Three Queens are coming to Liverpool - Best places to see the ships
Find out what time the Cunard liners will be arriving each day, where they will be positioned and where to get the best view
Cunard's Three Queens - the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 - visit Liverpool between May 24-26 2015 for the 175th anniversary of the famous cruise line. The River Mersey will host a fantastic water ballet by the iconic cruise ships as part of the 175 years celebrations with thousands of people expected for what will be a historic event honouring the birth of Cunard in Liverpool. The Three Queens visit is part of the Mersey River Festival.
Spectators watch Cunard's Three Queens sail in formation from Southampton at the start of the line's 175th anniversary celebrations. Photos by Stefan Venter UPix/Cunard
Cunard’s Three Queens sail into the Liverpool over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend and thousands are expected to turn out for the royal visitors.
The Queen Mary 2 will be the first to arrive on Sunday, followed by the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria on Bank Holiday Monday.
If you want to catch a glimpse of the action take a look through our guide to the best vantage points to make sure you don’t miss out. Remember, Bank Holiday Monday is the only day you can see all three ships together.
Sunday, May 24
7am-7.30pm: Get up early to catch the first glimpse of the Queen Mary 2 as she makes her way past our Formby beach and then Crosby beach and New Brighton.
Where to watch: You will get decent views from all beaches and either side of the river as she continues her journey to the city centre.
Beautiful Formby Beach
Cruise liner Prinsendam seen leaving Merseyside from Crosby beach last summer
9am onwards: Queen Mary 2 arrives and berths at Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal, where she will remain until Monday morning.
Where to watch: Pop down to take pictures throughout the day, but bear in mind plenty of other people will probably have the same idea so it could be crowded. Alternatively, take a look from Birkenhead, where you will get a beautiful view of the liner and Liverpool’s historic waterfront.
Liverpool seen from Birkenhead
Bank Holiday Monday, May 25
10.45am: Queen Mary 2 leaves Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal to greet her sisters Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria in the mouth of the Mersey.
Where to watch: Enjoy views from either side of the river, or from Crosby or New Brighton beaches.
Plenty of space to watch the action from New Brighton beach
12pm to 2pm: The Three Queens sail in formation towards the Liverpool Echo Arena, before turning 180 degrees to face north. Further manoeuvres are expected if the weather is fine.
Where to watch: The best views will be along the river bank outside the arena, but expect it to be very crowded. Avoid the densest crowds by standing further away, either towards Liverpool Marina or the Pier Head. You’ll also get brilliant views from the Wirral, down by Woodside Birkenhead Ferry Terminal, but this is also likely to be busy so get there early to secure a decent viewing spot.
The Three Queens will sail towards the arena
2pm to 2.15pm: Time to say goodbye to Queen Mary 2 leaves the city, while Queen Elizabeth berths at the Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal and Queen Victoria anchors in the middle of the Mersey. The two liners will remain in this position for the rest of the day.
Where to watch: Wander along the Liverpool waterfront up to the cruise terminal, to get a decent view of the liners. Or head down to the area by the Woodside Birkenhead Ferry Terminal to see them from the Wirral side.
Crowds visit the ships at Liverpool Cruise Terminal during the Battle of the Atlantic commemorations in 2013
10.30pm: A firework display will begin at 10.30pm, after which Queen Elizabeth will leave the city. As she sails away, Queen Victoria takes her place at the Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal where she will remain throughout the night and much of the following day.
Where to watch: Catch a late-night glimpse of Queen Elizabeth as she sails away under the stars, from either side of the river, or at either Crosby or New Brighton beaches. Head down to cruise terminal to see Queen Victoria or take a look from the Wirral side for a beautiful view of her in front of the Three Graces.
The Crown Princess cruise liner in front of the Liver Building during a visit to the city last year
Tuesday, May 26
5pm: Following a special musical performance to say farewell to Queen Victoria (beginning at 4.30pm), she will be the last of the Three Queens to leave the city.
Where to watch: Wave her off from the Liverpool Cruise Terminal - if you can get close enough - or stand a little further away along Princes Parade to avoid the heaviest crowds. You will also get great views from the Wirral side, right the way up to New Brighton beach. Catch the last sight of her from Crosby beach, before she sails off on her next journey.
Crowds wave as Queen Victoria leaves Liverpool following her 2014 visit
Five other places to watch the ships from:
Mersey Ferries
Merseytravel ferry Snowdrop passes Stanlow refinery at Ellesmere Port on the Manchester Ship Canal cruise heading towards Liverpool.
Get a view of the liners from the water on one of Mersey Ferries special viewing cruises. The company is running various cruises over the three day festival, but be quick as tickets are selling fast. For details of all the cruises visit www.merseyferries.co.uk.
Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0151 3301444.
The Wheel of Liverpool
Views from the Liverpool Wheel near the Echo Arena
At 196ft (60m) above the ground you will get a decent view of the river from here. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is £25.
Click here to book in advance for the Liverpool Wheel.
Panoramic 34
View from the Panoramic
The bar and restaurant in Liverpool’s West Tower is the perfect place to watch the Three Queens sail in as you sip cocktails in style. As a result it’s already fully booked on Sunday and Monday. But, at the time of publication, they do still have availability for the Tuesday, so try and bag a table to see Queen Victoria sail away at 5pm.
St John’s Beacon
St John's Beacon
The Radio City Tower provides great views of the river at 450ft above the ground.
Tickets are £5 and viewing slots are available throughout the weekend.
Book now as they are selling fast. http://www.radiocity-offers.co.uk/cunards-three-queens
Birkenhead Priory
The view of the River Mersey and Liverpool Waterfront from Birkenhead Priory
For the best aerial viewing point in Wirral get tickets to head up St Mary’s Tower at Birkenhead Priory. Trips up the tower will run from 10.30am to 4pm, in half hourly slots, on Saturday - ahead of the Three Queens’ visit - and again on the Sunday and Monday while the ships are in. Tickets are priced between £3 and £5 depending on your time of visit and can be bought directly from the information desk ahead of the weekend.
The Museum of Liverpool
On Sunday 24th May from 8pm to 11pm the National Museums Liverpool is offering this exclusive opportunity for you to witness the Amazing Graces show from the breathtaking 30 foot high window in the Museum of Liverpool. This great vantage point will offer guests the chance to enjoy the celebration whatever the weather - with the added luxury of a sparkling drinks reception.
For the duration of the evening, the facades of the iconic buildings at the Pier Head will become an animated backdrop to tell a story unlike any other before. Featuring a 'Sea of Faces' of the people that make up a rich cultural heritage, the spirit of Liverpool along with scenes from Cunard’s vast history will combine to create a tantalising tale with a triumphant firework display.
The evening starts at 8pm when you will be greeted with a welcome drink and canapés before taking your place at the window to watch the magnificent show, and will come to an explosive end at 11pm as the fireworks light up the skyline. The package includes 2 complimentary drinks per guest, a selection of canapés throughout the evening and access to a full cash bar. Restricted numbers apply to ensure premium viewing.
Tickets cost £60.50 each (including booking fee) plus £2.25 handling fee per order.
For further details call 0151 478 4780.
Wherever you go to enjoy this amazing celebration, please take photos and send them in to Form Bubble and we will show all the photos on our website.
Send photos to: info@formbybubble.com
Story and Photos Source: Liverpool Echo