Construction has officially started on the new Cunard ship after the first piece of steel was cut at a ceremony in Italy today.
The first section of the ship, due to launch in 2022, is under construction at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia shipyard, near Naples.
The ship will be delivered in Monfalcone, Italy, once Fincantieri has finished construction.
Shipbuilding company Fincantieri also built Queen Victoria in 2007 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010.
Cunard said the vessel is being built “to meet the growing global demand in luxury cruising” and is “set to re-imagine the luxury cruise experience with an array of unique and exciting onboard amenities”.
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Cunard president Simon Palethorpe (pictured) said: “After years of planning and design, we are delighted to see building works commence on our newest ship. The 249th Cunarder will be our fourth luxury liner for the 21st century.
Having worked with Fincantieri in the past, we are also aware of their ship building process. We have created a design that we love and most importantly we believe our guests will love too.
“The design of our newest ship will take the most popular elements of the Three Queens (existing ships) and blend them with a forward looking, modern take on the Cunard experience.”
The new ship’s interior designers will work alongside Fincantieri to put together the onboard experience.
Led by designer Adam D. Tihany, who designed the interiors for Seabourn Ovation and Encore, the team includes Simon Rawlings, of David Collins Studio; Terry McGillicuddy, of Richmond International; and Sybille de Margerie, from Paris-based interior design agency Sybille de Margerie.
The line has commissioned Egyptian-sculptor Sam Shendi to make a sculpture which will be displayed on the ship.
Shendi uses contemporary industrial material, steel, stainless steel, aluminium and fibreglass to create his figurative work.