Queen Anne moves closer to Liverpool as the luxury Cunard ship heads to UK

Ellen Kirwin

24 April 2024 at 7:41 am·2-min read

Cunard’s brand-new ship Queen Anne at sea -Credit:Cunard

Cunard’s newest ship Queen Anne is moving closer to Liverpool for it's naming ceremony, as it set sail for her homeport of Southampton.

Cunard took ownership of their stunning 3,000-guest ship during a traditional handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice on Friday, April 19. Crowds joined together at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard to wave goodbye to Queen Anne after five years of skilled construction in Italy.

Queen Anne, the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag, will now set sail for the south coast ahead of her seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon on May 3 after arriving in her homeport on April 30. During the sail home, Captain Inger Thorhauge and her crew will be preparing for the ship’s very first guests to join the 113,000-ton Queen.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: "We are immensely proud of Queen Anne. Not only does she reflect the Cunard distinctive style on the outside, the inside perfectly echoes the brand heritage with reimagined, elegant spaces and designs. We can’t wait to welcome guests on board for her maiden voyage on May 3."

Liverpool has been chosen to host the lavish Naming Ceremony because it's where Sir Samuel Cunard launched his transatlantic passenger service in 1840. Details of the major event are still under wraps, but Cunard bosses have promised a “spectacular and memorable” event on the city’s world-famous waterfront.

The event will include a number of surprise celebrations at the Pier Head, with the Cunard Building as the focal point. Busted musician Matt Willis and his wife Emma will host the event, which will include a number of performances from entertainers surrounding the official naming, as Queen Anne makes her maiden call into the city, seen as Cunard’s spiritual home.

For more information about Cunard, or to book a voyage, visit www.cunard.com.

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