Queen to Snub Sydney on Visit

THE Queen is to spend 10 days in Australia next month - but she has given NSW a right royal snub.

The elderly monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh will instead spend their time travelling between Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and Queensland.

The Queen's decision to bypass the state is even more surprising because it is unlikely she will visit Australia again.

Royal observers believe her lengthy and wide-ranging itinerary, from October 19 to 29, indicates she will not visit next year, her Diamond Jubilee.

"The Queen is 85-and-a-half and the Duke is 90 so you can imagine they don't have too many long-haul trips left in them," said Joe Little, managing editor of British royal magazine Majesty.

"Even travelling in the way they do is bound to be a strain."

It will be the Queen's 16th visit to Australia and her first in six years.

She became the first reigning monarch to set foot on Australian soil when at 27 she spent eight weeks touring the country in 1954.

During that trip the royal couple took more than 30 flights and 207 road trips as they criss-crossed the nation, reportedly providing 75 per cent of Australia's population a chance to see the Queen.

This tour will be more low-key and is likely to be made up of hospital and charity engagements, a meeting with Julia Gillard, an official lunch or dinner in her honour and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth.

The Queen is patron of many Australian organisations, including Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and the Scout Association.

"A full list of the Queen's engagements and undertakings during her Australian visit will be released next week," a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said yesterday.

LUCY CARNE LONDON From: The Sunday Telegraph September, 2011

Sydney Prepares for Royal Rendezvous with the New Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2

Sydney will host a tandem Royal arrival of two Queens for the first time when Cunard's latest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, makes her maiden visit to the city accompanied by her larger sister Queen Mary 2.

Midway through her inaugural 103-night world voyage, the 90,900-tonne Queen Elizabeth will meet Queen Mary 2 outside Sydney Heads before 5.30am Tuesday morning before following her sister into Sydney Harbour and berthing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal around 7am.

On her way to Garden Island Queen Mary 2 will round Fort Denison, sounding her whistle as she passes Queen Elizabeth around 6.30am.

Sydney will be the first of Queen Elizabeth's three Australian calls as she arrives from New Zealand on her inaugural world voyage.

The visits by the two ships are expected to deliver close to $3 million into the Sydney economy, with both ships carrying more than 6000 guests and crew between them.

Cunard Line's President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said the cruise line was anticipating a warm welcome from the city.

"Sydneysiders and visitors always enthusiastically welcome our liners when they visit and we hope it will continue for this historic Royal Rendezvous when our latest, Queen Elizabeth, arrives for the first time, chaperoned by her sister Queen Mary 2," Mr Shanks said.

The two liners' historic meeting in Sydney will recall an earlier Royal Rendezvous when the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth - both then World War II troopships - passed each other at Sydney Heads on April 9, 1941.

A special remembrance service, conducted with the assistance of the NSW branch of the RSL and the Australian military, and a lunch in tribute to 'Australia's Finest Generation', many of whom sailed to war on the original Cunard Queens, will be held onboard Queen Mary 2 on Wednesday.

Both ships will spend the night of February 22 in Sydney Harbour with Queen Elizabeth set to farewell her magnificent larger sister with a whistle salute at around midday the next day as she sails past her bound for Melbourne.

Having already called at Fremantle and Adelaide, Queen Mary 2 will depart for Christchurch at 5pm on February 23.

Launched in the United Kingdom by Her Majesty The Queen in October last year, Queen Elizabeth pays homage to Cunard's original Queen Elizabeth, offering famous Cunard hallmarks plus some new additions.

Her many features include more than 700 private balcony cabins, more than 10 restaurants and cafes, a two-storey library complete with leaded glass ceiling and a Games Deck including paddle tennis, croquet and bowls.

Media information:
Libby Moffet/Hannah le Coic
MG Media Communications
02 9904 0011

Sydney Accommodation Available at Metro Hotels

ROYAL WEDDING LIVE ON PRINCESS SHIPS

Australian passengers onboard Dawn Princess and Sun Princess will be able to view the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton live on April 29.

The Royal Wedding will be shown on the ‘Movie Under The Stars’ screens on both Australian-based cruise ships, allowing passengers to view full coverage of the wedding through BBC World’s broadcast of the event.

Onboard viewing parties will enjoy British-style refreshments and special royal-themed cocktails.
Princess Cruises' executive vice president, Jan Swartz said, “Princess Cruises feel a connection with Prince William because his mother, Princess Diana, christened our original Royal Princess back in 1984.”
Royal Wedding broadcasts are planned for all ships in the Princess fleet, subject to satellite availability. In some time zones the broadcast may be delayed for viewing at a convenient hour.
On the day of the Royal Wedding, Dawn Princess will be in the Pacific Ocean cruising from Hawaii to Tahiti and Sun Princess will be in Bali.

(Source: Travelmole 16th February 2011)

Queen Elizabeth San Fran to Sydney 2012 - Royals Visit Australia

If you missed out on joining the Queen Elizabeth whilst she was in Sydney this February then don’t fret. Don't There are still spaces available on her 2012 voyage from San Francisco to Sydney with discounted cabins now available from if you book by March 31.

The 26-night cruise package begins with two nights to explore historic San Francisco before embarking on the grand ship on February 4, 2012 and sailing south with port visits in Hawaii, American Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia - disembarking in Sydney.

This luxury ship has many attractions and facilities to keep you occupied whilst at sea including a large variety of bars, lounges and restaurants, a three-storey theatre, sports centre, two outdoor pools, casino, library, on board lessons from dancing to computers and many more.

The itinerary is priced from $7389 for past passengers per person twin share and includes a one-way economy airfare from Sydney, two nights' accommodation at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf pass, 24-nights cruise accommodation with all meals and entertainment and transfers in San Francisco.

Metro Hotels have Accommodation Available

Queen's Breakfast Cruise for Royal Rendezvous on Sydney Harbour

Captain Cook Cruises is running a special 'Queen's Breakfast' cruise on Tuesday 22 February, 2011 to see the arrival of Queen Mary 2 for her Royal rendezvous with her new sister ship Queen Elizabeth.

Passengers on The Queen's Breakfast cruise will not only have prime seats to see this Royal arrival but also enjoy a delicious hot and cold buffet breakfast including a welcome glass of sparkling wine, seasonal fresh fruit, cereals, yoghurt, bacon, scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans, chipolatas, croissants, rolls, fruit juice, tea and coffee.

The cruise departs No 1 King Street Wharf Darling Harbour at 5.30am, and returns at approximately 8.30am on Tuesday 22 February.

Early bird fares are available now from $69.00 per person, normally $75.00 per person.

Due to possible amendments to Queen Mary 2 or Queen Elizabeth's schedule, all passengers are required to check the captain cook cruises website http://www.captaincook.com.au/ for final details 24 hours prior to departure.

For reservations and enquiries please contact Captain Cook Cruises on (02) 9206 1111, E-mail sydney@captaincook.com.au

(Source: TraveMedia 27th January 2011)

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