Europe Africa EAZ Major Events

Festival of Food and Wine at Sea

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 1933. 

We would like to suggest to IWFS members and their guests that this could  be an excellent opportunity to meet 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 e mail : peter.mcgahey@btinternet.com  who will link all the bookings of IWFS members.  

Please Note :  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  group on-board ship. IWFS will not be arranging any Society activities on board.  We have suggested this idea 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 30 members  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 Cunard have offered IWFS guests an opportunity to meet for pre-dinner drinks in a private room and will dedicate an area in the Britannia Restaurant for those who wish to dine together .    

Michel Roux Jnr will be joining this voyage and will be presenting features from the menu of his Le Gavroche Restaurant.

During the day guests are free to avail of the enrichment programme of food and wine related lectures, events and other on-board facilities.

Members may wish  to join the group on the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton.  However, EAZ is organising its AGM event  in Brockenhurst near Southampton  during the two days prior to embarkation.  Details of this have not yet been finalised but members from all zones will be welcome to attend this AGM event.    The programme will be broadly in line with that set out below . Separate registration and payment will be required in due course.

On the evening of disembarkation there will be a dinner arranged by members of IWFS New York branch .

                                                               

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

Wednesday  20th September    

 16.00 +  AGM event 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              

 Mid morning:    transfer to  Queen Mary 2   will be arranged.

 19.00   Guests meet  on board  for  introductions and pre dinner    drinks                                                            

20.00    Dinner in Britannia Restaurant or  (optional) alternative dining venues

 

Days 2 – 6   at sea -       At leisure                                                  

Each evening                               

19.00       Meet for pre-dinner drinks

20.00       Dinner in Britannia Restaurant or (optional) alternative dining venues

 

Monday 29th September          

08.00       Disembarkation commences  at New York                   

19.00       Reception and Dinner Organised by the New York Branch

On land private arrangements.      

A  New York hotel will be suggested.           

Please note:

Details and costs for the EAZ programme, accommodation, dinners and for 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 EAZ dinner on Thursday 21st September.

All IWFS members  may attend the AGM , Members’ Forum and ensuing buffet lunch .   ( only EAZ members will be permitted to vote in the formal proceedings).

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 transfers in New York , accommodation and  onward/return travel in America.  All members and guests will be personally responsible for arranging Travel & Health insurance and visas .

For the voyage – guests are recommended to select the Britannia Restaurant Dining option and to purchase a drinks “package”.  There would be an additional charges payable to Cunard on board for guests who select the optional alternative dining options.

Enquiries : E:   peter.mcgahey@btinternet.com    

                  T: +44(0)1291 690825