Cunard’S newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, will enter service in less than a year’s time, sailing roundtrip from Southampton to the Canaries, a maiden voyage that sold out in an amazing 29 minutes 14 seconds when it went on sale.

Queen Elizabeth is currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard near Trieste; her keel was laid in July 2009 and it is expected she will float out for the first time in January 2010.

Peter Shanks, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says: “We are excited by the growing anticipation of Queen Elizabeth, a ship that will become part of the legacy and tradition of the great Cunard Queens.”

The new vessel will feature many unique Cunard traditions linking her with her Southampton based sisters, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, and their predecessors, but there will also be additional attractions that will give the vessel her own style and personality.

Named after the first Queen Elizabeth, one of Cunard’s greatest ships, the new ship will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist.

Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilised era of travel with Ivor Novello style piano evenings, and traditional ballroom dancing.As successor to Queen Elizabeth 2, the ship will also reflect this great liner through artworks and memorabilia, and its very own ‘Yacht Club’. Queen Elizabeth is due to depart on her maiden voyage on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. This 13- night voyage will leave from, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Funchal.

Her maiden season will run from October 2010 to January 2011 and include voyages to the Western and Central Mediterranean and the Caribbean.