A History Of Cunard Cruises
- Date: 2010-10-21 - Word Count: 496
Share This!
A Nova Scotia businessman, Samuel Cunard, founded the Cunard Shipping Line in 1840. The line was inaugurated to carry mail from Britain to North America using the most modern method of the day - steamships. For the next 60 years Samuel Cunard continued to expand his fleet with larger and faster boats while never sacrificing a ship or a life in pursuit of success.
By the turn of the 20 th century Cunard were in a position to negotiate a deal with the British Government, in which they accepted a subsidy in return for permitting their vessels to be requisitioned as merchant ships in a war situation. On the strength of this, Cunard built the Mauritania and the Lusitania, two names that would become legendary. They were unbelievably fast, being powered by the latest technology - steam turbines, and before long the Mauritania took, and held, the North Atlantic speed record for 22 years.
During WWI the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat off the Irish coast with a loss of 785 passengers and 413 crew ; an atrocity for which the German government was forced to apologise.
During the 1920s Cunard launched three liners to serve the transatlantic routes. By the end of the decade, despite the impact of the Great Depression, Cunard commissioned two more ships to operate a weekly service between Southampton and New York. They were the Queen Mary, launched in 1935, and the Queen Elizabeth, launched in 1939. Like her predecessor, the Queen Mary was to win the North Atlantic speed record and retain it in the face of stiff opposition from the French for 16 years.
The Second World War disrupted shipping but the two Queens served with distinction - acting as troop carriers, and were credited with shortening the war in Europe by transporting thousands of troops at a time.
When the war was over Cunard resumed passenger sailings across the Atlantic, but with air transport cutting the travelling time to America, the appeal of luxury transatlantic sea voyages began to fade.
One by one the great ships were withdrawn from service; the Queen Mary was sold in 1967 to the city of Long Beach, California as a hotel and conference centre, and in 1968 the Queen Elizabeth made her last voyage to New York as a passenger liner.
As the Queen Mary became a Californian hotel, a new Cunard liner was launched with the name Queen Elizabeth 2, now universally known as the QE2.
With a continuing decline in Atlantic passenger trade, the company turned to a different market, and Cunard Cruises began offering cruise holidays . The QE2 had been built with this in mind and she was able to offer holidaymakers great cruising experiences.
In 1982 the QE2 served as a troop ship in the Falkland's War and after a complete refurbishment she resumed her cruise programme as if nothing had happened.
Now with a fleet of three magnificent liners, the name Cunard is synonymous with traditional cruising, with the emphasis on service and luxury.
By the turn of the 20 th century Cunard were in a position to negotiate a deal with the British Government, in which they accepted a subsidy in return for permitting their vessels to be requisitioned as merchant ships in a war situation. On the strength of this, Cunard built the Mauritania and the Lusitania, two names that would become legendary. They were unbelievably fast, being powered by the latest technology - steam turbines, and before long the Mauritania took, and held, the North Atlantic speed record for 22 years.
During WWI the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat off the Irish coast with a loss of 785 passengers and 413 crew ; an atrocity for which the German government was forced to apologise.
During the 1920s Cunard launched three liners to serve the transatlantic routes. By the end of the decade, despite the impact of the Great Depression, Cunard commissioned two more ships to operate a weekly service between Southampton and New York. They were the Queen Mary, launched in 1935, and the Queen Elizabeth, launched in 1939. Like her predecessor, the Queen Mary was to win the North Atlantic speed record and retain it in the face of stiff opposition from the French for 16 years.
The Second World War disrupted shipping but the two Queens served with distinction - acting as troop carriers, and were credited with shortening the war in Europe by transporting thousands of troops at a time.
When the war was over Cunard resumed passenger sailings across the Atlantic, but with air transport cutting the travelling time to America, the appeal of luxury transatlantic sea voyages began to fade.
One by one the great ships were withdrawn from service; the Queen Mary was sold in 1967 to the city of Long Beach, California as a hotel and conference centre, and in 1968 the Queen Elizabeth made her last voyage to New York as a passenger liner.
As the Queen Mary became a Californian hotel, a new Cunard liner was launched with the name Queen Elizabeth 2, now universally known as the QE2.
With a continuing decline in Atlantic passenger trade, the company turned to a different market, and Cunard Cruises began offering cruise holidays . The QE2 had been built with this in mind and she was able to offer holidaymakers great cruising experiences.
In 1982 the QE2 served as a troop ship in the Falkland's War and after a complete refurbishment she resumed her cruise programme as if nothing had happened.
Now with a fleet of three magnificent liners, the name Cunard is synonymous with traditional cruising, with the emphasis on service and luxury.
Related Tags: cruises
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Cunard's Queen Elizabeth - A Very British Affair
Whilst there has been ongoing speculation and media hype surrounding Cunard Cruises newest and world - Dining On Cunard Cruises
When it comes to fine dining Cunard Cruises are committed to making every one of their onboard resta - Queen Elizabeth, The Newcomer To The Cunard Fleet
Which two 'Royals 'are expecting the arrival of a new queen? Sounds like a 'Weakest Link' question, - 3 Popular Destinations For European Cruises
Vacations are a time to relax, enjoy yourself, see the world, and experience things you wouldn't ord - Experience The Vacation Of Lifetime With Celebrity Cruises!
Are you interested in celebrity cruises this summer? Celebrity cruise line is fun of life time, whic - Cruise Vacationing With The Family
How to deal with the family on a cruise ship tripIn normal circumstances we will all admit that we l - Cruise Onboard Activities
Staying on a ship for few days seems boring as nothing to do but here are some of the activities you - Dining Onboard Oasis Of The Seas
It seems only fitting that Royal Caribbean's largest and deservedly the most extravagant Cruise Line - All About Last Minute Cruises
Cruise vacations are in great demand and cruisers are increasing in number every year. The cruising - Disney's Dream Becomes A Reality
"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney Walt Disney knew how to dream big, but perhaps e
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Cruise Free As A Speaker - Simply Speak About Information You Already Know
Yes, you can cruise free by simply speaking about information you already know. There is a simple ei - Take a Caribbean Dream Cruise Vacation
Some people just need a vacation. When you close your eyes and see white sandy beaches and sparkling - Exotic Caribbean Cruise Ship Vacations and Excursions: Southern Caribbean
Perhaps the most tropical atmosphere for a cruise vacation is along the southern Caribbean. Scenery - How to Build Your Own Boat!
STUDY NOTES FOR 12' 16' & 19' DOLPHIN BOATSImportant information on building your own boat!From time - Caribbean Cruise Routes
The Caribbean Islands are some of the best cruise destinations in the world. With over 50 islands to - Alaskan Cruise Information
Each year over 250,000 people take a cruise around Alaskan shores. In the last few years, Alaskan cr - Princesses To Be Christened Together
A unique duel christening is set to take place of two new Princess Cruises liners next year. Princes - Cruise Ships 2007 - The Best of the Best
If you like the biggest of everything, then the new Royal Caribbean International cruise ship is for - Caribbean Cruise Lines Activity Guide: Exotic Shoretrips and Excursions
Exotic beaches and cultures are some of the benefits of a cruise ship shore activity. First settled - Cruise Ship Wedding Packages: Where to Tie the Knot
If you are planning on a wedding at sea, there are some things you should know. Because ships are re