The Queen Elizabeth.
Dunedin will have a royal visitor when
Queen
Elizabeth arrives at Port Chalmers this morning.
The luxury cruise ship, complete with 2000 passengers and 900
crew, will be making its inaugural visit to the city before
heading to Australia as part of her second world voyage.
"The Queen Elizabeth is an iconic ship and we are
delighted to host this head-turning vessel," Tourism Dunedin
chief executive Hamish Saxton said.
"I am certain Dunedin will put on the usual red-carpet
treatment for passengers and we will see the Queen
Elizabeth return."
In October 2010, the vessel joined the Cunard fleet, which
has a long-term relationship with the Royal Family, and
features a commissioned picture of Queen Elizabeth.
The visit by Queen Elizabeth comes ahead of next year's
circumnavigation of New Zealand by its sister ship and
Cunard's flagship vessel, Queen Mary 2.
Although not scheduled to visit Dunedin, Queen Mary 2 will
make its maiden visit to Christchurch.
Queen Elizabeth features 700 private balcony suites, 22
restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs, two swimming pools, more
than 6000 books in its library, a two-storey ballroom, an
800-guest theatre and a 450sq m grand suite.
Each day the more than 2000 guests consume 950 bottles of
wine and Champagne and 4100 eggs, and use more than 2600 tea
bags.
The best vantage points to view the liner's arrival are
Aramoana Rd, the Otago Peninsula near Harington, Flagstaff
lookout or at the Scott memorial, Port Chalmers.
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