Planetarium Shows at Sea! - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

canarymoon · 03-11-2007, 09:53 AM

Now, THIS sounds amazing!
(It's from the Cunard website.)

Travel Billions of Light-Years Away Aboard Queen Mary 2, with New Programmes from the American Museum of Natural History's Acclaimed Hayden Planetarium

In the only Planetarium at Sea, Two New Shows and New Plasma-Screen AstroBulletins Engage, Educate and Entertain VALENCIA, CA - March 07, 2007 - Guests accustomed to extraordinary voyages aboard the world's most famous ocean liner won't believe where their next adventure will take them. Cunard's Queen Mary 2, in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium, introduces two breathtaking new space shows in the 150-seat Illuminations, the only planetarium at sea . . .

"Queen Mary 2's Illuminations theatre was specifically designed to feature dynamic multi-media programmes like the unparalleled caliber produced by the American Museum of Natural History," . . .

canarymoon · 03-11-2007, 09:54 AM

. . . MORE -

Shows playing on Queen Mary 2 include:

Cosmic Collisions - Narrated by Robert Redford, it launches passengers on a spine-tingling trip through space and time to explore the cosmic collisions and hypersonic impacts that drive the dynamic and continuing evolution of the universe.

Passport to the Universe - Narrated by Tom Hanks, this awe-inspiring show reveals the wonders of the universe in a way never seen before. This Hayden Planetarium show takes passengers on an exhilarating flight though the universe and into the Orion Nebula, deep into intergalactic space.

The Search for Life: Are We Alone? - Narrated by Harrison Ford, this space show, developed by the AMNH in collaboration with NASA, delves into the role of water as one of the necessities for life as we know it.

canarymoon · 03-11-2007, 09:55 AM

. . . And finally -

New AstroBulletins Broadcast Breaking News

Outside of the entrance to Illuminations, newly installed plasma screens present the American Museum of Natural History's pioneering AstroBulletins. Showcasing the latest developments in the ever-changing field of astrophysics, these high-resolution large-screen presentations tap the latest images from NASA satellites and other observatories.

AstroBulletin presentations, ranging from breaking news and date visualizations to in-depth feature stories, explore a wide range of topics, including space weather, the possibility of life on Mars and the cosmic microwave background

SOURCE: Cunard: The Most Famous Ocean Liners In The World

canarymoon · 03-12-2007, 08:29 PM

I don't know of any other ship that has something like this - does anyone else?

MCcruiser · 03-12-2007, 08:48 PM

I've not heard of anything like this before. The AMNH and Hayden Planetarium are always putting together top of the line exhibits, so these films should be great. I just wished they had chosen narrators based on technical expertise rather than name recognition.

canarymoon · 03-12-2007, 09:08 PM

Agreed. That really would have been way, way better.

sue miller · 03-12-2007, 09:26 PM

That sounds wonderful!! When I lived up in Mass we had a planetarium and it was just fascinating!! Certainly not to this extent but great just the same!! This must be incredible!!

Marleneann · 04-01-2007, 06:57 PM

Do you have to reserve your seat for the shows?
Is there any cost?

MCcruiser · 04-02-2007, 12:23 PM

Marleneann, I was able to find a "Daily Programme" from a transatlantic trip. It shows that reservations are needed for one of these shows, but no "cover charge" was mentioned.
http://www.cunard.com/uploads/QM2sea...lanticDay5.pdf

Of course, everything is subject to change. If you decide to book a cruise on the QM2, I suggest you ask how Planetariums are being handled at that tiem.

djgifford · 04-02-2007, 06:31 PM

There is no charge for the planetariums. They give tickets out the day of the showings.