On Saturday, March 4, 2006 history was made when Cunard Line’s “Queen Mary 2” majestically sailed into the harbor at Kona, Hawaii, and I was there. Hundreds, perhaps a thousand, residents of the Big Island of Hawaii accompanied me, gawking unashamedly as she lay at anchor. We all stood, as close to the end of the dock as security would allow, to stare with heads tilted upward, awestruck by the sheer size, bulk and height of this magnificent vessel. In between snapping pictures the crowd and I excitedly exchanged waves with passengers on what I presumed were the ship’s promenade decks. She arrived like a celebrity. Only thing missing was a floating red carpet.

In a strange way I felt honoured and sort of humbled to be there to witness this awe inspiring event. After all, Kona was chosen to be one of only three visits to the State. A call was made in Honolulu, where, I was told, the tall Aloha Tower looked like a toy beside the “Queen Mary 2.” The other visit was to Lahaina, Maui. One fellow rode to the dock on his bicycle all the way from Keauhou just to take a quick look at the ship before reporting for work. One lady from New York said as she disembarked that this was her second visit to Hawaii and that arriving by ship is so much better than arriving with jet lag. Other passengers marvelled at the incredible feeling of sheer grandeur, space on board, and rave reviews of the gourmet cuisine.

On the subject of size, I recall being quite taken by the presence of “The World” when that ship visited my home town of Nanaimo, B.C., last year. She looked huge and every bit of her 43,500 tons when anchored in Nanaimo Harbour. Coincidentally, “The World” arrived in Kona the same day as “Queen Mary 2” and anchored close by but was dwarfed in comparison. I took pictures of the two, side by side, to prove my point.

QM2 had sailed from Los Angeles on February 25 and returned there after Hawaii. The original Queen Mary is now docked permanently in Long Beach as a museum and hotel. I was told that as the QM2 passed by the original Queen Mary on February 23 many of the new ship’s officers and crew stopped what they were doing and saluted the venerable old “lady.” But that is not all. There was a traditional long exchange of whistle salutes from each of the ships that brought a lump to many throats. Thousands of pictures of the two grand ladies posing like royalty were taken that day by the thousands of spectators.

The cruise to Hawaii was called “Royal Hawaiian Liner”, 11 days round trip from Los Angeles at a minimum cost of $2,749 U.S., sharing a double inside room. Upgrades were not terribly out of line price-wise.

Specifications of the ship reveal a length of 1,132 feet, height of 23 stories, and last but not least a tremendous 151,400 tons in weight. It is truly amazing that with all that bulk she is capable of a cruising speed of up to 26 knots. She is presently the largest passenger ship afloat. However, that latter distinction will no longer apply when Royal Caribbean Cruise Line christens the “Freedom of the Seas” scheduled for later this year.

The traditional Trans-Atlantic schedule for 2006 will start on April 15 eastbound from New York to Southampton and will continue through to November 11. Length of voyages is usually six nights aboard. Some itineraries include visits to and from Hamburg, Germany. These latter trips involve eight nights on board. For further information on any Cunard voyage, including the exotic winter cruises scheduled for 2006/07 call 1-800-7CUNARD, or visit: www.cunard.com.