BOSTON -- For a historic ship, Thursday will mark the end of an era as the Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner makes her final call to Boston.

The Cunard Line said the QE II, possibly one of the most famous vessels in the world, will sail into Boston during a final tour of Canada and New England. She will also visit Halifax, Nova Scotia, before bidding a final farewell to America in New York on Oct. 16.

Since her maiden call to Boston on Oct. 1, 1979, QE2 has made 50 calls to the city, including 21 overnight calls.

Since the royal naming by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1967, the QE2 has logged more than 5.6 million nautical miles (equivalent to traveling to the moon and back 13 times), carrying more than 2.5 million passengers, according to the Cunard Line.

With a top speed of 32.5 knots, QE2 is the fastest passenger ship in the world. She can sail backward faster than most cruise ships sail forward.

In 1982, she became the world's largest hospital ship when transporting injured troops during the Falklands War, the company said.

The QE2 has sailed more royalty than any other ship in service including HRH Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, Cunard Lines said.

During her 40 years in service, QE2 has sailed entertainment’s brightest stars, including Bob Hope, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Judi Dench and Carly Simon, to name a few. It can carry more than 1,700 passengers and has a crew of more than 1,000.

The ship, which is nearly 1,000 feet long, will complete her service in November 2008 as Cunard’s longest-serving liner.

The ship will sail into Boston Harbor at 7 a.m. Thursday and the best viewing will be from the DCR's Castle Island in South Boston. The Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums will perform for departing passengers later in the day quay-side at the 88 Black Falcon berth. The ship will depart at 5 p.m.

As the ship departs Boston for the last time, a flotilla of local boaters, along with a fireboat, will provide water displays from Massport Fire Rescue and the Boston Fire Department.

The display will be followed by an 11-round Howitzer salute by the Massachusetts Army National Guard 1st Battalion 101st Field Artillery.

The British Deputy Consul-General Chris Henderson will be present for this salute at the Lt. John McCorkle Pier at Castle Island.