Cunard Queen Anne cruise ship arrives in Southampton

Tug boats welcomed Queen Anne as it sailed into Southampton

Cunard's newest cruise ship has arrived at its home port of Southampton.

The 3,000-capacity luxury Queen Anne was watched by crowds as it sailed in from the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice.

It was visible from Gosport and the north coast of the Isle of Wight earlier in the evening.

The vessel - the company's first new cruise ship in 14 years - is due to depart on its maiden voyage to Lisbon on Friday.

Queen Anne arrived in Southampton ahead of its maiden voyage on Friday

The 113,000-tonne ship joins Cunard's fleet of queens - Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

Following a 14-day cruise to the Canary Islands, it is due to embark on a voyage around the British Isles with stops including Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, Belfast and Cobh.

The voyage also includes a naming ceremony at Cunard's "spiritual home" of Liverpool on 3 June.

Shipping enthusiasts turned out to see Queen Anne's arrival close up

Cunard took ownership of the ship during a traditional handover ceremony at the Italian shipyard in Venice on 19 April.

Speaking at the ceremony, Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: "Not only does she reflect the Cunard distinctive style on the outside, the inside perfectly echoes the brand heritage with reimagined, elegant spaces and designs."

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