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Oxford
Discovery
Immerse yourself in the passion of Jane Eyre. Examine
how the ocean has influenced human life. Discover what has happened to the
British monarchy since Princess Diana. Under a new partnership with
England’s prestigious University of Oxford, authors, historians, artists,
scientists and celebrities will address these topics and more aboard Cunard
Line’s new Queen Mary 2, scheduled to debut in January 2004.
The “Oxford Discovery” series will offer a variety of entertaining and
expert guest speakers, classes and workshops as part of Cunard ConneXionssm,
an innovative, new cultural enrichment and entertainment programme that will
be featured on transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton,
England. Guests will be able to take courses on a variety of topics such as
British and American music and culture of the 1960s, Shakespeare on Film,
Modern Art from the Tate to the Met, and the Internet Explosion.
The wide variety of courses enables the programme to change periodically,
and guests will be able to view the course list on Cunard’s website at least
90 days prior to departure. Queen Mary 2 has over 20,000 square feet of
space dedicated to the lifelong learning process – more than any other ship
afloat. The ConneXions facilities include seven classrooms and the only
planetarium at sea.
“A QM2 transatlantic crossing gives you the luxury of time to pursue
interests that you always put on the back burner at home,” said Deborah
Natansohn, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Cunard Line. “The
Oxford Discovery program will allow our guests to interact with some of the
world’s top scholars in a relaxed environment.”
Oxford Discovery will become a unique forum of perspectives, inspirations
and possibilities. As the world’s oldest English-speaking university,
Oxford’s internal resources and long-standing institutional and academic
links are unparalleled. The university will select experts from leading
educational institutions and cultural organizations in North America and
Europe to take part in this new programme.
“Like Oxford, Cunard Line is an illustrious and historic British institution
with an eye on the future,” said Dr. Geoffrey Thomas, Oxford’s director for
continuing education. “We’re delighted to have been asked to provide this
uniquely enriching experience for Queen Mary 2 guests.”
Oxford has been a centre of higher learning for eight centuries. While there
is no clear date of foundation, teaching existed in some form in 1096 and
developed rapidly beginning in 1167, when Henry II banned English students
from attending the University of Paris. Throughout its history, Oxford has
produced gifted men and women in every sphere of human endeavour who have
studied or taught at the University. Among these are four Kings, 46 Nobel
prize-winners, 25 British Prime Ministers, six current holders of the Order
of Merit, three Saints, 18 Cardinals, 86 Archbishops, and a U.S. President.
The Oxford Discovery programme is just one of the many highlights to be
found on QM2. She will feature sweeping staircase, expansive promenades and
luxurious accommodations for 2,620 guests; nearly three-quarters of which
will have balconies. Among her extraordinary facilities are 10 dining
venues, including the only shipboard restaurant by celebrity chef Todd
English, the only Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea, the world’s first planetarium
at sea, the largest ballroom at sea, the largest library at sea, and the
largest wine collection at sea.
The ship will also feature a
Veuve Clicquot champagne bar, several other
elegant bars and showrooms, a two-story theatre, a casino, five indoor and
outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, boutiques, a pet kennel, and a children’s
facility, complete with British nannies.
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