Cunard Line Takes Delivery of Queen Elizabeth

Cunard Line has taken delivery of Queen Elizabeth - the second largest ship ever built in the fleet and the third new liner for the luxury cruise vacation company in six years. The handover ceremony took place today on board the new 92,400-ton vessel at the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard and included a speech by Cunard President Peter Shanks. The Italian flag was ceremonially lowered and the Blue Ensign was raised, marking the entry of another Cunard liner into the Register of British Shipping.

Check out some shots of the ship under construction in the photo gallery below:

"This ceremony to mark the completion of the Queen Elizabeth 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 October, 11" said Shanks.

Queen Elizabeth left the shipyard on September 30 to sail to Southampton, where she will berth at the Ocean Cruise Terminal on October 8. Queen Elizabeth will depart on her maiden voyage at 5 p.m. on October 12.

Check out some artistic renderings of the ship in the photo gallery below:

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