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Cunard’s Trio of Queens Make History in New York
Cunard’s three magnificent Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and QE2 – have met in New York Harbour, in a history-making moment celebrated with fireworks and viewed by thousands of spectators.
The event is the only time the three Queens will ever meet, with the legendary QE2 due to leave the Cunard fleet in November 2008 to become a luxury floating hotel in Dubai.
The three oceanliners left their New York berths Sunday evening (January 13) to meet near the Statue of Liberty, where they held their positions for a firework display before sailing from the Harbour.
The historic occasion – which comes one week into Queen Victoria’s first world voyage and QE2’s final world voyage – sets the scene for another meeting of those two liners in Sydney on February 24.
Queen Victoria and QE2’s Royal Rendezvous in Sydney will mark Queen Victoria’s first visit to the emerald city and QE2’s final call – thirty years to the day since her maiden visit.
The meeting comes almost a year to the day after the spectacular Sydney Royal Rendezvous of Queen Mary 2 and QE2.
Launched in the UK in December 2007, the 90,000-tonne Queen Victoria will be the youngest ever ocean liner to visit Australia when she arrives in February. Carrying 2000 guests, Queen Victoria’s first world voyage is a 106-night odyssey around the globe. She will visit Melbourne on February 21, Sydney on February 23-24, Brisbane on February 26 and Port Douglas on February 29, 2008.
Meanwhile, QE2’s final Sydney visit on February 24-25 marks her 24th call to the city since her first arrival in 1978. During her 40 years of service, the 70,327-tonne QE2 has carried more than 2.5 million passengers and sailed almost 5.5 million nautical miles – more than any ship in history.
QE2’s last Australian visit will also see her call at Hobart (February 27), Melbourne (February 29), Adelaide (March 2), Albany (March 4) and Fremantle (March 5).
Australians can follow the two Queens on their world voyages on a special website – www.queen-victoria.com.au – with bridgecams providing a bird’s eye view of the ocean liners’ travels.
The website also provides comprehensive information on each ship, including images and virtual tours, as well as details of the ships’ rendezvous in Sydney.
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