America to bid farewell to QE2

Thursday 16 October is set to be a momentous day as Cunard Cruises Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) bids her final farewell to America during a celebratory call befitting of the cruise line’s longest serving ocean liner. This will be the legendary ship’s 706^th and final visit to New York and she will be escorted by FDNY fireboats and a flotilla of pleasure craft, due to depart Westside Terminal at 5pm to meet with her sister ship, Queen Mary 2, for a Cunard Royal Rendezvous at the Stature of Liberty. Following this, both ships will embark on a tandem voyage to Southampton, England, marking QE2’s 806^th and final Transatlantic crossing.

"It is most fitting that QE2's farewell to America be celebrated in New York, the city Cunard has called our North America homeport since 1847. She will always be remembered as the best loved ship in the world and we are delighted that she will be cherished by future generations of travelers at her new home in Dubai," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "Her mantle as flagship of the British merchant fleet has proudly been bestowed upon Queen Mary 2, a ship recognised as the grandest ocean liner ever built and surely destined to continue Cunard's legacy," Marlow added.

Recognised at the most famous ship in the world, QE2 has an illustrious history since her naming by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1967. QE2 has logged more than 5.9 million nautical miles – the equivalent of traveling to the moon and back 13 times – carried more than 2.5 million passengers and was even requisitioned for military service in the Falklands in 1982.

Throughout her arrival in New York in the early morning of 16 October, QE2 will fly a traditional Paying-Off Pennant, a maritime flag signifying the ship's length of service to the fleet. The pennant will be presented as a commemorative gift to a local dignitary during a reception onboard the ship.

To celebrate this historic occasion, a pipe and drum corps will perform in Battery Park as a fitting salute and final "Bon Voyage" to Queen Elizabeth 2.

QE2 completes service to Cunard in November after sailing a final voyage to Dubai where she will be refurbished and become a luxury hotel, entertainment destination and maritime museum.