Ship History

RETURN TO THE HOMEPAGE                                                                                                                                                                                                                       RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH 2

The RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 is one of the most illustrious ships ever built. She has loyally served as a floating ambassador for Britain for over 40 years and draws huge crowds wherever she goes. She is truly a British Icon and is the longest serving Cunard flagship and indeed Cunard ship. Sadly on the 18th June 2007 it was announced by Cunard Line and Carnival Corporation & PLC that she would be retired from service in November 2008 and would be preserved in Dubai as a hotel, museum, and retail & entertainment destination at a specially built pier at The Palm Jumeirah in honoured retirement. So 2008 will be her final season before the world famous and legendary QE2 bids farewell for the last time and sails from Southampton and Britain's shores bound for retirement in Dubai never to return.

She was built by the famous John Brown & Co. (Clydebank) Ltd shipyard on the River Clyde that had built her predecessors the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and she was launched in 1967 by HM Queen Elizabeth II. However she didn’t have the easiest of introductions and her early years were plagued with difficulties. However she has improved with age and by the 1980s had build up a strong reputation as one of the finest cruise liners in the world. In 1982 she, like her predecessors, was called up into military service as a troopship during the Falklands War. The QE2 also uniquely developed a partnership with another transatlantic legend, the supersonic Concorde of British Airways, from 1983 until the retirement of the airliner in 2003. However Cunard Line’s travel partnership with British Airways still continues to the present day with both the QE2 and the new RMS Queen Mary 2.

Today the legendary QE2, as she is affectionately known, is a world famous maritime icon and national treasure. Since her introduction she has been the flagship of the British merchant fleet. During her long career she has broken many records and is renowned for her World Cruises as the RMS Empress of Britain was in the 1930s. In September 2005 she became Cunard’s longest serving ship, surpassing the RMS Scythia (1921 to 1957). She also single-handedly continued the tradition of the transatlantic ocean liner for 30 years until this mantle was handed on to the new RMS Queen Mary 2 in 2004. The QE2 is a true maritime icon and ocean going legend. Never has a ship so justly deserved the title “The Most Famous Ocean Liner in the World”.

Design and Construction (1958 – 1969):

At the beginning of the 1960^s, the quest for the North Atlantic did not stand between ships alone. The passenger airliner had since the end of World War II developed at a rapid pace, and was now swiftly conquering the globe. In spite of this, many ship owners were not worried. 'Flying is but a fad. There will always be passengers for ships like the Queens.' A director of the Cunard Line uttered these words in October 1958. Although time would prove him wrong, Cunard still saw business on the North Atlantic as profitable, and was planning to build a new vessel to replace the old Queen Mary to work alongside the Queen Elizabeth.

By December 1958 the question of a replacement for Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth had arisen. Originally the plan had been to build two new liners with the help of Government subsidies. A Government committee, under Lord Chandos, was set up to examine the economic viability of this. The result was that the Government provided a grant of £18 million towards the building of one 75,000 ton vessel, known as the 'Q3 Project', to be ready for service in 1966. These plans were for a ship with classic lines and divided in three classes, intended for the transatlantic trade alone. There was opposition to the plan as more and more passengers were crossing the Atlantic by air and the operating costs of such large liners were rising and could not be offset by fare increases. By 1965, 95 percent of those who crossed the Atlantic chose to do so by air. To launch a new ship for this route would be financial suicide.

In 1963 the scheme was cancelled. A new “Q4 project” was created to build a slightly smaller liner which could traverse the Panama and Suez canals and would primarily be used for cruising. Thus was born the story of the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. Cunard decided that the new ship would represent the 'New Britain' and therefore, they wanted lots of changes. This new vessel would not be divided into three classes, but in two – first and tourist – and the differences between these would be minor. The ship would be constructed so the two classes easily could be transformed into one for cruising arrangements; the ship would serve on the North Atlantic during summer and spend the winter months cruising in warmer waters.

The Q4 contract was awarded to John Brown & Co., Clydebank, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. They were the same company that had built and launched other great liners such as the two Cunard Queens and the Lusitania. On 5^th July 1965, the keel was laid on the same slipway that had once housed the Queen Mary during her construction. And like the Queen Mary, this new ship did not get a name until the day of her launch. She was simply known as 'John Brown number 736'. While in the progress of breaking new grounds, Cunard was discussing to give the latest addition to their fleet a less traditional name. While names as 'Great Britain', 'William Shakespeare', 'Winston Churchill' and 'London' were mentioned, others opted for a more traditional name such as 'Britannia', 'Mauretania' or 'Queen Mary 2'.

"I name this ship Queen Elizabeth the Second. May God bless her and all who sail in her."

Words of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Launch Ceremony, 20th September 1967.

"I particularly welcome the opportunity you have given me to launch this splendid successor to those two famous Cunarders Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. I suppose these two ships were better known and loved, both in peace and war, by all of us living in these islands, than any other merchantman in our history. I have always had a special affection for them because they were named after my grandmother and my mother, and it does not seem so very long ago that I was present with my sister when my mother launched the Queen Elizabeth.

Every great enterprise has an element of risk and uncertainty about it, and I am sure no one can predict the future career of the new Cunarder. I am equally certain that, in the experienced and capable hands of the Cunard company, she will stand the best chance of a happy and profitable lifetime.

