Cunard has hailed a “construction milestone” with the float out of new ship Queen Anne at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy.

Queen Anne – the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag – has officially touched water for the first time, exactly 365 days before it sets sail on its maiden voyage to Lisbon on 3 May 2024.

The float out completes the first phase of construction, which now transitions to focus on building the ship’s interiors, a statement said.

When it enters service, Queen Anne will join Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in the fleet.

It will be the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service.

‘A significant moment’ for Cunard

Carnival UK president Sture Myrmell said: “We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone in the construction of Queen Anne.

“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.”

Fincantieri merchant ships division general manager Luigi Matarazzo added: “Queen Anne is the third ship we have the pleasure to build for Cunard, a pillar in the history of British seafaring, with whom we share a real commitment to excellence.

“Building a liner for this shipowner takes us back to our roots yet, at the same time, spurs us forward to the future in a spirit of determination to bring together tradition and innovation and further strengthen our longstanding relationship”.

Earlier this month (April), Cunard’s “iconic red and black funnel” was installed on Queen Anne.