Queen Mary 2 - The World's Greatest Ocean Liner

Queen Mary 2

A compendium on the world's greatest ocean liner

Monday 12 January, 6:00 pm	Depart Southampton, England
Tuesday 13th	Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Wednesday 14th	Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Thursday 15th 8:00 am - 6:00 pm	Madeira
Friday 16th 8:00 am -11:00 pm	Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias
Saturday 17th 8:00 am - 5:00 pm	Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Sunday 18th	Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Monday 19th	Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Tuesday 20th	Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Wednesday 21st	Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Thursday 8:00 am -11:00 pm	Bridgetown, Barbados
Friday 23rd	Cruising the Caribbean
Saturday 7:00 am - 5:00 pm	Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, USVI
Sunday 25th	Cruising the Caribbean
Monday 26 January 8:00 am	Arrive Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

MV Prologue | | Diary

15 November 2003 1PM US CST - Word of the collapse of the shipyard gangway makes a heartbreaking start to these pages.

It was a Saturday. The ship was in drydock, hundreds of people were coming on board: workers' families at St. Nazaire.

Latest news photos coverage of QM2 on Associated Press

The number of dead grew to 16 by Sunday, as the skies start to clear, an episode that will shadow the ship, without doubt.

But the pride and strength of France, embodied in these shipbuilders in St. Nazaire, proves indomitable:

LINK: Profiles of St. Nazaire ship workers on ouest-france

Celebration | Prologue
Survey | Diary

Families and friends did come to explore the wonders of the near-completed liner:

LINK: the families visit on ouest-france

small image of qm2 sailing into the sunset

LINK: images of the departure on marine-marchande

And thousands gathered to send the ship on her way to the Vigo shakedown.

The ship arrived in Southampton to a memorable welcome. Click the image to access Bruce Peter's fine description.

LINK: Maiden arrival report by Bruce Peter

Two of my companions in the Elysian chamber were former shipmates Charles and Alan; the other, Juan, a longtime friend from the coast of Illinois via Managua. Each was the most agreeable cabinmate, sharing the smallest possible accommodations on this greatest of all ships.