Cunard's Three Queens

2008 was a magical year for Cunard. For the first time, the line had three Queens in service; Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth 2 retired during the year, and sailed for Dubai on 11 November, while Queen Mary 2 had reached her fifth anniversary as the largest ocean liner afloat and Queen Victoria entered service. On 13 January 2008, all three liners were together for the first and last time in New York. After a successful world cruise for Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth 2's twenty-sixth and final world cruise, all three ships rendezvoused in Southampton on 22 April for the last meeting of the three Queens. Bowing out after a successful farewell season that saw her sail full on every voyage of the year QE2 left Southampton amid the biggest fireworks display seen in the port since the advent of Queen Mary 2 five years earlier. No other ships envoke the magic that Cunard's Queens have done since Queen Mary entered service in May 1936.