Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to Bid Farewell to Queen Elizabeth 2

In an event befitting a king, Cunard Line has invited His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh for a farewell visit to Queen Elizabeth 2 in her homeport of Southampton on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 – the ship’s last day in the United Kingdom before leaving on her final voyage at 7:15 p.m. local time. QE2 will depart for Dubai where she will become a first class hotel and entertainment center.

The most famous ship in the world, and for 35 years the flagship of the Cunard fleet, QE2 was launched by Her Majesty The Queen at Clydebank on September 20, 1967 – forty years ago last year. His Royal Highness was also in attendance.

Since then, QE2 has travelled nearly 6 million nautical miles, more than any ship ever; has carried 2.5 million guests; has completed 25 World Cruises; and has crossed the Atlantic 804 times, reports Cunard Lines.

As well as being present at the launch, His Royal Highness has visited QE2 five times since her keel laying: on July 14, 1967 during construction; on May 1, 1969 immediately prior to her maiden voyage; on May 29, 1969 for the Council of Industrial Design Awards; on June 19, 1991 for a Royal Ball in association with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme; and on July 27, 1990 to mark Cunard Line’s 150th anniversary.

“We are delighted and honoured that His Royal Highness has agreed to visit QE2 on her last day in the UK. The Duke of Edinburgh has taken a close interest in the ship over the last forty years, and I am certain this will be a memorable occasion for all involved,” commented Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard.

QE2 to Bid Goodbye New York on 16 October 2008

On Thursday, October 16, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) will bid farewell to America during a celebratory call befitting of the company’s longest-serving ocean liner. The historic occasion will mark the iconic ship’s 706th and final call to New York.

Escorted by FDNY fireboats and flotilla of pleasure craft, the beloved QE2 will depart the Westside Terminal at 5 p.m. to meet her sister ship, Queen Mary 2, for a Cunard Royal Rendezvous at the Statue of Liberty as both renowned ocean liners embark on a tandem voyage to Southampton, England — marking QE2′s 806th and final Transatlantic Crossing.

Recognised as the most famous ship in the world and for 35 years, flagship of the Cunard fleet, QE2 was named by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1967. During nearly four decades at sea, she has logged 5.9 million nautical miles (equivalent to traveling to the moon and back 13 times), carried more than 2.5 million passengers and has sailed 25 World Cruises. With a top speed of 32.5 knots, QE2 is the fastest passenger ship in the world, reports Cunard Lines.

As a true ocean liner she can sail backwards faster than most cruise ships sail forward. Her service, however, has not only been one of romanticized ports and luxury ocean travel. In 1982, she was requisitioned by the British government for military service in the Falkland Islands and thus joined the ranks of such great Cunarders as Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth who were also called upon to serve in times of conflict.

“It is most fitting that QE2′s farewell to America be celebrated in New York, the city Cunard has called our North America homeport since 1847. She will always be remembered as the best loved ship in the world and we are delighted that she will be cherished by future generations of travelers at her new home in Dubai,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “Her mantle as flagship of the British merchant fleet has proudly been bestowed upon Queen Mary 2, a ship recognised as the grandest ocean liner ever built and surely destined to continue Cunard’s legacy,” Marlow added.

During her arrival in the early morning of October 16, QE2 will fly a traditional “Paying-Off Pennant,” a maritime flag signifying the ship’s length of service to the fleet. The pennant will be presented as a commemorative gift to a local dignitary during a reception onboard the ship.

Thousands of well-wishers are expected to gather at ideal New York harbour viewing locations.

QE2 Leaves North-East England For Final Time

Looming over the horizon she cut a majestic figure.

The Queen Elizabeth 2, whose lines never fail to impress, announced her arrival at the mouth of the River Tyne with a booming horn that reverberated through the air.

Cunard’s longest-serving express liner was met at the mouth of the river at about 7am yesterday by three tug boats which guided her through the breakwater, reports TNE.

