When it comes to the Cunard Line, making a mighty splash has been business as usual for the last 168 years. Which means that January 13, 2008, was just another day of making maritime history. The momentous Sunday marked the first and only time the vintage line’s three famed royals – flagship Queen Mary 2, soon-to-retire Queen Elizabeth 2, and new-in-town Queen Victoria – embarked together from New York harbor, sailing past the Statue of Liberty in a scene dramatically lit by a shower of fireworks. If any newcomer could upstage her iconic siblings, it just might be the Queen Victoria – regal, radiant and ready for her close-up. The 1,980-passenger liner debuted in Britain on December 10 with thousands of visitors gathering at Southampton to admire the ship and see the show. And what a show it was! Not only was the Duchess of Cornwall on hand to name the black-and-red beauty, but she was accompanied by the Prince of Wales – backed by a stageful of performers ranging from the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Marines Band to opera stars and the Choirs of Winchester Cathedral.
TOP: QUEEN VICTORIA MADE HER GLITTERING DEBUT AT SOUTHAMPTON ON DEC. 10. ABOVE (LEFT): THE CUNARD ROYAL SPA OFERS A SUMPTUOUS SETTING FOR SOPHISTICATED SERVICES. ABOVE (RIGHT): THE LIDO SERVES UP A BUFFET BY DAY AND BISTRO-STYLE DINING COME EVENING.