FAREWELL TO QUEEN ELIZABETH 2

I had the privilege of witnessing an end of an era last night as the QE2 departed a very
cold Southampton dockside for the last time on route to her new life as a 5-star luxury
hotel in Dubai.

It was an emotional farewell from many of her past passengers who lined the Solent and
for those that were on board to experience her final voyage. After 40 years of service,
this grand liner will never be seen in Southampton waters again.

During her illustrious career, QE2 has sailed 5.5 million nautical miles, undertaken 24
World Cruises and carried 2.5 million passengers. Very few will forget the images of the
Falklands war when she was converted into a troop carrier and set sail from Southampton
with the soldiers’ families & friends heralding their departure.

Last night however she left the quayside to the cheers of thousands of people who had
turned out to  witness this historic event. With the aide of tugs she then slowly reversed up
river and paused just off Mayflower Park. This is where the majority of sightseers had
gathered and they were then treated to a firework display that silhouetted QE2 against the
night sky.

With hundreds of small boats escorting her, the time had come for QE2 to head down river. 
This would be her final journey, a journey to her retirement home in the sun. 

Read more about QE2's Final Farewell's click here 
 

 
John Capel
Manager