To celebrate Cunard’s first Christmas Down Under, Cunard 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-day stay in Australia.
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’.
Cunard spokesman Matt Gleaves 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 is heading to Tasmania. She will then celebrate Christmas Day at sea before sailing to Fiordland National Park in New Zealand.
