Queen Mary 2 Makes Its West Coast Debut

  

SAN PEDRO -- L.A.'s port is getting an audience with the queen--the Queen Mary Two, that is.

The world's largest cruise ship at 1,132 feet -- also billed as the most luxurious -- arrived in the outer harbor early this morning, then back down the channel to Berth 87.

The unusual arrival method was needed because the QM2 is too large to navigate under the Vincent Thomas Bridge.

Free parking is available near First Street and Harbor Boulevard, according to Rachel Campbell of the port.

The QM2 will be on public display, while taking on passengers for a short trip off the coast.

The 2,620-passenger ship is scheduled to depart about 7:30 p.m. tonight, then make a noontime call on the Port of Long Beach tomorrow, where the original Queen Mary has been moored since 1967.

Both ships will blow their horns, a squadron of sky-writing planes will spell out "Welcome Queen Mary 2" and a three parachuters will drop from the sky.

Pleasure boaters were warned to stay at least 1,000 feet from the cruise ship.

After another short trip, the QM2 is due back at Berth 87 at the Port of Los Angeles around 4 a.m. Saturday.

It will be on display all day Saturday and, starting about 3 p.m., will be escorted out to sea in grand style by a fireboat, its water canons shooting into the air.

The QM2 is scheduled to return to Los Angeles March 8 and spend the day in port. The visit is the first by the ship since it was launched in 2004.

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