Cunard offers simultaneous world cruises on two queens

One world cruise just isn’t enough for Cunard. After all, this is the cruise line that pioneered the concept in 1922. No, Cunard must have two world cruises. So in January 2008, the Queen Elizabeth 2 and the new Queen Victoria will depart together from New York and sail to Ft. Lauderdale. From there, the two ships will take separate routes around the world, meeting again in Sydney, Australia, in late February.

The Queen Elizabeth 2 will sail a 90-day cruise, marking her first return to South America in over 10 years. The Queen Victoria will journey at a more leisurely pace, crossing the globe in 105 days.

Spaces for both world cruises and specific 35- to 47-day segments of each go on sale on June 5 of this year. Book early and you’ll save 15 percent off the brochure rate, plus an additional five percent off for booking by January 31, 2007.

Personally, I’m not sure I could handle a world cruise. I would eat so much rich food that none of my clothes would fit by the end. But circumnavigating the globe in a stately oceanliner does sound romantic. And if you’re going to spend months onboard one ship, you can’t do much better than a Cunard ship, which offers plenty of amenities and luxurious accommodations. You just need to find a way to pay for the trip. After all that hard work, you’ll need a three-month vacation.