Queen Mary 2 will visit Liverpool in 2009

THE Cunard Line has always had close ties with the city of Liverpool and its people because the line was founded there. And so in 2009, as a link to the 170th anniversary of the founding of the line Queen Mary 2 will travel up the Mersey to spend a couple of days celebrating Cunard’s links to the city with 3,000 passengers on board. Many ‘Scouse’ celebrations will be planned!

The liner will also highlight the role of the new Cruise Liner Terminal as just one focal point on the city’s revamped waterfront which is undergoing massive construction work at Pier Head, including a new canal link which passes in front of the Cunard Building and the new Mersey Ferry Terminal – all of which should increase public access to the World Heritage Site waterfront.

It’s amazing that not more people realise that a cruise ship is a wonderful place to get married. The real value comes because the ship acts as a wedding venue AND a honeymoon destination, which allows you to visit multiple ports

Both Carnival and Princess Cruises actually have wedding chapels onboard, offering a walk up the aisle, organ music, and an altar, and work flexibly to accommodate most religious faiths. But that’s not the only option, you might eschew the chapel in favour of betting married in the atrium, by the pool or even at any of the ports offered during the cruise and it can be a cost saver too as many cruise lines offer special wedding packages with flowers, taped music, the necessary paperwork, and the wedding site all organised, along with the services of a ship-familiar weeding planner. You can then add optional extras to the basic deal such as food and beverages, live music, an onboard photographer, spa treats for bride and bridesmaids etc.