The festivities for the event took place in Venice, with a bottle of Italian prosecco smashed against the 90,000-ton ship’s hull. Two Euro coins and a gold Queen Victoria sovereign were welded beneath the mast for good luck.
The ceremonial event also involved the opening of the valves of Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard near Venice to meet the sea for the first voyage.
Queen Victoria is the second largest Cunarder ever built and will make her maiden cruise from the UK in December this year. A confirmed world voyage means that it will be the youngest linger to ever visit Australia in February 2008. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Port Douglas have confirmed to be ports of call for the liner.
The debut of Queen Elizabeth marks the first time three Cunard Queens have been in service together in the company’s 167-year history. Her famous sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 will join her at sea.
Cunard Managing Director Carol Marlow commented: “Cunard came into being at the very beginning of the Victorian era- Queen Victoria had been on the throne for only three years when Samuel Cunard’s first ship set sailed. And there followed, throughout her reign, a huge expansion in the Cunard fleet until by the end of it the company was the pre-eminent force in British shipping. Today the company is probably the most famous name in shipping and the birth of this great liner confirms for all the continuing renaissance of the great name of Cunard. The Cunard lion roars again!”
It was reported that the Queen Victoria will be furnished tastefully, paying homage to the golden age of ocean travel with a modern twist. Highlights onboard include the first traditional West End-style private boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre, the first floating Cunardia museum and the first two-story ‘spiral staircased’ library at sea. The ship will also feature a variety of dining options including restaurants and bars to indulge in.
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