It’s ten years ago tomorrow, January 8, that Queen Mary 2 was named. Since then she has made 419 voyages, including more than 200 transatlantic crossings, and called at 182 ports in 60 countries.
Having taken a million hours to design and 8million to build, the Cunard flagship has soldiered on in style, sailing the equivalent of three times to the moon and back. She’s carried more than 1.3million guests – and 2,000 dogs.
Since the 151,000-ton ship was christened by the Queen in 2004, her crew has served 58million meals, 21.9million cups of tea and 2.7million scones. Guests have attended almost 8,000 lectures – and downed 1.25million bottles of champagne.
The ship will set off on her eighth world cruise on Friday (January 10), when she and Queen Elizabeth leave Southampton together after a fireworks display. The tenth anniversary celebrations will centre on May 9 when all three Cunard ships arrive in Southampton together and leave in the evening with QM2 leading the way on her commemorative crossing to New York.
Angus Struthers, Cunard’s marketing director, said: ‘Since entering service in 2004, Queen Mary 2 has reigned supreme on the Atlantic and around the world, proudly carrying more than a million guests. She has attracted awards, accolades and admiration as the greatest ocean liner ever built for a decade and we intend to mark her first ten years of service in style.’
For my review of a QM2 transatlantic crossing, with a series of interior pictures, please click here
Sail of the decade: Queen Mary 2 in New York (Picture: Cunard)
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