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To all who leave tomorrow, Bon Voyage!

Traveler Nina

By Traveler Nina,
in Cunard Line

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Cruachan

Cruachan

Posted
Posted
Bon Voyage.

 

I'll wave to you from Troon Beach. :)

 

If some kind soul would send a tender out for me I would very much appreciate it.

 

David

 

I wholeheartedly second David's "Bon Voyage". What a brilliant idea about the tender. If you could manage to divert one up the Humber and on up the Ouse to York it would be much appreciated. I'll be waving to you all anyway - you won't see me though; York's just a tad too far from the sea.

 

Jimmy

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Coolgran

Coolgran

Posted
Posted

Thank you all for your good wishes I am sure that we all will wave like mad at every opportunity just in case one of you is watching. Just hope it is as wonderful as we expect it to be. No doubt about it we will certainly let you know when we arrive back

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patwell

patwell

Posted
Posted

BON VOYAGE to all...what a fabulous trip this will be. Hope it's all you expect and more. I found this elsewhere...apologize if someone had posted it already. Just reading it gives me goosebumps for the excitement planned...

 

"Next week, on September 15, QE2 sets off on an historic

"lap-of- honour" around Britain to celebrate the 40th

Anniversary of her launch by Her Majesty The Queen on

September 20, 1967. While the primary purpose of the

voyage is to celebrate the anniversary of QE2's launch,

two other significant Cunard anniversaries will be

marked: the 100th anniversary of Mauretania's departure

from the Tyne for her first sea trials on September 17

(the day QE2 will also be on the Tyne) and the 40th

anniversary of Queen Mary's final departure from New

York (September 22). Since she came into service, QE2 has

had a spectacular career and is now simply the most

famous ship afloat - quite probably the most successful

liner ever. She has hosted every senior member of the

Royal Family at least once; has welcomed Prime Ministers

and Presidents, including Nelson Mandela - around the

world; and has been host to a multitude of celebrities

and film stars. So far, she has traveled 5.6 million

nautical miles, which is further than any ship ever.

That has included 25 circumnavigations of the globe, 801

transatlantic crossings, 705 calls at New York and 697 at

her homeport of Southampton, and the welcoming aboard of

2.5 million passengers. In September 2005 she became the

longest-serving Cunarder ever.

But, of course, in addition to exotic voyages and ecstatic

welcomes, QE2 has had her share of adventures - not

least in 1982 when she was requisitioned to carry 3,000

troops to the Falklands War. She returned bearing the

survivors of HMS Ardent, Antelope and Coventry. The 40th

Anniversary Voyage, which sold out soon after going on

sale in 2005, begins in Southampton next Saturday with a

farewell lunch on board for 350 invited guests. When QE2

sails at 5:00 p.m., she will be played off by the Band

of the Royal Marines and escorted down Southampton Water

by two tugs firing water jets. The following day will see

her move close to the coast at Flamborough Head at 11:00

a.m., and she will be clearly visible from the shore

(weather permitting) all the way to the Tyne. Thousands

are expected to turn out to see her pass in coastal

towns on the way, including Scarborough, Whitby,

Sunderland and Hartelepool - where small boats are

expected to sail out to greet her. The maiden arrival at

the Tyne promises to be spectacular, with QE2 being

escorted by a flotilla of boats and a concerto of

Northumbrian pipes to the accompaniment of daytime

pyrotechnics. As the ship progresses up river, the Tyne

will be turned into a "virtual" red carpet by the use of

aqua flares. On September 18 the ship will be on the Firth

of Forth, where she will welcome on board the Lord

Provost of Edinburgh, and she then sails round the north

of Scotland to arrive on the Clyde on September 20,

exactly 40 years to the day of her launch. There, in

Greenock, the guests of honour at a celebratory lunch will

be 100 workers who helped build the ship. They, and

Cunard guests on board, will be treated to a 23-minute

display by the Red Arrows. The exact moment of her launch

- 2:28 p.m. - will be marked by the sounding of the

ship's whistle and a recording of Her Majesty The Queen

launching the ship will be played over the tannoy. The

following day, September 21, sees the ship in Cunard's

spiritual home, Liverpool, where the company was based

from 1839 to 1967. QE2 will be one of the first ships to

tie up at Liverpool's new cruise ship terminal, due to

be opened that day by His Royal Highness The Duke of

Kent - who will come on board after the ceremony for lunch

on QE2.

A spectacular highlight takes place that afternoon when

there will be a magnificent Celebration Concert at the

Anglican Cathedral, to be attended by all QE2 guests and

local civic leaders. The concert, starring soprano

Lesley Garrett, Scottish tenor Nicky Spence, the Royal

Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, the Liverpool

Cathedral Choir and the Band of the Scots Guards, will be

a rousing mixture of patriotic and popular music

guaranteed to stir the emotions. Tributes will be paid

to QE2 by regular guests Sir Jimmy Savile and Carol

Thatcher. That night, QE2, her guests and well-wishers

will witness the spectacle of a splendid midriver

firework display. On her final day at sea (September 22),

en route back to Southampton, activities on board will

mark the last sailing of Queen Mary and, after dinner,

QE2 will pass her newer sister Queen Mary 2 outward

bound for New York - the first time two Queen liners have

passed at sea since Queen Mary passed Queen Elizabeth in

mid-Atlantic for the last time 40 years ago on 25

September 1967. Guests on both ships are expected to be

out on deck for this historic occasion. The eventful

voyage ends in Southampton on September 23."

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

 

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continues....

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exlondoner

exlondoner

Posted
Posted
Hi,

 

Does anyone know if the viewing balcony is still in operation @ the QEII terminal in Southampton.

 

If so, I think it might be worth a trip to see her and all of you off!

 

Best wishes and have a wonderful time.

 

David

 

I don't think so, security being the pretext: in any case it is very hard to get into Soton docks if opne is not a passenger or with a passenger.:(

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luv2cruzuk

luv2cruzuk

Posted
Posted

Thought so...

 

I have been before, several times and seen the QE2 off, however that was many moons ago. The last time I went down to see a ship off was QM2 and I was very disappointed as the balcony was closed...

 

Then the ship was very delayed, so headed back home.

 

Thanks anyway.

 

PS... Any other good viewing places?

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Bramcruiser

Bramcruiser

Posted
Posted

It may be late to say it as the 40th Anniversary cruise is leaving today but good luck and bon voyage to all those who are leaving on this sailing. Its definitely an historic anniversary and one not likely to be repeated anytime soon by a Cunard ship. Enjoy your voyage around the UK.

 

David

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