We have all read, with a touch of nostalgia, that the name of John Brown is to disappear from the list of great shipbuilders. However, this does not mean that the very special skill and spirit of this yard will be lost to Clydeside or to British shipbuilding. In wishing the Queen Elizabeth the Second a long life and good fortune on all her voyages, I add my best wishes for success and prosperity to the new consortium of Clydeside shipbuilders."

Post Launch Speech by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 20th September 1967

In November 1968, the QE2 went through her sea trials. These couldn’t have turned out much worse. The ship suffered from serious problems with her turbines, and was forced to return to her builders for immediate reparations. Cunard refused delivery. Reparations were made, but soon other problems emerged and once again Cunard refused to take over the QE2. It is reasonable to assume that John Brown and Co. actually lost money in building the third Queen, and Cunard lost more money when they were forced to cancel the scheduled maiden voyage, which was booked solid.

The Early Cunard Line Years (1969 – 1982):

But at last, in mid April 1969, the QE2 officially joined the Cunard fleet and departed from Southampton on a mini-cruise to the Canary Islands. The ship is then honoured with a visit by HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit at Southampton. She then departs Southampton bound for New York on her maiden voyage on the 2^nd May 1969. Upon arrival in New York harbour, the QE2 received what now seems to be the last gala welcoming of a ship in New York. The interest was enormous, and all those who had the previous Queens still in memory wanted to catch a glimpse of their successor. But had Cunard been right to launch a new ship in these for ocean liners uncertain times? Only time would tell. Time did tell. But at first, thing didn’t look at all bright. The last of the great Atlantic liners started to disappear one by one. By the end of 1969, the Blue Riband-champion United States was taken out of service and the last ship ever built for transatlantic crossings only – the France – was laid up in 1974. The two Italian liners Michelangelo and Raffaello went the following year, and there were rumours that the QE2 would be sent to the scrappers before her tenth birthday. Fortunately, this would not be the case. There were enough people who wanted the QE2 in service to secure the financial support.

The first dramatic incident of the ship's career occurred in January 1971. Whilst cruising in the Caribbean it received an SOS call from the French liner Antilles. It had run aground near Mustique and leaking fuel oil had caught fire inside the ship. By the time the QE2 arrived the French ship was an inferno. The passengers had already been taken ashore to Mustique in the lifeboats. The passengers boarded the QE2, and two other French ships that had come to assist, during the night. The Antilles capsized and sank the next day and the passengers were landed in Barbados.

Then whilst QE2 was travelling from New York to Southampton, on the 17^th May 1972, the captain received a message that there was a bomb on board and that it was timed to go off during the voyage. A search by crew members proved fruitless so a bomb disposal unit was flown out and parachuted into the sea close to the ship. The incident turned out to be a hoax but the FBI succeeded in arresting the culprit. The bomb disposal teams were awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct. By 1974 the cruising business had expanded and the QE2 was operating profitably. On 1 April that year, whilst on a cruise from New York to San Juan, a technical fault caused the propulsion machinery to shut down. The ship was disabled and it was not until 3 April that the Sea Venture, a Flagship Cruises vessel, arrived to assist. The passengers were transferred and tugs were hired to tow the QE2 back to Bermuda. Subsequent repairs meant that the Easter cruise had to be cancelled.  In 1975, Cunard sent their flagship on her first world cruise a journey of 38,000 miles and a total of 3,965 passengers. On this world cruise the ship made its first transit of the Panama Canal and breaks two records - she becomes the largest ship to travel through the Canal, and pays the highest toll for the transit. She also completes her first million miles at sea while sailing between Antigua and Boston. In 1978 she visited Australia and New Zealand for the first time. In 1980 she made her first transit of the Suez Canal. In 1982 she made her maiden visit to Philadelphia as part of the city’s tricentennial celebrations. These years were to prove that the QE2 would survive after all and was destined to become a legend.  

The Falklands War: The QE2 goes to War (1982):

Although connected with the two previous Cunard Queens by name, there were many things that made the QE2 different from her older sisters. No one ever thought that the new Queen would ever come to serve her country in times of war. Modern warfare seemed to manage quite good without requisitioning merchant vessels and instead using aeroplanes for transport. But in 1982 something happened that proved that this was not the case. In April, Argentinean troops landed on the shores of the Falkland Islands. These islands, which lie in the South Atlantic off the coast of South America, are a British colony and Argentina had for many years claimed ownership of these isles because of their geographic location. Now, their patience was exhausted and they wanted 'their' islands back. The British were not prepared to give up one of the Empire’s last colonies and had to send military force into the area at once. A war was a very real threat and possibility.

However, the British Government quickly faced a serious problem. There were no friendly airstrips within a thousand miles of the Falklands. Any transport would have to be done by sea. Things would have to be done like in the old days – by requisitioning ships from the country’s merchant fleet. The Admiralty soon decided to go with two great liners, both capable of carrying thousands of troops each. These were the QE2 and the P&O Line’s Canberra.

The British government requisitioned QE2 for service as a troop transport vessel. Conversion work began immediately with the addition of helicopter flight decks and a modern communications system. On May 12 Britain’s 5th infantry brigade boarded her and set off for South Georgia. The ship arrived on May 27, disembarked the troops and then embarked the survivors of the HMS Ardent. Since British intelligence had learned that the Argentineans were using air reconnaissance to try and locate QE2, it left the same day.

