Topic: Three Cunard Queens to Salute Her Majesty on Diamond Jubilee

Cunard Line have organised a unique event on 5 June 2012 to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Her Majesty has long been associated with Cunard Line, being the only person to have attended the naming ceremony of all three Cunard Queen Elizabeth superliners, beginning in 1938.

It will be milestone in Cunard history as Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth - the youngest fleet in the world will be seen arriving and departing together at their home port of Southampton.

Cunard Line President and Managing Director, Peter Shanks said “Cunard is delighted to be able to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in a way that will give everyone, especially our passengers, a truly remarkable day that they will feel proud to talk about for years to come, taking part in history and marking the sixty glorious years of Her Majesty’s reign in a fitting, memorable and spectacular way.”’

The three Cunard Queens will approach the port soon after first light on Tuesday 5 June, sailing in single file up the Solent, with a flotilla of small boats expected to welcome them in.
As Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria tie up at their berths, Queen Mary 2 will follow on, turning in the upper swinging ground and then passing each ship in turn, with crew lining the foredeck of all three vessels, and the ships’ whistles sounding in salute of Her Majesty’s Jubilee.

Events will take place throughout the day to tribute Her Majesty’s reign and to offer an outstanding passenger experience. In the evening the three ships will be brought to close proximity and a fusillade of fireworks and special effect will light up the evening sky.

Queen Mary 2 will then lead Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria in single file down the Solent as all three ships set out on their celebratory Jubilee voyages.

Have you got a Cunard Cruise booked for 5 June 2012? How will you be celebrating The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?

Yes, we are on the Mary, booked through Cruise dot(plug!) and are very much looking forward to it. Waiting with bated breath to hear what events will take place during the day. As we are staying in the Grand Harbour, pre-cruise, I might even get up early enough to see them all sail in!

Unusual for Cunard is that they have delayed the sailings until 22.00 so that all the passengers can see the fireworks quite a small but nice touch really.

Sadly not sailing Cunard on the Jubilee date, we sail a few days earlier on P&O Azura off to the Fjords. Sounds like Cunard will be pulling out all the stops for a memorable day.

However, not long to wait another reunion as Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth will be reunited again in Southampton on 13th July - and lucky for us we will join Queen Elizabeth on her Baltic run.

Yes I will be sailing on the QM2

Does anyone have any idea what time the ships will arrive in the morning ?

I may join you Lolasmum

Q.M.2 Is due in at 06.30 & the Q.V.& Q.E. Are due in at 0700, But those are provisional times so they may be a bit later so that they can make a noise early in the morning.

Although we will not be sailing away on that day, my wife and I will be arriving that morning on the Queen Mary 2 after an Atlantic crossing. When we were first planning our annual transatlantic voyage we couldn’t decide between the early May crossing or the 29th May one. When we heard about the three ship celebration planned in Southampton the decision was easy. We will spend the night in Southampton so we can attend the departure festivities. Another advantage of this crossing is a significant fare reduction after we booked. I admit it isn’t fair, but US and Canadian residents can take advantage of any fare drop without penalty prior to the final payment date.

Yes we are booked on QM2 but will be staying in Southampton from the Saturday so will be up early to see them come in and join in celebrations before leaving. Looking forward to seeing them together but sad that QE2 will not be part of this historic event.

Where would be the best place for us to go to watch them arriving? , we will be staying in Southampton overnight.

Glad to hear about the late sailing time so that all passengers will be able to appreciate the firework display. I will be on QM2 meeting up with friends made on QE2 when the 3 Queens met in New York in 2008. The send off given in the US was spectacular - lets hope Southampton can match it. It promises to be a great day, I will also try to see the ships arrive off Cowes in the morning.