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Breathtaking Aerial Light Show Marks Queen Elizabeth’s First Christmas in Australia

Breathtaking Aerial Light Show Marks Queen Elizabeth’s First Christmas in Australia

Luxury cruise line Cunard has treated guests and spectators to an aerial light show featuring 60 illuminated drones soaring above Queen Elizabeth in Port Melbourne.

The city saw the drones fly up to 100 metres above the ship for an eight-minute performance to celebrate their 101 days stay in Australia and first Christmas down under.

Controlled by a team of five operators, the display combined Christmas and maritime themes including Santa Claus, Rudolph, a ship and anchor before spelling out ‘Cunard’.

Matt Gleaves, VP International, Cunard, said, “Today’s fantastic display highlights Australia’s growing importance to Cunard as the line’s third-largest international source market. It is a distinction that has prompted Cunard to base one of the world’s most famous ships ‘Down Under’ for a record 101-days.”

After departing Melbourne tonight, Queen Elizabeth will head to Tasmania. She will then celebrate Christmas Day at sea, before sailing to Fiordland National Park in New Zealand.

Guests will enjoy a spectacular Christmas feast, with traditional British dishes such as turkey, chestnut stuffing and pudding mixed with ‘Aussie’ favourites’ seafood BBQ and pavlova.

At 90,900 tonnes, Queen Elizabeth is the second largest ship ever to sail in Cunard’s fleet. She is home to just over 2,000 guests and 1,000 crew and features more than 10 restaurants and cafés, a Games Deck including paddle tennis, croquet and bowls, a two-storey library, a ballroom and the Royal Court Theatre.



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