Cunard has announced that the new 92,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth ocean liner, the second largest vessel ever built by the company, is to enter service on 12 October 2010.

The new ship, which is currently being built at the Fincantieri shipyard at Monfalcone, Italy, will be based at Southampton and is the third new liner to be introduced by Cunard in the last six years. Named after the first Queen Elizabeth, the vessel will succeed the decommissioned Queen Elizabeth II and incorporates 1930s art deco design features that are similar to the original Queen Elizabeth liner.

Facilities on board the liner will include The Queens Room, a ballroom incorporating a 1,000sq ft (92.9sq m) dance floor; The Garden Lounge, inspired by the glass houses of Kew Gardens; The Games Deck, including croquet, bowls and paddle tennis areas; and the Britannia Restaurant. Carol Marlow, Cunard president and managing director, said: "For more than 70 years there has been an ‘Elizabeth’ in the fleet and this beautiful modern day celebration of our past ‘Elizabeths’ will ensure this proud tradition will continue far into this century.

"The new Queen Elizabeth will be a classically styled Cunard Queen with art deco features, and, together with her sisters Queen Mary II and Queen Victoria, will offer a new golden age of ocean liner travel complete with our exclusive White Star Service."