Queen Elizabeth Receives Celebratory Welcome for LA Maiden Call

[mercedes]

Continuing on her inaugural Maiden World Voyage, Cunard Line's newest ship, Queen Elizabeth, made her first visit to the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, Calif. yesterday. The luxury cruise liner is coming off the heels of the historic Cunard Royal Rendezvous that occurred in New York City two weeks ago, when all three of Cunard's Queens met for only the second time in that city in the Line's 171-year history. Welcoming Queen Elizabeth to the City of Angels was Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn along with other local dignitaries, travel agents, media and loyal Cunard guests.

"The City of Los Angeles is honored to welcome Queen Elizabeth for her maiden call to one of the busiest ports on the West Coast," said Councilwoman Hahn. "The cruise industry is a major economic force in our city, generating local jobs and revenue. We look forward to welcoming Queen Elizabeth's sister ship, Queen Victoria, who will make four additional calls to the Port of Los Angeles this year."

"We are delighted by the warm welcome we received today by the Port of Los Angeles here in San Pedro," said Captain Julian Burgess, Master of Queen Elizabeth. "We look forward to continuing these grand celebrations as our newest Queen continues her inaugural calls on her Maiden World Voyage."

Also welcoming Queen Elizabeth to the City of Angels was British Consul-General Dame Barbara Hay, Everette Hoard of the Steamship Historical Society, Dr. Scott Gray, President, San Pedro Convention & Visitors Bureau, and James Callahan, President and CEO of Metro Ports. Additionally, bidding the new ship "bon voyage" were members of the Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band, which is a competitive Grade One pipe band based in Orange County, Calif.

Upon departing Los Angeles, Queen Elizabeth continues her Maiden World Voyage as she sails to Hawaii and then across the Pacific to New Zealand. Following this voyage, Queen Elizabeth will spend the remainder of the year in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, calling on exotic and unique ports such as the Norwegian Fjords, St. Petersburg, the Holy Land and Canary Islands.

The Port of Los Angeles will welcome today Queen Elizabeth's sister ship, Queen Victoria, who will call on the port four times over the next few weeks (30 January, 13 February, 17 February and 3 March), as she continues her debut Americas season. On these series of voyages, Queen Victoria will traverse between the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts via the Panama Canal, and include two roundtrip voyages from Los Angeles to Hawaii, and sail a brief Getaway voyage to Mexico.