By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cunard Line’s flagship Queen Mary 2 is to sail from Liverpool, UK, on 4 July 2015 to mark the 175th anniversary of its first scheduled transatlantic crossing to the US.
Departing on 4 July, Queen Mary 2 will replicate the journey first sailed by the line’s paddle steamer Britannia on 4 July 1840. Calling at Boston and Halifax, the vessel is scheduled to arrive in New York City on 14 July. The occasion will also mark the first time passengers have been able to board a Cunard ship in Liverpool and sail to the US since January 1968.
“Exactly one year from now, we’re looking forward to creating a piece of living history as Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 – the grandest ocean liner ever built – sails from Pier Head to Halifax and Boston, just as Cunard’s first ever ship, the little paddle-steamer Britannia, did 175 years ago,” said David Dingle, CEO of Cunard Line. “It’s a moment that will bring a lump to the throat of all those who have shared in the Cunard story since the company first chose Liverpool as its company base back in 1840, and where it built its magnificent headquarters, the Cunard Building last century. Liverpool has been, is and always will be our spiritual home.”
From 24 to 26 May 2015, Liverpool will host a ‘Three Queens, One Magnificent City’ event featuring all three Cunard ships. Queen Mary 2 will make her first ever overnight stay in the city on 24 May and will be joined by Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria the following morning. The three ships will berth close to the Cunard Building on the Pier Head, which served as Cunard’s headquarters from 1917 to 1967.
Following Queen Mary 2’s mid-morning departure on 25 May, Queen Elizabeth will berth at the landing stage. Later that evening she will leave the port and be replaced by Queen Victoria, which will remain there overnight and depart on 26 May.