Queen Elizabeth 2 Sets Sail from New York for the Last Time

Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), one of the most famous ocean liners in the world, made her final call to New York and her last Cunard Royal Rendezvous in America with sister ship Queen Mary 2 during her farewell season in service.

QE2 sailed into New York in tandem with Queen Mary 2 after a signature tran­satlantic crossing from Southampton, England. That same night, she departed on her 806th and final transatlantic crossing again with Queen Mary 2 amid nautical fanfare and celebration in New York Harbor.

Since the royal naming of QE2 by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1967, she has logged nearly 6 million nautical miles and carried over 2.5 million passengers. The regal ship will complete her service in November 2008 as Cunard's longest-serving liner.

QE2 is the fastest passenger ship in the world, and can sail backwards faster than most ships sail forward. In 1982, she became the world's largest hospital ship, transporting injured troops during the Falklands War. The ship has sailed more royalty than any other ship in service— including HRH Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales. During her 40 years in service, QE2 has also sailed such stars as Bob Hope, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Judi Dench, and Carly Simon, among others.