On Boxing Day 2003 the Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2, the largest ocean liner ever built at 151,400-tons and the most expensive at 550 million pounds arrived at her home port of Southampton. Queen Mary 2 is the first true transatlantic liner to have been built since the line's Queen Elizabeth 2 entered service in May 1969. Her Majesty The Queen will name the ship in Southampton on January 8th and four days later Queen Mary 2 will depart on her maiden voyage to Fort Lauderdale. The liner has capacity for 2,620 passengers, with a crew of 1,253 and a top speed of 30 knots.

Photo: David Packman

Queen Mary 2 approaches Southampton Water through high winds and rain.        Photo: David Packman

Photo: David Packman

Some of the many thousands of people that braved the rain and high winds at Calshot to welcome the Queen Mary 2 to her home port.                                                                       Photo: David Packman

Photo: David Packman

Photo: David Packman

The Queen Mary 2 on her final leg up Southampton Water. Although Southampton is the ship's home port, the Cunard Line is operated by Miami-based Cunard Line Limited a part of the American Carnival Corporation. The company also operate her sister ship Queen Elizabeth 2.          Photo: David Packman

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