Cunard Queen Anne: A Bold Move? Mixed Reactions

Looking forward to your Queen Elizabeth review. Love the ship's style. ❤🎉

Thankfully Cunard has three ships which appeal to us traditionalists. This summer we had an Alaska cruise on the Queen Elizabeth - our third QE cruise on this route. it was our first time in Queens Grill on this ship, so not surprisingly it was our favourite. Our first voyage on the QE was a Norway cruise 10 years ago. We love that ship, not necessarily more than the Queen Mary 2. We have travelled in all restaurant classes on Cunard and have enjoyed them all. The Queen Anne may be successful as there are many people who don't know Cunard and there are some loyal "Cunarders" who are willing to try something different. I should never say never, but I have no interest in the QA. In addition to the concerns that many others have over the décor and the lack of a proper promenade deck with space for deck chairs, I am concerned there could be a further dumbing down of the dress code. I have read that on at least one of the Holland America Pinnacle-class ships they have stainless steel cutlery instead of the traditional silver. The QE2 was, to many, shockingly modern at first. Cunard made significant changes over the decades. Although we were not pleased with the interiors on our first crossing (exactly 50 years ago this month) we returned for several more. There was little - and eventually no - competition on Atlantic crossings. But each time we noticed improvements in the ship. The restaurants changed (for the better) so much it was like being on a different ship. Even the dreadful modern rail on the promenade deck was replaced with traditional wood. By the time we made our final crossing 35 years later the ship was never more appealing to us. The best thing I can say about the Queen Anne is it could be worse. In the preliminary plans I don't see any water slides or dodgems.

Ugly. Cunard has gone woke.

Looks much nicer than any of the new monsters. And all the Cunard ships are a bit different to each other and other cruise ships. I liked the QM2 - be interesting to see the new approach next summer

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. It should be noted that a pinnacle class ship is a hull design for the most part with a superstructure that can be configured in a variety of ways. It's a cookie cutter hull and not necessarily in interior fit and finish. That it is used by Holland America should not be viewed as a negative as HAL is actually doing a lot of things right and has Cunard beat on a number of fronts: on board tech and entertainment as but two. Cunard needs a refresh and the Queen Ann is going to go a long way towards meeting that goal. I am booked on her in 2025. I am also booked again on the QM2 for a crossing in 2024. Having spent 24 days on the QM2 this year, i would say the product remains good but is trending tired and a bit stale. It felt like a geriatric ward. Cunard needs to test the waters with a newer and more modern product. It can still retain a nod to its British heritage but i am 100% supportive in the pivot by Cunard to the Queen Ann. It's time for Cunard to evolve!

My wife and I just booked our first trip on any sort of ship outside of our local ferry haha. We explicitly picked the QM2 not only due to the "wow factor" of it being the worlds last ocean liner (though it was a major part) but due to the visual design. We are both sub 30 years old and adore the traditional art deco style, it is so visually appealing and calming, the world is so fast past and minimalistic nowadays - the QM2 seems like a place to go for a calming visual treat where we can disconnect.

I mean no offense to other cruise ships but really if we wanted to pile into an incredibly crowded, visually minimalistic and fast paced environment we have a a thousand ships or land based destinations that satisfy that.

Cunard loses its identity, and charm by abandoning its uniqueness to look like just another cruise line. I sincerely hope the QA was built to satisfy the crowd not interested in tradition qnd hope cunard returns to the oast for future ships.

I don't think I'll be booking a cruise on Queen Anne tbh. As you say, it repesents a change in Cunard's image and I suspect most Cunard fans (like myself) simply do not like change. QM2 will always be my first choice (although I am on Queen Victoria tomorrow!).

The ship looks amazing, but i would never go on it. I prefer oceania visa luxury

Queen Anne reminds me of Norwegian Eppic's appearnce,,both appear to be suffering from a Hangover,having cruised on QE2 & Norwegian Pearl,much nicer looking ships,Cunard should have been bold,like Disney Magic,having tandom funnels & disticnive lines

For me it’s not so much about the interior, it’s the exterior which is a disappointment.

I sold Jaguars for many, many years. The 2 door XK model had a very loyal following. The last generation was made much too common for traditional buyers but not ruined enough to attract people who had never considered a Jaguar. That is what Carnival Corp has done with the new Queen Anne.

