The 22nd April 2008 would go down in history in Southampton. It was the day we thought would never happen - all three Cunard Queens would be in their HOME! This had already taken place in a dark, cold and wet New York on the 13th January after QE2 and QV arrived after the tandem crossing from Southampton which heralded the beginning of the world cruises. I wish Americans would acknowledge they begin here and not there. Anyway the original press release back on the 31st August 2006 stated the New York meeting would be the "First Ever Meeting Of Three Queens". Nowhere did it ever say only meeting, which somewhere down the line it became misinterpreted as being. I suppose it didn't help Carol Marlow's statements about the meeting sort of implied that, even though she was talking about being historical for New York and have the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop so would be a unique event there as they aren't scheduled to be there together again. Once the QE2's 27th April cruise was announced on the 20th August 2007, halving her planned refit length, there was always a possibility it could also happen here. Would they really send her to Bremerhaven for six days or do a wet dock like the forthcoming Aurora one? I wrote about it on my blog four days after the cruise was announced and wondered then if it was their way of having them together. Months passed and still no information about what she was doing between the 18th-27th until finally, on the 20th March 2008, seven months after the new cruise was announced, Keith Hamilton of the Southern Daily Echo wrote a piece confirming what I'd thought all these months - she was staying put!!!! The official Cunard press release was issued on the 26th. They also had her back at her true age instead of the wrong one like last year. The only thing was they were claiming her official entry into service was the 22nd so it would be her 39th birthday. Everyone knows the official entry is on record as the 2nd May 1969, which they'll probably have it back to by the time she leaves the fleet. It also claimed the refit decision was recent, clearly to try and make out this was a last-minute job after misleading people over the New York one as much as they had with Lizzie's true age by having 1967-2007 on everything last year. There is no doubt if Lizzie hadn't been sold this wouldn't have happened here this year. She was only scheduled to be with QV once which was the 6th January for the beginning of the world cruises. So it was with mixed emotions I looked forward to this event. Overjoyed it was happening in Southampton, where it should have first since it's their port of registry, but sad it only was because of Lizzie leaving.
The big day was here. Lizzie was already here waiting, having returned from her world cruise on the 18th and moved to 105 after Ventura sailed. I was up at 3.30am to see the other three arrive. The 30,277grt Pacific Princess led the way, having almost completed her first world cruise which began in Fort Lauderdale on the 10th January. Originally entering service in 1999 as R Three, she was laid up from 2001-2002 when Princess took her a and her sister R Four (Tahitian Princess) on as a charter until buying them in 2004. She was due for 5am, docking in 106 behind Lizzie. How lucky were they? Queen Victoria was next, due for 5.45am, and docking in 101. Finally Mary sailed towards 38/9 for 7am. The plans, according to the VTS Notice To Mariners were Mary would be starboard, Lizzie and QV port. Lizzie would have to be turned around then. Mary would cast off at 5pm and manoeuvre between them. Pacific Princess would then sail at 5.30pm. After photo opportunities, Mary would set sail at 5.55pm with QV five minutes later. It also said all small craft should remain clear of the main channel between Dock Head and the Upper Swinging Ground from 5-6pm and there would be no large ship movements between those times. We had heard they would all blast off together. How exciting would that be? And loud! Wow! Lizzie was listed to be turned between 12-1pm so we headed over on the 11.20am ferry to Mayflower Park to watch the gorgeous one. Unusually we passed further away than normal but security at the port was upped for this event. |
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