Friday, July 17, 2015

Cunard Line Concludes 175th Anniversary Celebrations in the United States

Cunard Line has been celebrating 175 years of history, tradition, and industrial achievement to mark the company’s original Transatlantic Crossing as well as the first scheduled mail and passenger service across the Atlantic. In July 1840, the company’s first flagship, Britannia, left from Liverpool, England, setting sail across the Atlantic towards Canada and the United States with Samuel Cunard and his daughter on board. The Britannia’s crossing of the Atlantic in a fortnight marked a revolution in communication in an era when mail and newspapers could take six weeks to reach their destination. The company’s current flagship, Queen Mary 2, has recreated that voyage, with a few twists.

After visiting Halifax, Queen Mary 2 arrived in Boston and on Sunday afternoon, Captain Kevin Oprey, Master of Queen Mary 2, threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees game at Fenway Park.

Next stop, Queen Mary 2 made a festive arrival into New York Harbor Tuesday to continue the celebrations. As a testament to the economic and industrial achievements of Cunard, Queen Mary 2’s Captain Kevin Oprey rang the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

All good things must come to an end and in a grand finale, the celebrations concluded on a high note as Queen Mary 2 departed her berth from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and then held position in front of the Statue of Liberty for a spectacular light and music show, dazzling viewers on board as well as spectators in Battery Park, and onlookers throughout the city. The light show was cast over the ship, illuminating New York harbor and the sky above. Moments before Queen Mary 2 embarked on her return journey back across the Atlantic, the celebratory display took viewers on a fantastic journey through Cunard’s 175 years of history, as well as the future that lies ahead.


Images Courtesy Cunard Line

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