Queen Anne officially joins the luxury Cunard cruise line at a historic handover ceremony at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.   

In true Italian style and in keeping with her royal status, Cunard officially took ownership of the stunning 3000-guest Queen Anne.

Who was present at the handover ceremony

A line-up of top executives led by Katie McAlister, President of Cunard and Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri. Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri Merchant Ships and Adolfo Urso, Italian Minister of Enterprises, were also present.

Marco Lunardi and Captain Inger Thorhauge (right)

Queen Anne, is the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag. She will cruise the high seas to Southampton ahead of her seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon departing on 3 May. In true regal pomp and pageantry, she will have a momentous naming ceremony in Liverpool on 3 June.

What Queen Anne looks like

Spanning 14-decks, Queen Anne’s design is steeped in heritage and craftsmanship, offering guests amazing experiences. She has more choices of entertainment, dining venues and drinking holes than ever before.

She has also been fitted with the best fitness, beauty, thermal and spa facilities to herald a new era of wellness-at-sea.

Cunard’s fleet of four Queens

“This is the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service including Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria,” said Ms McAlister.

Queen Anne will be headed by female Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge.

Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge in front of Cunard’s new ship, Queen Anne,

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