Cunard Line has taken delivery of Queen Elizabeth – the second largest Cunarder ever and the third new liner the company has built in six years.

The Handover Ceremony took place yesterday on board the new 90,900-ton vessel at the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard. The event included a speech by Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks. The Italian flag was ceremonially lowered and the Blue Ensign was raised. And so another magnificent Cunard liner will enter the Register of British Shipping.

Peter Shanks commented after the ceremony:

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 Her Majesty The Queen in Southampton on Monday 11 October. I’m certain the British will take this truly magnificent ship to their hearts, as they have all the Cunard Queens.

Queen Elizabeth is due to leave the shipyard on 30 September, and sail to Southampton – where she will berth at the Ocean Cruise Terminal on Friday 8 October. She will depart on her Maiden Voyage at 1700 hours on Tuesday 12 October.

Although the Maiden Voyage sold out in a record 29 minutes there is still some limited availability on her other 2010 voyages.

Please call Deluxe Cruises for more information.