This year's cruise was chosen mainly for its destinations, the highlight being St Petersburg. At a second try, the ship pleased without exciting, and distance is needed for the photographer to produce a attractive picture of her. With no anchor ports, this was impossible, so this is only a small collection, featuring also some other points of nautical interest.

The day arrived for the final departure of Queen Elizabeth 2 from Southampton after over 40 years’ famous and faithful service. It was a crisp sunny day, which enabled the old lady to look her best at her mooring at the Queen Elizabeth 2 terminal, from the vantage points of Hythe Pier and the Hythe Ferry. The most poignant moment (for this was Armistice Day) was when a Harrier jump-jet flew up Southampton Water, hovered over QE2, then turned and bowed to its fellow Falklands veteran before flying off.

Her departure on her final voyage to Dubai, where she will become a luxury floating hotel, was not until the evening, when I joined Maid of Poole, working with Blue Funnel as one of the hundred plus vessels which surrounded QE2 throughout the evening. Still photography proved impossible, but a short video is available at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=s-RNm1TnHaA . The video quality is poor but it provides a glimpse of the impressive firework display opposite Mayflower Park and a last opportunity to hear that distinctive booming whistle in British waters.

Click on the title bar above to see thumbnails of each picture. Click on each thumbnail to see the full picture. Email me on pjh.weblinks@btinternet.com to request a full size image file to be emailed to you: don't forget to quote the DSCF number(s)!

This was the last visit of Queen Elizabeth 2 to the port of Liverpool, the historic home of Cunard where she was conceived. It was a bright, blustery morning as the Mersey Ferries flagship Royal Daffodil set off down river from Seacombe to greet the QE2 as she arrived in the Mersey after a short visit to Douglas in the Isle of Man first thing in the morning. We circled the QE2 several times as she moved up river, then I joined the hundreds back on the bank at Seacombe and we watched her berth at Princes Dock, Liverpool against that iconic Liverpool skyline.

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Another major family birthday provided the motive to sample the latest ship in the Cunard fleet. She would never replace our beloved Queen Elizabeth 2, but would she win a place in our hearts alongside the magnificent Queen Mary 2?

These pictures can be looked at alongside a full review of the cruise, which has been placed on various newsgroups. If you would like a copy of the review, please email me on pjh.weblinks@btinternet.com and request a copy of the 4 page Word document.

Click on the title bar above to see thumbnails of each picture. Click on each thumbnail to see the full picture. Email me on
pjh.weblinks@btinternet.com to request a full size image file to be emailed to you: don't forget to quote the DSCF number(s)!

For the first time in its long history, Cunard has had three Queens in service since December 2007, when Queen Victoria joined Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. This will only last for another few months, until Queen Elizabeth 2 sails away in November to retirement in Dubai.

Tuesday 22 April 2008 was the only scheduled meeting of all three Queens in UK waters, and Southampton was blessed with warm (if hazy) spring sunshine for this special occasion, which was also the 39th anniversary of QE2’s first voyage.

There is also a short video at http://www.youtube.com/v/4Nw7GG-PKVs . This shows Queen Mary 2 exchanging whistles with Queen Elizabeth 2 as it heads up the River Test, having already passed Queen Victoria (centre screen). After turning, and with the sun behind them, the two ships exchange whistles again as Queen Mary 2 departs for New York.

BBC News has a good aerial video at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7361808.stm

Click on the title bar above to see thumbnails of each picture. Click on each thumbnail to see the full picture. Email me on pjh.weblinks@btinternet.com to request a full size image file to be emailed to you: don't forget to quote the DSCF number(s)!

A major birthday and a major anniversary in our family warranted a major holiday to celebrate them. What better than to take a third (and longest voyage) on Queen Elizabeth 2 as she entered her final year of service? We visited Madeira and three of the Canary Islands, not to mention A Coruna, Spain on the way out and Lisbon, Portugal on the return. These ports provided a variety of photographic opportunities.

The ship remains as magnificent and timeless as ever, though the crew's ethos appears more Carnival-generic nowadays, rather than Cunard-specific.

Click on the title bar above to see thumbnails of each picture. Click on each thumbnail to see the full picture. Email me on pjh.weblinks@btinternet.com to request a full size image file to be emailed to you: don't forget to quote the DSCF number(s)!

It was a bright blustery day on on of the rare occasions that both the current Cunard Queens, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2, were in port at Southampton. A few memorable pictures whilst the sun was out, and many more in cloud, but the pictures in this collection will form a memento of one of the last few meetings of these two fine ships in their home port

We were fortunate enough to have another opportunity to enjoy the delights of Queen Mary 2, this time on a twelve day cruise to the Mediterranean. A wide variety of ports of call gave the opportunity to study the ship from many angles. Click on the title bar above to see thumbnails of each picture. Click on each thumbnail to see the full picture. Email me on pjh.weblinks@btinternet.com to request a full size image file to be emailed to you. There is NO CHARGE for your personal use of my pictures, but don't forget to quote the DSCF number(s) of the ones you want!

Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 were in port together for one of their rare 'close encounters'. Queen Elizabeth 2 had just completed her 2005 World Cruise, and Queen Mary 2 was providing a connection to New York for World Cruise passengers. This made for some memorable sights on Southampton Water. Click on each thumbnail to see the full picture. Email me on pjh.weblinks@btinternet.com to request a full size image file to be emailed to you: don't forget to quote the DSCF number(s)!

QM2 was due in Malaga from 8 am to 6 pm on Thursday 21 October. We were booked for a short holiday in the province, starting the previous day. We checked into our favourite Malaga seafront hotel for the night, so I would be well positioned for the ship's morning arrival. We reached our sea view room about 3 pm and confirmed it was ideally placed to view arrivals from the west and follow them right into port.