A GORLESTON couple are on the trip of a lifetime - and one that can never be repeated.Maureen and Michael Harvey are currently aboard the last voyage of the world famous Cunard ship, the QE2.

A GORLESTON couple are on the trip of a lifetime - and one that can never be repeated.

Maureen and Michael Harvey are currently aboard the last voyage of the world famous Cunard ship, the QE2.

The ship, launched by the Queen just over 40 years ago, has been sold to Dubai to become a floating hotel - something which previously happened to the original Queen Mary, which is now such in Long Beach, USA.

The Harveys said that shortly before the send-off from Southampton, the Duke of Edinburgh had made a nostalgic unscheduled visit to the ship and as it was Remembrance Day, one million poppies were dropped over the ship.

Mr Harvey said: “The send-off was impressive. Two military bands played in the embarkation hall and an orchestra welcomed passengers aboard the ship itself. As the ship left the Southampton quayside for the last time one played Rule Britannia, with passengers furiously waving Union Flags.”

During the cruise the crew has pulled out all the stops to make the voyage memorable, and entertainment extra-vaganzas seem to be the order of the day.

Mr Harvey added: “Cruising the Mediterranean, the QE2 has been having last calls at ports such as Lisbon, Gibraltar, Naples, Malta and Alexandria, and invariably there have been other amazing send-offs. The ship is scheduled to traverse though the Suez Canal before proceeding on the last leg of this voyage to Dubai.”

One of the highlights of the trip for the Harveys has been a visit to St Peter's Square in Rome to see an appearance by the Pope to a crowd of thousands.

Mr and Mrs Harvey used to be involved in the running of Olivettes Wool Shops before Mr Harvey became a professor at a number of London universities. They are great cruising fans and were on the maiden voyages of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria.

They have given many talks about these trips to numerous organisations and have collected more than £296 in donations for the East Coast Palliative Care Appeal. They hope to add their experiences on the final voyage of the QE2 to their list of talks.