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Issue:- 15 September 2011

Queen Elizabeth opens River Festival as part of 'On The Waterfront 2011'

COMMENCING the Merseyside River Festival, a 6 days of free maritime events, this year was the arrival at the cruise terminal on Thursday, 8 September 2011, of the Cunard ship, Queen Elizabeth. As usual, the liner drew many sightseers to the waterfront to observe her presence, although the sight of such ships is now once again becoming more common place. Those of us lucky enough to board her had a chance to study her more closely. Beforehand Cllr Joe Anderson, Leader of Liverpool City Council accompanied by other City dignitaries welcomed her to the port. He remarked that Cunard was a part
of Liverpool’s proud tradition and cultural heritage and that he "was grateful to Cunard for the visits of Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria for the River Festival", which was "an event for Liverpool to look forward to each year." He added that:- "Liverpool is a global city and this Festival helps to showcase it." In response to questions, he stated that Liverpool needs a proper turnaround facility for cruise liners to stay in our port. People have shown that they want to visit and the cruise lines want to cater for them. Also he added that although Cunard are based in Southampton, they are still keen to call and that there are other cruise lines as well!  The money that Liverpool received from the UK, to help build the Terminal (a current source of delay) , the City Council has already agreed to pay back but (importantly) he has been assured that the EU are not asking for any return, and have told him directly that it is not required. Liverpool’s provisions are not the business of other ports and they would, "have to compete on a fair footing". Each visiting ship contributes to the local economy, and would be worth up to £ million each year.

Cunard’s President, Peter Shanks and Queen Elizabeth’s Captain, Christopher Wells gave us more history and information. Liverpool they reiterated is still Cunard’s spiritual home although they moved Southampton because as ships grew bigger, they needed things the Mersey could not provide at the time. Cunard has other bases across the world although Southampton remains its home base. Peter Shanks spoke his vision for 2015, the 175th anniversary of Cunard’s beginnings here in Liverpool. It would be marvellous to bring all three present cruise ships: Queens Elizabeth, Victoria and Mary all together in the Mersey. These are early days and no promises; but it would be a spectacular sight. Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria are sister ships, basically alike only that Queen Elizabeth is slightly longer. The Queen Mary is the flagship, about twice the size of the other 2 and incidentally 5 times bigger than Britannia, the first Cunarder to cross the Atlantic from Liverpool 175 years ago. She is the only true liner of the 3, the others are flat bottomed cruise ships. She will be visiting Liverpool at the end of the River Festival, Thursday, 15 September 2011.  An explanation was given as to why this ship is not the QE3, a popular misconception. Only one ship can hold a name at any one time, and at the time of naming her predecessor in 1967 the original Queen Elizabeth was still sailing, albeit very briefly, therefore she had to be Queen Elizabeth 2. This is not the case with the present ship and nor with the Victoria, who can take their names without a problem. The first QE was named by HRH Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George and mother of the present queen. The President of the time told her "this is your ship" and so began a special relationship. Well, that’s one mystery solved!

The new Queen Elizabeth incorporates some of the QE2’s features, plus many new ones. She is more manoeuvrable than the QE2, thanks to great advances in technology. At only 11 months old, she is state of the art. However, she is styled in the Art Deco manner of the thirties and the first QE, but with some very modern twists. On a tour of the ship, led by Thomas Quinones, who was a fund of information, we visited many of the public areas of the ship and were able to witness the tasteful, understated decor, and to see some of the features and curios on board. Including a large woodcut mural, the work of Viscount Linley, situated on the main staircase: also a solid silver model of the QE2 by Oscar Nemons, various ships’ bells and flags and other memorabilia. Cunard, we were told, pride themselves on offering traditional ocean liner experience; a view upheld by various passengers we spoke to. We had time to view the 3 grand restaurants; all serving the same menu; and other smaller eateries and bars; the magnificent theatre, the Queens’s room with a fabulous chandelier; concert room; 45 degree observation deck, and numerous sports facilities, including golf croquet and bowls as well as deck quoits, and swimming pool. For quieter moments, there is a large library and even the classic, communal jigsaw puzzle. There has to be a broad spectrum of provision to meet most tastes of the crew and passengers who represent some 51 different nationalities.

We hope the photographs give a taste, but she really has to be visited to do her justice. A grand concert was scheduled for the evening for the passengers, held in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral and involving the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir and a military band. A firework display took place in the evening as she sailed out towards Cobh in Ireland, continuing her voyage around the British Isles. We will have photographs in next weeks issue after her big sister’s visit (Queen Mary 2 - aka 'QM2'), on Thursday, 15 September 2011, also at the cruise terminal.

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