Cruising Talk - View Single Post - Southampton

**Ally** · 03-24-2008, 06:30 AM

Quote:

For the first time, Cunard Line's three Queens will meet in their homeport of Southampton on April 22 when Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria are scheduled to salute Queen Elizabeth 2 as the liner marks the 39th anniversary of its entry into service.

QE2 began sailing with an eight-day 'preview voyage' to Las Palmas, Tenerife and Lisbon on April 22, 1969, prior to departing on its maiden Atlantic crossing on May 2.

The unexpected three Queens rendezvous in Southampton arose when Cunard took the recent decision to carry out QE2's scheduled 2008 refit in its homeport. 'We would like as many people as possible to witness this historic spectacle,' said Cunard president and md Carol Marlow.

Those who wish to see the liners are advised to use vantage points such as Mayflower Park and Town Quay Park, at the end of the pier. Just after 5 p.m. Queen Mary 2 will leave the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal and proceed up river to get as close as possible to Queen Victoria, at the City Cruise Terminal, and QE2, alongside Berth 105.

All three ships will sound their whistles in salute before Queen Mary 2 departs on its first Atlantic crossing of 2008, followed by Queen Victoria embarking on its first voyage to Iberia and the Canaries.

Hearing all three ships sounding off will be amazing...having heard QM2 (which has an original Queen Mary foghorn fitted and working) it will be VERY loud and the earth will definately move too. I was on the Isle of Wight when QM2 made her maiden departure, she sounded off and although I was over 10 miles away, I heard & felt her.

Whoever is in or around Southampton on April 22, will be in for a real treat...not to mention a fantastic photo opportunity