Which Cunard ocean liner entered service in 1969 and was later known as QE2?

Queen Elizabeth 2 entered service in 1969 and was later known as QE2.

The ship was built by John Brown and Company at Clydebank in Scotland for Cunard Line. It was launched in 1967 and began its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in May 1969. Cunard generally styled the name as Queen Elizabeth 2, while QE2 became the familiar shortened form.

Queen Elizabeth 2 was designed during the transition from ocean liners to jet aviation. Its steam turbines allowed it to operate as a fast transatlantic liner, but its flexible design also supported cruises. After regular liner service declined, the ship spent much of its career on cruise itineraries.

QE2 served Cunard for nearly forty years and was retired in 2008. It is separate from Queen Mary 2, which entered service in 2004 and continues the modern tradition of scheduled North Atlantic crossings.