Cunard's latest liner goes through her paces on trials

Cunard takes delivery of their latest liner QUEEN VICTORIA
Another 90,000 tons added to the British Merchant Navy! ...



On Thursday, on board the new 90,000-ton vessel at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, Cunard took delivery of the magnificent QUEEN VICTORIA,  marking  the completion of a ship noted for striking interiors on a par with the ‘floating palaces’ of the twenties and thirties.

Just after 1100 hours, following speeches by Romano Prodi, the Prime Minister of Italy, and Jim Fitzpatrick, MP, Under Secretary of State, Department for Transport, the Italian flag was ceremonially lowered and the Red Ensign raised. And so another magnificent Cunard liner will enter the Register of British Shipping.

The event, attended by an invited audience, was given a British emphasis by the presence of the Band of the Scots Guards, flown out specially to perform on board throughout the day.

Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, said:

“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 Monday 10 December. 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 30 November, and sail to Southampton – where she will berth at the City Cruise Terminal at 0930 hours on Friday 7 December.

She will depart on her Maiden Voyage, to a splendid firework display, at 1700 hours, on Tuesday 11 December.

Gross Tonnage abt 89,500 tonnes
Length overall abt 294.0 m
Length between perpendiculars 265.36 m
Breadth moulded 32.25 m
Numbers of decks 16
Height to bulkhead deck 10.8 m
Height to deck 3 19.81 m
Design draft mld 7.90 m
Corresponding deadweight 7,685 tonnes
Scantling draft 8.0 m
Maximum air draft from waterline 54.5 m
Max speed Abt. 23.7 knots
Service Speed (at 90% diesel MCR, 25% Sea Margin, one engine off) 21.7 knots

Last month Fincantieri and Cunard agreed the building of a new QUEEN ELIZABETH, which at 92000 tons will be the second largest in the Cunard fleet after QUEEN MARY 2