On August 14th, RMS Queen Mary 2, the world's only operational Transatlantic ocean liner, marked 20 years of service.
The vessel arrived this morning at Port Hamburg (Germany) where celebrations are well underway.
An onboard reception was held featuring invited guests, live music, and ongoing festivities. Weather permitting, the Queen Mary 2 will participate in a mini harbor tour this evening, joining the harbor barges as she travels from Steinwerder to the Elbphilharmonie.
Launched in 2004 and built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France, the 345-meter-long Queen Mary 2 was specifically designed for regular Transatlantic crossings and so far has completed ~400 of them. Since the maiden visit to Hamburg in 2004, the liner has become a regular presence at the port.
With a cruising speed of 30 knots (56 kph / 35 mph) and a service speed of 26 knots, the QM2 remains the fastest cruise ship currently in operation, outpacing modern vessels of similar size, which typically reach a maximum speed of 23-24 knots.
A few days ago, Cunard Line announced the celebrations on social media:
"The excitement is building, and we hope for similarly good weather and beautiful images as during last week’s visit. We look forward to welcoming all spectators who will gather along the Elbe on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. The Queen Mary 2 will depart from the Hamburg Cruise Center Steinwerder at around 7:45 p.m., setting off towards the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. After completing the turn, it will begin its departure from the harbor at around 8:15 p.m., near the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. This plan is contingent on favorable weather conditions."