Exciting Weekend Ahead

I am very excited about this weekend on Friday I am off to Southampton with some of my colleagues from Cruise.co to join in the 10^th anniversary celebrations of Queen Mary 2, all three of the world famous ships are in port together for the day to celebrate a very special occasion.

Queen Mary II is the fastest passenger ship in the world. During her 10 years’ journey, she has called at 182 ports in 60 countries, and has made 419 voyages – she’s sailed the equivalent of three times to the moon and back. Find out more interesting facts about this elegant cruise liner which is best known for its luxury and engineering the girls from Cruise.co to see the famous 3 Cunard Ships in Southampton and join them for their excellence.

The ships will arrive together at first light to begin a day of spectacular celebration, with an early morning Birthday Salute, a special reception and lunch on board Queen Mary 2 for invited guests in the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, and a spectacular firework send-off in the evening before Queen Mary 2 leads the three ships in convoy down Southampton Water.

Events through the day.

1.     Three Ships Arrival: 5.00 – 5.30am

Sister ships Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria will take the lead up Southampton Water, followed by a firetug with water jets which will herald the arrival of birthday girl Queen Mary 2.

2.    Three Queens Birthday Salute: 5.30am – 5.45am

As Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria take a bow-to-bow position just 30 metres apart by the Queen Elizabeth II terminal, Queen Mary 2 will slowly sail past her sister ships. As a 10th Birthday Salute, ‘Happy Birthday’, rendered on ships’ whistles will sound out across the water.

3.    Three Queens move to their berths for the day: 6.00am – 6.30am

After the Birthday Salute, Queen Mary 2 will continue on to Ocean Terminal where she will be based for HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit. Queen Victoria will sail from Queen Elizabeth II Terminal to City Terminal and Queen Elizabeth will move into her final position at Queen Elizabeth II Terminal.

At 8pm, with all passengers embarked, Queen Elizabeth will move down the berth at Queen Elizabeth II Terminal while Queen Victoria sails from City Terminal to take up position behind her, so that the sister ships are bow-to-stern just 30 metres apart. Then at 9.30pm, Queen Mary 2 will reverse out of her berth by Ocean Terminal and will hold her position in the water, creating a curved array of the Three Queens, ready for the first fusillade of fireworks.

5.    Queen Mary 2’s 10th Anniversary Fireworks: 10pm- 10.10pm

In a 10 minute display – one minute for each of Queen Mary 2’s 10 magnificent years – the night sky will be lit up by spectacular fireworks, fired from the Hythe side of the river opposite Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, as the grand finale to a very special day.

6.    Three Ships Departure: 10.15pm approx

As the climatic fireworks explode overhead, Queen Mary 2 will make ready to lead the way down Southampton Water, followed by Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

We have been lucky enough to get time to spend on board Queen Elizabeth; will post pictures and videos next week.

On the Saturday I am off on Azura for 2 Nights on a hen party with my colleagues from Cruise.co. I am looking forward to travelling back on Azura as it has been a couple of years since I last travelled on her.

Look out next week for all the madness of the weekend.