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The most recent addition to Cunard’s fleet, Queen Anne, may just be their finest vessel yet. Extensive consideration was given to the design, striking a delicate balance between upholding tradition and appealing to future generations.
There is an abundance of features to appreciate about Cunard’s latest ship, Queen Anne.
Overall Rating: 96/100
Countless articles will be dedicated to Queen Anne, Cunard’s inaugural new ship in 14 years – the 4th in their fleet and the 249th in the company’s history.
How does it fare across 10 categories?
Boarding and debarking. Managing the embarkation of 3,000 passengers onto the vessel is always a challenge. The queues moved swiftly due to everyone completing check-ins weeks prior. Your credit card is on file, along with your photo. This streamlined the boarding process, reducing the time it once took. Disembarkation proceeded smoothly, albeit hindered by a medical emergency near the onshore escalators. Cabins are to be vacated by 9:00 AM with everyone off the ship by 10:00 AM. Those carrying their luggage could disembark around 7:00 AM. Opting for the shuttle to the airport, we were off by about 8:10 AM. Rating: 10/10.
Health. Health protocols are now standard and meticulously managed. The Artesian Food Hall’s setup prohibits direct contact with food handled by others. The staff plate the food for you. Cloth towels in restrooms have been replaced by paper towels. Handwashing stations and hand sanitizers are abundantly provided. Rating: 10/10.
Ship layout. The ship provides a smooth ride. Despite being approximately 100 feet lengthier than the Queen Victoria, it accommodates 1,000 more passengers (2,996). This increased capacity might suggest overcrowding, yet with the ship being around 25% heavier than the Queen Victoria and 10% wider, coupled with thoughtful design choices, it feels surprisingly spacious. Noteworthy decisions include situating the Britannia Club restaurant next to the Queens Room, providing overflow seating during peak tea times. Additionally, the Bright Lights Society presents a new nightclub venue option. Rating: 10/10.
Stateroom accommodations. Our interior cabin spanned roughly 148 square feet. It proved satisfactory. An improvement from shower curtains, the bathroom contained a glass walled shower. However, seating was limited to one chair, posing a challenge for two occupants. After requesting an additional chair, one was promptly provided. While the cabin width may have been slightly reduced, the overall accommodation was acceptable. Rating: 10/10.
Retail offerings. Diversifying their retail services, the ship introduced a luxury goods resale boutique in addition to standard jewelry and perfume stores. They also showcase prominent British brands. The Cabinet of Curiosities represents a novel concept, featuring unique pieces. Purchasing flowers for the cabin was facilitated at the purser’s desk, although visual representations of the arrangements were not provided on the ordering sheet. This information may be accessible online. Rating: 9/10.
Culinary experience. The ship boasts four specialty restaurants, all serving dinner, with only one offering lunch as well. Additional charges apply for all. Sir Samuels steakhouse stands out for its excellence. The Britannia main dining room menu was satisfactory, benefitting from the consulting expertise of Michel Roux. Despite premium offerings like beef Wellington and lamb dishes, the dining room selections occasionally felt insufficient. The Commodore Lounge and Chart Room lacked hors d’oeuvres, offering only nuts and chips. Rating: 8/10.
Beverages. Cunard excels in this aspect, with reasonably priced drinks. The wine selection includes many options priced at or below $45 per bottle. Those bringing their preferred bottles onboard benefit from a reasonable corkage fee. The wine list remains consistent with other Cunard vessels. Rating: 10/10.
Entertainment: The entertainment quality appeared top-notch. Being the naming ceremony voyage may have elevated the experience. Distinguished individuals like Frank Bruno and Celia Imrie graced the ship as speakers. The Bright Lights Society, the new nightclub venue, offers a cabaret-like ambiance. The theatrical productions were introduced by a notable West End producer. Rating: 10/10.
Destinations: This 14-night itinerary encompassed the British Isles, stopping at seven locales. While captivating for Americans, the proximity of these destinations to British residents may diminish their allure. Edinburgh required tendering, while all other stops involved docking. An array of shore excursions was available. Rating: 10/10.
Staff dedication. Given the ship’s novelty, with only three cruises completed at the time, many staff members were freshly assigned, with some transitioning from other Cunard ships. Reports indicate several hundred crew members will return to their prior vessels, suggesting a replacement training program. A period of adjustment is anticipated with new surroundings. Across the staff, the majority are outstanding professionals, with a few classified as competent. Our cabin steward fell within the latter category. Adapting to a new ship is a shared learning curve for everyone onboard. Rating: 9/10.
