Cunard crew members are making the final touches on board the Queen Elizabeth in preparation for her return to sailing this Friday. After a 17 month break, Queen Elizabeth will set sail from Southampton on August 13, as the first vessel to restart cruises in Cunard’s fleet.

"I think I speak for the entire team at Cunard when I say how delighted we are to be returning to what we do best as we get ready to welcome our guests back on board," said Cunard President Simon Palethorpe.

"We know how much our guests have been looking forward to our first voyage and we hope that they fully immerse themselves in the Cunard on board experience, as they enjoy some of the most stunning coastlines Britain has to offer," Palethorpe added.

Queen Elizabeth was originally scheduled to resume sailing in July but positive Covid-19 cases among a small number of crew members on board forced Cunard to postpone its sailings for a month. The ship will first sail a series of British Isles itineraries until the end of the summer before returning to international sailings in October this year.

Cunard's international sailings on Queen Elizabeth will start with a cruise from Southampton to Amsterdam followed by a 14-night voyage to the Canary Islands and Madeira in November.