Andy Fitzsimmons: A passenger's view of Cunard's 3 Queens Diamond Jubilee Event

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

I have posted a number of articles about Cunard's Diamond Jubilee event in Southampton. I add to this series with a perspective by Andy Fitzsimmons who was on the Queen Victoria coming back from a cruise into Southampton on the day of the event.


In his Flickr Account he has shared a perspective and many amazing photos. Some of them are below, but also visit Andy Fitzsimmons 3 Queens Jubilee Celebration Photo Set for many more, and his full review and comment.


Some key points he talks about are:

• Not the first time that 3 Queens had been together in their home port, the first occasion being on 22 April 2008 when Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria met up with Queen Elizabeth 2 for the final time, this was the first time the current Cunard fleet had arrived together. 
• Queen Mary 2 arrived from New York, Queen Victoria from Bergen and Queen Elizabeth from Barcelona 
• He was up on deck from 3.30am! Even by 4am crowds were lining Town Quay and Mayflower Park, while helicopters hovered overhead filming the event. 
• On Queen Mary 2 a group was dressed in period costume waiving union flags, and atop the mast, the Royal Mail pennant could be spotted flying proudly alongside the red ensign and Cunard house flag, together with what appeared to be the ship’s callsign (ZCEF6), spelt out in signal flags while further aft, a giant banner in the style of a union flag and bearing the legend ‘Congratulations Ma’am’, could be seen covering the name board. 
• The celebrations were hampered by the weather: Red Arrows display was cancelled, and fireworks for the departure were very obscured by low cloud
• The 3 ships departed again later that evening. Queen Mary 2 for Rotterdam, Queen Victoria for La Corũna and Queen Elizabeth to Hamburg.  
• Despite all the fuss: He spoke to a guest at breakfast who asked wheat all the fuss had been about earlier. They seem to have missed all the announcements and materials put in the cabins... 

Thanks to Andy for posting the amazing photos and his review, which you should read in full on his Flickr Page


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Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Cunard's Three Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Southampton 5 June 2012

Cunard's Three Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Southampton 5 June 2012


Cunard have made and posted a 6 minute video of the day to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. It shows great shots of the ships arriving, aerial shots and interview.


 


Other blog postings I have done on the Diamond Jubilee:
http://allaboutcunard.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/cunard-3-ships-in-southampton-for.html




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Cunard's Three Queens Arrival Into Southampton: Video of the Jubilee Celebration

On 5 June 2012 Cunard's Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth met in Southampton for the first time ever to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This is a video made by Cunard of the arrival of the ships 


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Cunard 3 Ships in Southampton for Queen's Diamond Jubilee

On June 5 2012 all 3 of the Cunard ships in service (Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria) were together in Southampton to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. Here are some of the amazing photos that people who were there published on Flickr.








See some sets of photos on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gocruisewithjane/sets/72157630055773410/with/7342217446/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjcc/sets/72157630013601606/with/7155493507/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sobester/sets/72157629993484217/with/7340542722/

Cunard's Three Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebration: 5 June 2012 Southampton

This coming weekend is the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Weekend for Queen Elizabeth II. The 4 days of celebrations have many major events across the UK. There is an extra public holiday day added to the weekend.


Cunard are making a major effort due to their history and Cunard's link to the Monarchy and the Queen in particular. She has named many Cunard ships during her reign. The chart above shows the plans for the day which includes:

5.30 a.m. – 6.15 a.m: 3 ships arrive

All day event (festival & stalls) in Mayflower Park

6.20 p.m. - 6.45 p.m: Red Arrows flight display

10.20 p.m. - 10.35 p.m: City Terminal Fireworks display

11 p.m: All 3 ships sail down Southampton Water

Here are some reports about the plans they have across the weekend.

• Cruise Critic writes: "It'll be an early start on Tuesday, June 5 for anybody wanting to witness the simultaneous arrival of three Cunard Queens in Southampton. But there will be opportunities throughout the day to celebrate the Jubilee with Cunard and the City of Southampton". Read more
• Manchester Evening News writes: "celebrations take place onboard all day as well, including talks from guest speakers with royal connections and a display of royal art, including pieces by HRH The Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Lord Snowdon, on all three ship". Read more.
• Seaview Cruises writes: " Cunard's Three Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Tuesday June 5 - expected to be the biggest jubilee event outside London as Cunard's three ship fleet sail in convoy into Southampton for the first time - will be enhanced by the launch of ‘Cunard FM’ radio for this one special day only.
• The radio station will broadcast on 87.7FM from 0800 hours right through to midnight. As well as music during the day, in the afternoon, the station will feature celebrity interviews and two special highlights, introduced by ‘Cunard FM’s’ own presenter, Keith Maynard, Queen Mary 2’s entertainment director. Read More

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Cunard: Three Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebration - more details announced

Her Majesty has a long association with Cunard Line which began in 1938 when she attended the naming of the original Queen Elizabeth. She is the only person to have attended the naming of all three Cunard Elizabeths and named Queen Mary 2 in 2004 and our current Queen Elizabeth in 2010.

Cunard have announced more about the plans for the formal celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in June...

This is what they have announced:

Three Queens in Southampton on 5 June 2012

As you would expect, we will honour Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee in spectacular style, when our three Cunard Queens meet in Southampton on Tuesday 5 June 2012, the final day of the extended bank holiday weekend.

This is the first time our three ships have met in Southampton and promises to be an unforgettable occasion. The trio will approach Southampton shortly after first light and will proceed in formation along the Solent. We anticipate many smaller vessels will flock to join them and thousands of spectators will pack the shoreline to witness this memorable event.

Spectacular Red Arrows Display

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows will be joining our special celebrations and this will be the first time the team have performed over Southampton. The seven aircraft display is expected to start at 6pm and conclude a breathtaking 25 minutes later.

Fireworks and Special Effects

The day's celebrations will culminate in a fantastic spectacle when all three ships will line up in formation beneath an evening sky that will shimmer and crackle with fireworks and special effects. Queen Mary 2 will then lead Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria in a stately procession down the Solent before the sisters part company and set off on their celebratory Diamond Jubilee voyages.

Win a place at The Three Queens Diamond Jubilee Event in our Famous Names Competition

Twenty adults who share their name, as given on their passports, with any of the Cunard Queens - Elizabeth, Victoria or Mary, will be welcomed aboard their namesake ship, with a guest. Winners will have a tour of the ship's public areas and enjoy a lavish lunch on board as well as having a grandstand view of the afternoon's highlights. To find out more or to enter: 
http://www.cunard.co.uk/famousnames


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Cunard celebrating the Queen's Jubilee with a 3 ship tribute in June 2012

With their strong historical links to the British Royal Family, Cunard are going to celebrate this year's Queen's Jubilee with a big event on the June 5 Bank Holiday in the UK.

The plan is for all of the 3 serving Cunard ships (Queen Mary2; Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth) to all be in their old home port of Southampton on the same day.

All 3 ships will sail in that morning in a single line and no doubt many boats will join them for the sail up the Solent.

Later that day all 3 will set of on various cruises, including a round UK trip visit.

Should be quite an event and sight.