Cunard Line, the R.M.S. Queen Mary, and the Long Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau have launched a new website promoting the first meeting between the two Queen Mary ships.  On February 23, 2006 the Queen Mary 2, the world’s largest passenger ship, will make her West Coast debut on February 22, followed by the historic close encounter with the R.M.S. Queen Mary, now permanently berthed in Long Beach, on February 23.

The new website, http://www.thequeenmarysmeet.com/ features detailed information about the activities taking place in Long Beach on February 23 and includes day-of-arrival details, such as best viewing vantage points, driving directions, captivating ship histories, fun facts and startling comparisons between the two iconic ocean liners.

The Queen Mary 2’s arrival in the Port of Long Beach on February 23 will be a memorable event.

Thousands of spectators and numerous ships and boats of all types and sizes are expected to sail out to greet the great ship as she approaches the Long Beach coastline at approximately 12:00pm. The Queen Mary 2 will be on her three-day West Coast Break inaugural sailing from Los Angeles after having just completed her 38-day maiden voyage to South America.

After passing through “Queen’s Gate,” the same breakwater gate the Queen Mary used on her arrival to Long Beach in 1967, the Queen Mary 2 will maneuver as close as possible in the harbor to the Queen Mary for a spectacular photo opportunity.

Two of the world’s largest, fastest, most elegant ships-each from a different era-together for their first “family portrait.”

After posing for the cameras, the two ships will sound a whistle salute and the Queen Mary 2 will proceed on her itinerary to Ensenada.

The best vantage points in Long Beach for viewing the meeting of the Queen Marys are Bixby Park, Bluff Park, Junipero Beach, Shoreline Aquatic Park, Shoreline Village and the Queen Mary.

One special feature of the website is a trivia contest with questions about Queen Mary 2, the Queen Mary and the City of Long Beach.

By answering the questions correctly, site visitors can enter the contest. In addition to smaller prizes, the Grand Prize Winner will receive a 2-night stay aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, including dinner at Sir Winston’s Restaurant and First Class Tour tickets that include the Queen’s historic tour, Ghosts and Legends, and the new Titanic-The Artifact Exhibition.

The Grand Prize also includes $600.00 for transportation and miscellaneous expenses, tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific and passes to GameWorks at The Pike at Rainbow Harbor.
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