Cunard has invited 300 agents to a day visit on new ship Queen Anne as an apology for cancelling an overnight test voyage.

The line had been scheduled to host agents on board on April 29, but cancelled as the ship was required to stay at a shipyard in Venice for “finishing touches” to be applied before sailing on its maiden voyage from Southampton tomorrow (Friday).

The 3,000-passenger Queen Anne will now host those agents originally due to attend the test voyage on a day visit on June 7.

President Katie McAlister told Travel Weekly: “We did plan to get 300 agents on an overnight at the beginning of this week, and I’m sorry that didn’t happen as the ship needed to stay alongside in Venice for a few days to put the finishing touches to her before her maiden voyage, but we have invited all those agents to come back for a ship tour and lunch on June 7.

“The agents won’t get an overnight but they’ll still get a whole day on board and we’ll have a very special Cunard experience.”

When asked who the ship’s godmother would be, McAlister emphasised it would be a godperson, but declined to share any additional information on the chosen individual for the ceremony in Liverpool on June 3.

She said details may be given out during a press conference later this month.

“We may give some information out on the godperson at the press conference on May 22,” she said.