When the opportunity came up to attend an “Enchanting English Garden Party” aboard Cunard’s newest ship, the Queen Anne, during her maiden voyage to Sydney, we were thrilled. We couldn’t wait to experience the magic of this regal beauty in all her glory.
Having always associated Cunard with classic elegance, grandeur, and a sense of old-world luxury, we were curious to see how the newest addition to their fleet would uphold these traditions while adding a fresh, contemporary touch.
TIMELESS MODERN LUXURY
From the moment you step aboard Queen Anne, it’s clear the ship effortlessly combines classic elegance with modern sophistication. Rich, regal interiors, immaculate linens, and traditionally dressed bellboys create a refined yet relaxing atmosphere. The glass dome roof in ‘The Pavilion’ highlights Queen Anne’s modern touch, offering open-air views and adapting to any weather, completing the luxurious experience.
LAID BACK DINING
Queen Anne brings a refreshing change to Cunard’s evening dining traditions with a relaxed smart casual dress code alternative. Guests can enjoy dinner at the Golden Lion Pub, Carinthia Lounge, or Artisans’ Foodhall without the need to glam up. This change offers the perfect balance, allowing guests to dine in comfort and a more laid-back atmosphere without sacrificing quality.
MODERN YET TRADITIONAL DINING
Cunard has introduced four new dinner-only restaurants aboard Queen Anne: Aji-Wa Japanese, Aranya Indian, Tramonto Mediterranean, and Sir Samuel’s Steakhouse. This offers guests a wide variety of flavors and dining options to choose from. What we love most is how Cunard has blended these modern offerings with classic passenger favorites like the Signature Afternoon Tea and the iconic white-gloved service at the Britannia Restaurant. It’s the perfect balance of innovation and heritage, showcasing their ability to adapt while staying true to their rich English legacy.
Having set sail from Southampton on 3rd May 2024 on her maiden voyage and being Cunard’s first new ship in 14 years, Queen Anne sets a completely new experience and standard that stays true to the brand’s iconic style but also incorporates a fresh contemporary twist designed to attract a younger audience.
At full capacity, Queen Anne can accommodate 2,600 guests, with an impressive 1:1.4 guest-to-staff ratio, meaning guests are treated to personalised service and luxury experiences like “Traditional Afternoon Tea” with white-gloved waiters serving up sandwiches, delicious pastries and scones with Jam and clotted cream on fine bone china.
The ship features a variety of dining options designed to suit a wide range of tastes and styles, No longer is formal attire required in every dining venue. Instead, guests have more flexibility and can dress casually and enjoy a relaxed dining experience in Golden Lion Pub, Carinthia Lounge, or Artisans’ Foodhall. This is a huge win for anyone who hesitated to book a Cunard cruise because they felt the traditional dress code was a little too formal.
Although we were only onboard for a short time, we can tell you that the irresistible aromas wafting from the Golden Lion Pub would be enough to convince us to book a cruise on Queen Anne. The delicious smells of the daily specials like Pork, Apple, and West Country Cider Pie with Creamy Mash and Chicken Tikka Masala with Fragrant Saffron Rice and Poppadum filled the corridors, drawing us straight in. We had the pleasure of chatting with two lovely guests who shared how Cunard’s classic Beer Battered Fish and Chips is just as fantastic on Queen Anne as it is on her sister ships. The only difference being that some meals in the pub come with a small cover charge.
The Golden Lion Pub is the perfect place to unwind, with cozy, traditional pub interiors making you feel right at home. If we could have, we would have gladly settled into one of the booths, ordered a hearty curry, and enjoyed a couple of ales. It’s the kind of spot where you could easily lose track of time.
The staterooms have been designed in shades of deep blues, reds, and golds creating an atmosphere of contemporary luxury. Each stateroom features modern decor and guests can choose from inside, oceanview, balcony, balcony club staterooms (with access to the Britannia Club restaurant), or indulge in the Princess or Queen Grill Suites. A seasoned Cunard traveller shared that the bathroom upgrades, especially the removal of the shower curtain, are a welcomed change. However, they did mention that some might miss the under-bed storage drawers.
Queen Anne is a welcome addition to the Cunard fleet, effortlessly blending classic elegance with modern sophistication in design, dining, and a relaxed dress code. From the impeccable service and delicious cuisine to the warm, friendly crew, every detail exceeded our expectations. The Garden Party, with the surprise Laurent-Perrier Champagne bell ring, was a highlight, offering a taste of the royal treatment guests can expect onboard. We wouldn’t hesitate to book a cruise on Queen Anne.
Good to Know | Cunard Queen Anne
♡ Cunard provides three fare options catering to various budgets. The “Cunard Fare” offers the most flexibility, including the ability to amend your booking, onboard credit, stateroom selection, and priority dining times in the Britannia Restaurant. For those looking for a more affordable option, the “Early Saver” and “Late Saver” fares offer reduced prices, though they come with less flexibility. For more information, visit Cunard’s website.
♡ Queen Anne offers guests a range of unique activities, including archery, along with a pickleball court, putting green, and driving range, just to name a few.
♡ Cunard has partnered with “Talk Art” to create a self-guided art tour featuring one of the largest art collections at sea. From our experience, this is some of the finest art we have seen while at sea.
♡ Onboard, you will also find a selection of Cunard’s special gins, wines, beers, and vermouth.
♡ Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge is the current captain of the Queen Anne and made history as Cunard’s first female captain.
♡ Queen Anne’s maiden world voyage set sail from Southampton on January 10, 2025, embarking on an incredible 107-night journey. The ship will visit 18 different countries and dock at 30 remarkable ports, including New York, Dubai, Singapore, Auckland, the Panama Canal, and Sydney, to name just a few.
♡ Aji-Wa Japanese, Aranya Indian, Tramonto Mediterranean, and Sir Samuel’s Steakhouse are classed as “alternative dining” venues and attract an additional charge as do some items on The Golden Lion Pub menu.
♡ You can pre-book alternative dining restaurants online before your cruise to receive a discount. Visit Cunard’s website for more information.
Ready to Experience Cunard’s Queen Anne? – Book Here
We were invited onboard as guests to experience Queen Anne on her maiden voyage to Sydney. All thoughts, opinions, and photos shared about Cunard | Queen Anne – Experience Modern Luxury & Garden Party Glamour are entirely my own.
