Final year: Two cruise ship monarchs sail into the sunset in 2008

On a Tuesday afternoon in November of 2008, the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 will slip out of Southampton's harbor bound for Dubai and an indelible role in maritime history.

It will be the 40-year-old Cunard ship's last cruise, capping a career that has seen this regal vessel cross the Atlantic more than 800 times, make more than 25 world cruises, carry troops to the Falkland Islands, survive bomb threats and rogue waves, and win the hearts of millions of passengers.

The QE2's final sailing will come about the same time that another celebrated vessel makes its last run. The 81-year-old Delta Queen, a revered fixture on the rivers of America's heartland, also will sail into oblivion in November of 2008.....