Cunard has marked the float-out of Queen Anne exactly one year ahead of its scheduled maiden voyage.

The ship touched water for the first time at a ceremony at the Financtieri shipyard in Italy today (May 3).

The focus will now shift to building the ship’s interior.

Queen Anne is scheduled to depart on its inaugural sailing from Southampton to Lisbon on May 3, 2024.

Sture Myrmell, Carnival UK president, 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.”

Luigi Matarazzo, Fincantieri general manager merchant ships division, said: “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.”