<>  Cunard Firsts
  

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Cunard Firsts:
  • Cunard Line was the first company to take passengers on regularly scheduled transatlantic services when it introduced the RMS Britannia in 1840.
  • In 1848 Cunard Line originated the system of signal lights, now in general use on all ships, calling for a clear white light on the masthead; a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side.
  • The Childrens' Playroom on the RMS Arabia (1852) was the first room of its kind to go to sea.
  • Pianos first went to sea with Cunard Line in the Music Rooms of the early Cunarders.
  • Bathrooms made their first appearance at sea on the RMS Abyssinia and Algeria in 1870.
  • Cunard Line introduced the first passenger ship to be lit with electricity when it introduced the RMS Servia in 1881.

  • The RMS Campania (1893) was the first twin-screw ocean liner.

  • The RMS Carmania (1905) was the first passenger liner with steam turbine engines.

  • The RMS Franconia (1911) was the first ship with a gymnasium and health centre on board.

  • The RMS Aquitania (1914) had the first indoor swimming pool on board a ship.

  • Cunard Line's RMS Queen Elizabeth (launched in 1938) remained unsurpassed as the world's largest passenger ship from its introduction in 1940 until 1996.

  • Today Cunard Line is the only company still providing a regular scheduled all year round transatlantic service. Currently the new RMS Queen Mary 2 operates this service since it was introduced in 2004.

  • Cunard Line was the first company ever to offer three different around the world cruises at the same time when in 1996 the QE2, Royal Viking Sun and Sagafjord all set off on different World Cruises.

  • The RMS Arabia (1852) had the first children's playroom on board ship.

  • Pianos first went to sea with Cunard Line in the Music Rooms of its early ships.

  • Bathrooms were first introduced at sea with Cunard Line's RMS Abyssinia and RMS Algeria (1870).
  • The first Smoking Rooms appeared on the Cunarders RMS Bothnia and Scythia in 1874, prior to this guests had to go on deck to smoke.

  • The RMS Bothnia (1874) was notable for three firsts - the first lounge for women, the first library at sea, and the first system of electric bells.

  • Ice boxes date back to 1856 and refrigeration came into use with the RMS Campania and Lucania in 1893.
  • The first amidships Dining Rooms appeared on the RMs Campania and Lucania.

  • Rooms "en suite" were first introduced on board the RMS Servia in 1881.

  • The RMS Aurania (1893) was the first ship with a Bridal Suite.

  • The RMS Mauretania (1907) was the first ship to have a Regal Suite comprising two bedrooms, dining room, drawing room, pantry, bathroom and toilet.

  • The RMS Lucania had the distinction of introducing wireless to the ocean. Marconi experimented with his new invention in June 1901.
  • The RMS Lucania also carried the first "submarine signal apparatus" by which to detect the approach of other ships.
  • Cunard Line was the first steamship company to provide staterooms for third class passengers.
  • The RMS Saxonia (1900) introduced the thermo-tank system of ventilation.

  • The RMS Mauretania (1907) was the first ship to have a dark room for photographers.
  • The first steel Cunarder, RMS Servia (1881), was also the first of all liners to be fitted with electric light.

  • The RMS Laconia undertook the very first World Cruise in 1922.

  • The RMS Caronia (1947) was the first passenger ship to be painted green.

  • The famous RMS Queen Mary was the first merchant vessel to be launched by a member of the British Royal Family when she was launched by HM Queen Mary in 1934.

  • The legendary QE2 is the first ship (and as yet still the only ship) to sail 5 million nautical miles in service.

  • The QE2 has the most powerful propulsion plant on a non-military vessel.

  • The QE2 has the largest marine motors ever built.

  • The QE2 has the largest cinema at sea (capacity 531).

  • The QE2 has the only Synagogue at sea.
  • The RMS Queen Mary 2 features a whole host of firsts and exclusives that is unprecedented in the history of ocean liners.

    •                         - The QM2 is the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive passenger liner ever built.
                            - The QM2 features 79% of staterooms with private balconies.
                            - The QM2 has over £3.5 million worth of artwork on board.
                            - The QM2 has the first planetariums at sea with virtual reality rides through the galaxies.
                            - The QM2 is the first vessel fitted with four Mermaid propulsion pods.
                            - The QM2 has the first cultural academy at sea operated by the University of Oxford.
                            - The QM2 has the first suites with private lift access.
                            - The QM2 has the first al fresco cinema at sea.
                            - The QM2 has the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea.
                            - The QM2 has the first Veuve Cliquot Champagne Bar at sea.
                            - The QM2 has the largest Library at sea with 8000 hardbacks, 500 paperbacks, 200 audio books and 100                               CD-Roms.
                            - The QM2 has the largest Ballroom with the largest dancefloor at sea (measuring 7.5 metres by 13 metres).
                            - The QM2 has the first workshops and master classes at sea performed by RADA (the Royal Academy of                                    Dramatic Arts).
                            - The QM2 has the longest jogging track at sea.
                            - The QM2 has the largest and most extensive wine cellar at sea.
                            - The "Queen Mary 2" signs near the funnel are the largest illuminated ship's name signs in maritime history.
  • The Queen Victoria has a 800 seat Royal Court Theatre, reminiscent of a grand West End theatre, which is classically elegant in style and features a cruising first - private boxes on the upper level, with a dedicated lounge area where guests can enjoy a drink before the show.
  • The Queen Victoria  has a unique collection of Cunard memorabilia and artefacts in the first floating museum at sea called 'Cunardia', passengers can also add to their own Cunard collections by visiting the adjacent Cunardia shop.
  • The Queen Victoria takes the famous Cunard Grill experience to new heights with alfresco Grill dining in 'The Courtyard Terrace' and exclusive access for Grills guests to their own 'Upper Terrace Deck', with dedicated staff in attendance, as well as to their Grills Lounge and Bar.
  • The Queen Victoria has the first two-storey wood-panelled library at sea which is connected by a spiral staircase, and houses over 6000 books and has two full-time librarians.

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