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QM2 and QE2 meet in Sydney
Queen Mary 2, the largest cruise ship ever to visit Australia, has arrived in Sydney Harbour ahead of a reunion with QE2.
The glow of the lights of QM2 could be seen past North Head before the massive vessel actually appeared as it lined up for the grand entry into Sydney Harbour. [Pictured below: Queen Mary 2 entering the Heads].
Moving at a crawling pace, the massive vessel was surrounded by a huge flotilla of smaller vessels.
Capable of carrying up to 3,090 passengers, the 151,400-ton QM2 was no disappointment, being larger than 132 Manly ferries, and more than a third of a kilometre in length, it was the longest, tallest and widest ship in the world before the launch of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas. [Pictured below: QM2 heads towards Garden Island] 
QM2 was joined today in Sydney by the classic 70,327-ton Queen Elizabeth 2. Both ships will sound their horns as QE2 passes QM2 in the harbour at approximately 19.00 locl time, with the historic joint visit marked by a spectacular fireworks display on the harbour prior to QM2’s 23.00 departure. [Pictured below: Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 their last occasion together at the beginning of their world cruises in Fort Lauderdale.
The last time two Cunard Queens called at Sydney together was during World War II, when the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth made joint visits as troop carriers in 1941 and 1942.
Full details of the timing of the ships’ historic Sydney visits, the fireworks and vantage points are available on a dedicated website www.queenmary2.com.au
QM2 is undertaking an 81-day circumnavigation of the globe for its maiden world voyage and QE2 is on its “Silver Jubilee World Cruise” – a 108-day itinerary marking its 25th journey around the world.
Sydney will be Queen Mary 2’s only visit to Australia during its voyage, while QE2 will also visit Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.
The dual visits are estimated to generate a A$3 million tourism bonanza for Sydney, delivering more than 6,000 passengers and crew to the city – the equivalent of 17 jumbo loads of tourists.
Phil Davies
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