QE2 - The Flagship

[Hank Hargrove]

Flagship status is normally given to the newest and largest fleet member so it was inevitable that QM2 would be made the flagship. (While newer ships did join the Cunard fleet inbetween QE2 and QM2 none of them were of the same status as QE2 and none of them were designed or ordered by Cunard so none of them were made flagship). QM2 entered service in Januray 2004 but we made her wait until April 2004 (when she had completed her first westbound and eastbound North Atlantic crossings) before we bestowed flagship status and we symbolised this with the transfer of the Boston Cup. QE2 is the longest serving Cunard flagship ever.

Previous flagships have been:

Lusitania (1907)
Mauretania (1907 - 1914)
Aquitania (1914 - 1921)
Berengaria (1921 - 1936)
Queen Mary (1936 - 1946)
Queen Elizabeth (1946 - 1968)
QE2 (1969 - 2004)
QM2 (2004 -      )

The whistle salutes do not differ whether the ship is flagship or not and no special flag is flown. One day the Boston Cup will transfer to the next Cunard flagship. The number os whistles sounded etc is generally down to the Captain and noone liked using the whistle more than Ian McNaught!

I can think of one exception: P&O's Oriana is the flagship, despite being the oldest and smallest member of the fleet. If I remember correctly she is still the flagship.

[Michael Gallagher]

Losing Flagship status is a natural progression. Sad for the ship but an inevitable process. As long as the record / legacy you've left behind is a great one then I suppose losing Flagship status is bearable!

And, yes, Oriana is still considered flagship of P&O.

[Lynda Bradford]

Good to know that QE2 was Cunard's longest serving flagship (1969-2004).  I was surprised to learn that the Queen Elizabeth was the flagship 1946 to 1968, also a long time to hold this honour. 

[June Ingram]

Our beloved QE2 does indeed have a great legacy in having been flagship for such a wonderfully long period of time !

[Adam Hodson]

Yes I agree, she has set many records for Cunard. 

[Hank Hargrove]

Losing Flagship status is a natural progression. Sad for the ship but an inevitable process. As long as the record / legacy you've left behind is a great one then I suppose losing Flagship status is bearable!

And, yes, Oriana is still considered flagship of P&O.

Will Oriana continue to be flagship after Britannia arrives? I personally can't see why not considering none of the newest ships took the role. Maybe it had to do with the fact she is currently the fastest P&O ship.

[Adam Hodson]

Will Oriana continue to be flagship after Britannia arrives? I personally can't see why not considering none of the newest ships took the role. Maybe it had to do with the fact she is currently the fastest P&O ship.

I suppose we will have to wait and see.

[Twynkle]

It was definately 1 May 2004. One of the saddest days.

The tenth anniversary took place last week.
QE2 has been subjected to three really very sad occasions - the first on 1st May 2004, the second - when Cunard chose to sell her, the third must have been, for her passengers and crew, her arrival in Port Rashid.
Not only have people smiled in wonder when they saw QE2, they also expressed great sadness as they left her behind...
She still remains one of the world's most important vessels.
To her owner, when you read this, please, please make wishes come true and allow her to return to the seaside in the UK. She needs to be earning her keep - and it seems a little strange that you are not able to allow others to appreciate what she is, as well as what she represents.

[June Ingram]

The tenth anniversary took place last week.
QE2 has been subjected to three really very sad occasions - the first on 1st May 2004, the second - when Cunard chose to sell her, the third must have been, for her passengers and crew, her arrival in Port Rashid.
Not only have people smiled in wonder when they saw QE2, they also expressed great sadness as they left her behind...
She still remains one of the world's most important vessels.
To her owner, when you read this, please, please make wishes come true and allow her to return to the seaside in the UK. She needs to be earning her keep - and it seems a little strange that you are not able to allow others to appreciate what she is, as well as what she represents.

Dear Rosie,

Thank you so much for writing what you have just expressed.  I could not agree more with what you have written and I am sure all of us here would agree as well wholeheartedly !

I would add my voice to Rosie's and all of us and say to the current owners of our beloved QE2, please allow her to come home to the UK.  Please allow QE2 to be appreciated by others and represent to others the important ship that she is.  She is truly deserving of that.

June

[June Ingram]

We are coming up to 19 April and on that date in 2004, our beloved QE2 made her last departure from Southampton as Flagship of Cunard.  Perhaps this would be a good time to read again and see again the messages and videos regarding this momentous and sad event  of 1 May 2004 - QE2 relinquishing her Flagship status to QM2.  Keep in mind though that our QE2 held Flagship status longer than any other Cunard ship !

[cunardqueen]

   Keep in mind though that our QE2 held Flagship status longer than any other Cunard ship !   

For some she will always be the flagship, the others..well...

[June Ingram]

For some she will always be the flagship, the others..well...

Yes, Myles, you are so absolutely correct !

[Brandon Sterkel]

Why was flagship status passed over to QM2 in the first place?
I could have seen QE2 continue to be flagship until about 2007.

[June Ingram]

Hi Brandon - See Michael Gallagher's post in Reply # 1 in this topic.  June   

[Brandon Sterkel]

Hi Brandon - See Michael Gallagher's post in Reply # 1 in this topic.  June   

Thank you June!