Cunard’s newest cruise ship, Queen Anne, set sail from Southampton on her maiden voyage on May 3, 2024. She set sail on her historic seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon just after 9 pm to a fireworks display visible across Southampton Water.
Queen Anne is Cunard’s first new ship in 14 years, but the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag. She is one of four Cunard ships based in Southampton.
Guests on board the 3,000-guest ship enjoyed an amazing sail away party, and will continue to enjoy celebrations all through the sailing. There will even be a special Maiden Gala Evening with performances from tenor Russell Watson.
Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said, “Queen Anne’s maiden voyage signals the dawning of a new era in luxury ocean travel and her historic sail away from Southampton was a very special moment for everyone connected with Cunard. Here in the UK and across the globe, Cunard is famous for our beautiful iconic Queens. With Queen Anne joining our fleet, she marks not just a new icon but the completion of a perfect quartet alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria.”
Typically, new Cunard ships are named by a leading member of the Royal Family. The late Queen Elizabeth named Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967, Queen Mary 2 in 2004 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010, while current Queen Camilla named Queen Victoria in 2007. Queen Anne is expected to be named on June 3 in LIverpool, “the spiritual home of Cunard,” but It is not known who will name the 249th ship. McAlister did say the information would be announced a week ahead of time.
Queen Anne is sailing a 7-day roundtrip voyage from Southampton, England with ports of call in La Coruña, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal before returning home. Guests will have 4 sea days in the itinerary giving them plenty of opportunity to check out all Queen Anne has to offer.