Lucky islanders see QM2 named - it's here in April

QUEEN MARY 2 will visit Guernsey for the first time in April. The largest liner in the world was formally named yesterday by the Queen in Southampton following Her Majesty's tour of the £550m. vessel.

At 150,000 tonnes and with a length of nearly four football fields, it is twice the size of the QE2, which in 1967 was the last Cunard ship to be named by the Queen.

Uniglobe managing director Fred Eulenkamp was invited to the 'spectacular' quayside ceremony as one of the top-performing Cunard agents. He was accompanied by his wife, Mandy.

Security was very tight, he said, including picture identification. Even hats, which were part of the dress code, were searched.

Sir Bobby Robson and Terry Waite were among the prominent figures at the ceremony which was hosted by broadcaster Michael Buerk.

Mr Eulenkamp said that he was honoured to be there.

'It's quite an occasion. I've been to the naming ceremony of other ships but this is more special because the Queen is doing it.'

He was impressed by the ship on which he enjoyed afternoon tea and a champagne reception followed by a gala dinner and rock opera in the large theatre.

The liner also boasts five swimming pools, a health and beauty spa with fitness facilities, a planetarium, a casino, boutiques, bars, restaurants and a learning centre.

Islanders will have the chance to see the vessel from a distance on 13 April when the QM2 visits St Peter Port as part of a four-night 'Flavour of France' tour from Southampton to Cherbourg via Guernsey. The cruise on the 2,620-passenger ship has already nearly sold out to mainly British holidaymakers, who can spend the day in the island.

Gillian and Gordon Fowler, who have lived in Guernsey for nearly 21 years, had an exclusive preview of the ship on Wednesday. They were among the Cunard customers selected for the tour.

'It was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' said Mr Fowler, 74, who has been on the QE2 four times with the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

'I don't know if we'll ever cruise on the QM2 - it's something to think about for the future.'

He said that it was a fantastic ship.

'When you're on the decks where there are cabins, you can hardly see the far end of it.

'I was very impressed with the Britannia restaurant and the theatre would put a lot of the West End theatres to shame.'

Mrs Fowler, 73, said that it was sheer luxury.

David Le Cras, travel manager of Island International Travel and one of the local Cunard agents on board on Wednesday, was impressed by the size, facilities, service and quality of furnishings.

He said that the ship's cruises for this year were already selling well, particularly for the transatlantic route, which it was taking over from the QE2.

'The transatlantic route is a good alternative to flying, with six days to change instead of one,' he said.

Prices for this trip range from £999 per person, including a one-way airfare, to £18,000 per person for a two-level apartment complete with butler.

Its 14-day inaugural voyage will be from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale in Florida and starts on Monday.