Queen Mary 2 loses Panama Canal virginity
Queen Mary 2 has sailed through the Panama Canal for the first time.
The Cunard ocean liner’s passage through the canal, between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, was a milestone on the ship’s 108-night voyage around the world.
After passing through the Panama Canal, the ship headed to Los Angeles — the first visit in 17 years.
It is due to arrive in Sydney in a month’s time, on March 4, 2026.
A spokesperson for Cunard says: “Queen Mary 2’s Sydney visit marks the ship’s first stopover in the Harbour City since 2023.”
Queen Mary 2’s 2026 World Voyage began in Southampton on January 11, 2026, and will visit more than 30 ports of call.
QUEEN & CANAL
+ Queen Mary 2 is 345m long but has a draft of just 10m.
+ Its beam (width) is 41m on the waterline, 45m at the bridge wings.
+ The maximum beam for ships in the Panama Canal is 51.25m for the Neopanamax locks which opened in June 2018, and 32.31m for the original Panamax locks.
+ The maximum allowable length in the new locks is 366m.
+ QM2 displaces a massive 150,000 tonnes but has a top speed of 56km/h (30 knots).
+ The ship has a crew of 1253 for its 3090 passengers on 17 decks.
+ At the start of a voyage it might carry about 25,000kg of coffee.
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