Did She Fit? Queen Mary 2 Makes First Historic Panama Canal Transit

9,326 views · 393 likes · 54 comments · Jan 26, 2026 · 4:03 · Long
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It’s the moment maritime enthusiasts have waited decades to see. For the first time in her storied career, Cunard’s flagship, the Queen Mary 2, has officially transited the Panama Canal. As the only true ocean liner left in service, her dimensions and deep draft have long made this a complex logistical challenge, until now. In this video, we go on board thanks to Dr. Stephen Payne, and witness this historic passage under the Bridge of the America's! How the 149,215 gross tons liner navigated the Neo-Panamax locks. The incredible clearance (or lack thereof) under the Bridge of the Americas. Why this transit marks a new chapter for Cunard’s world voyages. Support My Work If you enjoyed this deep dive, you can support the channel by picking up a copy of my new book, The Evolution of the Passenger Ship, available now at all good bookshops. It traces the history of these vessels from early sail to the modern era. 📚 Read my books: https://www.frameandcross.com/books 👕 Browse cruise merch: https://themaritimehistorian.teemill.com/ 🎶 Listen to The Expert Cruise Show: https://theexpertcruiseshow.com/ 🛳️ Explore Maritime History at my Substack: https://themaritimehistorian.substack.com/ 🚢 My Cunard History Website: https://www.chriscunard.com/ 🛳️ My Cruise News Blog: https://chrisframeofficial.com/ Imagery References: Dr Stephen Payne OBE CC BY - By Portzer - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66696520 Tags: #QueenMary2 #Cunard #PanamaCanal #MaritimeHistory #OceanLiner #ShipSpotting

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