Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

Get your cameras and home video equipment ready for one of the most historic days in maritime cruising. For the first time ever, and Cunard says at this point the only time, Cunard is bringing its three classic cruise Queens to New York City at the same time. Queen Elizabeth 2, soon to be headed to Dubai, the flagship of the fleet, Queen Mary 2, and the newly christened Queen Victoria will all be departing New York harbor on January 13, 2008. The regal fleet is scheduled to depart at 6:30 p.m. Queen Mary 2 will depart from her home port, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal while QE2 will depart from Pier 92 and Queen Victoria will depart from Pier 88 both at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Then, the three Queens will rendezvous and sail past the Statue of Liberty during a spectacular fireworks celebration at approximately 7:00 p.m.

“This is an historic occasion for Cunard and New York, marking the only time that the three ships will be together…ever,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “More history will be made as our grand dame QE2 departs on her 26th and final World Cruise and Queen Victoria will depart on her maiden World Cruise,” added Marlow.
This is the first-time in Cunard’s 168-year history that three “Queens” have been in service at the same time and with QE2 retiring in November 2008 will be the only time they will be together, offering a maritime history-making moment.
Thousands of well-wishers are expected to gather at ideal viewing locations to wish the majestic fleet of Queens “Bon Voyage” and see the fireworks celebration. They include:
•Battery Park: On the southern shoreline of Manhattan, www.thebattery.org
Map link: http://www.bpcparks.org/bpcp/map/map.php
•Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park: Overlooking the Hudson River with great views of the Statue of Liberty
Getting there: Just south of the Museum of Jewish Heritage. By subway: 4 or 5 to Bowling Green, or N or R to Whitehall.
•The Esplanade: Running the entire length of Battery Park City, along the Hudson River from Stuyvesant High School on the north end all the way south to Battery Park
•Hudson River Park: 550 acre park extends for five miles along the Manhattan shoreline from Battery Place to West 59th Street.
For the most current information on the day’s events, visit www.cunard.com/rendezvous.