On Monday 13th February, Queen Mary 2 with 2600 passengers and 1250 crew will visit our shores between 8.30am and 5.00pm.
City of Busselton businesses are encouraged to take part in a ‘Nautical Queen Mary’ themed shop front dressing competition. This is a fantastic way to welcome and express your support for an estimated 2000 international cruise passengers enjoying your City for the day.
The best dressed window front will be judged by The City of Busselton Mayor, Grant Henley, on 13th February and will receive free membership to the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association (MRBTA) for one year valued at $470, and free membership to the Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) for one year valued at $325. To register your participation in this event or to sign up to our cruise ship information mailing list please go to www.ymrr.co/cruise
In addition to the ‘Nautical Queen Mary’ themed shop front competition, Busselton will welcome the Queen Mary II and its passengers with a team of dedicated ‘meet and greet’ volunteers, entertainment, markets, a free shuttle bus to and around town, and much more.
A cruise is a great way for visitors to get a taste of our region and our goal is to get as many passengers as possible to return at a later date for an extended stay. So together lets showcase the relaxed playful charm of Busselton to our guests.
Please click below to download and print a welcome poster (download below) and make the Queen Mary II’s inaugural visit to Busselton as memorable one. Any questions please pop into the Busselton Visitor Center or email [email protected].
About the Queen Mary 2
RMS Queen Mary 2 (also referred to as the QM2) is a transatlantic ocean liner. She is the only major ocean liner built for Cunard Line since Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1969, the vessel she succeeded as flagship of the Cunard Line.
The new ship was named Queen Mary 2 by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 after the first 1936 namesake ship RMS Queen Mary. Queen Mary was in turn named after Mary of Teck, consort of King George V. With the retirement of Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2008, Queen Mary 2 is the only transatlantic ocean liner in line service between Southampton and New York, which operates for part of each year. The ship is also used for cruising, including an annual world cruise.
MRBTA’s role with cruise ships
MRBTA works with our member businesses and the local community to help to ensure a memorable and seamless experience for passengers disembarking at Busselton. This includes recruitment, training and management of 70 cruise ship volunteers, the publication of a dedicated cruise map and the provision of temporary shelter and shade at the Foreshore.