When the Queen Anne docked in Cape Town, a small group of us stepped aboard for a walkabout and dinner – just enough time to get a feel for Cunard’s newest flagship.
Launched in 2024, Queen Anne is Cunard’s most contemporary ship to date, yet it remains firmly anchored in the spirit of classic ocean travel. Old-world glamour is the brief, with a lighter, fresher hand. Our tour began, as all Cunard journeys do, in the grand lobby – the social heart of the ship – where live music drifted through the space. Image of the Grand Lobby:
The aesthetic leans into Art Deco, and sets the ton for what unfolds across the decks; pools, a theatre, bars, a generously sized spa, and a cabaret-style venue alongside more intimate loungers designed for mingling rather than formality.
but it’s very much styled in the ethos of old-style cruise liners with a fresh take on the brand’s old-school glamour. We started with the tour in the grand lobby, a centre of all Cunard ships with live music tinkling in the background. There are pools, a theatre, bars, and a spacious spa in the mix and the style is Art Deco. There’s a cabaret-style venue and more intimate bars and spaces for mingling rather than the larger more formal areas for which Cunard is known. Image of the Commodore Room:
There’s a clear nod to the Golden Age of steamship travel, when crossing oceans by sea was the primary way to journey long haul. The ship proudly evokes its British identity and heritage – and wears it well.
We gravitated quickly to the outdoor pool deck for sundowners, an immediate favourite. Dinner followed at Sir Samuels, the ship’s steakhouse and one of several specialty restaurants on board. Steaks were eaten with enthusiasm. Alongside Sir Samuels, specialty dining includes Japanese and Indian options (these come at an additional cost), while the main dining room seats up to 1200 guests at a time. Queen Anne carries just under 3000 passengers, and over a thousand staff. Image of the Pool Pavillion:
The ship departed Cape Town at full capacity – no last minute bargains in sight. Cruise travel, it seems is reverting to pre-pandemic booking patterns, with passengers needing to plan further ahead and spontaneous deals becoming increasingly rare.
Across its 13 decks are about 15 dining venues, ranging from casual snack spots to formal restaurants. The principal dining rooms – Britannia, Princess Grill and Queens Grill – anchor the culinary offering, while a games room, casino and various bars ensure there’s no shortage of evening diversions. And a spa that had us swooning. Image of the Pool Pavillion, and the spa.
For those inclined to stay active, there are fitness classes, line dancing, a gym, and – arguably the most demanding pursuit of all – luxury shopping. Art lovers are also well catered for: Queen Anne carries Cunard’s largest curated art collection at sea, comprising more than 4000 artworks.
The takeaway? For all its contemporary flourishes, Queen Anne remains unmistakably British at heart. Image of the Queen’s Room:
One final, poignant detail: It was Cunard’s RMS Carpathia that rescued 705 survivors from the Titanic disaster more than a century ago. Cunard itself marked 180 years during the Covid era – a reminder that this is a brand deeply woven into the history of ocean travel.