Captain Christopher Rynd has been appointed Commodore of the Cunard fleet - Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – the youngest fleet in the industry and the most famous ocean liners in the world.

Captain Rynd assumes the title until recently held by Commodore Bernard Warner who retired from the company on April 19th 2011.

Peter Shanks, Cunard president, said: “I must put on record our appreciation for the ‘marvellous’ contribution that Bernie made to Cunard Line. We wish him and his family all the best for his retirement.”

Captain Rynd joined Cunard in 2005 when he took command of Queen Elizabeth 2.

While on QE2, he came to appreciate Cunard’s distinctive product and traditions. Since then he has commanded both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

He took Queen Mary 2 on her Maiden World Voyage and attended the Queen Victoria during her construction and sea trials and later proudly served as her master.

Shanks added: “I am delighted with the appointment of Captain Rynd as Commodore of Cunard Line and am sure that many of our regular guests will be as pleased as I and will join me in congratulating him on this notable achievement”.

Captain Rynd was born in New Zealand and grew up in Singapore, Sri Lanka, and in the islands of Fiji and Samoa of the tropical South Pacific.

He began his sea career in 1970 at the age of 17 in New Zealand. The influence of his father and upbringing helped in this choice.