Queen Anne's UK arrival delayed to ensure 'final touches are complete'
Cunard has confirmed Queen Anne will now dock in Southampton next week to ensure “final touches are complete” ahead of its maiden voyage on 3 May.
The 3,000-passenger ship – Cunard’s first new vessel in 14 years – had been scheduled to arrive in to the UK on Saturday ahead of an operational test voyage on 29 April.
But last week Cunard told TTG the event for up to 400 agents had been cancelled following a “careful” review.
Today (23 April) the line said Queen Anne is expected alongside the Mayflower Terminal at 15.00 next Tuesday (30 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,” said a Cunard spokesperson.
The ship will be officially named in Liverpool on 3 June at an event which up to 150 agents will attend.
Cunard UK sales director Tom Mahoney told TTG agents have been invited to three afternoon tea experiences across the city ahead of naming.
Following the naming, which UK TV personalities Matt and Emma Willis will host, Cunard’s sales team will visit a number of travel agencies in the north of the country as part of a “sales blitz” event.
“It’s not something that we’ve done in while but we want to make sure that we utilise that opportunity off the back of Queen Anne’s launch to build that brand awareness,” said Mahoney.
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