Southampton - Three queens together for just one day

**Ally** · 03-20-2008, 06:22 AM

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IT WILL be a remarkable and historic sight not seen in Southampton before and one that will never be repeated again when all three Cunard liners are in port together next month.

This once-in-a-lifetime event is due to take place on Tuesday, April 22, when Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth 2 are all set to be alongside the city's waterfront at the same time.

The dramatic highlight of the day should be about 5.30pm when QM2 leaves and travels astern to a position close to her sister ships when all three bows will be pointing down Southampton Water.

Originally the ships' timetable of voyages meant many Southampton people were disappointed they would be denied this one-off sight, but last minute changes to QE2's schedule has resulted in the city having the unique opportunity of seeing the three Queens together.

In November, QE2 is being taken out of service and will leave her home port of Southampton for the final time, ending a sea-going career that has lasted for almost 40 years and reducing the fleet back to two vessels.

When the company's newest vessel, Southampton's Queen Victoria, entered service in December 2007, it was the first time in Cunard's history, stretching back more than 160 years, that the shipping line could boast three liners each bearing the famed "Queen'' name.
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Earlier this year, in January, the three Cunard ships did all meet up on the same day in New York in what was then thought to be a unique occasion but now, unexpectedly, Southampton will also have the opportunity to witness this dramatic sight.

On the day, QM2 will be at Cunard's normal berth in the Eastern Docks, Queen Victoria will be at the City Cruise Terminal, next door to Mayflower Park, while QE2 will be further up the Western Docks at berth 105.

After both QM2 and Queen Victoria leave the docks, QE2 will remain in port for the following nine days undergoing a maintenance period and refit in preparation for the final part of her cruise programme.

QE2 is expected to remain alongside 105 berth until April 27 when she leaves on a cruise to Spain and the Canary Islands.

Three Queens Together For Just One Day (from This is Hampshire)

**Ally** · 03-24-2008, 05:30 AM

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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

**Ally** · 04-22-2008, 02:48 PM

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Three grand luxury liners have met in their home port of Southampton for the first and final time in their history.

Cunard's fleet of "Queens" - Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth 2 - lined up for the historic meeting at about 1800 BST.

The QM2 and Queen Victoria then left port shortly afterwards, leaving the QE2 in dock.

The QE2 will retire in November when it will be converted into a hotel in Dubai after more than 40 years in service.

The Queen is making a farewell trip to her namesake in June before it sets sail for the United Arab Emirates.

It will be the third time the Queen has visited the QE2 since she named it at Clydebank, Scotland, in 1967.

During its 41 years at sea, the 70,000 tonne ship has travelled more than 5.6m nautical miles, carried more than 2.5m passengers and has also been used to transport troops and host royalty.

The historic meeting of the three luxury cruise liners on the south coast comes three months after the ships met for the first time in New York in January.

The earlier encounter was believed to have been a one-off in Cunard's 168-year history but a change in the QE2's schedule met they have all met again.

BBC NEWS | England | Hampshire | Three 'Queens' in final meeting

Just the one photo of the meeting so far, which is surprising really...and just two sisters...QE2 & QV.

**Ally** · 04-23-2008, 04:07 AM

The BBC news website has this video of the ships...

BBC NEWS | England | Hampshire | Royal gathering of sea 'Queens'