Sydney planning huge welcome for QE2 & QM2 in February 2007

**Ally** · 12-03-2006, 03:24 PM

Thousands of Sydneysiders will be flocking to Sydney Harbour on 20 February for the arrival of Queen Mary 2 and her sister cruiser, the Queen Elizabeth 2.

On her inaugural visit to Australia, the 151,400-ton Queen Mary 2 will become the largest ship to ever visit Australia. The liner was launched in 2004 and can carry 3090 passengers, as well as 10 restaurants, 5 pools and the first planetarium at sea.

The Queen Mary 2 will be joined by the 70,327-ton Queen Elizabeth 2 that evening, during the liner’s Silver Jubilee world voyage. Queen Elizabeth 2 offers guests 7 restaurants, 2 pools and the first ever sea-going Harrods boutique.

It was during the Second World War when Sydney last hosted two Queens in its harbour, as the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth made joint visits as troop carriers in 1941 and 1942.

Thousands of Sydneysiders are expected to flock to the waterfront for the two Cunard Queens as well as a spectacular fireworks display at 8:40 pm, prior to Queen Mary 2’s 11pm departure.

Full details of the ships’ visits, the fireworks and vantage points will be listed on the new website, www.queenmary2.com.au.

The website also offers detailed information on the liners, images of the ships and cruisecams, where enthusiasts can follow the ships’ voyages to Australia.

**Ally** · 02-28-2007, 04:01 PM

For the nostalgia buffs....

Australian opposition sends QE2 and QM2 back in time...

It was an event that caught everyone by surprise, with thousands eager to see the meeting of two great Queens, Sydney was overwhelmed as Cunard's giants visited the harbour...for the first time since WW2, according to Gladys Berejiklian, Australia's Opposition Transport Minister.

Chaos apparently descended on the Australian city as commuters and sightseers clashed in their rush to either get home, see the ships, or check they were still in the 21st Century.

"The last time these two ships were in Sydney Harbour people were taking black and white photographs," she said as she attacked the government for lack of foresight.

Quite, and don't they look well after sixty odd years?

(Shipping Times)

The REAL Queens.....