Cunard Line has celebrated the float out of its new cruise ship Queen Anne at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy.

Queen Anne is the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag, and the line’s first new vessel since 2010.

Queen Anne touched water for the first time exactly 365 days before she will set sail on her maiden voyage to Lisbon on May 3rd, 2024.

Rendering of Queen Anne

The float out ceremony is a major construction milestone and has been steeped in tradition since ships were first built in the ancient world.

It 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 drydock.

The float out ceremony follows September’s keel laying, another major milestone, during 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.

“We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone in the construction of Queen Anne,” said Carnival UK President, Sture Myrmell. “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,” he added.

Queen Anne float out

Queen Anne is the third ship Fincantieri has built for Cunard, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth were both built by the shipyard, while the flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 was built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

The ship will offer Cunard’s signature five-star dining options with White Star Service, spa facilities and new entertainment venues joining long-running staples such as the Queens Grill, Princess Grill and the main ballroom, the Queen’s Room.

The Queen Anne will embark on her inaugural voyage sailing roundtrip from Southampton departing on May 24,th 2024. The 14-night voyage will give guests the opportunity to explore Kirkwall as well as remnants of Greenock’s industrial history.

In 2025, Queen Anne will depart on her 107-night 2024 World Cruise, sailing from Southampton to 30 ports on five continents, including Dubai here in the Middle East.