One of the most enduring images from the history of cruising is the late Queen Elizabeth II christening her namesake ship – built on home soil in Clydebank, Scotland – on September 20,1967 (pictured). The ship cost around $39m and went on to transport troops to the Falkland Islands during the Falklands War in 1982. The QE2 traveled more than six million miles and carried more than 2.5 million passengers before being retired in 2008.

Liked this? Click the Like button above. And click the Follow button above for more great stories from loveEXPLORING

Now read about the beloved cruise ships that will never set sail again

Amazing vintage images of cruising in the 19th and 20th centuries