<P> One night , Ariel , Flounder , and Sebastian travel to the ocean surface to watch a celebration for the birthday of Prince Eric on a ship . Ariel instantly becomes enamored with Eric . A violent storm arrives , with a bolt of lightning striking the ship , engulfing it in flames and wrecking it on rocks , tossing Eric overboard . She rescues Eric and brings him to shore . Ariel sings to Eric , but immediately leaves just as he regains consciousness to avoid being discovered . Fascinated by the memory of her voice , Eric vows to find who saved and sang to him , and Ariel vows to find a way to join him and his world . Sebastian reminds Ariel that the underwater world is better than the human world , and Flounder drags her to her grotto . When Triton discovers Ariel 's love for Eric thanks to Sebastian , a furious Triton confronts her in the grotto and destroys most of the artifacts with his trident . After Triton leaves , Ariel breaks down in tears , and Flotsam and Jetsam convince her to visit Ursula . </P>
what is the crew celebrating in the beginning of the little mermaid
the birthday of Prince Eric