Cunard veteran Captain Paul Wright to assume command of Cunard's newest Queen.
Captain Paul Wright, a 26 year veteran of Cunard Line, has been appointed master of Queen Victoria, the company's newest ocean liner currently under construction in Venice that will enter service in December 2007, it was announced today.
Captain Wright first went to sea in 1965 as a cadet with Shell Tankers, and quickly progressed to passenger ships in 1969 when he joined Canadian Pacific. His first appointment with Cunard was to Cunard Countess in 1980 and since then he has served on Cunard Princess, Sagafjord and Cunard Dynasty. In 1999, Captain Wright was promoted to Captain of Cunard's flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 where he served until construction began on Queen Mary 2, the largest ocean liner ever built. He oversaw construction of QM2 in St. Nazaire prior to commission, and in 2004 was appointed Master of Queen Mary 2, rotating with the recently retired Commodore Ronald Warwick.
Having sailed to all seven continents, when asked what his most memorable moments at sea have been, Captain Wright cites two: meeting Astronaut Neil Armstrong who was lecturing onboard in the early 1990's and sailing Queen Mary 2 into Hamburg on her maiden call when half a million people lined the shore to greet her.
In commenting on his appointment, Captain Wright says: "I fully expect that sailing Queen Victoria into Southampton for the first time will give me a third most memorable event - and I have no doubt it will be equally memorable for those who turn out to greet us; nothing stirs the imagination quite as much as a new Cunarder arriving in port for the first time. She will be a magnificent vessel built in true Cunard style."
Captain Wright and his wife Linda reside in the United Kingdom in a village near Truro, Cornwall.
Queen Victoria will be a classic Cunarder, offering the characteristics that have become synonymous with Cunard's heritage and traditions combined with the most modern, luxurious furnishings and facilities. But more than that, she will also feature exciting innovations - such as the first private boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre, a floating museum housing Cunard memorabilia, and the first two-story library at sea. Queen Victoria will follow the Cunard tradition with her distinctive silhouette black hull and signature red funnel, as well as, elegant classically styled public rooms - many on a grand scale - with an abundance of rich wood panelling, chandeliers and marble.
With the launch of Queen Victoria in December 2007, three Queens will sail together under the Cunard banner for the first time in our history.
To set eyes on her sleek outline, with her distinctive black and red livery, is to recognise her instantly as the latest Classic Cunarder, a unique marriage of heritage and innovation.
As one of the first guests ever to embark, you will encounter the dramatic three-tier Grand Lobby, whose magnificent staircase and eye-catching artwork offers a lavish taste of life aboard. Walk around the ship and you’ll see elaborate chandeliers adorn the Queens Room double height ceiling to enhance its calm grandeur.
The Winter Garden is all light and relaxation, very much colonial in tone, with decked floors and leafy foliage – its glass roof even opens to the warm breeze.
Elegant and stylish, every public room will create a unique ambience where our renowned White Star Service™ will continue to surpass expectations.
Take your place in history and be among the first to experience the unveiling of this Classic Cunarder on her Maiden World Cruise in 2008.
Captain Paul Wright, a 26 year veteran of Cunard Line, has been appointed master of Queen Victoria, the company's newest ocean liner currently under construction in Venice that will enter service in December 2007, it was announced today.
Captain Wright first went to sea in 1965 as a cadet with Shell Tankers, and quickly progressed to passenger ships in 1969 when he joined Canadian Pacific. His first appointment with Cunard was to Cunard Countess in 1980 and since then he has served on Cunard Princess, Sagafjord and Cunard Dynasty. In 1999, Captain Wright was promoted to Captain of Cunard's flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 where he served until construction began on Queen Mary 2, the largest ocean liner ever built. He oversaw construction of QM2 in St. Nazaire prior to commission, and in 2004 was appointed Master of Queen Mary 2, rotating with the recently retired Commodore Ronald Warwick.
Having sailed to all seven continents, when asked what his most memorable moments at sea have been, Captain Wright cites two: meeting Astronaut Neil Armstrong who was lecturing onboard in the early 1990's and sailing Queen Mary 2 into Hamburg on her maiden call when half a million people lined the shore to greet her.
In commenting on his appointment, Captain Wright says: "I fully expect that sailing Queen Victoria into Southampton for the first time will give me a third most memorable event - and I have no doubt it will be equally memorable for those who turn out to greet us; nothing stirs the imagination quite as much as a new Cunarder arriving in port for the first time. She will be a magnificent vessel built in true Cunard style."
Captain Wright and his wife Linda reside in the United Kingdom in a village near Truro, Cornwall.
Queen Victoria will be a classic Cunarder, offering the characteristics that have become synonymous with Cunard's heritage and traditions combined with the most modern, luxurious furnishings and facilities. But more than that, she will also feature exciting innovations - such as the first private boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre, a floating museum housing Cunard memorabilia, and the first two-story library at sea. Queen Victoria will follow the Cunard tradition with her distinctive silhouette black hull and signature red funnel, as well as, elegant classically styled public rooms - many on a grand scale - with an abundance of rich wood panelling, chandeliers and marble.
With the launch of Queen Victoria in December 2007, three Queens will sail together under the Cunard banner for the first time in our history.
To set eyes on her sleek outline, with her distinctive black and red livery, is to recognise her instantly as the latest Classic Cunarder, a unique marriage of heritage and innovation.
As one of the first guests ever to embark, you will encounter the dramatic three-tier Grand Lobby, whose magnificent staircase and eye-catching artwork offers a lavish taste of life aboard. Walk around the ship and you’ll see elaborate chandeliers adorn the Queens Room double height ceiling to enhance its calm grandeur.
The Winter Garden is all light and relaxation, very much colonial in tone, with decked floors and leafy foliage – its glass roof even opens to the warm breeze.
Elegant and stylish, every public room will create a unique ambience where our renowned White Star Service™ will continue to surpass expectations.
Take your place in history and be among the first to experience the unveiling of this Classic Cunarder on her Maiden World Cruise in 2008.
