The Port of Halifax has a long history with Cunard Line dating back to the company’s founder Samuel Cunard, who was born in Halifax in 1787. Since then, Cunard Line cargo ships and ocean liners have frequented Halifax Harbour, including 22 calls by the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 during her 40 years of service, and 12 visits by flagship Queen Mary 2 since her inaugural call in 2004.
“Cunard Line and the Port of Halifax have long-standing, historic ties. Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2 and now Queen Victoria have all visited Halifax harbour and we are pleased to have their newest vessel calling today,” said Cathy McGrail, Manager of Cruise Development, from the Halifax Port Authority.
”I am honoured to bring Queen Victoria into Halifax for the first time,” said Captain Ian McNaught, master of the ship. “Being the birthplace of our founder and the site of so much history between us, Halifax will always hold special significance to Cunard.”
Queen Victoria will do a tour of the Halifax harbour between 7:30am and 8:20am - the best viewing points will be from Point Pleasant Park, the Woodside Ferry Terminal, the Nova Scotia Hospital and the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal. Queen Victoria will then dock along the Halifax Seaport and will depart that evening.
Queen Victoria is a part of the Cunard Fleet, which also consists of Queen Mary 2 and will include the line’s new ship Queen Elizabeth in 2010. Queen Victoria was named by the HRH the Duchess of Cornwall. Her maiden voyage was in January of 2008, and since then she has sailed 202,790 nautical miles and has called on Ports in Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa and Australia.
