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Cunard ships gather for anniversary celebrations

The Masters of Cunard’s three ship fleet mustered by the funnel of flagship Queen Mary 2 this morning ahead of the spectacular sailaway planned for Sunday afternoon to mark the start of the celebrations for Cunard’s 175th anniversary year.

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Cunard captains muster for anniversary celebrations

Cunard captains gather next to the funnel of Queen Mary 2 Credit: James Morgan/Cunard

The Masters of Cunard’s three ship fleet mustered by the funnel of flagship Queen Mary 2 ahead of the spectacular sail away this afternoon to mark the start of the celebrations for Cunard’s 175th anniversary year.

The Three Queens - Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 returned from their World Cruises today, arriving into Southampton in the early morning.

After a rare opportunity for the three Captains to meet up together on the same vessel, the masters will take command of their respective ships and for the first time the fleet will sail together in daylight from Cunard’s homeport of Southampton led by Queen Mary 2.

Commodore Christopher Rynd, Master of Queen Victoria, is joined on the distinctive red funnel that characterises all three ships by Captain Chris Wells, Master of Queen Mary 2 and Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge, Master of Queen Elizabeth and Cunard’s first ever female Captain.

It was a rare chance for the three Masters to meet Credit: James Morgan/Cunard

“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. We rarely get together in this way, and it’s only the fourth time ever that these Three Queens have gathered here in Southampton.

“Today is a special day for Cunard, as the 175 anniversary celebrations are initiated here in our homeport. We are looking forward to sailing the Three Queens out from Southampton this afternoon in special formation and adding a little bit more history to the Cunard story.”

– Commodore Christopher Rynd
The three ships will leave Southampton together later today Credit: James Morgan/Cunard

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