Two Cunard Line ships to go around the world in 2012

Cunard today announced plans for two ambitious world cruises to take place in 2012, continuing a long tradition of globe-circling itineraries.
The historic line says its newest ship, the soon-to-debut Queen Elizabeth, will sail a 107-day voyage out of Southampton, England that will completely circumnavigate the globe, and the Queen Mary 2 will sail from Southampton to Australia and back on a circular routing.
The Queen Elizabeth sailing will be the ship's second around-the-world trip (it's also circumnavigating the globe in early 2011 after debuting later this year). The itinerary will take the ship westbound starting with a sailing across the Atlantic, passage through the Panama Canal and visit to the West Coast of the USA. From there the ship heads to the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and such Asian countries as Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand before continuing on to the Middle East and Europe.
Fares start at $20,995 per person.
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As in the past, passengers also can buy segments of the world cruise that range from 12 to 24 days and start at $2,775 per person.
The Queen Mary 2's world voyage, while not a complete circumnavigation of the world, will include stops on four continents. The ship will head from Southampton to Africa, where it will make a maiden call to Namibia, among other stops. From there it will sail to Australia, where it will completely circumnavigate the continent before heading to multiple calls in Asia.
Among the highlights of several Asia calls: A first visit to Hiroshima, Japan.
After Asia, the Queen Mary 2 will turn back westward towards the Middle East for a visit to Dubai and a passage through the Suez Canal to Europe. The voyage -- the ship's fifth world cruise -- ends back in Southampton.
Fares for the Queen Mary 2 trip start at $20,995 per person, with 15- to 22-day segments available starting at $2,995 per person.
Cruise Loggers, have you ever sailed on a world cruise? Share your thoughts below.

Posted Jun 22 2010 5:46AM