The fireworks began at 6:45 p.m. as the three Cunard Line cruise ships, the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mary II and the Queen Victoria came together for the first time underneath the Statue of Liberty.
New Yorkers gathered to watch as the newest ship to join the fleet, the Queen Elizabeth, met with the other two luxury cruise lines. It was only the second time in Cunard's 171-year history that its entire fleet has met in New York at one time, NY1 reported.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a proclamation declaring Thursday "Cunard Royal Rendezvous Day," the Times reported. The Empire State Building was also lit up in red in honor of the Cunard Line's reunion, according to the company's website.
Although the Queen Elizabeth is the baby of the group, the majestic Queen Mary II cruise ship continued to awe spectators as they gathered in crowds to watch the show.
The event started at 6 p.m. when the Queen Mary 2 departed from Brooklyn Cruise Terminal while the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth sailed out of their berths on the Hudson River, NY1 reported.
After the event, all three ships began voyages out to sea.
