Under a morning haze the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship pulled into Newcastle harbour.
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Christened by her namesake, Her Majesty The Queen in October 2010, the Queen Elizabeth is an impressive vessel. It is part of the Cunard Line fleet and arrived in port just before 8am on Thursday.
The cruise ship is due to depart at 6pm.
CRUISE SHIP IN NUMBERS
- Length: 294 m
- Capacity: 2,092 passengers lower beds, 2,547 maximum passengers
- Yard number: 6187
- Speed: 23.7 knots (43.9 km/h; 27.3 mph)
- Weight: 92,000 GT
Did you photograph the cruise ship? Send your photos to news@theherald.com.au
CRUISING INTO NEWCASTLE
In recent years, the Hunter has established itself as a regular stop for floating palaces.
Newcastle has become the doorway to the Hunter for travellers arriving by sea – but less than a decade ago, ships were lingering in Port Stephens rather than berthing in Newcastle itself.
The Celebrity Solstice’s first visit in 2014 was one for the ages, as the Herald reported at the time.
Then lord mayor Jeff McCloy donned his robes to welcome passengers into the region as onlookers flocked to the harbour’s edge.
‘‘It was bloody amazing,’’ Mr McCloy said at the time.
‘‘I couldn’t believe the amount of locals along the foreshore who came out to welcome the ship in, and I couldn’t believe the reception we got from the passengers.
‘‘I think I posed for about 300 photos with [passengers]. They were really delighted with the reception we gave them.
“I met people from all over the world who said they never got that sort of reception in Brisbane or in Sydney.’’
The warm welcome worked – Celebrity Solstice returned to the Hunter.
What are your best memories of cruise ships in the Hunter?