Thousands of cheering people lined the shores as Mayflower II cruised back into her homeport following an extensive multi-million dollar renovation.

 Amid honking horns and screaming sires the much loved vessel, a replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to New England 400 years ago tied up at Pilgrim Memorial State Pier on the Plymouth Waterfront. 

'She's home! We've been waiting a long time,' Plymouth resident Karen Gilligan told NBC Boston. 

Commenting on the ship's new appearance, Gilligan said: 'We couldn't believe the colors. It was awesome, just beautiful. 

'Before it was all dull.' 

 Paying tribute to the historic moment, the Plymouth Police Department wrote on Twitter: 'On her way home! #MayflowerII #Mayflower400.'

The triumphant return of the 106ft Mayflower followed a three-year, multimillion rehabilitation project at the shipyards of Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut. 

The vessel, which first sailed to Plymouth in 1957, needed extensive reconstruction after near-constant exposure to the elements tied up at State Pier.