Cunard Line has announced a delay to the introduction of its newest cruise ship, Queen Anne.
Originally set to enter service in early 2024, the 3,000-guest ship will now debut in early May, with the Carnival Corporation-owned brand citing numerous challenges in shipbuilding, including the supply chain and energy shortages.
The ship is under construction for the iconic brand at Fincantieri.
“As a result, our new ship Queen Anne will be arriving slightly later than expected,” the company said in a statement.
“We have automatically transferred guests booked or waitlisted on the maiden voyage to the new seven-night maiden voyage, which will depart from Southampton on May 3 2024, visit La Coruna on 5 May 2024, Lisbon on May 7, 2024, and then return to Southampton on May 10 2024.”
Queen Anne’s new maiden season voyages will include sailings from Southampton to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, and the Norwegian Fjords. Voyages go on sale this December.
Joining Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne makes it four ships for Cunard Line in 2024.
Cunard has announced the name of the new ship joining its fleet, Queen Anne.
According to a press release, Queen Anne will be Cunard’s 249th ship and will make up a quartet of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. This will mark the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships at sea.
Cunard said that the name “celebrates Cunard’s rich heritage, royal history and refined status.” According to the press release, the cruise line’s team “explored multiple naming options” and, inspired by Queen Anne’s reign, engaged with British historian, author and television presenter, Kate Williams, to assist in the detailed research.
“It is so exciting that the fourth ship of the fleet will be named after Queen Anne. She has a fascinating tale to tell – one of queenship, unity of developing constitutional monarchy, a golden age of the arts. She was an inspiring woman, wildly popular with her people. She should be celebrated. This new ship in the Cunard fleet is the perfect way to do it!” Williams said.
Queen Anne will feature reimagined Cunard signature spaces as well as the introduction of new guest experiences within dining, culture and entertainment. The cruise line said that the ship celebrates the influential design styles of both past and present and introduces an updated Cunard livery.
Designers have joined forces to create its design with bold colour tones, while at the same time in keeping with the Cunard “sophistication,” the cruise line said.
“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Queen Anne, the fourth ship to Cunard’s fleet. This marks a very special moment in Cunard’s 182-year history and showcases Cunard’s exciting global plans for the future, allowing even more guests around the world to set sail with Cunard. With a design inspired by the past and set for the future, Queen Anne is the perfect way for our guests to rediscover the joy of exploration and travel again. We look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks and months,” said Carnival UK President, Sture Myrmell.
The Queen Anne’s maiden season program will go on sale in May, with the ship’s first sailings in early 2024. More in-depth details are to be shared shortly, the cruise line said,
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 ship will host the Literature Festival at Sea organized by The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival and The Times programming team later this year.
The line-up includes Ian Rankin, Bernardine Evaristo, Mary Beard, Richard Osman, and Alexander McCall Smith.
The authors will talk about their lives and discuss their work. They will also advise The Times journalists on how they can write better.
“I am beyond excited to travel, speak and engage with guests at a literary festival on the high seas. I am sure there will be plenty of wonderful distractions, but the pleasures of being literally away from it all with a chance to discuss bookish things… what could be better?” said Mary Beard, one of Britain’s most famous Classicists and English scholars.
“Cunard is delighted to once again host a dazzling line-up of acclaimed literary talent who will headline our 2022 Literature Festival at sea. Our guests will truly relish this second-to-none ocean travel experience as they sail with these renowned authors amidst the elegance and style of our flagship, Queen Mary 2,” said Jamie Paiko, the vice president of Cunard North America.
The seven-night Transatlantic Crossing will cost $1,039 per passenger and leaves New York for Southampton on Dec. 3 2022.