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| This article, written by Michael Gallagher, public relations executive and historian for Cunard Line, is part of an ongoing series of key moments in Cunard Line's history |
11 April 2014 – After purchasing Queen Mary, the City of Long Beach wanted to build an 'Olde London' village alongside their new acquisition.
As well as buying the great Queen herself, the City purchased two London Double Decker buses to be used in the village.
The easiest way to get them to Long Beach would be on Queen Mary. Before her final departure from Southampton in October 1967, the buses were loaded onto the aft decks of the ship.
It would prove to be a very good revenue stream for Cunard as tickets (a dollar a time) were sold to passengers to sit on the bus as Queen Mary rounded the notorious Cape Horn.
The 'Olde London' idea never quite came to fruition and neither did the plan to have live electric eels swimming in specially-made handrails on staircases in the Jacques Cousteau's Museum of the Sea which was built in the gutted machinery spaces!
A London Double Decker Bus was used at ceremonies to mark the Float Out of Queen Mary 2 in March 2003. The bus ferried guests to and from the airport and then took them on an excursion into the dry-dock to see Queen Mary 2.
An on board Conductor processed tickets giving the destination as 'QM2'. It was perhaps then we realised just how big she is....
About Queen Mary 2
Christened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004, Cunard Line’s flagship Queen Mary 2 defines luxury travel for the 21st Century and continues an almost 175-year legacy of Transatlantic travel. Famous names who have experienced this iconic voyage since 2004 include President George H.W. Bush, Desmond Tutu, James Taylor, Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, Uma Thurman, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cleese and Angela Bassett.
About Cunard Line
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travellers who seek a civilised adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.
World’s Leading Cruise Lines
Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.
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