Dozens of people lined the riverside to see her in. And they were not disappointed.

The great ship presented an impressive sight as she towered over Tynemouth Priory and dwarfed bystanders waving her on.

The morning was blessed with a fresh breeze and clear skies – and perfect lighting conditions for photographers who had been waiting since the crack of dawn to record the historic occasion.

The QE2 was guided past its mooring, before executing a gigantic u-turn to dock at the Port of Tyne’s Northumbrian Quay.

South Shields photographic club member Harry Wilson said: “Today is the last day the QE2 is in the Tyne and this is the opportunity to take as many shots as we can.

“It is a bit cold, but the light is great for photographs.

“We are very proud the ship has chosen to come to Tyneside on its last visit. We are thoroughly enjoying ourselves.”

Mike Ell of Hebburn said: “She is a beautiful ship. Compared to some of the modern box containers that come up here, she has lovely lines.

“It was worth getting up this early in the morning to come and see.”

Ahmed Khan of South Shields added: “This is history in the making. It is the last time she is coming here. I did not want to miss it. It’s as simple as that.

“It is the first time I have been up so close. It is pretty impressive.”

The QE2 has sailed 5.5 million nautical miles – more than any other ship and the equivalent of travelling to the moon and back 13 times.

Even after more than 40 years of service, she remains the fastest merchant ship in operation.

Ian McNaught, captain of the ship, who coincidentally hails from Sunderland, said: We are a symbol of the great British maritime nation. There will never be another one.

If you want a passenger ship built now you go to Italy or Finland or Germany, this is the last great British built Transatlantic liner and I think people have very fond memories of that.

Nexus ran trips every two hours from South Shields and the Royal Quays to give people the chance to get up close and appreciate the sheer size and scale of the ship.

A farewell reception was organised before it set off for Southampton on its final cruise before becoming a luxury floating hotel on the Palm Jumeirah development in Dubai.

Technorati Tags: QE2, cunard, river tyne, palm jumeirah, dubai

QE2 Last Voyage to New Berth at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

The Queen Elizabeth 2 is now on its final voyage around the world before its final stop on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai where it is expected to arrive on 27 November 2008 before docking on her final berthing place!

In Fremantle, Western Australia on 5 March 2008

QE2 final voyage itinerary is as follows;
OCT 2008
W 1 CORK
T 2 DUBLIN
F 3 LIVERPOOL
S 4 BELFAST
S 5 GREENOCK
M 6 AT SEA
T 7 SOUTH QUEENSFERRY
W 8 NEWCASTLE
T 9 AT SEA
F 10 SOUTHAMPTON
S 11 AT SEA
S 12 AT SEA
M 13 AT SEA
T 14 AT SEA
W 15 AT SEA
T 16 NEW YORK
F 17 AT SEA
S 18 AT SEA
S 19 AT SEA
M 20 AT SEA
T 21 AT SEA
W 22 SOUTHAMPTON
T 23 AT SEA
F 24 BILBAO
S 25 LA ROCHELLE
S 26 ST PETER PORT
M 27 SOUTHAMPTON
T 28 AT SEA
W 29 LISBON
T 30 AT SEA
F 31 CAGLIARI

NOV 2008
S 1 NAPLES
S 2 MESSINA
M 3 DUBROVNIK
T 4 ZAKINTHOS
W 5 ATHENS
T 6 AT SEA
F 7 AT SEA
S 8 GIBRALTAR
S 9 VIGO
M 10 AT SEA
T 11 SOUTHAMPTON
W 12 AT SEA
T 13 LISBON
F 14 GIBRALTER
S 15 AT SEA
S 16 CIVITAVECCHIA
M 17 NAPLES
T 18 VALETTA
W 19 AT SEA
T 20 ALEXANDRIA
F 21 AT SEA
S 22 SUEZ CANAL
S 23 AT SEA
M 24 AT SEA
T 25 AT SEA
W 26 AT SEA
T 27 DUBAI