However, the name that was written on the bows of the QE2 would protect her from immediate danger. If the ship bearing the monarch’s name was sunk, this would be very embarrassing for the British government. So the real dangerous task would be given to the Canberra. The QE2 was sent to South Georgia, about 1,500 miles (2,250 km) from Argentina. There her troops were transported to the Canberra, which would then carry them into the war zone. Nevertheless, the QE2 had served her country when she was needed, and this had secured her name in the history of the ocean liners.

The Final Years as a Steamship (1982 – 1986):

The QE2 arrived safely back in England on June 11 and was welcomed home by HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. The QE2 received the following message from HM The Queen Mother from on board the Royal Yacht.

"Captain P. Jackson

I am pleased to welcome you back as Queen Elizabeth 2 returns to home waters, after your tour of duty in the South Atlantic. The exploits of your own ship's company and the deeds of valour of those who served in Antelope, Coventry and Ardent have been acclaimed throughout the land, and I am proud to add my personal tribute.

Elizabeth Regina, Queen Mother"

Captain Jackson immediately replied as follows:

"Please convey to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, our thanks for her kind message. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 is proud to have been of service to Her Majesty's Forces.

Jackson. Master QE2."

Once docked work immediately began on refitting her for commercial service. As if to honour tradition, Cunard now decided to repaint the ship's funnel in the traditional Cunard colours but her hull was painted grey. The ship is honoured by a visit from HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother before her re-entry into service. The following years went by, with the QE2 sailing on her regular schedule – transatlantic crossings in the summer and cruises during the winter. In 1983 Cunard inaugurates the combined QE2 and Concorde package on the transatlantic crossing whereby you can travel one way on the QE2 and return on Concorde, thus combining two 1960s transatlantic legends. This unique travel package continued until 2003 when Concorde was retired from service. In 1985 Cunard chartered Concorde to take passengers out to Sydney, to join the QE2 and Sagafjord - both in port together. The Concorde trip broke the record in 17 hours, 3 minutes and 45 seconds. QE2, the Red Arrows and Concorde photographed at the same time in the English Channel. But during these years in the early 1980s, the problems with her turbine engines once again began to surface.

By 1986, Cunard decided that she would be refitted with diesel engines to save the company £12 million a year in fuel costs. That year HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother visited the ship in Southampton to mark the 50th anniversary of the RMS Queen Mary’s maiden voyage in 1936. The QE2 also participates in the centennial celebration of the Statue of Liberty. But then she leaves New York for the last time as a steamship and undertakes Cunard’s last crossing of the Atlantic under steam, ending a 146 year tradition. QE2’s steam turbines had taken her a total of 2,622,858 miles - the equivalent of 120 times around the world. This major overhaul was done from November 1986 to April 1987 at the Lloyd-Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany. Nine diesel electric engines, new propellers and equipment to capture heat expelled by the engines were fitted. Public rooms and passenger accommodations were also extensively refurbished. The work cost Cunard more than twice the amount it had cost to build the QE2. This may sound foolish by the Cunard Line to accept, but estimates showed that to build a new ship with similar capacity and speed would have cost the company even more.

The QE2 Reborn & the Final Years as a Transatlantic Liner (1986 – 2004):

Up until now, it seemed that the QE2 would live through a long career with no mishaps (if one does not count her turbine problems). But in August 1992, she had her taste of bad luck as well. While cruising in the Vineyard Sound off the coast of Massachusetts she ran aground, and damaged large parts of her keel and bow. Passengers were evacuated, and the QE2 were forced to go into dry dock for repairs costing Cunard Line great amounts of money. An investigation was soon underway. How could the QE2 have run aground in waters known to be deep enough for her? The answer came after serious investigation. The conclusion had been drawn and it was the so-called 'squat-effect' that was to blame. This phenomenon is created when larger vessels travel through water at higher speed. The shape and speed of the ship pushes the surrounding water away, literally digging a hole in the water for the ship. What was discovered during the QE2 investigation was that this effect was greatly increased while travelling at higher speeds, which the QE2 was doing at the moment of the grounding. The amount of water pushed away was simply larger than expected, and thereby the ship also had a lesser depth of water to sail in. After this unnecessary and expensive accident, the QE2 was returned to service.

In 1994 the QE2 led a flotilla of ships commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of D Day, and is reviewed by HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (as well as other world leaders) from on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. The ship also sails past the Normandy beaches and Dame Vera Lynn and Bob Hope are just some of the notable personalities on board.

However, in December 1994, Cunard took the opportunity to let her go through an extensive refit. Much work was made to renovate the relatively old ship, and bring her up to date on passenger comfort and safety regulations. HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York is guest of honour at lunch on board in Southampton to mark its return to service. Controversially the ship sails to New York with the workmen still on board. 

In 1994 as part of this refit two royal portraits were relocated onto the QE2. One was the royal portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (painted when she was still Queen), painted by Sir Oswald Birley, which had hung in the Main Lounge of the RMS Queen Elizabeth was moved on board the QE2. It had been unveiled on board the RMS Queen Elizabeth on the 28th July 1948 by HM Queen Elizabeth when she paid a royal visit to the liner in Southampton with HM King George VI and HRH Princess Margaret Rose. That day Her Majesty also presented the ship with her personal standard which was framed and hung in the Main Restaurant on board the RMS Queen Elizabeth. Since the retirement of the RMS Queen Elizabeth in 1968, the picture had been given on permanent loan to Southampton City Council and had been displayed until 1994 in the Mayor's Parlour.

