A royal maritime reunion took place in Long Beach on Monday morning, Feb. 2, as Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 ocean liner anchored alongside its historic namesake, the Queen Mary — for the first time in two decades.
The Queen Mary debuted in 1936 and retired from the high seas in 1967, ultimately taking up residence in Long Beach and operating as a hotel, restaurant and tourist destination. Queen Mary 2 made its debut in the 1970s, and is a symbol of Cunard’s legacy as its flagship, according to a recent press release.
The Queen Mary 2 is on a worldwide voyage, and recently completed its first crossing of the Panama Canal, another historic milestone in the ship’s storied career, the press release said. The ship pulled alongside the Queen Mary on Monday morning, and the two vessels shared a whistle salute.
The Queen Mary 2’s starboard funnel houses a fully refurbished whistle originally from its predecessor, cementing an everlasting connecting between generations of Cunard Queens, officials said.
The Queen Mary 2 at the berth Port of Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, after anchoring alongside her historic namesake, the Queen Mary, for the first time in 20 years. (Photo by Nick Souza, courtesy of the Queen Mary)
The Queen Mary 2 meets her sister for the first time in 20 years at the Port of Long Beach on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Photo by Nick Souza, courtesy of the Queen Mary)
The Queen Mary 2 heads to the Port of Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, after anchoring alongside her historic namesake, the Queen Mary, for the first time in 20 years. (Photo by Nick Souza, courtesy of the Queen Mary)
The Queen Mary 2 heads to the Port of Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, after anchoring alongside her historic namesake, the Queen Mary, for the first time in 20 years. (Photo by Nick Souza, courtesy of the Queen Mary)
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The Queen Mary 2 at the berth Port of Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, after anchoring alongside her historic namesake, the Queen Mary, for the first time in 20 years. (Photo by Nick Souza, courtesy of the Queen Mary)
The morning saw a strong public presence, as more than 100 guests had booked a trip on a Harbor Breeze Cruises boat specifically to witness the moment. People also gathered along the Queen Mary’s harbor and aboard the iconic ship to witness its younger sister’s arrival.
After the two ships’ meeting, Queen Mary 2 continued into the Port of Los Angeles to dock overnight, as part of its 2026 world voyage.
“Welcoming Queen Mary 2 to Long Beach during our 90th anniversary year is an extraordinary honor, and watching the rendezvous this morning was a once-in-a-generation sight,” Steve Caloca, managing director of the Queen Mary, said in a statement. “This historic moment reflects the enduring bond between the Queen Mary’s past and present and continued role as a living symbol of ocean travel, innovation and preservation.”
Queen Mary 2’s 108-night world voyage is guiding travelers to more than 30 ports across the Americas, Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe, the press release said. The itinerary includes overnight stays in destinations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and Cape Town, South Africa.
“This iconic rendezvous pays a powerful tribute to Cunard’s enduring legacy and the spirit of ocean travel,” Cunard President Katie McAlister said in a statement. “Queen Mary 2’s reunion with the original Queen Mary for the first time in 20 years reflects our past, present and future, reminding us of Cunard’s distinct connection to maritime history and the generations brought together through timeless elegance, innovation and one-of-a-kind journeys around the world.”
City News Service contributed to this report.