Let's be 100% blunt. Great Britain (generally) is no longer what it once was. In many respects, Great Britain has lost its way and is trading on past glories. I suspect Cunard is doing the same. I am a frequent visitor from the States and have stayed at the Connaught often (mirrors the Cunard brand). An average room is $,1800 per night USD. Under their current ownership, they have taken great care of the brand while making significant updates to remain fresh/relevant. The selection of staff and service delivery have retained the service-level one expects for these lodging prices. Cunard will need to remember the same. I wish Cunard was being managed/positioned as a super-boutique brand with larger cabins, significantly elevated dining experiences, and a higher price point to match. Cunard should be regarded as a once in a lifetime experience and priced accordingly to ensure profitability.

Parent company Carnival borrowed 3+ BILLION during the pandemic and we may be entering a global recession. Creating a bespoke ship (Queen Mary) is expensive and maintaining her over time is equally expensive). Carnival is not mismanaged and had great analytics on the demand for Cunard by ship/cruise price. Those of us 60+ may have 15 years of potential sales so new ships have to speak to a different customer.

I noticed many on Cunard wearing formal attire were doing so in half-measure. Times have changed and standards have dropped. Reality dictates a modification of what 'white glove' service represents. I would suggest near luxury brands with ship-within-a-ship offerings can exceed what Cunard currently has on offer. Cunard must tweak their branding to reflect a modern interpretation of super-high stands and service delivery.

I couldn't believe that Queen Ann is doing the 2025 world cruise in place of QM2! Crossing oceans is exactly what QM2 was built for and this is why I didn't book the 2025 world cruise. QM2, QV and QE all have a solid fan base whereas Queen Ann is an unknown and the prices Cunard are charging for this ship are very high. I wouldn't mind trying Queen Ann out but they'll have to bring down the prices before I commit.

I can't wait to try it! Shame about no solo cabins though! And prices are a little high at the moment

Just come back from a month on QM2, and have done 2 world cruises on her. I still think it’s the best of the 3 current Queens, though prefer the Grills dining room on Elizabeth. Now booked to go on Anne in July next year, and again in September 2025. I love the traditional look of QM2 inside and out, and think it looks so classy on gala evenings, where the dress code matches the actual look of the ship. If any of this is lost with Anne, it will be a shame, and a mistake from Cunard, as it’s the main thing that differentiates it from all the other lines. Please don’t lose that ‘uniqueness’ Cunard!
Bill - really enjoying your vids. Keep up the good work!

The Queen Berangaria !!

Looks like an apartment building on a hull. Can we not have a ship!

Well it all comes down to economics, i don't think Cunard spent all that money to please a few ocean liner enthusiasts ( me included ) I'm sure they did their research and decided to go in that direction, its a business at the end of the day.

If Cunard sell the Elizabeth and the Victoria they can kiss around 80% of their clientele good-bye. There's a million Princess ships out there - why Carnival Corp thinks we need or want another one labelled 'Queen Anne', heaven only knows. The footage this week of Queen Anne's Pavillion area shows it to be just another Princess ship - even the decor. What a shame. Cunard is owned by people who don't understand the magic of Cunard and will destroy the company. By the way, Queen Elizabeth is a delightful ship and not showing her age at all.

The cabins,Queens room and main dining room give me hope but the main atrium looks shockingly drab and unimpressive. Cunard's classic style is it's USP and I hope it can find its way to keep it's traditional feel and move forward to attract new passengers but if it loses too many of the reasons I love them then my future with them may not continue.I believe you have to experience any ship before jumping to any conclusions.

What is the life expectancy of all these old buffers? Maybe that was one of the factors in the design.

Hopefully the next ship is another ocean liner. Qm2 isn't getting any younger and it is the ship that draws new clients to Cunard. No liner might well mean Cunard will find it harder to attract new customers.

QA has no single cabins. A step backwards, in my opinion, since they put in more of them on the QM2 in her last refit - and there are more and more single travellers.

If I wanted Celebrity, I would book it!

I just hope the ocean liner doesn’t die out completely. I am a ship nerd and would be happy if they went even more old world glam with things. I’m not really interested in floating malls and night clubs.

When the original Queen Mary was introduced she was criticised for being "too modern and too flashy". When the Queen Elizabeth was introduced she was a modernised version of the Queen Mary, she was up-to-date. When the Queen Elizabeth 2 was introduced she was as modern as could be. It is only since Cunard has been a part of the Carnival empire has the company been transformed into this time warp somewhere around 1932. Yes of course the company now has to tread a very fine line, a difficult path indeed. Weill Queen Anne just be like any other luxury cruise ship - possibly. That means that Cunard are going to have to pull out all the stops and enhance that 'white glove' service. Make sailing Cunard more than just special but extra special.

