(No, not Mardi Gras – through we’re pretty excited about that too!)

On February 22nd, the two ocean liners the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth will meet in Sydney. The grand dame Mary will meet the younger Elizabeth (on her maiden voyage) outside Sydney Heads, and lead her into the Harbour. They’re meeting before 5:30am, and are expected to sail past Fort Denison at around 6:30am, before berthing at Circular Quay and Garden Island.

Both ships will leave Sydney the following day, so you get a chance to see them coming and/or going!

Good spots for a view include:

• Bradley’s Head – click here for a map
• Kirribilli Point – click here for a map
• Mrs Macquarie Point – click here for a map

The schedule for the two days of the “Royal Rendezvous” is:

• Tuesday, February  22
  5:30 am (approx) Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 meet off Sydney Heads.
  6:30 am (approx) Ships to sail past each other, either side of Fort Denison. Whistle salute from Queen Mary 2.
  7am  (approx) Queen Elizabeth berths at Circular Quay and Queen Mary 2 berths at Garden Island Naval Base.
• Wednesday, February 23
  Noon: Queen Elizabeth departs Circular Quay. Whistle salute as she sails by Queen Mary 2
  5 pm : Queen Mary 2 departs Garden island Naval Base

Sydney Ferries are running a dawn cruise to meet the Queens as they sail into the Harbour. See www.sydneyferries.info for more information and tickets.