Cunard Celebrates Queen Anne’s Float Out In Italy

The float out of Queen Anne at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy, marked a significant construction milestone for the world’s most famous luxury cruise line.

Queen Anne, the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag, officially struck water for the first time precisely 365 days before her maiden trip to Lisbon on 3 May 2024.

The float out is commemorated with a unique ritual in which a ‘Madrina’ is named to offer blessings and best wishes to the ship, celebrating the float out into the ship’s dry dock.

“We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone in the construction of Queen Anne,” said Carnival UK President Sture Myrmell. The float-out ceremony symbolises the ship’s departure from the pier and placement in the water, where she belongs. Today is an important day for Queen Anne, as we recognise Fincantieri’s master shipbuilders’ dedication to building a ship that cements our position as a world-famous luxury brand.”

“Queen Anne is the third ship we have the pleasure of building for Cunard, a pillar in the history of British seafaring with whom we share a real commitment to excellence,” said Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri. Building a liner for this shipowner brings us back to our beginnings while propelling us further in a spirit of desire to bring together history and innovation and enhance our long-time connection.”

The float-out concludes the first thorough phase of Queen Anne’s development, which now focuses on the luxury ship’s interiors.

Cunard’s newest ship’s design principles are based on legacy, craftsmanship, style, storytelling, and innovation, and the 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest Queen Anne, which covers 14 decks, will give guests numerous breath-taking experiences, including the biggest curated art collection at sea.

Cunard has been refining the ultimate ocean travel experience for over 180 years, and Queen Anne will be bursting with Cunard’s unique amenities, such as world-class cuisine, great entertainment, and luxurious accommodations.

Queen Anne will join Cunard’s amazing quartet of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth when she enters service in May 2024. Cunard will have four ships in operation simultaneously for the first time since 1999.

The float-out event follows September’s memorable keel laying. Captain Inger Thorhauge embedded a coin into the ship’s keel alongside an authentic coin from the ship’s namesake’s reign to mark the formal start of her construction.