Fantastic! Great to see Cunard finally come up with something new instead of hanging on to a fantasy of a bygone era. Now, I will give Cunard a chance.

i am looking forward to the Queen Anne its something new and they are moving with the times

A friend who is booked for the maiden voyage just mentioned it is postponed. Any info?

Hi Bill. The wife and I love your videos, and watch them all. We've never been on a cruise, but would only consider Cunard. We are traditionalists and we're thinking Queen Mary, but Cunard was running some deals so we just booked on Queen Anne. We couldn't resist a brand new liner. Thanks for all the info you make available. It is appreciated.

Booked my first Cunard cruise because of Queen Anne.

Oh well the whiney traditionalists will die off soon enough . I loved loved my first QE cruise this summer and greatly enjoyed the tradition and quality that was clearly evident. Many of my cruising friends have no interest in Cunard as they have heard it is too stuffy. Cunard needs to attract some new customers. The fogies can cruise on the existing ships as long as they are able.

It's definitely doesn't look like a Cunard ship. Disappointed. I think they're having an identity crisis.

They won’t pay the money to build another Queen Mary. Very sad.

Could not agree more with the criticism. Carnival has taken leave of their senses, they’ll have nothing to compete on but price. Race to the bottom. Cunard is and should be different.

I didn't know about Cunard having been on other ships. But I've been looking for the "Cunard type" adult only ship. I guess i will book on the other ships (other than Anne) if i find the right sailing.

I as on the QE for 16 days last fall. The beauty of that ship is stunning! I love the classic interiors of Cunard ships.

Booked for myself and wife on the queen anne end of June 2024. Inside cabin. (it's cheaper and we don't really spend time on balconies). Have previously done the transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2.
Have to say I'm excited about this.

The big surprise is this, NO LIDO BUFFET

QE & QV have max passenger of 2060.....QA has 3000. Have the public spaces been increased in line with substantial increase of passengers????

Have you any thoughts, please, on whether Queen Anne will feel crowded?

QV felt pretty spacious, and apart from obvious peak meal times, the ship never felt crowded. As Cunard have added an additional 50% of passengers into a ship only a little longer and a heavier, I wondered about the obvious impact on size.

Queen Anne is 3.6 metres wider. Tonnage is QA at 113000 tonnes, and QV is 90000. Lenght difference is only 28 metres, so no doubt they've had to make some compromises to fit the additional 1000 passengers in.

I and lots of others would appreciate your insights and knowledge, please.

The Lizzie is my favourite of the 3 Queens, the furnishings are much lighter, though the Britannia Club restaurant on the Vicki is much better décor wise than the QE. I'm booked on the Queen Anne maiden voyage and I'm approaching it with an open mind, my belief is that the décor will be very tastefully done.

I feel the ship is wonderful
Change is good

The exterior design of the Cunard cruise ship Princess Anne is frankly UGLY.
The bulky superstructure above the bridge is out of proportion and looks like it was dropped on top by mistake.
I haven’t seen any of the interiors yet,but don’t hold out much hope to be seeing any classic Cunard styling.

How the hell could you think that people would react positively to the Queen Anne? Are you blind? It's the ugliest thing ever. It now looks like all the other crappy cruise ships out there.

we done 30 nights on the QM2 and like the fact that it is not an amusment park. We are booked on the QAnne ths spring, hope it is not an amusement park...

This new Cunard ship is very out of date in its old world design , it needs to appeal to the future younger cruiser , but this ships falls far behind in its appeal

Cunard, as a cruise line, only survives because of Carnival Corp. They can't make it on their own anymore. Want to lose them forever or accept a bit of modernization. Can't have it both ways. If you could, Cunard would still be a stand-alone cruise line. But they aren't. Reality check. The blowhards complaining about the changes never spent enough of their own money and wealth to keep Cunard afloat. Wrong thinking. What does it take for a cruise line to SURVIVE. Scary word I know for upper crust zealots finding themselves on the outside of reality for not changing with the times. But there it is.

Haven’t sailed with Cunard yet but if you’re not a fan of the new ship, just don’t sail on it? It doesn’t seem that difficult to me. I’m a RC fan and not a fan of the new mega ships having sailed on Symphony of the seas. But with that in mind, I won’t sail on the newer ships and stick to the ships I like. Very simple :)