QE2, QM2 and Queen Victoria together at last

10:06am Thursday 20th March 2008

Comments (10)   Have your say »

By Keith Hamilton »

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.

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.