On February 24 thousands of “Sydneysiders” turned out to view the historic meeting of two of the world’s most glamorous ocean liners in Sydney Harbour - Cunard Line’s new Queen Victoria and legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE 2) - as they met during their respective World Cruises. The historic Royal Rendezvous marked the only time that the two ocean liners will ever meet in Sydney as this is QE2’s 29th and final visit to the city, arriving 30 years to the day since her 1978 maiden visit to Sydney.
QE2’s call to Sydney is part of her final world voyage, while Queen Victoria is making her first visit as part of her maiden world voyage.

QE2 sailed past Queen Victoria in a history-making Royal Rendezvous off Fort Denison. The passing of the two ships occurred in the early evening - Sydney time - with the ships sounding their whistles as they sailed by each other off Fort Denison. Queen Victoria then headed to Brisbane, while QE2 berthed at Circular Quay.  The longest serving Cunard liner in history, QE2 will leave the Cunard fleet in November this year to become a first-class tourist destination in Dubai. 

Photo Credit: Charles Lawford

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