Ferry 'cross the Mersey with Cunard's Queen Anne

I'm sure you know and love (or hate!) Gerry Marsden's wonderful song 'Ferry 'cross the Mersey'. Released by Gerry and the Pacemakers all the way back in 1964 it's become one of those songs etched in peoples memories, evoking a time and a place and telling the story of the Mersey ferries criss -crossing fthe Mersey on a daily basis.

The Mersey Ferries explorer cruise is a great way to spend an afternoon , particularly for photographers, as it skirts both sides of the river offering great views (and shots!) of the iconic Liverpool skyline on one side and everything from beaches to shipbuilders, towns and ferry ports on the other. On a sunny day it is the most relaxing way to pass an hour with your family and friends (that's you Jan and Nick!) and there's a bar and food on board!

In addition to the explorer cruises during the year Mersey Ferries run a variety of themed cruises from Eurovision to birdwatching, disco to photography. In 2024 we took the Liverpool Bay cruise - three hours out into the bay with commentary and live music from a shanty band. We loved it - the views in the sunshine were perfect and that moment when the ferry turned around out in the bay and you realised how far you had travelled was breathtaking. Warm sun on the way out, freezing cold wind on the way back, great views, good company and an arrival back into Liverpool with another great song - The Leaving of Liverpool.

Crosby beach and the statues, Seaforth docks, Evertons new stadium, wind turbines, New Brighton, birds, seals, a shipwreck and even a dolphin! It was great! Although for us the weather was good, but apparently the previous cruise had been in torrential rain and wind and everyone including the band was instructed to remain seated for the full 3 hours! Think we were lucky!

In the past they have run special cruises to view other big ships arriving at Liverpool - Prince of Wales, QE2, Queen Anne on her naming ceremony and more. Due to commitments - work and otherwise - we have never been able to take one so imagine our delight when in May 2025 the stars aligned!

Cunard's newest ship the Queen Anne (which had had her naming ceremony in Liverpool the previous year and guess what? we were busy!) was due to arrive in the port to celebrate Cunard's 183rd birthday and we were free! The weather had been glorious for weeks, the Queen Anne is a beautiful ship and we got to sail along the river at night. Wonderful!

Now we all know life has a habit of throwing obstacles into your plans and sadly obstacle number 1 was a city tragedy taking place the day before at the celebrations for Liverpool winning the league. The Queen Anne celebrations were scaled down a little in respect, but we still witnessed the arrival of Princess Anne complete with a band accompaniment although she didn't hang around long walking quickly up the gang plant thanks to obstacle number 2 - the weather!

After weeks of hot, sunny, blue skies the weather that day was dark, windy, cold and very, very wet. The perfect night to sail the Mersey. Thankfully despite getting a soaking throughout the day the evening started off dry.

The cruise was supposed to be to view the boat and accompany her as she left Liverpool at 8 that night, but here comes obstacle number 3...for some reason (possibly the tides) the departure time was changed to midnight. Our cruise now became a 3 hour relay race going up and down the Mersey.

This actually wasn't any problem at all. The views changed almost every minute thanks to some very erratic weather - fog, rain, sunshine - we had everything! And of course as the sun began to set the views of both sides of the river were like a photographers dream! We both had our cameras and spent the whole time taking hundreds of photos.

But the best bit? After the sun had gone down the ferry turned and the lights on the Queen Anne had been turned on. Magical, beautiful it is hard to describe just how amazing it was. Dark skies, the glow of the ship and the iconic liverpool buildings behind it. Well worth the wait!

The last obstacle of the day? How to fit a 113,000 tonne ship with 3000 guests (many who were out on their balconies waving as we passed for about the hundredth time!) in your shot or video, but think we managed OK do you?