Cruise Talk: Photos: QE2's Final New York Departure with QM2

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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » Photos: QE2's Final New York Departure with QM2

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Topic: Photos: QE2's Final New York Departure with QM2

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 10-17-2008 03:40 PM

On 16 October 2008, Cunard Line's RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 and RMS Queen Mary 2 met in New York City for the final time.

The ships sailed in tandem from their home port of Southampton, England on 10 October 2008, calling at New York on 16 October and returning to Southampton on 22 October.

This was QE2's final call in New York and her final round-trip crossing of the North Atlantic. She was Cunard's flagship and primary ship on the Southampton-New York run from 1969 to 2004 when she was replaced in that capacity by QM2. Since then she has operated mainly on cruises with occasional Atlantic crossings. Her final cruise will depart Southampton on 11 November 2008, arriving in Dubai on 27 November 2008, where she will be converted to a floating hotel.

These photos were taken from a NY Waterway Tours vessel chartered by the World Ship Society Port of New York Branch and the Steamship Historical Society of America Long Island Chapter. Thanks to WSS PONY, SSHSA-LI, NY Waterway Tours and Cunard for helping to make this such a spectacular event.

Click here for photos

[ 10-17-2008: Message edited by: dougnewman ]

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

Thad
First Class Passenger
Member # 1224

posted 10-17-2008 04:10 PM

I like these two the best Doug, but all are great

Posts: 1967 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 10-17-2008 04:27 PM

Excellent photos but a bit of a damb squib. Why no fireworks? My crew member told me Thomas Quinones was really upset they slipped out practically unannounced, to use his words. He took some photos too but won't show me until Wednesday. I'm going to dump him if he's not careful.

I thought, according to the NY Times, the pennant flew on arrival then handed over. I haven't seen a mention of flying it during departure. That's very short for 39 feet - again. Canberra's was longer than that. Sun Princess (I) was longer than that. Cunard PR, eh? Anyway at least that awful weather predicted never happened so it stayed dry for everyone.

Anyone out for the arrival?

Posts: 2023 | From: Hythe, Hants | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 10-17-2008 08:06 PM

These are wonderful pictures Doug. Wish I was there to send her off.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 10-17-2008 10:16 PM

Thanks for the nice pictures. Sadly, I could not come to New York for that occasion so it is nice to see at least some photos.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

SCOTT H
First Class Passenger
Member # 6831

posted 10-17-2008 11:16 PM

Great pictures!! The farewell of a legend. I only wish I could have been there to see this historic moment. The Youtube footage is amazing too!!

Posts: 134 | From: Victoria B C Canada, but born in Glasgow, Scotland | Registered: Jul 2006 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 10-18-2008 02:48 AM

Glad everyone enjoyed the photos.

It was truly a spectacular evening.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 10-18-2008 08:28 AM

The pictures are truly spectacular. Amazing cloud cover and lighting, the QE2 looks stunning. What an opportunity you were afforded, and took advantage of. THANKS for sharing.

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

OceanVoyager
First Class Passenger
Member # 5585

posted 10-18-2008 09:24 AM

Fantastic photos, thankyou so much for sharing!

The lighting in your shots are superb.

Andrew

Posts: 627 | From: Hythe, Southampton, UK | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

cljw
First Class Passenger
Member # 4198

posted 10-18-2008 12:53 PM

Absolutely wonderful pictures - thank you!

Craig

Posts: 96 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 10-18-2008 05:54 PM

Thanks for all the kind comments.

The lighting was indeed really spectacular - I was worried we would just get a flat grey sky but in the end it could not have been better.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 10-20-2008 11:37 AM

As expected, excellent photos Doug. It was very nice to meet you although it was very brief.

Patsy, just what were you expecting? Did you think the shores would be lined with thousands of well-wishers? It's not 1936, nor is it 1967; the days of liners making front page headlines are sadly gone. Overall, I think Cunard did a wonderful job; and as far as the ships slipping out practically unannounced, Cunard had it on their site, there was a marching band at Battery Park and several fireboats were on hand for the event. And of course every liner nut who owns a computer knew about it. True, there were no fireworks; but that hardly constitutes a flop.

All in all, it was a remarkable experience.

-Russ

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

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