Cunard Floats Out Queen Anne
by Dori Saltzman /A bottle of prosecco smashes the hull of Queen Anne at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy. Photo: Christopher Ison
One of next year's most anticipated new ships floated out at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy. Queen Anne, which will officially set sail on its maiden voyage exactly 365 days from today (May 3), touched water for the first time, completing the first major phase of its construction.
The float out was celebrated with a traditional Madrina blessing.
"We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone in the construction of Queen Anne," said Carnival UK president Sture Myrmell. "The float out ceremony marks the ship's transition from her building dock to where she truly belongs – in the water."
Construction on Queen Anne will now focus on the ship's interior.
Among the few features so far revealed on the 3,000-guest Queen Anne is the largest curated art collection at sea.
