Launch ceremony marks a year to go before maiden
voyage
SOUTHAMPTON, England, May 3, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- The world's most iconic luxury cruise brand
celebrated a momentous construction milestone today with the float
out of Queen Anne at the Fincantieri
Marghera shipyard in Venice,
Italy.
The 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag, Queen Anne officially touched water for the
first time exactly 365 days before she will set sail on her maiden
voyage to Lisbon on 3 May 2024.
Steeped in tradition, the float out is marked by a special
ceremony where a 'Madrina' is named to offer blessings and best
wishes for the ship, celebrating the flow of water into the
ship's dry dock.
Carnival UK President, Sture
Myrmell, 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, General Manager
Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri, stated: "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".
The float out, completes the first comprehensive phase of
construction for Queen Anne, which
now transitions to focus on building the luxury ship's
interiors.
Queen Anne
The design concepts for Cunard's newest ship have been founded
on heritage, craftmanship, style, storytelling, and innovation, and
the 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest Queen
Anne, which spans 14 decks, will offer travellers several
breath-taking moments, including the largest curated art collection
at sea.
For more than 180 years, Cunard has constantly refined the
definitive experience of ocean travel, and Queen Anne will be bursting with Cunard's
signature experiences, including world-class dining, exceptional
entertainment, and luxurious accommodation.
Entering service in May
2024, Queen Anne will make up
a remarkable quartet for Cunard alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen
Victoria, and Queen
Elizabeth. It will be the first time since 1999 that Cunard
will have four ships in simultaneous service.
The float out ceremony follows September's iconic keel laying,
in which a coin was embedded into the ship's keel by Captain
Inger Thorhauge, alongside an
original coin from the ship's namesake's reign, to mark the formal
start of her construction.
For more information about Cunard, or to book a voyage, visit
www.cunard.com.
Notes to Editors
Images can be downloaded here:
https://www.christopherison.com/gallery/G0000P_2W43vHv.o/C0000U.mgz8Q_aqc
Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cunard
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cunardline
YouTube: www.youtube.com/wearecunard
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cunardline
About Cunard
Cunard is a luxury British cruise line, renowned for creating
unforgettable experiences around the world. Cunard has been a
leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic, since
1840, celebrating an incredible 183 years of operation. A pioneer
in transatlantic journeys for generations, Cunard is world class.
The Cunard experience is built on fine dining, hand-selected
entertainment and outstanding service. From five-star restaurants
and in-suite dining to inspiring guest speakers, the library and
film screenings, every detail has been meticulously crafted to make
the experience unforgettable. Destinations include Europe, the Caribbean, the Far East and Australia.
There are currently three Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen
Elizabeth and Queen Victoria
and a fourth ship, Queen Anne, will
enter service in 2024. This investment is part of the company's
ambitious plans for the future of Cunard globally and will be the
first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in
simultaneous service. Cunard is based at Carnival House in
Southampton and has been owned
since 1998 by Carnival Corporation &
plc. www.cunard.com (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).
Fincantieri is one of the world's leading shipbuilding
groups, the only one active in all areas of high-technology
shipbuilding. It is a leader in the construction and conversion of
cruise vessels, as well as in the naval and offshore vessels. It
operates in the wind, oil & gas, fishing vessel and specialized
vessel segments, as well as in the production of mechatronic and
electronic marine systems, naval accommodation solutions and the
provision of after-sales services such as logistical support and
assistance to fleets in service.
With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built,
Fincantieri maintains its know-how, expertise and management
centres in Italy, here employing
10,000 workers and creating around 90,000 jobs, which double
worldwide thanks to a production network of 18 shipyards operating
in four continents and with almost 21,000 employees.
www.fincantieri.com
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