Immerse yourself in the passion of Jane Eyre. Examine how the ocean has influenced human life. Discover what has happened to the British monarchy since Princess Diana. Under a new partnership with England’s prestigious University of Oxford, authors, historians, artists, scientists and celebrities will address these topics and more aboard Cunard Line’s new Queen Mary 2, scheduled to debut in January 2004.

The “Oxford Discovery” series will offer a variety of entertaining and expert guest speakers, classes and workshops as part of Cunard ConneXionssm, an innovative, new cultural enrichment and entertainment programme that will be featured on transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton, England. Guests will be able to take courses on a variety of topics such as British and American music and culture of the 1960s, Shakespeare on Film, Modern Art from the Tate to the Met, and the Internet Explosion.

The wide variety of courses enables the programme to change periodically, and guests will be able to view the course list on Cunard’s website at least 90 days prior to departure. Queen Mary 2 has over 20,000 square feet of space dedicated to the lifelong learning process – more than any other ship afloat. The ConneXions facilities include seven classrooms and the only planetarium at sea.

“A QM2 transatlantic crossing gives you the luxury of time to pursue interests that you always put on the back burner at home,” said Deborah Natansohn, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Cunard Line. “The Oxford Discovery program will allow our guests to interact with some of the world’s top scholars in a relaxed environment.”

Oxford Discovery will become a unique forum of perspectives, inspirations and possibilities. As the world’s oldest English-speaking university, Oxford’s internal resources and long-standing institutional and academic links are unparalleled. The university will select experts from leading educational institutions and cultural organizations in North America and Europe to take part in this new programme.

“Like Oxford, Cunard Line is an illustrious and historic British institution with an eye on the future,” said Dr. Geoffrey Thomas, Oxford’s director for continuing education. “We’re delighted to have been asked to provide this uniquely enriching experience for Queen Mary 2 guests.”

Oxford has been a centre of higher learning for eight centuries. While there is no clear date of foundation, teaching existed in some form in 1096 and developed rapidly beginning in 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. Throughout its history, Oxford has produced gifted men and women in every sphere of human endeavour who have studied or taught at the University. Among these are four Kings, 46 Nobel prize-winners, 25 British Prime Ministers, six current holders of the Order of Merit, three Saints, 18 Cardinals, 86 Archbishops, and a U.S. President.

The Oxford Discovery programme is just one of the many highlights to be found on QM2. She will feature sweeping staircase, expansive promenades and luxurious accommodations for 2,620 guests; nearly three-quarters of which will have balconies. Among her extraordinary facilities are 10 dining venues, including the only shipboard restaurant by celebrity chef Todd English, the only Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea, the world’s first planetarium at sea, the largest ballroom at sea, the largest library at sea, and the largest wine collection at sea.

The ship will also feature a Veuve Clicquot champagne bar, several other elegant bars and showrooms, a two-story theatre, a casino, five indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, boutiques, a pet kennel, and a children’s facility, complete with British nannies.