Queen Anne Handed to Cunard, Sets Sail for Southampton

Cunard has officially taken possession of Queen Anne during a traditional handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice. The 3,000-passenger ship is now destined for her homeport of Southampton, where she is expected to arrive on 30 April 2024.

Queen Anne marks the 249th vessel to fly the Cunard flag and is the third to have been constructed by Fincantieri. After making her way to Southampton, she will be gearing up for her seven-night inaugural journey to Lisbon on 3 May.

As the latest addition to the Cunard fleet, Queen Anne’s design principles are rooted in heritage, craftsmanship, style, storytelling, and innovation. The 114,000-tonne ship, covering 14 decks, is set to offer travellers unprecedented experiences, with an unparalleled range of entertainment, dining, and bars.

Cunard has also unveiled a host of partnerships for Queen Anne, including Le Gavroche at Sea residencies by two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, wellness programmes devised by Harper’s Bazaar UK’s beauty experts, and exclusive British Film Institute screenings in The Pavilion.

She will further set a new standard for fitness, beauty, thermal, and spa amenities aboard a Cunard vessel, with the revamped Mareel Wellness & Beauty proposition ushering in a new age of wellbeing at sea.

President of Cunard Katie McAlister said: “We are so excited to welcome Queen Anne to our fleet as she completes a remarkable quartet alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria – marking the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service. 

“We are now fully focused on readying her to welcome guests for her maiden voyage on 3 May before she embarks on a historic British Isles Festival Voyage, including a momentous Naming Ceremony in Cunard’s spiritual home of Liverpool on 3 June.”