Cunard's QE2 Makes Final Call at Boston Amid Fanfare

by TravelPulse Staff
Last updated: 1:02 AM ET, Mon September 22, 2008

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 made its final call to Boston on Sept. 18. Accompanied by a flotilla of local boaters and a traditional fireboat display, the iconic ocean liner departed Boston during a farewell tour that includes stops in Canada and New England. A reception to mark the occasion was attended by Capt. Ian McNaught; Thomas J. Kinton Jr., CEO and executive director of the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport); John A. Quelch, Massport's chairman of the board; and Phil Budden, British Consul-General for New England. The reception featured a performance by the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums and an 11-Round howitzer salute by the Massachusetts Army National Guard 1st Battalion 101st Field Artillery.

The farewell also included fireboat water displays from Massport Fire-Rescue and the Boston Fire Department. From Boston, the ship called on Halifax, Nova Scotia, before sailing to its homeport in Southampton, England. QE2 made its maiden call to Boston on Oct. 1, 1979, and subsequently called on the city 50 times, including 21 overnight calls during her 40-plus years of service to Cunard Line. Widely considered the most famous ship in the world, QE2 has logged more than 5.6 million nautical miles (equivalent to traveling to the moon and back 13 times), carrying nearly 2.5 million passengers. The distinguished ship will leave Cunard's service in November as Cunard's longest-serving liner. For more information, visit www.cunard.com.