The arrival of the new Cunard ship Queen Anne has been postponed, with the vessel now set to reach Southampton a week later than initially planned.
- Originally scheduled for Saturday, Queen Anne’s entry into Southampton is now delayed until April 30.
- The postponement affects a planned flotilla welcome and an overnight test voyage that was meant for April 29.
- Cunard has confirmed that final preparations necessitated the change in schedule.
- Despite the delay, Queen Anne remains on track for its maiden voyage on May 3.
The anticipated arrival of Cunard’s latest ship, the Queen Anne, into Southampton has been officially rescheduled. Originally due on a Saturday, the impressive 3,000-passenger vessel’s entry has been deferred by a week, with the new arrival date confirmed as April 30. This change disrupts the planned grand welcome involving a flotilla of small boats that was intended to greet the ship upon its initial arrival.
This schedule alteration also led to the cancellation of an overnight test voyage, which had been organised for April 29 specifically for travel agents. This was intended as both a promotional and experiential event. Instead, the focus has shifted to ensuring that all final touches and operational checks are thoroughly completed.
This new vessel marks Cunard’s first introduction of a new ship in 14 years. Initially commissioned in 2017, the Queen Anne faced delays attributed to the global pandemic. Handed over at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Italy, the ship symbolises a significant expansion for the line.
Set to make her maiden voyage on May 3, the Queen Anne’s inaugural journey will navigate a seven-night itinerary to La Coruna and Lisbon. A Cunard spokesperson confirmed, “Queen Anne is expected to be alongside at Mayflower Terminal at 15.00 on Tuesday 30th April.” The spokesperson justified the rescheduling by emphasising the need to ensure the vessel meets all quality standards before its first official journey.
The rescheduling underscores a commitment to quality, setting the stage for Queen Anne’s much-anticipated maiden voyage.
