

All Aboard for a Queen Mary Christmas in Long Beach!

All Aboard for a Queen Mary Christmas in Long Beach!

By Kandis

*We were given media tickets for purposes of this post. All thoughts and opinions remain our own*

Come aboard a magical adventure filled with holiday spirt, the Queen Mary Christmas is a fun adventure for the entire family. Grab your friends, and climb aboard this historical ship, turned into a winter wonderland. Upon entering the ship, you will arrive in a beautiful Christmas tree lined promenade deck, filled with Christmas cheer and Christmas carolers. Enjoy vintage-dressed Christmas carolers and feel as if you are back in time. Christmas carols, dancing, ice-skating onboard one of the Queen Mary’s decks, a Gingerbread Village, Stocking Shop, light shows, and much more is here for the whole family to partake in, and don’t forget to visit the wonderful shops, watch the live entertainment, and enjoy some sweet treats. So step aboard the legendary ocean liner for an all-new adventure filled with incredible holiday festivities, setting sail now through January 6, 2019.

When Santa is away from his North Pole workshop, his Captain’s Quarters in the Shipyard are his home away from home. Join Santa here for a meet and greet, help him chart the course to the North Pole, and pose for a souvenir photo with the jolly fellow.  You will leave feeling as you truly visited the north pole.

Take the stairs up to the Christmas themed canopy, and make sure to stop and visit the gingerbread village and Santa’s Helpers stocking maker on your way up.

You and your family will be in Santa’s shop, with the help of his elf’s you can create your own personalized Christmas stocking.

Once you have finished your stocking, you will stroll down the ships deck which is illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights. This magical light show will lead you to an 80-foot animated Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is lighted nightly in a countdown celebration with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a magical experience you will never forget. Un-pop a cork or imbibe on delicious handcrafted cocktails while delighting in the ship’s yule lights and breathtaking views at the iconic Observation Bar.

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Disney on Ice Worlds of Enchantment

Disney on Ice Worlds of Enchantment

By Erin

The other night I had the opportunity to see Disney on Ice Worlds of Enchantment at the Honda Center in Orange County. My friend and her two kids also enjoyed the show with me. This show is amazing and entertaining for Disney fans of all ages. A magical show you won’t want to miss this holiday season!

The show starts with Mickey and Minnie making a grand entrance as they host the show by introducing playful scenes from some of your favorite Disney movies. Toy Story 3, The Little Mermaid, Cars, and Frozen are about to take the ice. Each story is told with such talent and grace from the ice skaters as they float and spin across the ice.

First up is Toy Story 3. Starting off in Andy’s room as he says goodbye to his toys before he leaves for college. Andy’s green army men march onto the ice followed by Buzz Lightyear, Barbie & Ken, Woody, Cowgirl Jessie,  and the rest of the characters from Toy Story. They escape Lotso, the teddy bear at the Sunnyside Day Care.

Next, we were mesmerized by The Little Mermaid. Sebastian swims out looking for Ariel. She is with her one of her best pals Flounder. Then Ursula and Prince Eric make their appearances. It feels like you are actually under the sea as bubbles fall from the sky as they sing the song “Under the Sea.”

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