When you are standing on a wharf at the water’s edge and the 90,900 ton Queen Elizabeth blows its horn, your teeth rattle. You can feel it deep in your being. So begins the excitement of Halifax harbor.

Summer of 2019 brought us to Nova Scotia to trace our Acadien roots and Halifax was not on the radar. Yet having Canadian friends who drove from Ontario to show us the sights of Halifax we were excited. Not having seen them in over six months, we were ready for visiting and touring.

One of the highlights of their tour was Halifax Harbor and the meeting of Cunard Line flagship, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth. The liners rarely meet and this was the first meeting in Halifax Harbor. After having berthed end to end at Pier 21, on July 26, 2019 at 6 p.m. there was a special sail away. The Halifax Harbor mascot Theodore Tugboat escorted the liners and an Irving tug gave a water cannon salute.

The two queens looped the main part of the harbor before sailing away. The event honored the connection between Sir Samuel Cunard, founder of Cunard Line, and Halifax, birthplace of Sir Cunard. 

Watching the two majestic liners looping Halifax Harbor brought chills. It was a sight to see and one even better shared with dear friends.