Queen Mary 2 Makes Historic Canal Debut

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

  • Queen Mary 2 used the new locks for her first ever Panama Canal transit.
  • The ship is en route to Los Angeles to meet the original Queen Mary.
  • Guests enjoyed an overnight stay within the canal system at Cocoli Mooring Station.
  • Future transits are scheduled for Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne, and Queen Victoria.

Cunard Line’s flagship ocean liner, the majestic Queen Mary 2, has successfully completed a historic first transit through the Panama Canal, marking a significant highlight of her 2026 World Voyage. Guests aboard the vessel witnessed a rare maritime spectacle as the ship navigated the canal’s expanded locks over the weekend of January 24 and 25. This passage is particularly special because the Queen Mary 2 was originally too large for the old locks, making this journey possible only through the canal’s modern engineering advancements.

Queen Mary 2 completed her transit through the new locks of the Panama Canal for the first time this weekend.

After spending a night at the Cocoli Mooring Station, the ship sailed beneath the iconic Bridge of the Americas, continuing a 108-night journey that encompasses destinations from Cape Town to Hong Kong. The excitement continues as the vessel heads toward Los Angeles, where she is scheduled to arrive on February 2. This arrival will be a nostalgic event, as it marks the ship’s return to Southern California after seventeen years and features a long-awaited reunion with her legendary predecessor, the original Queen Mary, which is permanently docked in Long Beach.

Cunard President Katie McAlister praised the transit as an extraordinary milestone that enhances the guest experience with unique and meaningful memories. Travelers inspired by this feat can look forward to future opportunities, as the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne, and Queen Victoria are all scheduled to make their own transits through the Panama Canal in late 2026 and early 2027. This event underscores Cunard’s enduring legacy of pioneering luxury travel and connecting the world’s most fascinating destinations in grand style.

The “Royal Reunion” Schedule

Date: Monday, February 2, 2026

  • The Arrival (The Best Photo Op):
    • Pacific Time (Local): Approx. 5:30 AM – 6:30 AM
    • Your Time (Florida): 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
    • What to expect: This is typically when the “Royal Rendezvous” happens. The Queen Mary 2 will enter the breakwater. While she docks in San Pedro and the original Queen Mary is in Long Beach, the ships are visible to one another. This is when the famous “Whistle Exchange” (where they blast their massive horns at each other) usually occurs.
  • The Departure (The Sail Away):
    • Pacific Time (Local): Approx. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    • Your Time (Florida): 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    • What to expect: If you miss the morning arrival, the departure is often more majestic as the ship is fully lit up.

How to Watch from Florida

Since you won’t be there in person, your best bet is to tune into the live harbor webcams.

  1. PTZtv (Port of Los Angeles Webcam): This usually offers the best angle of the cruise terminal in San Pedro.
  2. The Queen Mary Webcam: The hotel in Long Beach has its own cameras that might catch the QM2 entering the harbor.