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With flags waving, the blue and white vessel with gold trim cruised smoothly into beautiful Pago Pago Harbor, half shrouded in the early morning umu smoke from Samoan ovens. While the Royal Marine Band played lively music from the upper deck of the ship, three Samoan tugs and an escort supply ship chugged proudly into the bay to help the Britannia moor.

With a three day wait for the Queen's arrival ahead of them, the men and officers of the Britannia delighted in joining the local softball and rugby teams in a few games, swimming in the Rainmaker Hotel's pool, and generally enjoying the warm, sunny climate. The band also entertained American Samoa's residents with several concerts by the hotel poolside.

Upon the Queen's arrival at Pago Pago International Airport, thousands of spectators and almost as many cameras greeted the royal party, which included Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Schools were closed and government employees were given time off to join the throng that stretched from the airport nearly seven miles to the main dock in Fagotogo where the Queen and invited guests would board the Britannia.

As the Queen's arrival at her yacht drew near, the enlisted crew of the Britannia assembled in dress whites on the second deck. In almost complete contrast to the night before, the men and the twenty officers of the Britannia were at stiff attention. Although their eyes were straight ahead, several appeared to suppress smiles as they recognized acquaintances from the previous four days on the dock below.