Brooklyn Welcomes QM2

Brooklynites Treated to a Prime View of the Majestic QM2

VALENCIA, Calif., April 11 
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg will share the spotlight with the world's most famous ocean liner, Queen
Mary 2, when he and other dignitaries gather for the official opening of the new Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on April 15. The brand-new facility is Queen Mary 2's new home port in New York City and, as such, the legendary ship will dock there, for the first time ever, during the terminal's official opening ceremony and press conference. Mayor Bloomberg will be joined by Andrew Alper, president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation; Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough president; Richard Larrabee, port commerce director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line.
Queen Mary 2 begins her 2006 transatlantic season with her departure
for Southampton later in the day. Crossing the Atlantic from April -
November, QM2 is the only ship making regularly scheduled transatlantic
crossings between New York and England.
In New York, crowds of well-wishers are expected to converge on
Brooklyn's working waterfront as well as other waterfront areas to view the
Queen Mary 2. The ship can be seen from the following vantage points during
the ship's departure at 5:00 p.m.:
- Valentino Pier (Also known as Coffey Street Pier) -- Located on the
waterfront in Red Hook at Coffey Street. Coffey Street is off Van Brunt
Street.

- Beard Street Pier -- A locally-managed artist gallery complex located at
the end of Van Burnt Street on the waterfront. The Beard Street Pier
will be open to the public during the daylight hours.

- Bay Ridge/Shore Parkway Bike Path -- This pedestrian friendly area
traces a path along the bay between Bay Ridge Avenue and the Verranzano
Bridge in Brooklyn.

- Battery Park -- Public park located at the Southern tip of Manhattan.

- Staten Island Ferry -- Departs the St. George Ferry Terminal at 1 Bay
Street, Richmond Terrace, Staten Island and arrives at the Whitehall
Terminal at 1 Whitehall Street at South Street in Lower Manhattan.
"Cunard's move to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is an exciting new
chapter in the history of Cunard Line and we're looking forward to sharing
this celebratory day with the Brooklyn community. This location offers
unparalleled views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty creating a
truly memorable start and end to a legendary Cunard voyage," said Carol
Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line.
The Red Hook facility will be used by Carnival Corporation's Cunard
Line and Princess Cruises. In April 2004 the Bloomberg Administration
reached a historic agreement with Carnival that calls for the company to
support the City's investments in cruise facilities in Brooklyn and
Manhattan through port charges in exchange for berthing rights. In its
first year of operation, the 182,000-square-foot Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
is expected to welcome approximately 40 ships, including the new Crown
Princess launching in June 2006. The Terminal adds 330 new, permanent jobs
to the Brooklyn waterfront.
Queen Mary 2 is the grandest ocean liner ever built. There are 1,310
suites and cabins available in degrees of style and comfort ranging from
pampered elegance to almost unimaginable luxury in the ship's famed
Grill-level accommodations. Queen Mary 2 brings together like-minded
travelers who relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star
Service(SM), fine dining, sophisticated adventure and legacy of historic
voyages and transatlantic travel. For more information about Cunard or
Queen Mary 2, contact Lighthouse Travel at 800-719-9917.
Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world
since 1840. Cunard vessels have a classic British heritage and include the
legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. Queen Victoria joins the
fleet in 2007.
Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. The
exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America
Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of
Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to
quality and value, member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and
budgets. Together they offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the
world's most desirable destinations.