Press photos

Last Saturday, 13 August 2011, the Queen Mary 2 visited the Hanseatic City of Hamburg for the in total 20th time. This was also her last visit to the port this year. To mark this occasion, Cunard organised a so called Flag Parade. All along the river Elbe thousands of people waved goodbye to the Queen Mary 2 with fluttering flags that were provided free of charge. On the “Landungsbrücken”, the central part of the river, alone the crowds were hundreds strong, so the ship made a half-hour stop at this point. This impressive occasion was one that even a queen will never forget.

Every single hotel bed was sold out over the last weekend: 350,000 people celebrated the famous “Schlagermove”, a so called music parade; another 50,000 watched live the boxing match of the year when Vladimir Klitschko outgunned David Haye; almost 15,000 people visited the German horse derby and 6,000 runners participated at the half marathon, taking place annually through the city centre of Hamburg. Last but not least, two cruise ships have been in port on 3 July, “AIDAluna” and a first-time royal visit by the “Queen Elizabeth”.

“Artania” and “SeaDream I” were welcomed ceremonially at the Port of Hamburg. As well as the “Costa Magica” from Costa Crociere S.p.A., who chooses Hamburg as home port for the first time. Yesterday, 31 May, the Port of Hamburg celebrated the maiden call of the “Costa Magica”.

Over the last weekend, 28 May, the “MS Artania” from Phönix Reisen got christened in the Port of Hamburg. The ships’ crew, cruise line representatives, passengers and guests of honour followed at the Hamburg Cruise Center HafenCity the familiar ceremony.

During a recently hold press conference on board the „QM2“, Peter Shanks, CEO and President Cunard Line and Anja Tabarelli, Director Sales & Marketing, announced the new and comprehensive Queens’ program for Hamburg 2012. Both believe in the strong German source market and are convinced about the Port of Hamburg as the ideal platform for all of their three Queens.