Ship Photo - Three Grand Queens

Cunard Cruise Lines kicked off its 175th birthday celebration on Sunday with the gathering its Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria at Cunard’s homeport in Southampton.

The sailaway procession began Sunday afternoon as Queen Mary 2 moved into position to lead the fleet out of Southampton Docks and into the the Solent towards the English Channel. After separating for their own itineraries, Queen Elizabeth continued east towards Hamburg, Queen Victoria turned south for St Peter Port in Guernsey and Queen Mary 2 will head west across the Atlantic to New York.

All photos (c) Maritime Photographic

“We’re excited to start our UK 175 festivities in Southampton and share the celebrations with the city and beyond in this magnificent landmark year,” said Cunard’s Marketing Director, Angus Struthers. “For the very first time Queen Mary 2 will lead a daylight parade of Cunard’s Three Queens down Southampton Water and into the Solent. Together with the city, the company has shared so many fantastic memories, and I hope residents and Cunard enthusiasts from far and wide will take advantage of this magnificent sight and enjoy the spectacle of seeing our three Queens maneuvering together so close to Southampton.”