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LONG
BEACH, Calif. – The world famous former Cunard
liner R.M.S. Queen Mary, once the undisputed Grand Dame of the
North Atlantic and perhaps the most loved ocean liner of the 20th
century, will be visited by the youngest Cunarder Queen Elizabeth
on the evening of March 12, 2013 in Long Beach Harbor.
Retired from the sea now 45 years, the hotel and special event
venue has been visited by millions of tourists. Cunard Line has
never forgotten their famous former flagship and over the years
has sent their ships to pay tribute to their first Queen. In the
early 1980’s Cunard Princess was with the Queen Mary, and
more recently in 2006 their current flagship the magnificent Queen
Mary 2 was there, as well as the lovely Queen Victoria in 2011.
However, the upcoming Royal Rendezvous with the beautiful new
Queen Elizabeth will be the most poignant of all.
From 1947 to 1967 the glorious sisters Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth
crisscrossed the North Atlantic on their appointed schedules,
many times sighting one another in mid ocean. This wonderful oceanic
interlude was relished by passengers, captains, and crew alike
for there was no finer sight than to witness the largest and most
beautiful ships of the era in their natural element, splashing
the sea aside as they passed. The last time the two sisters met
was September 25, 1967 in the small hours of the morning, when
the Queen Mary was Eastbound on her last trans-Atlantic voyage
in the Cunard Service. In the cool, starlit, autumn darkness,
Commodore Geoffrey Marr stood at attention on his flying bridge
of the Westbound Queen Elizabeth; Captain Treasure Jones was in
the same position on the Mary. As the two great Queens closed
on one another, the lights were flashed on, scattering the indigo
Atlantic night in Cunard red; porthole pearls were in regal array.
Each captain doffed his hat as the mighty Tyfon whistles pierced
the ether in a fantastic farewell salute.
It is with a great sense of history that Cunard Line will send
their newest liner, the 90,000 ton namesake Queen Elizabeth, to
rendezvous with the Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor on March 12th,
and for a brief moment in time the two most sanguine names in
the history of mankind and the sea will be together again.
Joining these maritime icons high above will be the famed Goodyear
blimp, the Spirit of America. The presence of a Goodyear blimp
overhead lends a special appeal at major sporting and red carpet
events and will add to the historical significance of this Royal
Rendezvous.
Free Access to the Queen Mary will be offered from 4PM-9PM on
March 12th, 2013 for this historic meeting. The Queen Elizabeth
will sail into the Long Beach Harbor at 6:30PM and a ceremonious
fireworks display will begin at 7:30PM.
For more information, visit: http://queenmary.com/events/royalrendezvous.php
For more information on Cunard, visit: http://www.cunard.com
For more information on GoodYear blimp, visit: http://www.goodyearblimp.com
About the Queen Mary
Located
in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime
history, authentic Art Deco décor, 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.
About Cunard Line
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 civilized adventure and relish the Cunard
hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and
world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly
scheduled transatlantic liner service and continues the legacy
of world cruising which it began in 1922.
