Sydneysiders will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display in February to mark the history-making visit of two Queens - the massive Queen Mary 2 and her “little” sister, Queen Elizabeth 2.Cunard Line announced today that it would celebrate the dual visit of its famous ocean liners with fireworks over Sydney Harbour at 8.40pm on Tuesday February 20.

The cruise line has also launched a special website www.queenmary2.com.au to enable Australians to follow the countdown to Queen Mary 2’s inaugural Australian visit.

Capable of carrying up to 3090 passengers, the 151,400-ton Queen Mary 2 will become the largest ship ever to visit Australia when she sails into Sydney Harbour at approximately 6.30am on February 20, halfway through her maiden world voyage.

History will be made again in the evening, when Queen Mary 2 will be joined in Sydney Harbour by the 70,327-ton Queen Elizabeth 2, which will be visiting Australia during her Silver Jubilee world voyage. 

The last time two Cunard Queens called at Sydney together was during World War II, when the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth made joint visits as troop carriers in 1941 and 1942.

Thousands of Sydneysiders are expected to turn out to watch Queen Mary 2 sail into Sydney Harbour on February 20, while many more are expected to flock to the waterfront that evening to witness Queen Elizabeth 2’s arrival and enjoy the fireworks, prior to Queen Mary 2’s 11pm departure.

Full details of the timing of the ships’ visits, the fireworks and vantage points will be listed on the new website. 

The website also offers detailed information on the liners, images of the ships and cruisecams, which will enable Australians to follow the ships on their voyages to Australia.

Launched in 2004,  Queen Mary 2 boasts 10 restaurants, five pools, the biggest ballroom at sea and the first planetarium at sea, while Queen Elizabeth 2 offers seven restaurants, two pools and the first sea-going Harrods boutique.

Cunard is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise vacation company, which also includes Seabourn, Costa, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises UK and P&O Cruises Australia.
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