The French shipyard says the QM2 will arrive on time in Southampton

But problems with Cunard's nearly-completed vessel's propellers meant she was unable to move under her own power.

The event, at the Alstom Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St Nazaire, north west France, saw the massive 150,000-tonne vessel tugged into the River Loire.

The shipyard insists this will not mean a delay in her arrival in Southampton in December, ahead of her naming ceremony in January and maiden voyage to Florida two days later.

The 2,600-passenger vessel will be taking over the famous Southampton to New York route from Cunard's flagship QE2 in April 2004.

That month will see both ships sail across the Atlantic in a simultaneous crossing.