The RMS Queen Elizabeth conjures connotation of patriotic glamour and luxury dating back over 70 years and still going strong today. The Queen Victoria was in the process of being built when the American depression halted all work being done on her and she lay derelict for years. After being offered an £8 million loan her owner Cunard Line set about getting not only hull 534 (as she was known)ship shape but he also began working on the RMS Queen Elizabeth too after merging with the cruise company White Star.
The maiden journey of the Queen Elizabeth was originally set to be one of pomp and circumstance. The outbreak of the Second World War required she launch as an aid to the war effort rather than the luxury liner was intended as. her unscheduled change in career didnt go unnoticed, as both her and her running mate the Queen Victoria were hailed as great helps toward the war ending by Winston Churchill. It wasn’t until the mid 40′s that both the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary were able to begin their original commission as ocean liners. For over 20 years these magnificent ships sailed the Atlantic symbolising the golden era of the cruise industry for Cunard Cruises.
It wasn’t until the end of the 1960′s that both ships were replaced in an attempt to keep up with the times. Air travel was offering to get people to their destinations quicker and cheaper than ships. Launched in 1969 the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 would go onto become the flagship of Cunard Cruises and one of the most iconic ships in the world. The QE2 strived to offer the convenience of air travel with the magnificence still desired by the cruise industry. After being the flag ship of not only Cunard cruises but the epitome of luxury 5 star cruises in general, she was brought by a Dubai investment company in 2007. When the recession caught up with Dubai, the plan to convert her into a luxury floating hotel had to be put on hold indefinitely. As a result, this beautiful ship has been left almost abandoned.
In 2007 Cunard announced the launch of its third sea faring vessel to boast the Elizabeth name. With the launch of the MS Queen Elizabeth expected in the autumn of 2010 it’s promised to be the very embodiment of five star cruises and one of the most advanced ships on the water. Said to have the essence of the 1930′s in its interior decor it will exemplify the spirit and the class of its name sake predecessor.
The Queen Victoria was in the process of being built when the American depression halted all work being done on her and she lay derelict for years. After being offered an £8 million loan her owner Cunard Line set about getting not only hull 534 (as she was known)ship shape but he also began working on the RMS Queen Elizabeth. The portion of the letter above stating that the “Queen Victoria” was in the process of being built is COMPLETELY WRONG. Hull 534 was in fact to be named the RMS “Queen Mary”