On February 28th the Queen Mary 2 (QM2) passed through Hong Kong on her maiden “Around the World in 80 days” voyage. QM2 departed Fort Lauderdale, USA, on January 10, 2007, on her maiden around the world voyage visiting 20 of the world’s most famous cities, including Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Auckland, Sydney, Cairo, Athens and Rome. Upon departing Hong Kong she now heads to Singapore, KL, Cochin and Dubai.

Since 1840, when Cunard Line introduced the first regularly scheduled transatlantic liner service, the company has launched nearly 180 ships. QM2 joins the illustrious company of Cunard’s Laconia, the first ship to offer a world cruise; Servia, the first to be lit by electricity; Mauretania, which held the Blue Riband for speed for 22 years, and, of course, the legendary Queen Elizabeth and her hugely popular successor, QE2, and the original Queen Mary. December this year will see the launch of the Queen Victoria, a 90,000-ton luxury vessel. At this time Cunard will operate a fleet of three Queens for the first time in its distinguished history. Each will cater to sophisticated, well-seasoned travellers who enjoy the cultured atmosphere of classic luxury liners along with every modern amenity.

QM2 is a record breaking 151,400-ton, US$800-million ship and is regarded as the most extraordinary passenger liner ever built, dubbed “The Queen of the Seas”. The superb quality and exacting care with which she was built will ensure that she is the ultimate in ocean travel for years to come. At 1,132 feet QM2 is five times longer than Cunard’s first ship, Britannia (230 feet) and 113 feet longer than the original Queen Mary (1,019 feet). For the construction of QM2 some 300,000 pieces of steel were cut and welded into blocks in specialised workshops. QM2’s hull is made up of 94 steel blocks (made from 580 panels), some of which weigh more than 600 tons, involving some 1,500 kilometres of welding. Her hull weighs 50,000 tons (more than a school of 330 blue whales) – not to be confused with her gross tonnage, which is 151,400. One of the ship’s whistles is an original from Queen Mary so that her famous predecessor’s voice will once more be heard on the ocean. It is audible for 10 miles.

QM2’s 14 passenger decks are packed with comforts and a dazzling variety of things to do, entertainment to be enjoyed, luxury boutiques to shop in and places to eat in exceptional style, including the elegant Britannia Restaurant, which can effortlessly seat 1,351 passengers. Recalling the classic dining salons of grand liners of the past, the magnificent three-deck-high main dining room spans the full width of the ship with a sweeping central staircase creating a dramatic showcase for those wishing to make the ultimate grand entrance. The Queens Room, with its majestic crystal chandeliers, is the largest ballroom at sea. The Royal Court Theatre hosts musicals and revues worthy of London’s West End and Broadway. The Empire Casino and G32 nightclub offer equally exciting entertainment options. The ship has a large indoor swimming pool in the spa as well as four outside pools, one of which has a retractable glass roof. A planetarium on board – the first at sea – offers a variety of constellation shows, as well as other presentations.

As QM2 gracefully departed Hong Kong, treating the 2,592 guests on board to a breathtaking view of Victoria Harbour and the iconic and illuminated city skyline.? As the largest vessel ever to grace Hong Kong waters, QM2 was welcomed on approach to Victoria Harbour with a dazzling performance of the “Symphony of Lights” laser show, which commenced at 8:00pm. Thousands of maritime enthusiasts, budding photographers and curious onlookers gathered on both sides of Victoria Harbour for a prime view of the world’s most majestic, grandest and luxurious ocean liner. At 200 feet above the waterline and equal to the height of a 23-story building, QM2 almost dwarfed some of Hong Kong’s most famous landmarks as she glided past.

“Hong Kong is one of the world’s most spectacular cities and we are pleased that we could time the QM2’s departure with the evening performance of the Symphony of Lights. It is a fitting and royal finale for our onboard guests who have enjoyed the opportunity to explore Hong Kong today as part of the ocean liner’s maiden world voyage,” said Trey Hickey, Vice President of International Sales & Marketing for Cunard Line.

Cunard Line is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines.