The Queen Mary 2, the largest passenger ship ever to cross under the Golden Gate, arrives in a parade of boats into San Francisco Bay on its around-the-world cruise. Although the bridge is 220 feet over the water at midspan, there was only 12 feet of clearance as she went through! With a length of over 1,100 feet it is a little shorter than the Empire State Building. The price for this 81-day cruise ranges from $20,000 to $185,000...per person.

The Golden Gate's foghorn welcomed its approach and the QM2 sounded back in return. The ship's captain remarked this has been the warmest greeting thus far. This impressive oceanliner and spectacular backdrop marveled all those present. The many thousands who witnessed this special event departed through total gridlock in the Presidio and Crissy Field (including this photographer).