Highlights
- Ship Stability. The vessel’s stability and quietness were notable.
- Wi-Fi. Equipped with Starlink internet service, the ship offers exceptional connectivity and speed. There
- Expense, yet no longer a reason to complain: “Poor internet service” is no longer a valid complaint.
- Television shows, signal quality. If you have sailed with Cunard before, you may recall the limited TV selection. However, times have changed with hundreds of movies now available. You can pause and resume later from where you left off.
- Glamorous Venue. Introducing the exclusive Bright Lights Society – a hidden entertainment spot, also known as a nightclub! Here, captivating performances with singing and dancing take place. It evokes the atmosphere of unforgettable films like Cabaret or Victor, Victoria, providing an interactive experience with audience participation by invitation.
- Additional seating for tea time. One challenge on Cunard ships is the popularity of Afternoon Tea, often leading to full capacity. To address this issue, the Britannia Club dining room near the Queens Room on the Queen Anne provides overflow seating during peak periods, ensuring no guests are turned away.
- Vast Event Venue. The Queen Anne boasts a generous pool area at the heart of the ship, featuring a retractable roof and a sizable screen, reminiscent of a drive-in theater. This versatile space serves as an ideal venue for all-weather events.
- Spacious Atmosphere. Despite occasional peaks in crowd volume, particularly during shore excursions, the ship generally maintains a spacious feel. Ample seating can be found in cocktail venues, with the Commodore Lounge reportedly being twice the size of its counterpart on the Queen Mary 2. The theater seating comfortably accommodates just under 1,000 guests, offering plenty of legroom in cozy chairs.
- Unique Ship Choir. One distinct feature on Cunard voyages is the guest choir experience. Volunteers are sought by the staff for practice sessions on sea days, culminating in a special performance on the final sea day. During this voyage, over 50 individuals participated in the choir.
Potential Areas for Enhancement:
- Seating Arrangement. Our inside stateroom with a king-sized bed presented an issue when breakfast was served for two. To address this, we requested an additional chair, which was promptly provided.
- Communicating with your cabin attendant. Surprisingly, there is no dedicated button for contacting the steward on the phone. Attempts to reach them through the Purser’s office led to repetitive “Your call is important to us” messages. A card introducing the steward along with their contact number should have been provided, and the steward welcoming guests upon arrival is a missed opportunity.
- Lunch Options at Specialty Restaurants. Among the four specialty dining venues, only Sir Samuels offers lunch, and solely on sea days. To fully experience the culinary diversity, it would be beneficial to expand lunch offerings to other specialty restaurants, accommodating guests with various dining preferences.
- Enriching Wine Experience. Participating in a wine lunch and learn activity is highly desirable, featuring a multi-course meal paired with different wines over a leisurely 2+ hours. Despite expressing interest early on, uncertainties and lack of availability dampened the experience. Ensuring clear communication and sufficient slots for interested guests is essential.
- Exclusive Officer Event. Traditionally held during the voyage, sometimes on formal nights, the officer cocktail party is a privilege for higher-tier World Club members. However, the absence of any communication regarding this event left us uncertain about its occurrence.
- Captain’s Welcome Gathering. While this event may have been suspended post-pandemic, its significance in fostering social connections onboard remains valuable. On formal nights, seeing a blend of attire from black tie to traditional cultural garments underscores the diverse and inclusive community of passengers aboard the ship.
- Religious Services. Although weekend religious services are common, the absence of a designated priest or minister led to interdenominational gatherings officiated by the Captain. Despite good attendance, the traditional organized services were missed, leaving an expectation for structured religious offerings.
- Floral Arrangements. Ordering flowers for the cabin is a customary practice, yet the lack of visual references in the form at the Purser’s Office hindered the decision-making process. Providing images of available arrangements beforehand would enhance the experience for guests seeking to personalize their living space.
The newest addition to Cunard’s fleet, Queen Anne, presents a mix of delightful features and opportunities for improvement. Addressing these areas could elevate the ship’s standing to become a leading vessel in the fleet.
For more details on Cunard Line and its ships – Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Anne, visit https://www.cruisecompete.com/lines/cunard_cruises.html
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Cover photo: QUEEN ANNE AT SEA, CREDIT CUNARD
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