Cunard Line took delivery of its new ocean liner, the 90,000-ton Queen Victoria, in Venice on Saturday. Among those present for the handover ceremony were Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and the Under Secretary of State, Department for Transport, Jim Fitzpatrick. The ceremony took place onboard the new vessel at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard. Just after 11 a.m., following speeches by Prodi and Fitzpatrick, the Italian flag was ceremonially lowered and another Cunard liner entered the Register of British Shipping. The event, attended by an invited audience, was given a British emphasis with the performance of the Band of the Scots Guards.
"This ceremony to mark the completion of the ship, and our acceptance of delivery, is just the first of a number of significant events over the next few weeks, including the ship's official naming by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales, in Southampton on Dec. 10," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "I'm certain the British will take this truly magnificent ship to their hearts, as they have all the Cunard Queens." Queen Victoria is due to leave the shipyard on Nov. 30, and sail to Southampton where it will berth at the City Cruise Terminal at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 7. It will depart on its maiden voyage at 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. For more information, call 800-7-CUNARD or visit www.cunard.com.
Source: Modern Agent
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