Cunard has marked the float-out of Queen Anne exactly one year ahead of its scheduled maiden voyage.
The ship touched water for the first time at a ceremony at the Financtieri shipyard in Italy today (May 3).
The focus will now shift to building the ship’s interior.
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Queen Anne is scheduled to depart on its inaugural sailing from Southampton to Lisbon on May 3, 2024.
Sture Myrmell, Carnival UK president, said: “We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone in the construction of Queen Anne.
“The float-out ceremony marks the ship’s transition from her building dock to where she truly belongs, in the water.
“Today marks a significant moment for Queen Anne as we recognise the dedication by the master ship builders at Fincantieri to build a ship that reinforces our position as a world famous luxury brand.”
Luigi Matarazzo, Fincantieri general manager merchant ships division, said: “Queen Anne is the third ship we have the pleasure to build for Cunard, a pillar in the history of British seafaring, with whom we share a real commitment to excellence.
“Building a liner for this shipowner takes us back to our roots, yet at the same time spurs us forward to the future in a spirit of determination to bring together tradition and innovation and further strengthen our longstanding relationship.”