Cunard's newest ocean liner, Queen Victoria, has been floated out at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard near Venice. The vessel, the second ever largest Cunarder, is due to make her maiden voyage from Southampton on Tuesday 17 December. Unlike the great ships of history, and similar to Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria has been built in a dry dock on sections. No great launch from a slipway.
The Queen Victoria will come into service just as QE2 celebrates 40 years on the high seas, easily a record for a major liner. There is much speculation whether it will get the nickname ”Queen Vic” but general opinion is that even if the moniker sticks it will not affect the major market, Americans, who will probably find the nickname ”cute”.
Fincantieri chairman Corrado Antonini said: "Our Company is the heir to the Italian shipbuilding industry and the world leader in cruise ship construction and believes, as Cunard does, in the possibility and the need of actively matching tradition and innovation. Building a liner for Cunard is a special achievement for Fincantieri and takes us right to our roots, fostering both our determination to build once again a passenger ship of high technological content and unmistakable style, reflecting the best of the industry and tailored to the needs and requirements of the owner."
At 90,000-ton Queen Victoria is larger than the QE2 (70,000) and will carry slightly more passengers. The vast majority of cabins will have verandas. Amongst the many innovations is West End-style private viewing boxes in the Royal Court Theatre; the first floating Cunardia museum display, housing Cunard artifacts and memorabilia and the first two-storey, 'spiral staircased' library at sea. The ship will also feature the line's celebrated luxury Grills accommodation and dining, further enhanced on Queen Victoria with exclusive deck terraces and an al fresco dining option. There is a grand, colonial-style conservatory complete with a retractable glass roof.
Queen Victoria has been designed as a Panamex ship, able to squeeze through the Panama Canal. Currently the UK cruise market is about 1.2m passengers a year, at an individual revenue of ”1000+ ($2000+) per client. This is expected to at least double in the next ten years, the majority of patrons flying to their port of embarkation.