Cunard kicks off 175th anniversary activities in Southampton

Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 returned from their world cruises, arriving at Southampton early Sunday morning. After a rare opportunity for the three captains to meet on the same vessel, the fleet for the first time the fleet sailed together in daylight from the homeport, Southampton, led by Queen Mary 2.

Commodore Christopher Rynd, master of Queen Victoria, was joined on the distinctive red funnel that characterises all three ships by Capt. Chris Wells, master of Queen Mary 2 and Capt. Inger Klein Thorhauge, master of Queen Elizabeth and Cunard’s first woman captain.

'This is the first time that the Cunard ships have been in Southampton since they set off on their world cruises in January, so it’s great to have the opportunity to meet with my fellow captains,' Rynd said. 'We rarely get together in this way, and it’s only the fourth time ever that these three Queens have gathered here in Southampton.'