Queen Mary 2 Right on Schedule to Ushuaia, Punta Arenas

Cruise liner Queen Mary 2 with its 2,600 passengers is currently sailing for Ushuaia and Punta Arenas after having spent thirteen hours in Montevideo, where Cunard Lines put on a big public relations operation.

The world´s largest, longest, tallest, grandest ocean liner ever was received last Sunday in Montevideo by the Uruguayan Minister of Tourism Hector Lescano and a display of typical River Plate music and dance groups.

At mid day Captain Ronald Warwick held a reception on board for Uruguayan officials, special guests and the local press that was given a treat of Cunard hospitality plus a tour of the impressive 345-meter-long and 14-story-tall vessel.

Although it was a particularly hot and damp day, many passengers visited the old city and port market of Montevideo, while other took special tours to resorts and ranches with all the South American cattle breeding show.

Regardless of the good PR effort, this cruise has proved particularly troublesome with some passengers having threatened to sue Cunard because of last-minute schedule changes, including canceling calls in St. Kitts, Barbados and Salvador.

Queen Mary actually suffered two days delay when it had to return with a damaged propeller to Fort Lauderdale for repairs January 17. Queen Mary is scheduled to call again in Montevideo next March.