QM2 graces Hong Kong

**Ally** · 03-01-2007, 02:45 PM

:: A Royal Finale: Queen Mary 2 sets sail via spectacular Victoria Harbour ::

Queen Mary 2 gracefully departed Hong Kong this evening treating the 2,592 guests on board to a breathtaking view of Victoria Harbour and the iconic and illuminated city skyline.

As the largest vessel ever to grace Hong Kong waters, Queen Mary 2 was welcomed on approach to Victoria Harbour with a dazzling performance of the “Symphony of Lights” laser show, which commenced at 8:00pm.

Thousands of maritime enthusiasts, budding photographers and the simply curious gathered on both sides of Victoria Harbour for a prime view of the world’s most majestic, grandest and luxurious ocean liner. At 200 feet above the waterline and equal to the height of a 23-story building, the Queen Mary 2 almost dwarfed some of Hong Kong’s most famous landmarks as she glided past.

“Hong Kong is one of the world’s most spectacular cities and we are pleased that we could time the Queen Mary 2’s departure with the evening performance of the Symphony of Lights.

“It is a fitting and royal finale for our guests on board the Queen Mary 2 who have enjoyed the opportunity to explore Hong Kong today as part of the ocean liner’s maiden world voyage,” said Trey Hickey, Vice President of International Sales & Marketing for Cunard Line.

On the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the performance by the ‘Queen of the Seas’ did not disappoint. Guests at the InterContinental Hong Kong, which is dramatically located on the edge of Victoria Harbour with magnificent views of Hong Kong Island, enjoyed an extraordinary vantage point of the Queen Mary 2’s sail-away. The rooftop terrace of the hotel’s Presidential Suite, renowned as Asia’s most spectacular suite and Hong Kong’s largest, provided the ultimate photographic location.

As per InterContinental Hong Kong’s Managing Director Jean-Jacques Reibel, “Our guests were privy to a truly magnificent sight, as the world’s grandest ocean liner sailed past our hotel, with the Hong Kong skyline as the backdrop. The historic photographs taken from our Presidential Suite, which is our ‘crowning jewel’, will forever capture the majesty of the Queen’s maiden call to Hong Kong”

Queen Mary 2 arrived in Hong Kong for the first time ever early Wednesday morning as part of her maiden voyage around the world. She was berthed at Modern Terminals in Kwai Chung for one day before departing for her next South East Asian ports of call, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Over 300 Hong Kong and mainland Chinese passengers set sail on Queen Mary 2 from Hong Kong today, which is a testament to the global reach of Cunard as one of the world’s most recognized luxury brands.

Queen Mary 2 departed Fort Lauderdale, USA, on January 10, 2007, carrying guests on an 80-day maiden voyage visiting 20 of the world’s most famous cities, including Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cairo, Athens, Rome and Paris.

(etravelblackboard)

John · 03-02-2007, 05:42 PM

Making a graceful departure from Hong Kong after her maiden visit on February 28, Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 bids farewell to the city in regal style, as she sails through Victoria Harbor during Hong Kong's renowned "Symphony of Lights." The world's grandest and most luxurious ocean liner is en route to Singapore as part of her 80-day maiden world voyage visiting 20 of the world's most celebrated cities.