MIAMI, Jan. 3, 2000 -- Cunard's famed Queen Elizabeth 2 offers 20 reasons to cross the Atlantic in 2000. From "Beyond the Human Limit" to its ever-popular "Floating Jazz Festival," QE2 is featuring 20 theme cruises next year, including six themes rich in British culture.

"Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line, both operated by Cunard Line Limited, have increased the number of theme cruises in 2000 by 100 percent," stated Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. "Queen Elizabeth 2's 'Floating Jazz Festival' and 'Big Bands at Sea' are in such high demand among guests that we've added two more next year," said Pimentel. "In fact, QE2's theme cruises have become so popular that guests will plan their holidays around specific theme cruises."

QE2's theme cruise line-up for 2000 is:

"Gardens of Great Britain" -- 7-day Transatlantic (May 10-17) from New York/Boston to Southampton. During this voyage, guest speakers from the Royal Oak Foundation include Anna Pavord, an eminent British garden historian and author of "Tulip Mania," Susan Crewe, editor of House and Garden Magazine (UK edition) and Warren Davis, expert on the National Trust Gardens of Great Britain. Rates begin at $2,620 per person, double occupancy.

"Food & Wine -- Old & New Worlds" -- 7-day Transatlantic (May 29 - June 5) from Southampton/Cherbourg to New York. Expert chefs and wine connoisseurs will reveal the varied flavors of the old and new worlds with special menus and tastings. Special guests include Patrick Anthony, host of BBC Television's "Ready, Steady, Cook." Rates begin at $2,620 per person, double occupancy.

"Floating Jazz Festival" -- 7-day Transatlantic (June 5 - 12) from New York/Boston to Southampton and 10-day Transatlantic from Miami/Bermuda to Southampton (Oct. 27 - Nov. 6). The world's greatest jazz musicians create a floating jazz festival on the QE2. 1999 line-up included Clark Terry, Oscar Peterson, Shirley Horn, Carol Sloane, Houston Person & Etta Jones, Jimmy Heath, Lou Donaldson and Vanessa Rubin. Rates begin at $2,620 per person, double occupancy for the 7-day cruise and $3,200 for the 10-day cruise.

"British Theatre" -- 7-day Transatlantic (June 12 - 19) from Southampton/Amsterdam to New York. Actors and theatre experts bring the unexcelled world of British Theatre to life on QE2. Guests include acclaimed British actor Richard Griffiths, who appeared in the recently released "Sleepy Hollow," and also "Chariots of Fire," "Ghandi" and "Greystoke;" London playwright and director Jane McCulloch, who is best known for biographical dramas of modern and historical character from Lord Byron to Beethoven and Churchill; acclaimed British actor Julian Glover, whose 27 film credits include "Tom Jones," "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones," "For Your Eyes Only," and "Wuthering Heights;" and leading West End actress Isla Blair, whose roles include Desdemona in "Othello," Amanda in "Private Lives," and Kate in "Kiss Me Kate." Rates begin at $2,620 per person, double occupancy.

"Big Bands at Sea" -- 6-day Transatlantic (June 19 - 25) from New York to Southampton and the 10-day Transatlantic from Southampton to Bermuda/Miami (Oct. 12 - 22), which will include a British flavor. Big Bands at Sea is the second longest running theme in the cruise industry. It is the largest annual big band festival on land or sea. The 1999 line-up included: Ray Anthony, Larry Elgart, Bob Wilber, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Billy May Orchestra. Rates begin at $2,280 per person, double occupancy for the 6-day voyage and $3,200 for the 10-day voyage.

"QE2 Goes to the Movies" -- 6-day Transatlantic (June 25 - July 1) from Southampton to New York. This film festival includes some of the world's most loved films, introduced by the experts. Film historian Bob Lippet will speak on the Golden Age of Hollywood film, including insider anecdotes about the stars and their films and rare film clips. Rates begin at $2,280 per person, double occupancy.

"Great Authors of the Century" -- 6-day Transatlantic (July 5 - July 11) from New York to Southampton. Some of the best-known authors of the century will speak about their lives and work. Rates begin at $2,500 per person, double occupancy.

"Arts & Culture of Great Britain" -- 7-day British Isles/France (July 11 - July 18) from Southampton to Southampton. Music, stories, cuisine and humor will be featured, along with speakers representing ports of call in Great Britain. Rates begin at $1,530 per person, double occupancy.

