Queen Elizabeth Call Marks First-Ever Cunard Stop to the Port of Long Beach

On 5 February 2015, Cunard's Queen Elizabeth met her royal relative, the legendary Queen Mary , in a Cunard Royal Rendezvous when Queen Elizabeth dockd in Long Beach for the first time ever.  This historic maiden call is particularly significant, not only because it is the first time a Cunard vessel has ever called at Long Beach, but because both Cunard and the Queen Mary are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year.  Cunard is marking 175 years since the first Transatlantic Crossing from England to the United States, inaugurating scheduled mail service to the U.S. and changing the face of ocean travel forever. The  Queen Mary, which has crossed the Atlantic over 2,000 times while in service and is now a permanent hotel and museum in Long Beach harbor, is commemorating 80 years afloat.

The day was marked with celebration and fanfare for the public, with traditional whistle salutes between the ships and a robust fireworks display.  The best public viewing location was on the Promenade Deck of the Queen Mary, at the aft (back) of the ship.  Complimentary access was offered.  Queen Elizabeth sailed into Long Beach harbor at approximately 7:00am, and departed the port at approximately 6:00pm, followed by a whistle exchange salute with the Queen Mary, and fireworks display, before she proceeded on her journey.

"During our 175-year history, the Queen Mary has been one of our most beloved ships," said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard, North America.

Prior visits by Cunard ships to Long Beach have been restricted to floating salutes where the modern ships hovered in place while honoring their ancestor. The 5 February visit saw Queen Elizabeth dock nearby the Queen Mary - a first for Long Beach and Cunard...and the royal relatives.

Enhancing the Queen Elizabeth's visit, and in recognition of the Queen Mary's 80 years of public life, a new Ship Model Gallery was dedicated on the Queen Mary in a private ceremony at 11:00am. Located on the Promenade Deck, the model gallery opened to the public at 12:30pm.  The gallery houses many important ship models and is the first phase of the Queen Mary's announced plans to create a world-class maritime museum and learning center aboard the ship.

"Having Queen Elizabeth in port for the Gallery dedication makes it even more special," said The Queen Mary's General Manager, John Jenkins.

Included in the Gallery are priceless large models of some of the world's greatest ships; Titanic, Lusitania, Normandie along with contemporary Cunard liners, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and QE2. Overall some 15 ship models were debuted - with others on the way. The exhibition also presented the original Bassett-Lowke shipbuilder's model of the Queen Mary - a spectacular and historically significant ship model measuring over 20 feet in length.

During Cunard's legendary history, the iconic Queen Mary epitomized the Golden Age of Ocean Travel.  She also served as a British Royal Mail Ship (RMS) and as a troopship during World War II. Winston Churchill credited the Queen Mary and the original Queen Elizabeth with ending World War II one year early as they carried over 1.5 million troops between them.  The Queen Mary's influence lives on today, inspiring Cunard's modern fleet; and she continues to be a popular tourist and maritime destination as a hotel and museum in Long Beach Harbor, located 40 miles south of Los Angeles.

The elegant Queen Elizabeth captured the world stage in 2010 when Her Majesty The Queen christened her in a Royal Naming Ceremony in Southampton, England, amongst more than 1,500 guests, celebrities and dignitaries.  As the youngest in Cunard's fleet, Queen Elizabeth recalls the rich heritage of the first Cunarder to bear the name, and features many unique Cunard traditions linking her with her predecessors, but with all the modern day luxuries Cunard guests have come to expect.  The ship's adherence to liner traditions is most evident through art deco touches, elegant double- and triple-height public rooms on a grand scale, intricate mosaics, hand-woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers and cool marbles.

Key features of Queen Elizabeth include a specially commissioned portrait of Her Majesty The Queen, as well as an 18.5 ft. marquetry piece of the original Queen Elizabeth, expertly created by David Linley, the only nephew of Her Majesty. 

For information about the Queen Mary, visit www.queenmary.com .