The new cruise ship, fresh from her christening in Liverpool, will be sailing to the Western Mediterranean and Norwegian fjords during her maiden season

On June 3, the special naming ceremony of Cunard’s new ship, the Queen Anne, took place in Liverpool, England. Joining Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, and Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge were five distinguished Liverpool icons who had been selected to officially name the Queen Anne.

The luminaries included:

  • Community leader Ngunan Adamu
  • British Olympian heptathlon athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson
  •  Spice Girl and author Melanie C
  • Liverpool music and cultural legend Jayne Casey
  • Local restaurant entrepreneur Natalie Haywood

More About the Queen Anne’s Naming Ceremony

For its first new ship in 14 years, Cunard chose the City of Liverpool as the Queen Anne’s godparent. Why Liverpool? It was the birthplace of Cunard, whose first transatlantic crossing departed from there in July 1840. Liverpool was Cunard’s headquarters for 128 years.

Andrea Bocelli performed at the Queen Anne’s naming ceremony.

The naming ceremony was hosted by musician Matt Willis and his wife, TV presenter Emma Willis. It opened with a performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. McAlister and the five Liverpool icons did the traditional smashing of a bottle of Champagne against the ship. Operatic superstar Andrea Bocelli also performed. After additional performances, fireworks lit up the sky over the Queen Anne.

Dining Onboard Cunard’s New Ship

The Queen Anne has 15 restaurants, and The Britannia Restaurant is her main dining room. The Golden Lion Club’s menu, specially designed by two Michelin-starred Chef Michel Roux, provides classic British pub fare. An iconic experience is the Cunard Afternoon Tea. Served in the Queens Room, it provides a touch of elegance with a selection of fine teas, delicate sandwiches and scones, plus a variety of cakes and pastries. The tea also features live music and ballroom dancing.

The Queen Anne has four intimate specialty restaurants that charge a fee. They are:

  • Aji Wa – providing signature tastes of Japan with an a la carte pricing structure. Guests can tailor their dining experience according to their personal preferences.
  • Sir Samuel’s – a traditional steakhouse open for lunch and dinner
  • Tramonto – offering a wide range of classic Italian dishes
  • Aranya – innovative Indian cuisine with a contemporary twist on traditional flavors

The Queen Anne also has exclusive dining venues. Britannia Club members can enjoy Britannia Club Restaurant, while guests staying in the Queens Grill Suites may dine in the Queens Grill Restaurant. The Princess Grill Restaurant is exclusive to guests residing in the Princess Grill Suites.

Golden Lion Club

Casual Dining Options on Cunard’s New Ship

Casual dining choices include:

  • Pavilion Wellness Cafe – for guests who prefer lighter, health-focused meals, with nutritious options including salads, wraps and smoothies
  • Pavilion Grill – from hot dogs and hamburgers to grilled seafood and steaks, at lunch and dinner
  • Artisans’ Food Hall – offering a diverse range of foods, from pizzas and pastas to traditional British fare and exotic Asian dishes
  • Gold Lion Pub – classic pub dishes like fish and chips and hearty pies. A great place to catch live sports, participate in pub quizzes or just relax over beer or cider.

Diverse Activities on Cunard’s Newest Ship

The Queen Anne has new daytime activities:

  • With an exclusive partnership that Cunard has with Pickleball England, guests can play pickleball onboard.
  • Guests can master their archery skills, thanks to a new Archery GB partnership and onboard instructors. The Queen Anne has an official Archery GB activity center.
  • The beautiful Sky Bar and Observation Deck is a haven for deck game enthusiasts. Located on the forward section of Deck 14, this area provides uninhibited spaces. Golfers can enjoy the putting green and practice their game with beautiful views of the ports or sea, and the deck has shuffleboard courts.

Royal Court Theatre

Evening Entertainment Onboard the Queen Anne

Besides the Afternoon Tea, the Queens Room hosts gala evenings and ballroom dancing. The Royal Court Theatre features varied fare, from West End-style musicals (similar to New York City’s Broadway musicals) and dramatic plays to special guest performances and live comedy acts.

Various lounges provide more intimate venues for guests to enjoy live music and relaxation. Located at the fore of the ship, the Commodore Club is a perfect spot to have cocktails and listen to a jazz ensemble or pianist while enjoying panoramic views. The Golden Lion Pub offers classic pub entertainment with live bands. Churchill’s Cigar Lounge offers a refined atmosphere where guests can enjoy a selection of fine cigars and spirits in a club-like setting. And the Casino provides a wide range of gambling options.

New is Bright Lights Society, a cabaret-style nightclub.

More about the Queen Anne

The Queen Anne accommodates 3,000 guests, has 14 decks and is 113,000 gross register tons. Located at the center of the ship, the Grand Lobby spans three decks. Its sculpted mural, using a special lighting effect, celebrates ocean travel and changes throughout the day. The Panorama Pool Club, located aft, provides beautiful views. Guests can take a refreshing dip in the monochrome-striped pool, relax in a sun lounger or take a seat at the bar and listen to live bands.

The Cabana Bar is an enticing spot for guests to relax and enjoy one of the vibrant, rum-based cocktails, along with other bar favorites. The space is partially covered so guests can choose to be in the shade. The Cabana Bar’s two horizon telescopes let guests spot other ships or even wildlife.

Where the Queen Anne is Sailing

During her maiden season, the Queen Anne is offering itineraries from Southampton to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Norwegian fjords.

The Queen Anne’s Grand Lobby

More about Cunard

A luxury British cruise line, Cunard is renowned for creating unforgettable experiences around the world. A leading operator of passenger ships since 1840, Cunard focuses on fine dining, hand-selected entertainment and outstanding service. Destinations include Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, Australia and the Far East.

Cunard has been owned by Carnival Corporation & plc since 1998. With the addition of the Queen Anne, Cunard now has four ships. Other ships are the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

Why Consider the Queen Anne

Complementing the British heritage luxury experiences are new innovations and a fresh modern feel and design. There is dynamic evening entertainment, a focus on wellness, 15 restaurants and even a pickleball court. And with her diverse itineraries, the Queen Anne is definitely one to consider for a future group cruise.

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By Cindy Bertram