QM2, QE2 AND VISTING CRUISE SHIPS IN PORT
Professor Willms presentation at the 1st International Cruise Conference in Bremerhaven started me thinking about my own experiences of cruise ships in port and the visitors they attract. I think the most amazing vision of this was arriving in Cherbourg on Queen Mary 2's maiden arrival in France. Over 10,000 people were waiting to see the ship arrive at 7am, and this had swelled into 15,000 by the time she left! On our arrival, fire boats were spurting plumes of water as a salute to the uncrowned queen of France, and a large floatilla of small boats hovered dangerously near this enormous ship's bow. But the crowning moment was when she approached the terminal, she let out a roar from her massive horn! We all covered our ears and my daughter screamed - we couldn't hear her scream! One of these horns was from the original Queen Mary (now in Long Beach, California) and can be heard from over 10 miles away. France was proud of its Queen! But why had these people come to visit ...