Two Queens Meet in Long Beach

Around 7 a.m. on Thursday, February 5, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, one of the world’s most advanced cruise ships, will dock and disembark passengers in Long Beach Harbor, a first for a modern Cunard liner. Long Beach’s resident monarch, the Queen Mary, the most luxurious steam liner of her day and now a hotel and historical landmark, will greet her nautical “niece” with a full day of celebratory events and free admission.

As part of the royal meeting, and in recognition of the Queen Mary's 80 years of public life, a new Ship Model Gallery will be dedicated on the Queen Mary at 11 a.m. The gallery, located on the Promenade Deck, will house replicas of some of the world’s most famous ships, such as the Titanic, Lusitania, Britannia and Oregon, as well as the Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2 and, of course, Queen Mary.

The day will be capped off by a sunset fireworks display as the Queen Elizabeth departs at 5 p.m. For more information on the royal rendezvous, visit QueenMary.com.