This is the moment Cunard’s newest ship Queen Anne set sail for her homeport of Southampton after officially joining the luxury cruise line’s iconic fleet.
Cunard took ownership of their stunning 3,000-guest ship during a traditional handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice on Friday (April 19).
Crowds gathered to wave an emotional farewell to Queen Anne after five years of construction in Italy.
READ MORE: Queen Anne: New Cunard ship's 2024 maiden season in full
Queen Anne, the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag, will now sail towards the south coast ahead of her seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon on Friday May 3.
After a slight delay to put the finishing touches to the ship, she is now due to arrive in Southampton on Tuesday (April 30).
During the sail home, Captain Inger Thorhauge and the 113,000 ton Queen's crew will be excitedly preparing for the ship’s first guests.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “We are immensely proud of Queen Anne. Not only does she reflect the Cunard distinctive style on the outside, the inside perfectly echoes the brand heritage with reimagined, elegant spaces and designs. We can’t wait to welcome guests on board.”
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