The Royal Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth by Sir Oswald Birley

(This painting originally was displayed in the Main Lounge on board the RMS Queen Elizabeth)

The Royal Portrait of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh by Edward Halliday.

(This painting originally was displayed in the Main Lounge on board the RMS Caronia)

The other portrait moved onto the QE2 was that of HM Queen Elizabeth II when, as Princess Elizabeth, she had married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN. This painting was done by Edward Halliday. The painting, mounted in a contemporary, specially carved frame, showed them arm-in-arm as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and had been originally hung in the Main Lounge on board the RMS Caronia since her entry into service in 1949. Again when the RMS Caronia, famously known as the Green Goddess, had been retired from service in 1967, the painting also was handed by Cunard Line on permanent loan to Southampton City Council and had been displayed until 1994 above the magnficient stairway in the Southampton Civic Centre.  Today the two paintings continue to hang on board the QE2 either side of the forward main stairwell between the Upper and Quarter Decks.

1995 was yet another momentous year for the QE2; she made her first call at Plymouth as part of the VE Day 50^th Anniversary commemoration. Later she leaves New York for Southampton on her 1000th voyage, having sailed 3.8 million miles and carried 1.7 million passengers. Also that year HRH Princess Anne, the Princess Royal lunches on board in Edinburgh. Then the QE2 leads the Tall Ships out of the Firth of Forth and stars in a special episode of Coronation Street. In mid 1995 QE2 made a historic voyage - her 1000th! She was greeted by tens of thousands of people when she arrived after this voyage. Later that year QE2 did an around UK Voyage arriving in the port of her berth, Clydebank. Again, tens of thousands of people lined the shores. QE2 then went on to arrive in Liverpool for the first time, with again, tens of thousands of people lined the shores and docks - for every vantage point to see the ship.

On the 11^th September 1995 during a westbound transatlantic crossing the QE2 encountered Hurricane Luis and got hit by a 95 ft wave. On the 2^nd January 1996 she logged 4 million miles at sea.

In 1996 Cunard Line changed ownership when Trafalgar House was bought by the Norwegian company Kvaerner. That year she began her 20th World Cruise from New York, a voyage covering 53,000 miles and 38 ports on 4 continents. In November / December 1996, another, yet not so extensive, refit was made at the A&P shipyard in Southampton. The Queen Elizabeth 2 sailed out of Southampton December 12, 1996 after her overhaul and refit at the A&P dry-dock. Over the previous three weeks, one thousand people worked to complete the refit work to specification and on schedule.

The $18-million contract included work in passenger areas and maintenance behind the scenes. Cunard had by now invested more than 10 times the building cost of QE2, including a massive re-engineering in 1987 and a major interior redesign in 1994 to ensure she would remain the most prestigious ship in the world. This time, significant upgradings in passenger areas include the Princess Grill and the largest of the five restaurants, the Mauretania.

Also in 1996, QE2’s transatlantic crossing time was extended from five to six days and arrival and departure times in Southampton and New York were changed to 8 am and 5 pm, respectively, to accommodate transfers between the ship and passengers’ homes. In 1997 there was a reduction in the number of transatlantic crossings, from 24 to 18, and an increase in the number of days spent on cruises from 120 days in 1996 to 148 days. Also in 1997 the QE2 marked the 75th anniversary of the first World Cruise (by Cunard’s Laconia in 1922) with her own World Cruise departure from New York and celebrates the 30th anniversary of her launch by HM Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1998 the QE2 welcomed yet another famous passenger on board when South African President Nelson Mandela (accompanied by his future wife Graca Machel) sails from Durban to Cape Town. A Gala Dinner for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund is held on board in Cape Town. Mandela writes in the QE2’s visitors book “Travelling on the QE2 was an unforgettable honour and pleasure”. That year she also visits the Orkney Islands and Malta for the first time. In May 1998 Cunard was bought by the American cruise giant, Carnival Corporation.

In 1999 the QE2 celebrated the 30th anniversary of her first transatlantic crossing with a special birthday party in Southampton. In 30 years the QE2 has made 1,159 voyages, sailed 4,648,050 nautical miles and carried over 2 million passengers. That year the ship was again the recipient of a massive refurbishment. The refit took place at Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany, from November 12 to December 11, 1999. From the Grand Lounge and the Queens Room to the renowned restaurants and the Golden Lion Pub, there are new furnishings, draperies, carpeting and woodworking throughout the famous liner. In addition, Harrods, the London-based luxury department store opened its first boutique at sea aboard QE2.

"The QE2 is our flagship vessel, she embodies the essence of British heritage and all that is Cunard," said Deborah Nathansohn, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for Cunard Line. "With more than 160 years of tradition it is important that we retain that all-but-vanished experience that defines luxury ocean travel. We are preserving a piece of history that is the foundation for what has become the explosive growth of the cruise market."

In April 2000 Cunard announces that the QE2 will sail four transatlantic voyages out of Boston rather than New York in 2000. On the 20^th September 2001 in the aftermath of the terrible terrorist attacks on New York, the QE2 and Caronia are diverted from New York to Boston due to the World Trade Centre terrorist attack on 11th September 2001.

