ROCKLAND – The Queen Mary 2 slipped into Rockland waters in the early morning of Tuesday, Sept. 25, long before many locals awakened.

Her arrival marked an historic moment for the Midcoast, which had not, until today, seen her presence. 

Her size loomed neared the entrance to the Breakwater, and could be easily seen from Rockport Harbor, approximately six miles up the coast.

Hundreds of passengers disembarked Tuesday morning, via tender boats, under gray skies. Many boarded charter buses, none of which were left idling for long when in the Rockland Harbor parking area, for an extended viewing of the Midcoast area. Camden downtown was one of the destinations filled with cruise ship tourists.

Many more walked the sidewalks of Rockland Main Street, taking in the shops, the architecture, and the atmosphere.

Known as the only passenger ship operating as an ocean liner, Mary 2 was designed in 2003, is 1,131.99 ft,, was refitted in 2016 to be able to carry 2,695 passengers, has a maximum speed of just over 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) and a cruising speed of 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph), much faster than a contemporary cruise ship, according to Wikipedia. 

On Friday, Sept. 28, the 961 ft vessel Serenade will arrive with upwards of 2490 passengers.

Four other passenger vessels will follow in October:

01 October Star Pride: 212 Passengers, 440 ft.
11 October FRAM: 250 Passengers, 373 ft. 
17 October Pearl Mist: 210 Passengers, 290 ft.
19 October Serenade: 2490 Passengers, 961 ft.

24 October Pearl Mist. 210 passengers