I tried the new Cunard ship sailing to hundreds of destinations this year – with a British pub and £125k Banksy onboard
CUNARD’S ocean liners have long been a magnet for famous faces, and the recent launch of the Queen Anne was no exception.
Celebs including Alan Titchmarsh, Professor Green, Lisa Snowdon and Sir Tony Robinson celebrated the arrival of the 3,000-passenger vessel when it docked in its home port of Southampton last week.
The first new Cunard ship in 14 years and the 249th ship to sail under the liner’s flag, Queen Anne is a contemporary take on the legendary vessels known from when breaks at sea ocean first became popular.
The boat has been inspired by the past but reimagined for the future.
Designers have blended modern luxury with traditional elements, including art deco features and white-gloved bellhops who greeted us as we boarded.
A new partnership with Michel Roux has enhanced fave venue The Golden Lion with a menu designed by the chef.
The British gastropub serves up tasty treats such as The Golden Lion burger featuring Aubrey Allen prime steak, the Michel Roux Signature three cheese toastie, and Jolly Hog black pudding and apple sausage, washed down with a pint of Cunard ale.
Passengers make an entrance in The Grand Lobby with its glamorous sweeping staircase and marble floor.
Then just one floor up to The Gallery you can view a Banksy with a £125,000 price tag, and a piece by Salvador Dali.
There are food options aplenty — cruisers can grab lunch in Artisans’ Foodhall, enjoy afternoon tea or order complimentary room service.
The grade of cabin you book determines which main dining room you eat in from the Britannia, through Britannia Club and Princess Grill to the top level Queen’s Grill.
More delectable dining awaits in new venues including Aranya, an evening-only restaurant featuring playful takes on classic Indian dishes, Tramonto, which promises fresh Mediterranean flavours, and Aji Wa, another first offering a contemporary mix on Japanese cuisine.
After all that indulgence, passengers can head to the new Pavilion Wellness Studio — this airy space with ocean views is where you can enjoy a range of fitness, meditation and yoga classes, followed by healthy, cold-pressed juices from the cafe at The Pavilion.
There guests will find a two-deck area which features a retractable glass-dome roof allowing for dips in the pool or one of the hot tubs.
It also doubles as an entertainment area, where you can catch parties, shows and films.
After dark, the entertainment continues at Bright Lights Society, an intimate new show bar featuring signature cocktails and immersive performances.
Active types can enjoy a game of pickleball, shuffleboard, archery and more up on deck one.
And when it is time for bed, sleepyheads can take their pick from seven different types of pillow, before getting some kip.
Cabins range from small insides to vast suites but all feature a new-to-Cunard walk-in shower.
Queen Anne will visit hundreds of destinations in its first 12 months, including the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, New York and Sydney.
The ship is even going back to its roots in Liverpool, which is where founder Sir Samuel Cunard began his Transatlantic line in 1840.
Its naming ceremony, hosted by telly’s Matt and Emma Willis, will take place on the Mersey waterfront on Monday.
A fitting nod to the past for this very modern new Queen.
GO: CUNARD QUEEN ANNE
SAILING THERE: A seven-night Cities of Western Europe voyage onboard Queen Anne is from £749pp for full-board plus entertainment, sailing from Southampton on December 15 and calling at Le Havre, Bruges, Amsterdam and Hamburg.
See cunard.com
