Sydney Welcomes Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2

February 22, 2011

Cunard’s newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, arrived in Sydney for the first time this morning, following her larger sister, Queen Mary 2, into Sydney Harbour in another historic Royal Rendezvous.

This morning’s visit marks the first time two Cunard liners had ever arrived together in Sydney Harbour. It also recalls an earlier Royal Rendezvous when the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth – both then World War II troop ships – passed each other at Sydney Heads on April 9, 1941.

Stretching 294 metres in length and wearing Cunard’s classic red and black livery, the 90,900-tonne Queen Elizabeth met Queen Mary 2 outside Sydney Heads before 5.30am before following her sister into the Harbour and berthing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at around 7am.

Both midway through their world voyages, the spectacular Queen Elizabeth sailed in from New Zealand while the majestic Queen Mary 2 arrived from Adelaide.

Launched by Her Majesty The Queen in October last year, the elegant Queen Elizabeth is carrying around 2000 guests and almost 1000 crew on her 103-night world voyage, with her overnight visit expected to generate at least $1 million for the Sydney economy.

President and Managing Director of Cunard Peter Shanks said the company was thrilled the cruise line could stage another spectacular Royal Rendezvous in Sydney during Queen Elizabeth’s first world voyage.

“Sydney is always a highlight port for our Cunard world voyage guests but marking an historic Royal Rendezvous with our two Queens certainly adds to the attraction,” Mr Shanks said.

A special remembrance service will be held onboard Queen Mary 2 on Wednesday as a tribute to ‘Australia’s Finest Generation’, many of whom sailed to war on the original Cunard Queens.

Arriving this morning from New Zealand under the command of Captain Julian Burgess, Queen Elizabeth pays homage to Cunard’s original Queen Elizabeth, offering a range of famous Cunard hallmarks plus some new features.

The second largest liner in the Cunard fleet, she has more than 1000 staterooms, with more than 70 per cent featuring private balconies.

Her many features include more than 10 restaurants and cafes, two outdoor swimming pools, a Games Deck including paddle tennis, croquet and bowls as well as a two-storey library complete with leaded glass ceiling and a globe from the original Queen Elizabeth.

From Sydney, Queen Elizabeth will depart to visit Melbourne on February 25 and then Fremantle on March 1, before continuing on her return journey to Southampton via Asia.

Meanwhile the magnificent Queen Mary 2 will sail for New Zealand tomorrow evening just before midnight, calling in Christchurch on February 26 and Auckland on February 28 as part of her 2011 world cruise.

ENDS

© Scoop Media