Cunard’s latest addition to their fleet, Queen Anne, has officially touched water for the first time. In just a year from now, on May 3, 2024, she’ll be setting sail on her maiden voyage to Lisbon.
There’s a maritime tradition behind the float out, with a special ceremony where a ‘Madrina’ is named to bless and offer best wishes for the ship. This marks the moment when water flows into the dry dock, signifying a milestone in the ship’s journey.
With the float out done, it’s now time for the focus to shift to the ship’s interior construction. Queen Anne is designed with heritage, craftsmanship, style, storytelling, and innovation in mind. This 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest ship will feature 14 decks and a massive curated art collection at sea.
Cunard has been refining ocean travel for over 180 years, and Queen Anne will be no exception. Guests can expect world-class dining, exceptional entertainment, and luxurious accommodations.
Come May 2024, Queen Anne will join the impressive Cunard fleet, including Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth. It’ll be the first time since 1999 that Cunard has four ships in service simultaneously.
This float out ceremony comes after the iconic keel laying in September, when Captain Inger Thorhauge embedded a coin into the ship’s keel, alongside an original coin from Queen Anne’s reign, marking the formal start of her construction. Just a few weeks ago, she received her iconic funnel marking a crowning achievement.