By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cunard Line celebrated Queen Mary 2’s (QM2) 10th birthday in Sydney, Australia on 19 February.
The operator marked the occasion with a photo shoot – taken by internationally acclaimed photographer James Morgan – involving more than 120 crew members to celebrate the broad spectrum of roles involved in creating the Cunard experience.
“Australia has become QM2’s home away from home and it’s a really special place to celebrate the ship’s tenth birthday in such a spectacular fashion,” Captain Kevin Oprey said, highlighting the importance of honouring those who serve onboard the ship.
Since her first visit to Sydney in February 2007, the 151,400 gt QM2 has called a further nine times. Her latest call is part of her second circumnavigation of Australia, which will see Cuunard’s flagship visiting seven of the country’s ports on a 23-night roundtrip itinerary.
Passengers can enjoy a range of dining an entertainment venues including a six-storey Grand Lobby, the largest ballroom and library at sea, the three-storey, 1,347-seat Britannia Restaurant and Illuminations, the first planetarium at sea.
“Australians have really taken QM2 to their hearts and now rank as the fourth largest source of guests for Cunard globally,” said Angus Struthers, Cunard’s marketing director. “QM2 is the benchmark of international cruising luxury and with today’s photo call, her crew has made a huge statement about why people right around the world love this ship so much.”
QM2’s birthday celebrations will continue when she returns to her Southampton homeport on 9 May, along with her sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Saluting QM2’s first ten years, the day will feature sail-pasts, a celebratory lunch and a fireworks display as all three ships set sail together from Southampton.