Farewell to Queen Elizabeth 2
QE2 is the world’s most loved ocean liner. She spent 35 years as the Cunard flagship and has travelled over 5.6 million nautical miles, more than any other ship; has carried over 2.5 million guests; has completed 25 World Cruises; and has crossed the Atlantic 803 times. QE2 leaves the Cunard fleet in November 2008 to begin her new life in Dubai as a first class hotel and entertainment destination.
Farewell Round Britain
In October 2008 QE2 embarked on her final lap of the British Isles, there was a feeling of sadness and excitement at the same time with everyone poised for the most memorable of voyages. QE2 was met at each port by crowds gathering to say goodbye and catch a final glimpse of this legendary liner.
Farewell Cobh
QE2 arrived into Cobh at around 3pm with crowds of people alongside ready to welcome her for the last time. Her sail out was just as spectacular, she was escorted by a flotilla of boats and everywhere you looked, people had come to say a final farewell.Farewell Liverpool
In Liverpool guests were delighted with a QE2 concert in the Anglican Cathedral with performances by The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra combined with the Liverpool Cathedral Choir, Natasha Marsh and Jon Christos. A 39 foot ‘Paying Off’ Pennant, the largest in Cunard history, 1 foot for every year the QE2 has been in service was presented to the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Her final visit to Liverpool was completed with a spectacular fireworks display as she sailed away from the berth. Farewell Belfast
On the crossing to Belfast HMS Ark Royal paid a surprise visit and arrived alongside QE2. Shortly before her arrival into Belfast the Red Arrows gave an amazing display observed by guests from the aft decks of QE2.Farewell Greenock
Sailing towards the approach of the Clyde, QE2 was first greeted by type 42 frigate HMS Manchester. Over the next hour she was joined by more and more boats, every one packed full with admirers of QE2’s beauty and grace who came to cheer and wave their best wishes. As she got closer to Greenock the flotilla swelled further to several hundreds and included craft of every shape and size including speed boats, pleasure cruisers, yachts, jet skis and several Scottish Isles ferries specially chartered for the day.Farewell Edinburgh
Despite poor weather as QE2 arrived in South Queensferry, once again the boats were out to welcome her. Ferries were full to the rafters with QE2 admirers and the one road that runs through Queensferry was jammed packed with onlookers as tenders were coming alongside the pier they were greeted with live Scottish piped music and the smiles of proud locals.Farewell Newcastle
Once again crowds lines the shores captivated by the arrival of this 41 year old ship early in the morning. Her departure was acknowledged with fireworks visible from the aft deck where guests had the best view, however as she sailed down the Tyne the locals said their own goodbye by setting off their own fireworks whilst waving and cheering their final farewell to this much loved Queen.
Farewell New York
Farewell New York
QE2's final call to New York was her last ever visit to North America. It was a historic day. She arrived early accompanied by our flagship Queen Mary 2 and the media was out in force. The sun shone on QE2 as we boarded a host of Cunard friends for a celebratory lunch, including the British Ambassador to the US, Her Majesty's Consul General to New York, our valued travel agents, maritime historians, past Cunard staff, media and dignitaries from the Port of New York and the Coast Guards. Speeches brought a tear to the eye, as Captain McNaught, Commodore Warner and Carol Marlow told of QE2's life with us and the baton passing on to Queen Mary 2. Our British Ambassador also paid tribute to QE2, the most famous ship in the world. Later in the afternoon crowds gathered in Battery Park to bid the ships farewell. At 5pm Queen Mary 2 left her berth at Brooklyn and made her way across the harbour, turned on a sixpence and waited for the star of the show to arrive. QE2 made her entrance at 6pm led by a spraying New York fireboat. The two Queens sounded their whistles to each other and to the substantial crowds, and as a Pipers band played Auld Lang Syne QE2 passed her young sister, and then led her out of the harbour, each Queen saluting Lady Liberty as they sailed by. The crowds watched as they glided off into the distance under the Verazzano Bridge.Farewell Southampton
At 1100am crowds gathered along Southampton’s shoreline as a Tigermoth flew overhead and dropped one million poppies over QE2 to commemorate Remembrance Day, mark QE2’s role in the Falklands and note the fact that her final departure is on 11 November. 
At 1340 QE2 was greeted with another spectacular goodbye from a Harrier that flew past, hovered and bowed to her. All experienced from the decks of the ship by guests embarking for her final voyage to Dubai. 
QE2 finally departed in a spectacular send-off to celebrate her life with Cunard. At 1915 she left the QEII Terminal in Southampton for the last time amongst a chorus of cheering from the crowds and whistles from the flotilla that surrounded her in the Solent. She made her way toward Mayflower Park to bid Southampton goodbye where there was a magnificent firework display before she sailed back and on her final voyage to her new home in Dubai, sounding her whistle as she left.Click here to view a montage of QE2 highlights
QE2 arrived in Dubai on 26 November escorted by an Emirates A380 Airbus and a flotilla of over 60 local yachts. She was successfully handed over to Dubai World in a ceremony on 27 November.
