5 months ago
BAR HARBOR (NEWS CENTER) -- Visitors to Bar Harbor were greeted with quite a sight on Wednesday morning, as the Cunard Cruise Lines latest luxury ship, the Queen Victoria made it's maiden voyage to the coastal town.
The 900,000 pound ship made port just off shore and ferried passengers into town.
Once on shore, the ships two thousand passengers were greeted by the MDI High School band, the Swallowtail Fiddlers and an antique car show.
They also watched demonstrations from area museums and the staff from Acadia National Park.
Chris Fogg, the director of the Bar Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce says the town has a long history with Cunard Cruise Lines and officials are excited to welcome the newest member of the fleet.
"In 1981, on July 23rd, the Queen Elizabeth II made its maiden voyage to Bar Harbor," Fogg explained. "That was the first major cruise ships to come here. We celebrated it then, and we continue that special relationship today with Cunard Cruise Lines."
Bar Harbor now hosts more than 90 cruise ships per year. Town officials say half of those ships come in during the fall foliage season.
Wednesday's celebration also featured a cake to commemorate the Queen Victoria's first visit.
The ship left Bar Harbor Wednesday afternoon, it will make its next stop in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Halifax is the hometown of Samuel Cunard, the founder of the Cunard Cruise Lines.
NEWS CENTER
