3 Queens and One magnificent City……..Liverpool…..175th Anniversary

As a Liverpool girl myself, I’m proud to see Liverpool playing a huge part in the 175th Anniversary of Cunard………
between the 24th May 2015 and 26th May 2015 , all three Cunard ships , QM2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth will all call at Liverpool to salute a city that plays a major part in Cunard’s history…….

Liverpool was Cunard’s home town from 1840 to 1967… The Cunard building which is now a Grade II listed building standing proud along the waterfront at the Pier Head alongside the Liver Building and the Port of Liverpool building completing the “Three Graces” overlooking the River Mersey….

The meeting of the three ships , all docked in Liverpool on the 25th May 2015 will be the first time they have been together in this magnificent city and I for one will be proud to witness this sight from the famous pier head.

The 175 year history of Cunard Line since its founding in Liverpool in 1840 will be retold in two special concerts at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.

The events will take place on July 4, 2015, which is 175 years to the day of Cunard’s inaugural sailing from Liverpool to North America, by its first ship RMS Britannia.

Called the Triumph of a Great Tradition, these concerts will be attended by all passengers on Cunard’s flagship RMS Queen Mary 2’s 175th Anniversary Crossing transatlantic voyage from Liverpool to New York .

The concerts will celebrate Cunard’s history and achievements in words and music as well as the current fleet of three ships, which is among the newest and most highly-rated afloat.

Queen Mary 2 will be berthed at Liverpool Cruise Terminal to embark 400 passengers for the transatlantic voyage and give an opportunity for many of the other 2,200 people already aboard to visit the city.

Later that day Queen Mary 2 will follow in Britannia’s wake and recreate that small paddle steamer’s first voyage to Boston, plus a prior call at Halifax and then final arrival in New York.

Cunard plans a spectacular leaving of Liverpool for the 148,600 gross ton ship, which is the world’s largest ever ocean liner and only ship in service specifically designed for transatlantic crossings.

The departure will be marked by fireworks to bring a day of celebration to a close, with the public able to get very close to the ship from the vantage point of Princes Parade.

Passengers on board for the crossing will also enjoy a special 175th anniversary programme with dinners, specialist speakers and a ball in the Queen’s Room.

This will be the fourth concert which Cunard has staged at the Cathedral and it will cover the company’s highlights including Samuel Cunard, the “Floating Palaces” era, the two World Wars, plus the four past and present Queen liners.

Angus Struthers, Cunard director, said: “We intend to stir the emotions at these special concerts as we celebrate a history unlike any other.

“These concerts will be enjoyed by all those joining us on our official 175th anniversary voyage and will live long in the memory. We look forward to issuing more details in the coming months.”

Eryl Parry, Liverpool Cathedral enterprise director, said: “We’re delighted Cunard is coming ‘home’ and we can’t wait to host another splendid celebration of all things Cunard.”