 |
| Queen
Elizabeth met her docked sister ship Queen Mary beneath
a fireworks show for a Cunard Royal Rendezvous in Long Beach. |
Amidst fireworks and much fanfare yesterday, Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth met Queen Mary for an historic Cunard Royal Rendezvous. Cunarders and maritime enthusiasts alike gathered along the shores of Long Beach Harbour and more than two thousand people were aboard Queen Mary for a celebration that began with a series of whistle salutes between the two ships. Joining these maritime icons high above was the famed Goodyear blimp, the Spirit of America.
Spectators
were treated to a commemorative fireworks show, which lit up the
skies above the harbour during the first-time meeting between the two
ships. In addition, a narrative of the ships’ histories was
simulcast by Everette Hoard, commodore of Queen Mary, who was
speaking from the Bridge of Queen Elizabeth and was also heard by
guests on Queen Mary. Queen Elizabeth then departed on her
18-day Panama
Canal Discovery voyage.
This Royal
Rendezvous marks
Queen Mary’s first meeting with a Queen Elizabeth since 1967 when
Queen Mary, during her final Transatlantic
Crossing in
Cunard service, passed by the original Queen Elizabeth.
During
Cunard’s legendary history, the iconic Queen Mary epitomized the
Golden Age of Ocean Travel and served as a Cunard liner for more than
30 years. She also served as a troopship during World War II
and a British Royal Mail Ship. Queen Mary’s influence lives
on today, serving as interior design inspiration for the modern
Cunard fleet – the youngest at sea – and continues to be a
popular destination for maritime enthusiasts.
Queen
Mary retired from service in 1967 and is permanently docked in Long
Beach, Calif. as a hotel, museum and tourist attraction.
Source/photo:
Cunard