On the 7^th January 2002 the QE2 docked in New York and became the first scheduled passenger vessel to resume calling at the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal since the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre. As it passed the site of the former World Trade Centre the liner stopped and sounded 3 blasts on its whistle in tribute to those who tragically lost their lives in the attack. Later a special luncheon was held on board to honour those New York hoteliers and restaurant owners who generously contributed to the city’s relief efforts following the attack. On the 26^th April 2002 the Queen Elizabeth 2 departs Fort Lauderdale bound for Southampton carrying a special cargo – the whistle from the 2nd funnel of the famous preserved RMS Queen Mary. This whistle will be installed on the new RMS Queen Mary 2 alongside a replica. Thus the new Queen Mary 2 will have the same voice as the old Queen Mary.

On the 13^th May 2002 Cunard announce that the 2003 season will be the QE2’s last on the transatlantic crossings route from Southampton to New York.  After the Queen Mary 2 enters service in 2004 she will take over the transatlantic route and the QE2 will be based in Southampton offering cruises for the UK market and will continue to sail on the annual World Cruise. On the 18^th May 2002 the QE2 arrives in Southampton with her special cargo – the whistle from the RMS Queen Mary which is destined for use on the new RMS Queen Mary 2. On the 14^th June 2002 a special lunch is hosted on board the QE2 to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Falklands war attended by the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Sir Rex Hunt (Falklands Governor at the time), Captain Peter Jackson, and Falklands veteran Simon Weston. Other celebrities attending include Barbara Windsor, Robert Kilroy-Silk (Kilroy show), Michael Buerk (newsreader), Sir Jimmy Savile and Alan Whitaker. On the 27^th June 2002 the QE2 carries another special cargo – the new Luxury Maybach limousine motorcar (Maybach is part of the Daimler-Chrysler Group) from Southampton bound for its premiere and unveiling in America.

Even today the QE2 continues to break yet more records and continues to be a living legend. On the 22^nd August 2002 the QE2 broke another record when she achieved 5 million miles at sea which is the most mileage of any ship in history. On the 5^th January 2003 the QE2 departs New York on a World Cruise that marks her 21st circumnavigation of the world. On the 16^th October 2003 the QE2 and Concorde paired for the last time as a package on the New York route. Due to the impending retirement of Concorde by British Airways the 16^th October 2003 represented the last occasion when the QE2 and Concorde package was available, thus ended the unique partnership of two great transatlantic legends – Concorde and the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. On the 24th October 2003 the two British icons met for the last time as Concorde G-BOAG flew over the QE2 on the Atlantic for the final time on its final transatlantic flight BA 002 from New York JFK to London Heathrow Airport. The Master of the QE2 Captain Ray Heath, sent the following message to the Captain Mike Bannister on Concorde G-BOAG:

"From one British icon to another: QE2 and Concorde have been an improbable, unique and successful transatlantic partnership for the past 20 years. We are sorry to see you go."

Words of Captain Ray Heath (Master of the QE2) to the Captain Mike Bannister on Concorde G-BOAG on the 24th October 2003 as the Concorde made its final transatlantic flight from New York JFK to London Heathrow.

Thus the QE2’s reign on the North Atlantic transatlantic crossing ended in glorious style with her handing the route to the new Queen Mary 2. Once both ships arrived in Southampton a special handover ceremony was held as the QE2 hands over to the new RMS Queen Mary 2 the status of flagship of Cunard Line and at 3pm the QE2 departed Southampton bound for a mini refit in Bremerhaven, Germany in preparation for a new career as a Southampton based cruise ship and also concentrating on the QE2’s renowned World Cruises. The QE2 remarkably was Cunard’s longest serving flagship until she handed this status to the new RMS Queen Mary 2 having held this status from 1969 till 2004. The 1^st May 2004 also marked an epic moment in the history of the QE2 and her new partner the RMS Queen Mary 2 and indeed in the history of the port of Southampton. It was on this day that Southampton once again saw two Cunard Queens in port for the first time since the days of the old RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth.

On the 12^th November 2004 the QE2 reached yet another epic milestone in her illustrious history as she becomes Cunard Line’s longest serving express liner after 35 years 6 months and three days afloat. Thus smashing the record previously held by the venerable RMS Aquitania which served from May 1914 to December 1949. On the 16^th April 2005 the QE2 meets the Queen Mary 2 for only the second time in Southampton when the Queen Mary 2 passes her berthed at the QEII Terminal while bound for New York. On the 2^nd May 2005 the QE2 celebrates the 36^th Anniversary of her maiden voyage.

On the 28^th June 2005 the QE2 participates in another epic event, the International Fleet Review in the Solent as part of the SeaBritain2005 celebrations for Trafalgar 200 and the Bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson. This event marked the largest gathering of merchant and naval ships in British waters since the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review in 1977. HM Queen Elizabeth II and the HRH The Duke of Edinburgh reviewed the vast fleet from on board HMS Endurance.

On the 4^th September 2005 yet another remarkable milestone is passed in the history of the legendary QE2 as she becomes Cunard Line’s longest serving ship after surpassing the previous record of 36 years 4 months and 2 days. Thus smashing the record set by the Scythia which served from 1921 to 1957.

On the 18th November 2005 Cunard Line confirmed to the Daily Echo newspaper in Southampton, that the legendary QE2 will be refurbished in Spring 2006 to meet the new SOLAS 2010 safety requirements and therefore will continue in service for at least another 10 years. The ship is outstandingly popular and it is not uncommon for it to be nearly impossible to get berths on board for love or money. A consortium in Southampton is being set up to work up plans and put together finance to eventually preserve the QE2 in the city when the time comes for her to be retired. The consortium is headed by Terry Yarwood and welcomed the statement that Cunard will keep her in service for many years to come. However they stated that they would continue with their consortium so as to be ready for the day when the QE2 is eventually retired from service. Soon discussions are to be held with the Heritage Lottery Fund to explore whether they would be supportive of plans to save the QE2 for Southampton and the UK.

