November 12, 2008 –
QE2’s Final Farewell to Southampton yesterday was marked by
festivities, fireworks and moving tributes. HRH The
Duke of Edinburgh made his seventh and final visit to the
most famous ship in the world. While onboard, His Royal Highness
observed two minutes of silence at 11:00am prior to meeting crew
members who served on the ship to the Falklands. His Royal
Highness then toured the vessel, including the Wardroom, Bridge,
Engine Control Room and Hospital, before attending a reception
in the Queens Room.
One million poppies
were dropped over the ship from Tiger Moth aircrafts to
commemorate Remembrance Day, mark QE2's role in the Falklands
and note the ship’s final farewell. This was followed by a
flypast of a Harrier jet which hovered and bowed to QE2
approximately 500-feet off her stern.
After leaving her
berth, QE2 sailed to Mayflower Park where she remained for a
period while a message from her Master, Captain Ian McNaught,
was broadcast on a specially-erected screen in the park. McNaught’s
remarks featured a tribute to Southampton and he said that QE2
had strived to serve the city and her country with flair and
fortitude for 40 years. Following a spectacular firework
display, QE2 made her way downriver with her whistle blasting,
accompanied by a large flotilla of well-wishers.
During QE2’s many
years in service to Cunard, the iconic ocean liner has sailed
5.9 million nautical miles, completed 806 transatlantic
crossings, carried over 2.5 million guests, undertaken 25
World Cruises and answered her country's call during the
Falklands Campaign. Her new home will be in Dubai where she
will become a
first class hotel and entertainment centre.
As QE2 leaves the
Cunard fleet, the company's flagship
Queen Mary 2
- the largest and grandest ocean liner in the world -
spearheads the revival of the Golden Age of Ocean Travel by
continuing to offer the regular transatlantic service started
by Cunard in 1840. In addition,
Queen Victoria,
which entered service in December 2007, has redefined “style”
on the high seas and offers Cunard's historic European routes.
Along with
Queen Mary 2, she also continues the tradition of World
Cruises that Cunard began in1922. Cunard wil now become the
youngest fleet in the cruise industry and is poised to
continue this distinction upon the debut of the company’s new
ship, Queen Elizabeth, in 2010.
For information
and to book a voyage on Cunard, contact your travel
professional, call
1-800-7-CUNARD or visit
www.cunard.com.
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