The Day History Was Made: Queen Mary 2’s FIRST Panama Canal Transit

It’s the moment maritime enthusiasts have waited decades to see. For the first time in her storied career, Cunard’s flagship, the Queen Mary 2, has officially transited the Panama Canal. As the only true ocean liner left in service, her dimensions and deep draft have long made this a complex logistical challenge, until now.

In this video, we go on board thanks to Dr. Stephen Payne, and witness this historic passage under the Bridge of the America's!

How the 149,215 gross tons liner navigated the Neo-Panamax locks.
The incredible clearance (or lack thereof) under the Bridge of the Americas.
Why this transit marks a new chapter for Cunard’s world voyages.

Support My Work
If you enjoyed this deep dive, you can support the channel by picking up a copy of my new book, The Evolution of the Passenger Ship, available now at all good bookshops. It traces the history of these vessels from early sail to the modern era.

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Imagery References:
Dr Stephen Payne OBE
CC BY - By Portzer - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...

Tags: #QueenMary2 #Cunard #PanamaCanal #MaritimeHistory #OceanLiner #ShipSpotting