Queen Mary 2, the fastest ocean liner in the world, on Friday docked in New York City as part of the transatlantic celebrations celebrating the ship's 10th anniversary.
"I'm hugely excited to be in New York celebrating the 10th anniversary of our flagship Queen Mary 2 in this iconic city," Cunard Line CEO David Dingle told CNBC.
The Carnival-owned Queen Mary 2 has sailed more than 1.5 million nautical miles on over 400 voyages, visiting 182 ports in 60 countries.
For New York City, the ship's U.S. homeport, the cruise industry contributed $1.24 billion in direct expenditures responsible for $944 million additions to the economy and 16,000 jobs, according to the Cruise Lines International Association's 2012 Economic Impact Study. Additionally, the Economic Development Corporation's 2013 Economic Impact Study found that cruise passengers and crew spent approximately $141.2 million in the city in the past year, a 16 percent increase from the year before.
Christened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004, Queen Mary 2 has hosted guests including James Taylor, Rod Stewart, and former President George H.W. Bush.
