QE2: Take Your Royal Family
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Ride the Big Boat - (1.1 MB QuickTime Movie)
November 16, 1996
(CNN) -- The Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner has been taking luxury travelers to sea for 27 years. It is considered the world's fastest ship and was specifically designed as an ocean-crossing vessel.
A journey aboard this legendary craft, which launched in 1969 and recently underwent a $45 million renovation, has long been considered magical. Now, the regal QE2 is focusing on a new group of landlubbers, offering themed sailings designed to take families across the ocean without having to spend a "king's ransom."
QE2 offers regular transatlantic service between New York and Southampton, England. In 1997, Cunard Line plans to extend the ship's normal five-day Atlantic crossings to an extra-leisurely six days.
The Family Adventures begin with a special briefing from QE2's captain, who helps kids develop a sense of the ship's grand size. With 13 stories and a length equivalent to three football fields, the QE2 is sometimes called the eighth wonder of the world.
Onboard, you'll find everything from the largest library at sea to a Harrod's department store. Casinos await the grownups and a game room is available for kids. The pool and hot tubs, as well as shows like "Fiddler on the Roof," offer diversions for the whole family.
And then there's the food. Delectable offerings, like caviar and an abundance of ice cream, are some of the palate-pleasers for big and little mouths. To help counteract the calories, the QE2 also has a spa.
Younger children can be cared for by British nannies in Noah's Ark, the colorful, aptly-named nursery where entertainer Gino Deville provides comic relief. Supervised activities for older kids also abound.
Many smaller travelers say the most enjoyable part of the trip is spending time with their folks. And parents enjoy the time at sea because kids can relax in a safe atmosphere, where they're free to roam and enjoy activities by themselves.
With so much to do, the historic scope of the journey can get lost. Many North Americans' ancestors sailed the same waters, but in the opposite direction, 200 or 300 years earlier on a journey to settle in a new land.
Beyond the family cruises, QE2 offers additional themed sailings, such as cooking, golf or art. It's best to check with a travel agent, or a cruise-only agent, to determine which best suits your family.
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