Calmac joins in celebrations of return of QE2 to the Clyde

This from shippingtimes.co.uk

"Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is to mark the nostalgic return to the Clyde of one of the world’s finest liners, the QE2, with a special cruise from Gourock.

On 20 September 1967, the QE2, was launched from John Brown’s Shipyard and on her 40th birthday, 20 September 2007, she will again be sailing the Clyde.

CalMac is hosting a special viewing cruise on MV Saturn, which will join the flotilla escorting the QE2 as she leaves the Clyde on the evening of September 20, following a schedule detailed below. MV Saturn will depart from Gourock and go to Dunoon to pick up ticket holders there before heading for Greenock via Helensburgh and then accompany the QE2 to Rothesay.

Tickets, priced £15 for adults and £10 for concession card holders and children go on sale from CalMac’s Gourock and Dunoon offices from today (Wednesday, August 1) and will be received on a first-come, first-served basis. A special family ticket for two adults and two accompanying children is available at £40.

Lawrie Sinclair, CalMac’s Managing Director, said: “This is a wonderful occasion and a big event in terms of the Clyde and all the connections with the history of ocean-going liners. We are able to offer this cruise on a one-off basis and are delighted that we can offer people the chance to be on the river along with one of our generation’s greatest ships. It promises to be a wonderful occasion and we are delighted to be able to be part of it.”

Refreshments will be available for sale on board MV Saturn.

MV Saturn Departures:
1700 ex Gourock Return approx 2000
1730 ex Dunoon Return approx 1925

Tickets:
Adult £15.00; Concession and children £10.00
Family (2 adults & 2 children) £40.00

Tickets are available from the following offices only (or by telephone):

Gourock Office Tel: 01475 650 226 (Option 2)
Dunoon Office Tel: 01369 706 491

Other operators will be marking the event too, with cruises from mv BALMORAL operated by Waverley Excursions and trips on passenger vessels by Clyde Marine Cruises of Greenock."