On the 4th February 2012 the newest ocean liner in the Cunard fleet, Queen Elizabeth, will bring a maiden visit to San Francisco – her only inaugural visit to a U.S. city this year.

The Queen Elizabeth is currently on a 107-day world cruise. When arriving in San Francisco, at between 5.30am and 6.00am on the 4th February, she will dock at Pier 35. For those of us who are not familiar with the port, that is on the city’s renowned Embarcadero.

The President of Cunard Line, Peter Shanks, said “We are very pleased to introduce our newest Cunarder to Bay Area residents who have historically extended a gracious welcome to our fleet of Queens.”

He added that San Francisco’s iconic landmarks, warm hospitality and world-class culture and dining were always popular among Cunard’s well-travelled passengers.

After Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth is the biggest cruise liner in the Cunard fleet. She was named in October 2010 by Her Majesty The Queen.

Cunard’s long standing relationship with the British Royal Family can be seen throughout the ship – including a portrait of the Queen that was specially commissioned by Cunard.

While this will be the first time that Queen Elizabeth docks at San Francisco, the city has seen many Cunard ships over the years. In 1942 the original Queen Elizabeth underwent a refit in the dry dock at San Francisco port and in 1978 the city was also visited by Queen Elizabeth 2. After that she visited the port a dozen times more. Later Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria also visited San Francisco.