Home » CRUISE NEWS » The Iconic Meeting Of Queen Mary Two And Queen Mary In Long Beach Celebrates Cunard’s Rich Legacy Of Ocean Travel
Published on
February 5, 2026
This year, California welcomed the Queen Mary 2 for Queen Mary’s 2nd time in 20 years. This amazing Qunard moment shows the 2 ship generations for Qunard. This also shows the Qunard Legacy and its role in the history of the ocean.
This reunion shows the elegance, ingenuity, and timeless journeys Cunard has kept up for 100 years. This also makes it more outstanding for the 90th birthday of the original Queen. The Queen Mary has historical landmark status and draws in tourists from around the globe.
The Queen Mary’s Historic Legacy
Cunard’s Queen Mary was one of the first ocean liners in the industry’s golden age, which began in 1936. She first left her service at the end of the 1960’s, in 1967 to be precise, but since become an icon of the world’s legendary sea lines. Since being rechristened as a floating hotel, museum, and cultural attraction, the Queen Mary has become a symbol of sea travel’s golden age. In 2026, The Queen Mary, with her stunning Art Deco design, will celebrate her 90th anniversary in Long Beach, showcasing the era’s extravagant sea travel.
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For Cunard, the Queen Mary 2 embodies a legacy of design. She was the latest addition to the fleet in almost 4 decades, after her predecessor, and thus represents a testament to Cunard’s innovative design. The legacy that both The Queen Mary and The Queen Mary 2 share embodies a commitment to keeping transatlantic travel timeless and elegant with innovative designs.
Remembering Cunard’s Past, Present, and Future
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Cunard president Katie McAlister stated that the meeting of the two ships represents the past, present, and future of Cunard’s legacy. She explained that this meeting serves as a reminder of the length of time Cunard has been a part of the shipping industry and how they have connected people through travel, and that they will continue to do so. The meeting also represents the connection they have with their customers, providing a full history and future of ocean travel.
In the starboard funnel of the Queen Mary 2 is also a refurbished whistle from the original Queen Mary, creating an individual connection between the two ships. This whistle was an iconic sound of the Queen Mary, and is the only whistle that will be heard in the Queen Mary 2, and will be enjoyed by today’s passengers.
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Queen Mary 2’s Recent Milestones
On her way to meet her predecessor, the Queen Mary 2 made her first historic transit through the Panama Canal. Completing the transit is an addition to the Queen Mary 2’s legacy as an accomplished and celebrated ocean liner. After that, she traveled to Long Beach for the historic meeting.
After the meeting in Long Beach, she made her way back to the Port of Los Angeles, where, for the first time in 17 years, she docked overnight for the 2026 World Voyage. The Queen Mary 2 World Voyage is 108 nights, and she will make over 30 ports of call across North and South America, Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Passengers will have the opportunity to visit Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cape Town, and many other renowned travel destinations.
Cunard’s Lasting Legacy in Luxury Travel
For many years, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 has been synonymous with luxury, comfort, and timeless elegance. It’s one of the most famous cruise ships in the world and showcases a one-of-a-kind experience with a blend of classic and contemporary design. Queen Mary 2’s reputation comes from the world-class service, attentive staff, and exquisite, calming onboard environment with a variety of dining options.
Cunard continues to provide its customers with the most exclusive and unique experiences, and the Queen Mary 2’s 2026 World Voyage is the epitome of this commitment to excellence. Whether it is drifting through the Caribbean, sailing to the Mediterranean, or spanning the enormous Pacific, Cunard’s ocean liners are going to be a symbol of luxury on the most spectacular and elegantly refined journeys.
Once in a Generation Vision
For Steve Caloca, the managing director of the Queen Mary, it was a very, very, extraordinary sight in Long Beach to see the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Mary together. It was a very ” once in a generation sight, he said,” a rare and powerful visual which captured the essence of the history of Cunard and the close relationship the company has with the people.”
Watching both vessels at the dock was an emotional experience for the QM2’s crew and passengers as they saw the legacy of the original Queen Mary for themselves. It was a powerful moment as Cunard continues to foster the legacy of the original QM2 by bringing together the past and the present to inspire a new generation of adventurous and exploratory travelers.
Conclusion
QM2’s reunion with the original Queen Mary is a monumental moment in Cunard’s history that continues to offer a rich maritime itinerary full of the opulent and grand experiences that only ocean travel can offer. QM2’s reunion with the original Queen Mary is a signal to Cunard’s future that they will continue to provide priceless experiences to the railroad and the rail travelers with grand, sophisticated, and innovative amenities.
Witnessing this reunion was a unique moment that epitomized Cunard’s legacy. Cunard’s legacy will continue as QM2’s passengers during the World Voyage will experience the same timeless elegance that the original QM offered.