"Family Reunion" -- 6-day Transatlantic (July 25 - 31 from Southampton to New York) and (July 31 - Aug. 6 from New York to Southampton). A star family entertainer and daily activities for children of all ages will make this a memorable crossing for families. Special guests include The London Festival Players, who will present "Wind in the Willows," a family musical on the first voyage and "The Wizard of Oz" on the second voyage. Rates begin at $2,500 per person, double occupancy.

"British Comedy" -- 6-day Transatlantic (Aug. 6 - 12) from Southampton to New York. Guests will laugh along with comic masters of stand up, song and film with a uniquely British flavor. Guests include cabaret artist Michael Law, who will perform the comic music of Noel Coward, Ivor Novella, and other British musical wits and Robert Powell, star of the popular British television series, "The Detectives." Rates begin at $2,500 per person, double occupancy.

"Exploration and Discovery" -- 6-day Transatlantic (Aug. 12 - 18) from New York to Southampton. Guests will hear the inside story of famous discoveries and feats of exploration from the experts themselves, including Colonel John Blashford-Snell, who has led over 60 expeditions, one of which was the first navigation of the Blue Nile in the mountains of Ethiopia and exploration of the 2,700 mile Zaire River. Rates begin at $2,500 per person, double occupancy.

"Literary Festival" -- 6-day Transatlantic (Aug. 28 - Sept. 3) from Southampton to New York. Some of the best-known authors speak about their lives and work. Rates begin at $2,500 per person, double occupancy.

"Views of the New Century" -- 7-day Transatlantic (Sept. 3 - 10) from New York/Boston to Southampton. Experts from a variety of disciplines discuss developments, past and present, and ways in which these changes and discoveries will effect lives in the new century. Rates begin at $2,870 per person, double occupancy.

"The World of Photography" -- 7-day Transatlantic (Sept. 10 - 17) from Southampton/Amsterdam to New York. Some of the world's greatest photographers share their work and expertise with guests. Rates begin at $2,870 per person, double occupancy.

"Beyond the Human Limit" -- 7-day Transatlantic (Sept. 23 - 30) from New York/Boston to Southampton. Speakers who have performed feats of endurance and accomplishments beyond ordinary human limits will share their stories and experiences. One special guest includes Terry Waite, former hostage negotiator who was held hostage himself in Lebanon for over three years. Rates begin at $2,870 per person, double occupancy.

"Greatest British and US Songwriters" -- 9-day Madeira/Canary Island/Morocco cruise (Nov. 6 - 15) from Southampton to Southampton. Richard Adler, vice president of the Songwriters Guild of America will host performances of favorite songs by both British and American songwriters. Rosemary Ashe, a multi-talented singer whose credits range from opera to West End musical theatre to cabaret, will perform the best-loved British popular songs. Rates begin at $1,500 per person, double occupancy.

"Out of Africa" -- 15-day Cape Town Line Voyage (Nov. 15 - 30) from Southampton to Cape Town. This voyage will be enriched by a lecture program and a film festival celebrating Africa. Guests include Rick Anderson, curator of Giraffe Manor in Kenya, and head of the Giraffe Center and the African Fund for Endangered Species; Steve Wylie, executive director of the Oklahoma City of Zoological Park and renowned ornithologist; and Alastair Bruce, who will speak on the legacy of the British Empire in Africa. Rates begin at $2,170 per person, double occupancy.

All rates include port and handling fees. Transatlantic fares include one-way Economy air between London and 117 North American air gateways. For more information, contact your travel professional or Cunard Line at 1-800-5-CUNARD.

Cunard Line, one of the world's most recognized brand names with a classic British heritage, is operated by Miami-based Cunard Line Limited, which also operates Seabourn Cruise Line. Cunard Line Limited is a unit of Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL). The Cunard fleet includes famed Queen Elizabeth 2 and Caronia (formerly Vistafjord). The Seabourn fleet includes Seabourn Sun, Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend and Seabourn Goddess I & II.

Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line are members of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Together, these member lines share a commitment to quality and value, offering cruise vacations that appeal to the widest range of lifestyles and budgets and sail to some of the world's most exciting destinations. Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line represent nearly 50 percent of the world's luxury cruise market.