In September 2023, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will sail from Southampton to New York on Friday 22nd arriving on Friday 29th.
It will be a special voyage staging a Festival of Food & Wine on board and it coincides with the 90th anniversary of the founding of IWFS in November 1923. Shortly after the first event in January 1924 André Simon sailed to New York leading to the formation of branches of IWFS in the US.
We would like to invite members and guests from the Americas and APZ to join members from EAZ on this cruise as an informal group. You will need to reserve and pay directly with Cunard (www.cunard.com), or with your travel agent, for the crossing and to make your own onward and return journey arrangements. The cruise reference code is: M329E
When you have reserved your crossing, please email *protected email* who will link all the bookings of IWFS members. This programme is not being organised as an IWFS EAZ festival. On this occasion IWFS EAZ will act only as a facilitator and focal point for the overall group on-board ship. We have launched this opportunity very early as many cruises are booked up quickly and we want to ensure that those of you who want to join the group can reserve places; there are already 6 members of EAZ booked on the cruise. Cunard have advised that this cruise is proving to be very popular and there is already a waiting list for some grades of staterooms.
Each evening during the voyage IWFS guests will meet for pre-dinner drinks in a private room and will have a dedicated dining area in the Britannia Grill restaurant. There will be two formal dress evenings and on one evening there will be an option – at additional cost- to dine in the Verandah Restaurant where Michael Roux Jnr will present the menu of the Gavroche Restaurant.
During the day guests would be free to enjoy the enrichment programme of food and wine related lectures, events and other on-board facilities.
IWFS Members and their guests worldwide are invited to participate in this group event facilitated by EAZ.
Members are welcome simply to join the group on the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton. However, EAZ will organise its AGM event in the two days prior to embarkation. Details of this have not yet been finalised but members from all zones will be welcome to attend the AGM event. The programme will be broadly in line with that set out below and will be based near Southampton. Separate registration and payment will be required in due course.
On disembarking in New York, it is hoped that an event can be organised with the New York branch. If it proves not to be possible a dinner in New York will be organised.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
Wednesday 20th September
16.00 + AGM Registration / hotel check in
19.00 Drinks Reception and Dinner (Dress code smart casual)
Thursday 21st September
10.00 AGM & Members Forum
12.30 Buffet Lunch
14.00 A local historical or wine related visit
19.00 AGM Dinner with guests who are sailing (Dress code smart casual)
Friday 22nd September
12.00 Queen Mary 2 Embarkation commences
18.00 Guests meet on board for introductions and pre dinner drinks
19.00 Dinner in Britannia Grill
Days 2 – 6 at sea – At leisure
Each evening
18.00 Meet for pre-dinner drinks
19.00 Dinner in Britannia Grill or alternative dining restaurant
Monday 29th September
08.00 Disembarkation commences at New York
19.00 Reception and Dinner with New York Branch or in a NY restaurant as a group reservation
On land private arrangements. A New York hotel will be recommended
Please note:
Details and costs for the EAZ programme, accommodation and dinners and the arrangements made in New York will be published at a later date. A separate price will be made available for attendance only at the dinner on Thursday 21st September.
Any IWFS member may attend the AGM and Members’ Forum, though only EAZ members will be permitted to vote in the formal proceedings. The buffet lunch on the 21st of September will be without charge to members from all regions.
All costs associated with the voyage will be the direct responsibility of the guests. IWFS will not cover any expenses nor make any charges related to the voyage, nor for on-land accommodation in America nor onward/return travel. For events on board involving the group, payment will be made either directly with Cunard or through a collection carried out by the “facilitating members” of IWFS.
For the voyage – guests are recommended to select the Britannia Grills Dining option and to purchase a drinks “package”. There would be an additional charge for guests who select the option of alternative dining in the Verandah Restaurant – payable on board.
With kind regards
John Nicholas
EAZ Chairman