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.

Hungry for more?

Read up on the latest news, delicious eats, travel treats and seasonal style trends in FEATURES, or browse a curated selection of our FEATURED PRODUCTS, meander through our guide to the finest things to do in Cheshire and beyond in WHATS ON or partake in our COMPETITIONS.

About The CHESHIRE Magazine

We are the definitive guide to luxury lifestyle in the North West. Latest news, delicious eats, travel treats and seasonal style trends. The Cheshire Magazine is the largest luxury lifestyle title for the North West of England, dropping directly through the letterboxes of VIP subscribers from the Wirral to Greater Manchester plus all the villages and towns in between and digitally available as a subscription in print and digital on issuu.com worldwide. We specialise in connecting luxury brands to likeminded consumers.

If you are interested on how you can partner with The CHESHIRE Magazine, read more about us. Or get in touch to find out more about marketing, featuring or partnering with the Cheshire Magazine in print or online.