The birth of a new cruise ship is an important milestone for each cruise line. It is a prime recognition showing the success in a business model with a growing number of satisfied guests rising each year. Here we like to share with you the important dates and facts marking the birthdays of cruise ships, christening dates, godmothers/godfathers, and captains at the helm during their maiden voyages.
Queen Mary 2 Birthday - January 8
Godmother: Queen Elizabeth II
Christening Date: January 8, 2004
Port: Southampton
Maiden voyage: 12-Jan-04
Captain: Commodore Ronald Warwick
'I name this ship Queen Mary 2. May God bless her and all who sail in her,' with these words Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II christened the first ocean liner built in 37 years. In an hour-long ceremony filled with pomp and glamour the ocean liner, Queen Mary 2 was introduced to the 2000 invited guests attending the ceremony on January 8, 2010, in Southampton. The event emphasized the British heritage of the company, by recalling Cunard's rich history of transatlantic liners.
The culmination of the ceremony was the performance by Heather Small singing the famous Proud, accompanied by the 100-plus piece Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the 200-plus voice Royal Coral Society. Then the curtain behind the stage was dropped to reveal the Queen Mary 2 for the distinguished guests with lit bathed in blue floodlights illuminating the bow of the magnificent ship, followed by fireworks display as confetti showered the crowd.
Commodore Ronald Warwick was the first master at the helm of the Queen Mary 2 at the opening ceremony and her maiden voyages. His family tradition with the company made history in 1990 when he helmed the Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2, the vessel that his late father, William Warwick, was the first to captain in 1969.
Queen Mary 2
Queen Elizabeth Birthday - October 11
Godmother: Queen Elizabeth II
Christening Date: October 11, 2010
Port: Southampton
Maiden voyage: October 12, 2010
Captain: Christopher Wells
Continuing the royal tradition, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially named Cunard’s ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, on October 11, 2010, in front of 1,500 guests, celebrities, and dignitaries at the Southampton's Ocean Terminal.
The christening ceremony was festive, colorful with the bagpipers, Band of the Scots Guards, the band of the Coldstream Guards, and the trumpeters of the Irish Guards.
The sounds of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the choir of the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus echoed with joy through the special arena and far beyond the port of Southampton.
Her Majesty made a visit to the ship’s bridge, talking to the senior officers and Captain Wells and took the opportunity to blow the ship’s whistle – to the surprise of the crowd. She also took time to view some of the artwork and was the first person to sign the ship’s log.
After an introduction speech by Peter Shanks, CEO and Managing Director of Cunard Line, Her Majesty rose to perform the baptizing of the ship and give her blessing and pushed a button that sent a jeroboam of Cunard Graves, Baron Phillipe de Rothschild, smashing against the ship’s hull, while the horns sounded once again, and streamers filled the air.
Queen Elizabeth
Queen Victoria Birthday - December 10
Godmother: Camilla Duchess of Cornwall
Christening Date: December 10, 2007
Port: Southampton
Maiden voyage: December 11, 2007
Captain: Paul Wright
Introduced as Cunard's most luxurious ship, Queen Victoria, arrived in Southampton on 7 December 2007, for her royal christening ceremony. Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended the ceremony in Southampton on December 10, 2007, to mark the introduction of Cunard’s latest ship.
The ship was officially baptized by the Duchess of Cornwall, continuing the tradition of Cunard Queens being named by the royal family.
This event was a milestone in both Cunard and British maritime history, with over 2,000 VIP guests from around the world in attendance at the ceremony.
Captain Paul Wright was appointed as the first Master of Queen Victoria in 2006. He is the only Captain to serve as Master of all three Cunard Queens in the fleet.
Queen Victoria
Fun Facts:
To Celebrate Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 10th Anniversary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria blasted out “Happy Birthday” on the ship horns as the large ocean liner arrived in Southampton. Watching 2 sisters celebrating their older sister's birthday, how cute.
During her 10 years, in-service QM2 has made 419 voyages, including more than 200 transatlantic crossings, and visited 182 ports in 60 countries. Cunard flagship has carried more than a 1.3million passengers, including 2.000 dogs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnfMv9ti9Sw