On the 3^rd January 2006 the legendary QE2 departs Southampton on yet another of her renowned World Cruises via New York, Fort Lauderdale, Willemstad (Curacao), Panama Canal, Acapulco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, American Samoa, Fiji, Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, Bali, Keelung (Taipei), Kobe, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Penang, Phuket, Colombo, Cochin, Mumbai (Bombay), Dubai, Suez Canal, Alexandria, Piraeus (Athens), Civitavecchia (Rome), Valencia, Lisbon and finally Southampton where she arrives on the 23^rd April 2006. During this one she makes her maiden call at Shanghai in China on the 10^th March 2006.

The 23^rd April 2006 marked another notable occasion in the life of the two Cunard Queens when once again they were together in their homeport of Southampton.

This St George’s Day also was a notable occasion for the Port of Southampton as it was the first occasion since the 1960s that 5 cruise liners were in port together. In addition to the QE2 (berth 105 Western Docks), Queen Mary 2 (QEII Terminal Berth 38/9 Eastern Docks) being in port there was also the Oceana (Mayflower Cruise Terminal Berth 106 Western Docks), Saga Ruby and Saga Rose (both berthed at the City Cruise Terminal in Western Docks). In late morning the QE2 left her berth in Western Docks and sailed out past the Queen Mary 2 exchanging blasts on their whistles as the QE2 sailed to Bremerhaven for a refit. She will return to service on the 8^th May 2006. This occasion also marked the first time that the two Saga sisters (former Sagafjord and Vistafjord now reunited in the Saga Cruises fleet) were in port in Southampton together.

The Departures were as follows:

11:30 – 12:30 QE2 departs Western Docks bound for refit in Bremerhaven, Germany.

17:00 Oceana departs the Mayflower Cruise Terminal in Western Docks bound on a cruise to the Canary Islands.

17:00 Saga Rose departs the City Cruise Terminal in Western Docks bound on a cruise to Egypt.

18:00 Queen Mary 2 departs from the QEII Terminal in Eastern Docks on a transatlantic voyage to New York.

18:30 Saga Ruby departs the City Cruise Terminal in Western Docks bound on a cruise to the Atlantic Isles.

Her 40th Anniversary Year (2007):

The QE2 is renowned for her legendary World Cruises and is considered by many to be the Grande Dame of World Cruising having undertaken more of them than any other ship afloat. However in 2007 she will depart Southampton on 2^nd January 2007 on one of her most special World Cruises to date which is destined to make history. For in 2007 she will be departing on her Silver Jubilee World Cruise marking her 25^th circumnavigation of the world. This World Cruise is also special for two other reasons. 2007 is the 85^th Anniversary of the first World Cruise made by the Laconia back in 1922/1923. Also 2007 will see the RMS Queen Mary 2 making her Maiden World Cruise and the two Cunard Queens are set to meet up twice during their simultaneous World Cruises on the 10^th January 2007 in Fort Lauderdale and on the 20^th February 2007 in Sydney. The latter occasion is also special as it is the first time two Cunard Queens will have been in Sydney since the wartime visits of the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth in 1941 and 1942 during their troopship duties in the Second World War.

20th February 2007: The Meeting of the Two Cunard Queens "The Royal Rendezvous"(Sydney, Australia)

Thus the QE2 helped to induct the new RMS Queen Mary 2 into the tradition of world cruises like she did on the transatlantic crossing in 2004. The QE2 arrived back in Southampton after her momentous Silver Jubilee World Cruise and two “Meeting of the Queens” on the 21^st April 2007.

On the 10th June 2007, a special luncheon for Falklands Veterans was held on board the QE2 while she was docked in Southampton to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands War. In 1982 the QE2 had arrived in Southampton on the 11th June with survivors of the HMS Ardent, Antelope and Coventry that had been sunk during the conflict.

On the 18th June 2007 there was the shock announcement that an agreement had been reached to sell the QE2 to Dubai World (a holding company of the Dubai Royal Family and the Dubai Government) for £50 million for use as a hotel, museum and retail & entertainment destination at a specially built pier at the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai from 2009. The Palm Jumeirah is a "Palm Island" being built off Dubai, one of three along with one in the form of a map of the World! This is said to be the 8th Wonder of the World. This means that the QE2 will be retired from service with Cunard Line at the end of her current booked cruise programme in November 2008. Sadly it seems that Britain has been denied the opportunity to even bid for the QE2. There bidding process for potential buyers of the ship, Dubai simply approached Cunard behind the scenes and a deal was made, thus denying Britain the opportunity to even bid for the ship alongside Dubai's bid.  This is a great shame that the QE2 was sold in this way without a fair bidding process. In the late 1960s Britain lost the Queen Mary because we submitted a bid for the ship but it was unsuccessful. Sadly this time we have lost the QE2 not because our bid was unsuccessful but because Britain was not even given the opportunity to bid for the ship. Shame, but instead she will go to Dubai.

