Queen Mary 2 to Circle Australia

Cunard's luxury liner Queen Mary 2 is reportedly planning to circumnavigate Australia in 2012, visiting ports in five states and the Northern Territory. The Sydney Morning Herald estimates that the tour will boost Australia's economy by $9 million.

The ship is expected to spend 28 sailing around Australia. The 2012 voyage will reportedly be the longest period Queen Mary 2 has been based in any country outside her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.

Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each see two visits from the liner during her 2012 Australian season.

Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks said in a statement he expected very strong demand from Australian and international markets when tickets for the Australian tour go on sale in mid-2010.

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