View Video Highlights from the 5 February Cunard Royal Rendezvous between Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA
SOUTHAMPTON, England, Feb. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On 5 February, Cunard kicked off the company's 175th Anniversary celebrations in the U.S. by paying homage to the Queen Mary when Queen Elizabeth docked in the port of Long Beach, California for the first time. Enthusiastic well-wishers turned out for the festivities which featured an emotional speech read by the Queen Mary's Commodore Everette Hoard to the gathered crowd about the history of the Queen Mary, currently celebrating her 80th year in public life. Whistle salutes between the two ships followed, and a dazzling fireworks display finished the day as the ship pulled away from her berth.
This was the first time a Cunard ship had berthed in Long Beach since Queen Mary arrived at her retirement home in October 1967. In recent years the current Cunard fleet has saluted Queen Mary during brief visits to the harbour. Queen Mary will celebrate the 80th anniversary of her Maiden Voyage in May 2016.
"During our 175-year history, the Queen Mary has been one of our most beloved ships," said Richard Meadows, President, Cunard, North America. "This meeting of the Queens was especially memorable for our passengers, as this maiden call offered them the opportunity to disembark in Long Beach and experience the Queen Mary, an integral part of our history and tradition."
Earlier in the day, the Queen Mary debuted their new Ship Model Gallery, featuring Cunard models of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria andQueen Elizabeth 2, along with the original Bassett-Lowke shipbuilder's model of the Queen Mary – a spectacular and historically significant ship model measuring over 20 feet in length.
In attendance for the celebratory ribbon-cutting was: Richard Meadows, President, Cunard, North America; Bernadette Greene, Deputy British Consul-General of Los Angeles; Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia; John Jenkins, General Manager of the Queen Mary; and Everette Hoard, Commodore of the Queen Mary. In addition, Master of Queen Elizabeth Captain Alistair Clark was also in attendance.
For information about the Queen Mary, visit www.queenmary.com.
To book a Cunard voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call (800) 728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com.
About Queen Mary 2
Christened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004, Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2 defines luxury travel for the 21st Century and continues an almost 175-year legacy of transatlantic travel. Queen Mary 2 achieved her 200th Transatlantic Crossing in July 2013. Famous names who have experienced this iconic voyage since 2004 include President George H.W. Bush, Desmond Tutu, James Taylor, Wes Anderson, Tilda Swinton, George Takei, Kim Novak, Uma Thurman, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cleese and Angela Bassett.
About Cunard
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travellers who seek a civilised adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.
World's Leading Cruise Lines
Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.
About The Queen Mary
Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco decor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary's signature restaurants include the award-winning Sir Winston's and Chelsea Chowder House & Bar as well as a weekly Champagne Sunday Brunch served in the ship's Grand Salon. History buffs enjoy the ship's museum and Glory Days tour, guests of all ages love the Ghosts and Legends show, and the ship is currently featuring the renowned Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit and Tea Room. The Queen Mary features 80,000 square feet of event space in 17 remarkable Art Deco salons as well as a tri-level, 45,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall. The Queen Mary boasts 314 staterooms including nine full suites. For more information or for reservations, visit: www.queenmary.com or call (800) 437-2934. The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach, CA.
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For additional information about Cunard, contact:
Jackie Chase, Cunard Line, 661-753-1035, jchase@cunard.com
Maria Andriano, MGA Media Group, 212-251-1015, maria@mgamediagroup.com
Cindy Adams, MGA Media Group, 917-282-2464, cindy@mgamediagroup.com
For additional information about the Queen Mary, contact:
Johanna Felix, Freeman McCue Public Relations, 714.557.3663, j.felix@freemanmccue.com
Video - http://youtu.be/uRvjO0xo4GA
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150213/175400
SOURCE Cunard
