Luxury cruise brand Cunard announced it will bring all four of its ships together for the first time in Liverpool, England–the cruise line’s spiritual home where the company began in 1840.
On May 16, 2028, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Anne are scheduled to meet up on the River Mersey. The event will mark the first time the cruise line’s fleet has ever been together in one place.
The last time Cunard ships gathered on the Mersey was in 2015, there were three Queens, and they were celebrating the cruise line’s 175th anniversary. The 2015 event welcomed more than a million spectators to Liverpool and its waterfront.
“Bringing our four Queens together on the Mersey for the first time will be a rare and incredibly special moment for Cunard. Liverpool is where our story began, and returning with the full fleet is a powerful celebration of that bond. It will be an unforgettable day for our guests, for the city, and for everyone who comes together to enjoy the spectacle from the shore,” said Katie McAlister, President of Cunard.
This ship meetup will align with celebrations marking 20 years since Liverpool was named European Capital of Culture. City officials are preparing a year-long calendar of events of music, maritime and sporting events, with the arrival of Cunard’s fleet of ships as the centerpiece maritime moment.
Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said, “Welcoming the four Cunard Queens at the same time will be an extraordinary occasion for our city, our residents, and our visitors. We are incredibly proud of our rich maritime heritage, and this promises to be a really special moment here in Liverpool, Cunard’s spiritual home. 2028 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for us – with the Four Queens’ visit, hosting Euro 2028 matches, and the 20th anniversary of Liverpool Capital of Culture, we’ve got a brilliant program of events and activities in store. We are looking forward to bringing people together once again and helping to deliver an experience that will be remembered long after the ships have sailed.”
Cunard is planning a series of specially designed Four Queens Celebration voyages ensuring that each ship arrives in Liverpool for the event:
- Queen Mary 2 will sail her first-ever transatlantic voyage from New York to Liverpool arriving on May 16, 2028. She will then continue with her scheduled transatlantic voyages along with voyages in Canada and New England, and the Caribbean.
- Queen Anne, the cruise line’s newest ship, will be sailing in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, including the overnight stay in Liverpool.
- Queen Elizabeth will sail from Southampton, England, to Le Havre, France, before joining the celebration in the River Mersey.
- Queen Victoria will arrive at the party after sailing around the British Isles including calls in Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Cunard will reveal details about the 2028 voyages that will include the Four Queens Celebration at a later date.