Fireworks mark first and last Cunarder voyages

5:30am Saturday 5th January 2008

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By Keith Hamilton »

Dazzling firework displays will light up the night sky over Southampton as the city says bon voyage to five cruise ships this weekend.

History will be in the making tomorrow when the legendary Cunarder, Queen Elizabeth 2 sets a course for her last world cruise after a career that has lasted almost four decades, while the new Queen Victoria begins her first circumnavigation.

The classic liners Saga Rose and Saga Ruby are due to mark their departures from the docks at the start of their annual world cruises with a glittering show at about 9.30pm this evening.

The best vantage points for sightseers to see the display is either Town Quay or Hythe Marina.

Tomorrow QE2 will leave on her final world cruise, a voyage of 106 nights that will take her across the Atlantic to New York then on to South America where the liner will round Cape Horn and then cruise across the Pacific, the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean before heading back to Southampton where the ship will arrive on Tuesday, April 22.

Leaving at the same time as QE2 and sailing in tandem will be Cunard's latest addition to its fleet, Queen Victoria, which will undertake her first Atlantic crossing which also signals her maiden world cruise.

Both Cunarders are expected to depart just after 5pm and take up position toghether for the firework display time for 5.40pm. Again the best places to watch the event is either Town Quay or Hythe Marina.

Just before the departure of the two Cunard ships, the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' vessel Boudicca will leave port and at 7pm the P&O Cruises' Oriana will set a course for her world cruise during which the ship will visit 39 ports in 22 different countries. Oriana will be back in Southampton on Wednesday, April 16.