GREENOCK, Scotland, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- The RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 arrived in Greenock, Scotland, to mark the 40th birthday of the massive ocean liner before continuing to England.
The ship, which was originally launched from nearby Clydebank on Sept. 20, 1967, was met with music and a gathered crowd as it arrived Thursday in Greenock as part of its eight-day anniversary British tour, The Scotsman reported Friday.
The ship then continued on to Liverpool, England, where it was met by a crowd of thousands, including the Duke of Kent, the BBC reported Friday.
"Cunard was founded in Liverpool in 1839 and the city was home to our head office for nearly 130 years so it's always nice to come back home," said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line.
The 70,000 ton vessel, which is billed as one of the fastest and most powerful passenger liners in the world, has sailed more than 5.6 million nautical miles in its 40-year career, The Scotsman said.
The QE2 is scheduled to be retired and refitted into a hotel and entertainment venue next year in Dubai.