Of course this is very disappointing for Britain as the QE2's home country and her British supporters, like it was in the late 1960s when the Queen Mary was retired. However Cunard Line have to accept the deal that is best for them as a business. So seeing it from their perspective the QE2's sale to Dubai probably was inevitable as the United Arab Emirates has a huge amount of money and has an available berth, resources and facilities to acquire and look after the QE2. While Britain and the British interests, despite their love for the ship, did not. Also it is probably good for Cunard Line and Carnival from a business perspective as the QE2 would become a permanent advert in Dubai for Cunard Line and the Carnival Corporation & PLC group and will help to open up this new wealthy market for them. Similarly the sale of the Queen Mary in the late 1960s to Long Beach in California gave Cunard Line a permanent advert in the United States and so from a business perspective surely helped to retain and grow their American market. Also both America and Dubai have a strong fondness of all things British so maybe they wanted a bit of Britain for themselves in the form of the Queen Mary and QE2 respectively. Dubai is in many ways the new California. Finally there is the obvious, both places are immensely wealthy and could afford to purchase these ships when they were retired from service and then pay to keep them maintained as floating hotels and tourist attractions. Disappointing I know for British fans of these two British maritime icons but sadly it may be inevitable, money talks and that is how business works.

Her World Cruise partnering the new Queen Victoria in 2008 will be her final World Cruise. Her final roundtrip Southampton cruise will be the "Mediterranean Odyssey" cruise departing Southampton on the 27th October 2008 and returning to Southampton on the 11th November 2008. Following this the QE2 will depart Britain's shores for the final time on the "QE2 Final Voyage" one-way voyage bound for her new home in Dubai. After a brief refurbishment at Dubai Drydocks, returning some of her interiors to their original splendour, she will be installed at a special jetty in the Palm Jumeirah and her permanent new home ready for opening in 2009. She, as well as being a hotel, will also feature a museum celebrating her long and rich history and thus become a tourism, retail and entertainment destination at The Palm Jumeirah. Thus future generations will be able to continue to visit the QE2 and enjoy the legacy and rich history at her new home in Dubai.

"The QE2 is without doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today. I am delighted that we will be able to create a home for her on the newest wonder of the world, The Palm Jumeirah. The QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will become one of the must-see experiences of Dubai and of the Middle East. We are investing in creating a truly global tourism destination. Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of the QE2. She is coming to a home where she will be cherished. "

Words of Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayen (Chairman of Dubai World) on the 18th June 2007 when the shock announcement was made saying that the QE2 would be retired from service in 2008 and was to be sold to Dubai as a hotel and museum.

On the 25th June 2008, in light of the impending retirement of the QE2, Cunard Line announced a series of changes to the ship's final season of cruises following her final World Cruise in tandem with the Queen Victoria. These changes to her cruise programme for 2008 are to ensure that the QE2 had a proper farewell series of voyages. Her Farewell Voyages are as follows:

On the 6th January 2008 the QE2 is set to make history once again as she departs Southampton on her World Cruise "South America, Pacific and Orient Odyssey" in tandem with the new Queen Victoria. For the first time in almost 10 years the QE2 will concentrate on South America and the Pacific during her World Cruise. The Queen Victoria will be making her Maiden World Cruise and the two ships will also be making the first ever westbound tandem transatlantic crossing to New York. Repeating the role she played when the RMS Queen Mary 2 in 2004 and 2007 (in inducting that ship into the transatlantic service and World Cruises), the QE2 will be inducting the Queen Victoria on her first transatlantic crossing to New York and Maiden World Cruise. The two ships will arrive in New York together on the 13th January 2008. The Queen Mary 2 will also be in New York on that day having arrived from a Connoisseur's Caribbean cruise. It is likely that in New York the QE2 and the Queen Victoria will meet the Queen Mary 2 in a maritime first the Three Cunard Queens will be together for the first and maybe last time.

On the 13th January 2008 New York witnessed maritime history as fireworks and fanfare marked the first and only meeting of the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2 and the new Queen Victoria. The regal fleet departed at 6.30 pm and Queen Mary 2 will depart from her American home port, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, while the QE2 will depart from Pier 92 and Queen Victoria will depart from Pier 88 both at the Manhatten "New York Cruise Terminal". Then the three mighty Queens will rendezvous and sail past the Statue of Liberty during a spectacular fireworks celebration at around 7pm. This is the first time in Cunard's long history that three Queens have been in service at the same time and with the QE2 retiring in November 2008 it will be the only time they will be in service together. It was truly maritime history in the making.

"This is a historic occasion for Cunard and New York, marking the only time that the three ships will be together ever! More history will be made as our grande dame QE2 departs on her 26th and final World Cruise and the Queen Victoria will depart on her maiden World Cruise."

Words of Carol Marlow (President and Managing Director of Cunard Line)

Her Final Farewell:

Finally she begins her season of farewell cruises. It was a truly emotional time as this much loved icon sailed on its final voyages.

On the 23rd September 2008 the QE2 made her final call to Halifax, birthplace of Cunard Line founder Sir Samuel Cunard, on Sunday. Accompanied by the city’s maritime ambassador Theodore Tugboat and a traditional fireboat display, the iconic ocean liner was celebrated during her final voyage to New England and Canada, part of her Farewell Tour before completing service to Cunard in November 2008.

QE2 Captain Ian McNaught and local dignitaries, including the Honourable Lenard Goucher, Minister of Immigration, Dawn Sloane, Councillor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Lieutenant-Colonel John Woodgate, Vice President of the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association, John Langley, Chairman of the Cunard Steamship Society, Margaret WIttingham-Lamont, Missions to Seafarers, and Mark MacDonald, Chair of the Halifax Port Authority Board of Directors, gathered onboard for a reception and luncheon to mark the occasion. From Halifax, the ship went on to call at Quebec City before sailing to her homeport in Southampton, England.

