The new Queen was handed over to Cunard from the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy the other day. From before, Cunar operates the queen ships Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.
The captain on board is Faroese captain Inger Klein Thorhauge, Cunard’s first female captain. She recently celebrated 25 years of service, and has also captained Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
Although Queen Anne will sail on her maiden voyage on 3 May 2024, a 7-night round-trip cruise from Southampton to Lisbon, Portugal and La Coruna in Spain, the christening ceremony will not be held until 3 June.
It comes as the ship arrives in Liverpool towards the end of the historic 14-night British Isles Festival Voyage around the UK. It departs from Southampton on May 24, 2024.
Read everything about cruises in ABC News
Cunard Line has appointed Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge as first captain on Queen Anne. Thorhauge is the first female captain in the company’s history. Photo: Cunard Line
To Norwegian fjords
After the naming ceremony with a currently unknown sponsor, Queen Anne will be stationed in Southampton and sail a number of cruises to the western Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, Norwegian fjords, Scandinavia and northern Europe. The shipping company will offer both two-night Getaway cruises and long voyages of up to 18 nights.
The article continues below the adThe article continues below the ad
– We are so happy to welcome Queen Anne to our fleet. Together with Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, she forms a remarkable quartet – marking the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in service at the same time, says Cunard president Katie McAlister, according to Cruise Hive.
The article continues below the adThe article continues below the ad
Queen Anne has 14 decks, is 113,300 gross tons and takes 3,000 guests in Cunard’s three traditional service categories Queens Grill, Princess Grill and Britannia. Design highlights include a two-story Royal Court Theatre, 15 restaurants, multiple sports fields and a wellness center called Mareel Wellness & Beauty, which offers a full spa and fitness area.
The cruise ship Queen Anne is ready for her new home port of Southampton. Photo: Cunard Line
Own shopping hosts
According to the descriptions, Queen Anne will feature several innovative public spaces, such as a luxury retail area called Grand Lobby Boutiques. Here guests will find the ship’s Cabinet of Curiosities and Experience Lounge.
The article continues below the ad
The Cabinet of Curiosities promises to be a highlight, with a rotunda-style gallery design showcasing nearly 40 display cases of exclusive jewelry, clothing, art and collectibles.
In the Experience Lounge, Queen Anne’s guests can enjoy the luxurious treatment of dedicated shopping hosts, or personal shopping concierges, who will offer expertise and knowledge of the items on sale and the brands behind them.
Cunard also collaborated with Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, known for his restaurant Le Gavroche, who worked closely with Cunard’s culinary development team to prepare a unique gala menu exclusively for the Queen Anne’s Queens Grill restaurant.
