The arrival of new Cunard ship Queen Anne in to Southampton has been put back until next week.

The 3,000-passenger vessel had been due to be greeted by a flotilla of small boats on arrival into the port on Saturday.

However, the line confirmed that Queen Anne is now due into Southampton a week today (April 30).

Cunard previously disclosed that an overnight test voyage including travel agents planned for April 29 had been cancelled.

Queen Anne, originally commissioned in 2017 but delayed due to the pandemic, was handed over to Cunard at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Italy last Friday.

The first new Cunard ship in 14 years is set to enter service on May 3 – the first time the company has operated a fleet of four vessels since 1999.

A Cunard spokesperson said: “Queen Anne is expected to be alongside at Mayflower Terminal at 15.00 on Tuesday 30th April.  

“The rescheduling is to ensure final touches are complete ahead of her maiden voyage, which will depart Southampton as planned on Friday 3 May – a seven-night sailing to La Coruna and Lisbon.”