On her final visit to Halifax the QE2 flew a 39 ft long Paying Off Pennant. This pennant was then presented to the Port of Halifax by Captain Ian McNaught to honour the city where Samuel Cunard was born. The pennant was accepted by John Langley (Chair of the Cunard Steamship Society) on behalf of the Port of Halifax. 

The British Isles Farewell:

E817N: British Isles Voyage

30 September 2008 - 10 October 2008

30 Sep 2008    Southampton, England                      Depart 1700

1 Oct 2008        Cherbourg, France                            (in the event this call was missed out due to bad weather)

2 Oct 2008        Cobh (Cork), Ireland                         0900 - 1800

3 Oct 2008        Liverpool, England                           1200 - 2200 (en route from Cork to Liverpool, QE2 stopped in Douglas, IoM)

4 Oct 2008        Belfast, N. Ireland                              1230 - 2300

5 Oct 2008        Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland       1200 - 2200

6 Oct 2008         Cruising the North Sea

7 Oct 2008         South Queensferry (for Edinburgh)  0800 - 1800

8 Oct 2008         Newcastle upon Tyne, England       1030 - 2200

9 Oct 2008         Cruising the North Sea

10 Oct 2008      Southampton, England                     Arrive 0700

On the 30th September 2008 the QE2 sailed from Southampton on a "Farewell to the British Isles" voyage. The 10-night voyage included maiden calls to Dublin and Belfast and a call to the Clyde (Greenock) where she was built, as well as calls at Cobh, Liverpool (Cunard's ancestral home), Edinburgh (South Queensferry) and Newcastle. This historic voyage enabled the QE2 to say farewell to the UK and her home country. She arrived in Cobh (Cork) a day early on the 2nd October 2008 having been forced to miss out the Cherbourg call due to bad weather. However she was instead able to pass Douglas Bay on the way into Liverpool.

Carol Marlow (President and Managing Director of Cunard Line) said the following about the QE2's final visit to Liverpool:

"The QE2 was conceived and developed in Liverpool, within the walls of the magnificent Cunard Building on the Pier Head, so it is true to say that this great city and the most famous ship in the world have a very close bond. The QE2's welcome when she has visited Liverpool has been legendary and this final call will be no exception."

On route from Cobh (Cork) to Liverpool on the 3rd October 2008, the QE2 paused in Douglas Bayfor the first time. Then at 12:00 it arrived on the River Mersey and berthed at the City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal at Pier Head. It was flying its 39ft long paying off pennant. 1ft for each of its years in service. During the day all three Mersey Ferries were in service and kept busy ferrying the crowds to view the QE2 as thousands turned out to see her for the final time in Liverpool.

At 4pm the crew and passengers of the QE2 had a special farewell service at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral attended by notable dignatories including the Rt. Hon. John Prescott MP, Dame Beryl Bainbridge, Simon Weston (Falklands Veteran), Sir Jimmy Saville and Robin Woodall (former QE2 Captain). They were treated to music from soloists Natasha Marsh and Jon Cristos, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Cathedral choirs. The Band of the Welsh Guards also performed, under the baton of Musical Director Anthony Inglis. Everyone in the cathedral was handed a Union Jack to wave during the grand finale of Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Pomp & Circumstance. A lone horn played the Last Post as the orchestra struck up with Auld Lang Syne. During the service the Paying Off Pennant was taken down from the ship and paraded down the Cathedral's central aisle and presented to the Rt. Hon. John Prescott MP who in turn presented it to the Lord Mayor of Liverpool (Councillor Steve Rotheram) as a gift to the people of Liverpool. It was a fitting celebration of the QE2's remarkable career.

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool then spoke of the QE2's long connections with the City of Liverpool:

"Although Cunard left Liverpool 41 years ago, it has never really gone away. Represented still by that solid, central ediface of our world famous "Three Graces", it is woven into the very fabric of this city. Today, 40 years on, everybody knows somebody who used to work for Cunard or who still does. Wherever Cunard may be, the company's heart will always be in Liverpool. This is a celebration of the life of the most famous ship in the world, a ship that was conceived and designed here in Liverpool."

 

The Painting of R.M.S. Mauretania leaving the River Tyne in October 1907 by T.M. Hemy

(This painting is owned by Jaap Kroese, owner of Swan Hunter, and for many years was loaned to Cunard Line and displayed on board the world famous RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. However on the 8th October 2008 on the occasion of the QE2's final visit to Newcastle upon Tyne, it was returned to its owners by Captain Ian McNaught on behalf of Cunard Line. It now in turn has been placed on loan to the Tyne & Wear Museums and is now displayed in the Discovery Museum).

E818N: Westbound Transatlantic Crossing

10 October 2008 - 16 October 2008 (Voyage undertaken in tandem with the Queen Mary 2)

10 Oct 2008      Southampton, England                      Depart 1700

11 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

12 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

13 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

14 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

15 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

16 Oct 2008      New York, USA                                 Arrive 0700

E818P: Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing

16 October 2008 - 22 October 2008 (Voyage undertaken in tandem with the Queen Mary 2)

16 Oct 2008      New York, USA                                 Depart 1700

17 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean        

18 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

19 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

20 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

21 Oct 2008      Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

22 Oct 2008       Southampton, England                  Arrive 0700