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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (February 24, 2015) - Three prominent cruise ships visited San Francisco in recent weeks as a featured port on round-the-world cruises, giving adventurous travelers the opportunity to explore the globe in the comfort of a luxury liner. All three ships are owned by Carnival Corporation; one is operated by P&O Cruises - Arcadia - and two are operated by Cunard Line - Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.
            "San Francisco is delighted to welcome these world cruise ships to our port," said Monique Moyer, Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco. "Many of the city's most popular destinations are just a short walk from our cruise terminals."
            The 951-foot Arcadia sailed from Southampton, England, on January 6 heading west, with stops in Spain, the Azores, and the Caribbean, before transiting the Panama Canal, followed by two ports in Mexico, arriving in San Francisco on January 30.
            The nearly 2,000 guests and 1,000 crew members on board enjoyed a two-day stay at San Francisco's new James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27, with the prospect of excursions to Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Muir Woods, and Napa Valley wineries, to name just a few.
            Captain Aseem Hashimi then directed the ship to Hawaii, with onward calls in Australia, China, India, the Suez Canal, and a scheduled return date to Southampton of April 23, a 106-night circumnavigation of the globe.
            The 965-foot Queen Elizabeth began her 112-day round-trip voyage in Southampton on January 10, following a similar westward route. Under the command of Captain Alistair Clark, the ship is visiting 38 ports in 25 countries, sailing over 38,000 nautical miles. Queen Elizabeth arrived in San Francisco on February 7, also for an overnight call.
            The most recent world cruise visitor to San Francisco was the 965-foot Queen Victoria, under the command of Captain Peter Philpott. This 103-night voyage departed from Southampton on January 20, arriving in San Francisco on February 19. Queen Victoria is due to return to Southampton on May 3, to coincide with the arrival of Cunard Line's other two ships, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2.
            According to Richard Meadows, President of Cunard North America, "San Francisco has held historical significance for Cunard since 1942, when the original Queen Elizabeth visited as part of her war duties, and she also underwent a refit. Later, in 1978, Queen Elizabeth 2 made her maiden call to San Francisco, visiting a dozen times more in subsequent years.
            "In recent years," Meadows added, "Cunard's contemporary fleet has made numerous calls during their World Voyages. Memorably, flagship Queen Mary 2's inaugural visit in 2007 was enthusiastically received by thousands of well-wishers who came out to welcome her; and Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth visit the city regularly and always receive a gracious greeting. And for our well-travelled guests, San Francisco's iconic landmarks, world-class dining and culture are always a much-anticipated highlight."
            A fourth Carnival UK ship, P&O's 886-foot Aurora, will also visit San Francisco in March for an overnight call on a 105-night South America and Pacific voyage.
            The Port of San Francisco is an enterprise agency of the City and County of San Francisco that manages a broad range of maritime, commercial, and public-access facilities along 7 miles of the City's waterfront that are held in public trust for the people of California.
Famous for its scenic beauty, cultural attractions, diverse communities, and world-class cuisine, San Francisco has been a homeport for cruise ships for more than 40 years, featuring Alaska, Mexico, and Hawaii itineraries. This year the Port will host 82 cruise calls at its Pier 27 and Pier 35 cruise terminals, welcoming some 300,000 guests.