SPECIAL BLOG: Cunard Three Queens in Southampton (Queen Mary 2 10th Anniversary Celebrations)

WELCOME ABOARD!!!

I am truly delighted to have this opportunity to welcome you all to another Special Blog, this time featuring the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of Cunard's one of a kind Queen Mary 2.

On May 9th 2014 we we're lucky enough to witness Cunard's Three Queens arrive into Southampton together. In the evening we watched the spectacular fireworks display as the Three Queens departed Southampton in convoy.

I do hope that you will enjoy reading this Special Blog as well as taking the time to look through our many photos in the slideshows.

Finally I would like to thank our loyal supporters and followers for their continued support. Thank you!

Kind regards

Harry Cotterill
President & Managing Director
Dream Designs Colchester

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THREE QUEENS ARRIVAL
* Queen Elizabeth * Queen Victoria * Queen Mary 2 *

As with all our trips to Southampton, Gavin and I had decided to stay overnight the night before the arrival of the Three Queens, especially as they would be arriving very early. On the morning of May 9th 2014, we woke up at around 03:30 before leaving the hotel not long after 04:00.

We arrived at Town Quay at around 04:30. Although still very early there was a fair amount of people waiting for the Three Queens to arrive. Before long we got our first sight of Queen Elizabeth as she became visible behind the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal.

As Queen Elizabeth approached the Port of Southampton, she slowed before turning 180 degrees and to berth alongside the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal at her temporary berth. Queen Victoria would then berth in front of Queen Elizabeth bow to bow at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal. As Queen Elizabeth carefully maneuvered we got a great view of her side on.

Once Queen Elizabeth was almost alongside we got our first sight of Queen Victoria, peering around the bow of Queen Elizabeth. As Queen Victoria continued her approach to her temporary berth in front of Queen Elizabeth the crowd at Town Quay continued to grow.

Queen Victoria slowly but surely approached the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal and as she neared the berth, bow to bow with Queen Elizabeth, between the two sisters we spotted the fire tugboat and then the bow of Queen Mary 2! It made for some good photos of Queen Mary 2 between her two small and younger sister ships, especially when her iconic funnel came into view between Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

For a few minutes Queen Mary 2 was hidden behind Queen Victoria and she continued to maneuver alongside the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal to leave just 30 meters between her bow and Queen Elizabeth. The fire tugboat welcoming Queen Mary 2 then appeared again, this time behind the stern of Queen Victoria, dwarfed by the two Cunarders.

And then there she was, the birthday girl herself, Queen Mary 2! As my favorite ship it is always a great joy to see her, but to witness her arrival on such a special occasion was quite something. Her flared bow and towering forward superstructure became visible, followed by her iconic funnel again.

Before long Queen Mary 2 was fully visible, having passed the stern of Queen Victoria. It was truly spectacular to see the Three Queens together and they all looked stunning, especially Queen Mary 2! Slowly following her fire tugboat escort, Queen Mary 2 approached her sisters, slowing further as she as alongside them for the three bow formation. 

Of course Happy Birthday was also played on the ship's whistles. The sound was a little obscured by the noise of passing boats, the wind and the two helicopters flying nearby, which was a little disappointing.

Following her special birthday welcome into Southampton, Queen Mary 2 passed Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth and continued on-wards to her berth at Ocean Terminal, where she would remain until her departure later that evening. As she came ever closer towards Town Quay her sheer size and grace became ever more apparent. The sun had just risen above the horizon and lit her up perfectly as she turned into Ocean Terminal.

As Queen Mary 2 maneuvered alongside Ocean Terminal, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth became visible again. Queen Victoria had began to leave her temporary berth at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal and started to make her way towards us, to berth alongside City Cruise Terminal.

Queen Victoria looked gigantic as she passed us at Town Quay and again was beautifully lit up by the early morning sunshine. As Queen Victoria continued towards her berth at City Terminal, Queen Elizabeth had also began to move further along the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal to her berth.

Once the Three Queens had almost approached their final berthed for the day we decided to make our way back to the hotel, as although the sun was shinning it was still quite cold and very early.

THREE QUEENS SAILAWAY
* Queen Mary 2 * Queen Elizabeth * Queen Victoria *
10th ANNIVERSARY FIREWORKS CELEBRATIONS


After our day spent in Southampton, including a visit aboard P&O Cruises' Arcadia, it was time to prepare for the departure of Cunard Line's Three Queens and the firework celebrations that were planned. We left the hotel at around 19:20, arriving at Town Quay at approximately 19:40. We wanted to get their early in order to get a good vantage point as well as watch Queen Victoria pass as she moved back to the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal.

Just after 20:00, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria began to move. Queen Elizabeth moved slowly along the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, where Queen Victoria had temporary berthed in front of her in the morning, only facing outwards ready for the departure. Queen Victoria carefully turned, aided by a tugboat close by before passing Town Quay where the crowd had dramatically increased in size.

Not only had the crowd of onlookers on Town Quay increased, but the number of small boats and craft on the Solent had too. As the light faded Queen Victoria berthed alongside the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, this time behind her sister Queen Elizabeth facing her stern.

As the light faded further and it approached 21:30, Queen Mary 2 slowly maneuvered away from her berth at Ocean Terminal. Excitement was really beginning to build as everyone watched as Queen Mary 2 moved into position ready for the fireworks displayed, before the Three Queens departed Southampton in convoy.

Once Queen Mary 2 was in position and perfectly on time the first firework lit up the sky, water and Queen Mary 2 herself. The ten minute display was truly spectacular and Queen Mary 2 was so close to Town Quay we could her the music playing on board! The grand finale was incredible and the crowd cheered and applauded. The Three Queens then saluted each other on their whistles.

Queen Mary 2 then began to move once again, slowly passing her two sister ships and making her way down the Solent on the first of two special 10th Anniversary transatlantic crossing to New York. Once Queen Mary 2 had passed the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, Queen Elizabeth soon followed, who was then followed by Queen Victoria, forming the Three Queens convoy as they departed Southampton.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

"We were felt thrilled and honoured to be part of Queen Mary 2's 10th Anniversary Celebrations and to witness the arrival of the Three Queens into Southampton, along with the spectacular fireworks display. It was truly magnificent!!!"

He added:

"We are so enormously proud to have such a close connection with Cunard Line and to have our drawings displayed aboard each of the Three Queens. We looking forward to celebrating the 175th Anniversary of Cunard Line next year."

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk