The luxurious Queen Elizabeth cruise liner is making her second visit to Liverpool next week.
The vessel – described as the Pride of Cunard – will arrive in the city at 5am on Friday 3 August and plans are in place to give the 2,000 passengers a warmLiverpool welcome.
For the first time, the new baggage handling facility and the immediate surrounding area at the Pier Head will play host to 30 arts and craft stalls, a small children’s fairground, a food court, ‘make and take’ creative areas, a ukulele performance and shanty songs
Liverpool’s Town Crier, Terry Stubbings, will also be on-hand to give younger visitors lessons on how to make the most of their vocal chords and literally shout about how great Liverpoolis! The competition will start at 2pm for under 11s. First prize for junior town crier will be a family ticket on City Sightseeing bus.
Shiverpool will also put on a free theatre performance with a special Auld City theme exploring Liverpool’s original seven streets.
Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “Whenever a cruise liner sails intoLiverpoolit always attracts huge crowds and so for the visit of the majestic Queen Elizabeth, we wanted to encourage spectators and passengers from the ship to spend as much time as possible on our World Heritage Waterfront.
“This is the first time a Cunard liner has visited the city during the school holidays, so we’re expecting a great turnout to welcome the vessel, and with the added element of the entertainment we’re providing it really is a great day out for all the family.”
The arts and craft fair will run from midday to 8pm, with the three fairground rides and food outlets opening from around 10am.
The Queen Elizabeth, or QE as she is affectionately known, is Cunard’s newest ship and has only been sailing the seas since October 2010. The liner will sail out of the city at 10pm.
Please note – Fireworks are arranged by Cruise Lines for inaugural visits and commemorative dates. – As this is the QE’s second visit to Liverpool Cruise Terminal there will be no fireworks display to mark the ship’s departure.
