Tomorrow Cunard’s legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 will depart Southampton on a historic cruise around Britain celebrating the 40th anniversary of her launch by HM the Queen in Clydebank, Scotland on 20 September 1967.
Departing from Southampton, she will make a maiden call at Newcastle-upon-Tyne before continuing on to South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Greenock (Glasgow) and Liverpool. The Greenock call will coincide exactly with the 40th anniversary of her launch just up the river in Clydebank. At the exact moment of launch, 2:28 PM, the ship’ whistle will sound, followed by a recording of the Queen naming the ship.
QE2 will also be on the Tyne on 17 September, the 100th anniversary of Mauretania’s first departure from the Tyne for sea trials. While at sea on 22 September, the ship will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Queen Mary’s final departure from New York, and will pass Queen Mary 2, the first time two Queens have passed at sea since the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth passed in mid-Atlantic just under 40 years earlier on 25 September 1967.
Congratulations to the great Queen Elizabeth 2 on 40 years of fame and one of the most successful careers in ocean liner history! While I sadly won’t be on board during this cruise, my heart certainly will be.
Click here for a full press release from Cunard.
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