There's a royal visit planned for next week as Cruise Liverpool welcomes the Queen Mary 2

Returning for her first time since the spectacular Three Queens visit in 2015, Cunard’s Queen Mary is Liverpool bound.

Liverpool’s Cruise Terminal is preparing to curtsey when the Queen Mary 2 drops anchor on Tuesday 16th July. At 1,132ft the magnificent vessel is the largest in Cunard’s fleet and, indeed, the largest ocean liner ever built. The team at Cruise Liverpool are already preparing for her visit, just one of more than 80 cruise scheduled visits bringing around 165,000 staff, crew and visitors to the city, throughout the 2019 season.

Thousands lined both sides of the River Mersey during the Three Queens visit back in 2015 and Tuesday’s cruise call gives Cunard fans another chance to see this incredible ocean liner in all her regal glory.

The £19 million Liverpool Cruise terminal was created to allow vessels of 345 metres (1,132 ft) to visit the city without entering the closed dock system or berthing mid-river and tendering passengers to shore. We’ve enjoyed all manner of sail away parties and river side fun including visits from the Disney Ship and live music performances and there’s so much more to come this summer.

Here are 10 fascinating facts about the Queen Mary 2

1 – The Lone Queen

QM2 has served as the flagship of the Cunard Line since succeeding the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2004 and, as of this year, she is the only passenger ship operating as an ocean liner.

2 – Stars, Fairy Tales & Personal Bests

She was launched in 2004 at a cost of £550m, boasting the first Planetarium at sea, the largest library, ballroom, the largest and most extensive wine cellar at sea, and the longest jogging track!

3 – Making Waves

Her length – 1,132ft (345m) – is the equivalent of four football pitches or 41 buses.

4 – All Aboard

Queen Mary 2 can accommodate up to 3,090 passengers and 1,238 crew.

5 – She’s Got The Power

Her power plant produces enough electricity to light up half of Liverpool.

6 – The VIP Treatment

The Queen Mary 2 was also the first liner to have suites accessed by private lifts.

7 – Something For Everyone

Queen Mary 2’s facilities also include fifteen restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a casino and a theatre.

8 – Bon Voyage!

She was designed by a team of British naval architects led by Stephen Payne, and constructed in France by Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

9 – Rain Or Shine

Queen Mary 2’s state-of-the-art retractable glass roof means you can swim in the Pavilion Pool on Deck 12 come rain or shine.

10 – Thar She Blows

When QM2 sounds her whistle blows, it can be heard 10 miles away.

To find out more about what’s happening at Liverpool Cruise Terminal this summer and beyond, head to www.cruise-liverpool.com and follow @CruiseLpool on Twitter.

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