On 11 January 2025, Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2 was officially affiliated with the RN aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth at a special ceremony onboard the liner in Southampton. The event cemented a 170-year legacy of the two organisations supporting each other in peace and war.
Then, on 26 January, the Princess Cruises vessel Sapphire Princess met up with the RN ice patrol ship HMS Protector when they were both at anchor in Punta Arenas, Chile. The vessels exchanged greetings and ship's plaques.
Lt. Commander RN Phil Boak onboard his vessel HMS Protector, holding the plaque of the Sapphire Princess (seen in the background). Image: Courtesy of Captain Todd McBain of the Sapphire Princess
Compare the friend-ships
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RMS QUEEN MARY 2 Type: Passenger ocean liner Displacement: 79,287 tonnes Length: 345m Crew: 1,250 Passengers: 2,695 |
QUEEN ELIZABETH Type: Aircraft carrier Displacement: 80,600 tonnes Length: 284m Crew: 650 Total capacity for personnel: 1,600+ |
SAPPHIRE PRINCESS Type: Cruise ship
Length: 290m Crew: 1,100 Passengers: 2,670 |
HMS PROTECTOR Type: Research ship/icebreaker Displacement: 5,000 tonnes Length: 89m Crew: 88 Total capacity for personnel: 100 |
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