Royal Rendezvous - Cunard's Queen Elizabeth is Coming to Long Beach

March 12, 2013 - 6:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, March 12th, the Queen Mary will be visited by Cunard's newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth. This Royal Rendezvous marks only the third time in over three decades that another Cunard ship has visited the legendary Queen Mary; and the first time these sister ships have crossed paths since 1967 (when the original Queen Elizabeth was still in commission). This once-in-a-generation event will include a whistle salute by both ships, live musical entertainment and a dazzling fireworks display.

Join us for a historic meeting of these legendary sister ships! Aerial photography will be provided by the Goodyear Blimp, but guests will be able to take their own historic photos of Queen Elizabeth from the decks of the Queen Mary. This unique event is not-to-be-missed!

Event Information

Traditional whistle salute by both the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth

Live musical entertainment

Dazzling fireworks display

Special dining and hotel packages

Schedule

6:30-7:00 pm - Queen Elizabeth sails into Long Beach Harbor
7:00-7:30 pm - Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary Rendezvous - Ships whistle salutes
7:30-7:45 pm - FIREWORKS SHOW

Public Viewing Location

Promenade Deck – Aft (back)

A Reunion 45 Years in the Making

It was early morning September 25, 1967, when the retiring Queen Mary, making her final trans-Atlantic voyage in the Cunard Service, passed her sister ship – the original Queen Elizabeth. Between 1947 and 1967 the two majestic ocean liners crisscrossed the Atlantic Ocean dozens of times, but this time was different. This time was special. As the two historic Queens closed in on each other, both captains stood at the bridge in attention while the mighty whistle of each ship pierced through the autumn air. Realizing they were witnessing history and an end of an era, they stood and saluted. That cold September morning on the Atlantic Ocean would be the final time the two beloved ships would cross paths, before the Queen Mary was permanently docked in Long Beach.

Over the decades there have only been a few occasions where fellow Cunard ocean liners would sail by and visit the ship that started it all.

HISTORIC CUNARD SHIP MEETINGS

Early 1980's – Cunard Princess makes a stop in Long Beach to say "hello" to the Queen Mary.

2006 – Cunard's flagship, the Queen Mary 2, meets her namesake, the original RMS Queen Mary.

2011 – Queen Victoria visits her older sister, the Queen Mary, before heading back to Southampton via the Panama Canal.

Once in a Generation Meeting

We welcome Cunard Line's newest ocean liner, the 90,000 ton namesake Queen Elizabeth, to rendezvous with the Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor and rewrite history once again.

To learn more about Cunard, click here.