Happy Valentine's Day!

Royal Rendezvous: Part II

The Royal Rendezvous was thoroughly celebrated by New York City. Not only was there the magnificent fireworks display this evening; Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared January 13, 2011 to be "Cunard Royal Rendezvous Day." The famous Empire State Building was illuminated in red and the New York Stock Exchange was closed with ringing from one of the original Queen Elizabeth's bells.

This event was quite similar to the one held in 2008 when the Queen Elizabeth 2 was still in service. Today marked the new Elizabeth's maiden entry into New York.

References: Patrick McGeehan, "Cruise Passenger Spending in City Is Up Sharply," The New York Times, January 14, 2011, under N.Y./Region, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/nyregion/14cruise.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=queen%20mary%202&st=cse (accessed January 13, 2011).

Royal Rendezvous: Part I

The Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria have all docked in New York Harbor today for a very special event. This is only the second time in the Cunard Line's history that the entire fleet has been berthed in New York Harbor, and the city intends to celebrate this rare occurrence with a tremendous fireworks display by the Statue of Liberty.

Queen Victoria and the Queen Elizabeth, which are docked at Piers 88 and 90, will leave their berths later this evening in order to meet up with their much larger sister, Queen Mary 2. All three will appear together for the fireworks show, which is set to begin at around 6:45 tonight.


References: Kathy Carvajal, "Maritime 'Queens' Dock In New York," MyFOXNY.com, under "Local News: Manhattan," http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/manhattan/maritime-queens-dock-in-new-york-20110113-KC (accessed January 13, 2011).