Cunard Announces Three-Year Partnership with BFI for Queen Anne

Cunard is teaming up with the BFI to create a curated program for the Queen Anne, which launches next year, according to a press release.

Under the three-year partnership with the UK’s organization for TV and film, guests onboard Queen Anne will enjoy a selection of short films and blockbusters shown exclusively on the outdoor screen in The Pavilion, located on the top deck.

The BFI will be showing 10 films every month on the cinematic LED screen in this outdoor space. The specially selected films will also be shown in guests’ staterooms.

Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the British Film Institute, with our shared dedication to providing immersive experiences aligning perfectly. We’re hugely proud of our long-standing affiliation with the silver screen, with some of Hollywood’s biggest names having sailed in style with Cunard – from Charlie Chaplin to Meryl Streep. As the first cruise line to host an onboard film premiere with the launch of The Greatest Showman on Queen Mary 2 in 2017, we are incredibly passionate about the power of timeless storytelling. We have dedicated spaces for film enthusiasts across the fleet, and our new ship Queen Anne will boast even more big-screen experiences for guests. Together with the BFI, we’ll strive to create unparalleled and unforgettable moments for film lovers.”

Francesca Vinti, BFI executive director of fundraising and enterprise, added: “We are thrilled to be working alongside Cunard on this partnership and are incredibly thankful for their support of the BFI and the BFI London Film Festival. We are excited to be able to reach audiences in new inventive ways with amazing films and look forward to collaborating with Cunard over the next three years.”

Cunard Announces Leadership Team For New Ship

Cunard has released the fourth instalment of Captain Inger Thorhauge’s Captain’s Log, announcing the senior team for Queen Anne’s maiden voyage.

In the latest instalment of her Captain’s Log series, Thorhauge shines a light on what’s been happening at the shipyard over the summer.

“Tens of thousands of tasks will be assigned and completed to create our new ship, Queen Anne, and, with less than a year to go before she is delivered to Cunard, work is continuing at a great pace at the shipyard near Venice.

 “Each time I board, I remind myself that at the heart of this immensely complex process, there are two basic requirements.

“The first, of course, is to build a safe and seaworthy ship to the highest achievable standards. The second, and just as much a priority as the first, is to create a hotel operation to give our guests sailing on board the most comfort and pleasure, making sure our ship and her crew create those lasting and unique memories synonymous with a Cunard voyage.”

“Together with colleagues there, I have been assembling the senior team who will be responsible for bringing Queen Anne into service next year, and to serve you on board our new Queen.”

The members of the senior team onboard the Queen Anne’s inaugural sailing include:

  • Deputy Captain Yuliyan Kostov;
  • Hotel General Managers Robert Howie;
  • Human Resources Manager Stuart Smart;
  • Chief Engineer Jon Cammish.

Cunard Unveils New Archive Exhibition

Cunard unveiled a new archive exhibition at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum on March 23, 2023.

According to a press release, Cunard’s “Travel in Style – Iconic Cunard Advertising in the 1920s and 1930s” exhibition was specially curated to display the cruise line’s seafaring heritage. It features original advertising materials and other documents from the past 100 years.

Lee Powell, vice president of brand and product at Cunard, said: “Cunard is world-renowned for inventing the golden era of ocean travel and this exhibition beautifully showcases the timelessness of our brand. Luxury, sophistication, and glamour are rooted in our DNA and these core values are as important to today’s guests as they were to travellers 100 years ago.

“While we cherish our heritage, we also use it as inspiration for forward-looking ideas when we plan for the future. Queen Anne is the next in a fine line for Cunard and she will be bursting with breath-taking moments around every corner; all of which contain subtle references to our history.”

The exhibition opens to the public on March 25 and will be on display in Gallery 5 at the museum.

The wider Cunard archives can be found at the University of Liverpool library with many records dating from the early part of the 1900s.

Siân Wilks, archivist (Cunard) at the University of Liverpool Library, said: “The Cunard archive contains most of the surviving business records produced by Cunard since it became a limited company in 1878. As a unique resource, the archive provides rich insight into the Company’s history and the social history of thousands of people whose lives Cunard impacted, including members of its crew, office staff and passengers.

“The exhibition will give visitors to Liverpool the opportunity to view a selection of original Cunard travel posters that are not normally accessible due to their large size and preservation requirements. Printed advertisements and ephemera will also be on display, which will include examples of memorabilia that have been donated by members of the public, reflecting their personal experiences of travelling with Cunard.”