Cunard has officially welcomed its latest ship, Queen Anne, into its distinguished fleet. The handover ceremony in Italy was marked by excitement and anticipation as the vessel prepares for its maiden voyage.
Queen Anne, with a passenger capacity of 3,000, now sets sail for Southampton, where it will undertake its maiden seven-night voyage to Lisbon on May 3. This addition marks a significant milestone for Cunard with four ships simultaneously in service.
The official handover ceremony for the new Cunard ship, Queen Anne, took place in Italy. The event marked the addition of this remarkable vessel to the prestigious fleet, ahead of its May 3 maiden voyage. The ship, with a capacity of 3,000 passengers, is now on its way to Southampton.
Cunard confirmed the cancellation of the April 29 overnight test voyage from Southampton. This decision was made to ensure that the Queen Anne is fully prepared for its upcoming maiden voyage to Lisbon. A spokesperson for the company stated, “As we put the finishing touches to Queen Anne and prepare for the long-awaited maiden voyage on May 3, after careful review we shall be re-purposing some of the schedule over the next two weeks.”
Cunard’s president, Katie McAlister, expressed immense excitement about the addition of Queen Anne to their fleet, highlighting that this brings the total number of ships in simultaneous service to four, for the first time since 1999. She noted that the team is focused on ensuring the ship is ready to welcome guests for its maiden voyage.
The Queen Anne was constructed at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, showcasing the longstanding partnership between Cunard and Fincantieri. Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri’s CEO, emphasised the ship’s blend of tradition and innovation, underscoring their commitment to excellence and craftsmanship in shipbuilding. The Fincantieri team is proud to have delivered such an iconic ship, which will continue to uphold Cunard’s standard of luxury sea travel.
Cunard has expressed a strong commitment to customer satisfaction during the commissioning phase of Queen Anne. By repurposing the schedule, every effort is made to ensure a flawless experience for guests. The meticulous preparations underline the company’s dedication to maintaining its reputation for excellence in luxury sea travel.
The successful handover of Queen Anne signifies a new chapter for Cunard, promising enhanced luxury sea travel experiences. The anticipation surrounding the maiden voyage and subsequent events underscores Cunard’s unwavering commitment to maritime excellence. As Queen Anne embarks on its journey, the future looks promising for both the vessel and its passengers.
