Queen Mary 2 Maiden Voyage - 16 January 2004

Tenerife's dawn arrival brought a couple of shipspotting opportunities: I saw Nieuw Amsterdam's San Francisco maiden arrival from the Golden Gate bridge; here in the distance as Thomson Spirit her profile is unmistakeable. Flamenco in front was an old file photo favorite, Spirit of London. I remember at the time she seemed ill-proportioned, etc etc., and now she is a classic. Flamenco's company, Festival Cruises, will declare bankruptcy in less than two weeks, and she will sail to Gibraltar for layup.

One of two fireboats saluting us with plumes of spray.

Queen Mary 2's forward superstructure, Stephen Payne's audacious melding of past and present, making a front face both traditional and otherworldly, a shape like the Voyager class of Royal Caribbean, but with ocean liner fenestration. Windows from bottom up are Deck 7 sheltered promenade, Library, Commodore Club, Queen Anne Suite, Bridge.

Beauty Salon, promenade: Tenerife dawn. This Observation Deck area was accessed through a door so heavy and stiff that it always felt like a gale was on the other side.

The houses of a neaby town crawl up the sides of the island's rugged peaks, and once-habitated caves are visible from the road. Juan and I would have a superb meal about half a mile to the right of those oil tanks.

A small freighter came in just after us, providing an unexpected study in fluid mechanics and the bulbous bow.

Deck 7 heaven.

One of the ship's two bells, just off the Deck 7 Observation area. At least one passenger gave that cord a tug and said it was well-found.

I particularly enjoyed the nimble curves of the spare blades' safety railings.

The ship used in the filming of "Master and Commander" fired a salute to us, leading some to speculate that Russell Crowe might be on board QM2.

Spirit of London came out in 1972, a typical cruise ship of the "pre-big" (read Norway) era. Now Flamenco almost cowers before QM2.

Now just 20 years old, Thomson Spirit served briefly as Patriot under the U.S. flag. QM2 Third Officer Ben Lyons served on her, and it is a sign of our tighter times that even he was refused entry for an informal visit this day.

Dining room, lounge, promenade on Thomson Spirit.

Juan and I walked a lot this day, trying to hook up with a friend from Sweden who had moved about 75km away from Tenerife. We never did reach the friend, but took a long walk past a small shipyard, where this historic vessel was drydocked.

Return to the ship.

The Fred.Olsen Incat Bonanza Express passes following a run from Agaete, Gran Canariìa.

Cunard house flag.

Even security guards were posing for photos in front of QM2.

One of the few areas on her hull where tug contact is forbidden.