This storied cruise brand just unveiled its first new ship in 14 years
It's a big, big day for Cunard, the storied cruise brand that once operated such legendary ocean liners as the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth 2.
The 184-year-old shipping company is finally beginning sailings with Queen Anne, its first new ship in 14 years.
Under development since 2017 and delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-awaited 3,000-passenger vessel will depart late Friday from Southampton, England, on a seven-night voyage to La Coruna, Spain, and Lisbon.
The ship will then return to Southampton May 10 for a months-long series of sailings out of the port to such destinations as the Canary Islands, Scotland and Norway.
Queen Anne's arrival marks a major expansion for Cunard. Long a three-ship line, the brand will now have four ships for the first time in years. It's an expansion that will bring a 42% increase in cabin capacity and allow for a greater mix of itineraries.
It also signals an evolution of the brand, which has long traded on its history and nostalgia for the Golden Age of ocean liners.
Built to an all-new design, Queen Anne embraces the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven't done before; it's including a new focus on choice in dining and entertainment, wellness and onboard celebrations.
Related: A sneak peek inside Queen Anne under construction
"With Queen Anne, what we sought to do is to preserve that quintessential Cunard essence but also to introduce an innovative modernity, which we believe truly heralds a new era in luxury travel," Katie McAlister, Cunard president, said Wednesday during a preview event for the ship in Southampton.
Queen Anne offers an impressive 15 places to grab a bite — more than double the number of dining options on the line's other ships. The venues include Aji Wa, a new restaurant concept for Cunard that serves Japanese cuisine influenced by the seasons of the year. Also new is Aranya, an Indian eatery; Sir Samuel's, a high-end steakhouse; and Tramonto, which serves Mediterranean dishes.
Wellness-focused areas include a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio at the top of the ship that offers yoga, Pilates, Zumba and line dancing during the day as well as ballroom dancing classes at sunset.
A new juice bar and a cafe near the main pool serve healthy dishes, and the ship's spa was built as a temple to wellness.
The spa offers a sprawling thermal pool complex that features eight heated loungers, four experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones flowing with hot water, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna and a traditional sauna. A relaxation room and a wellness suite will round out the offerings.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Cunard ship
On the celebrations front, Queen Anne has a lounge specifically designed for weddings that spills into an indoor reception room. Just beyond the reception room is a new-for-the-line private rooftop terrace space for wedding and vow renewal receptions.
Other notable features of the ship include an expanded Commodore Club observation lounge. The main pool area of the ship, called The Pavilion, is topped with a retractable glass roof designed to be as much a showpiece as a functional structure.
Not everything about Queen Anne is different from previous Cunard ships. As is always the case for Cunard vessels, Queen Anne has a soaring Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase where you can take selfies in your formal night splendor.
You'll also find the Queens Room, a ballroom that is a staple of Cunard ships.
Queen Anne is the 249th ship to sail for Cunard since the line was incorporated in 1840. Cunard famously began as a transatlantic steamship company carrying mail and travelers between Liverpool, England, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Boston. It was originally called the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.
Based in the U.K., the brand is now owned by Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Seabourn and several other brands.
Queen Anne will initially sail in Europe before departing on an around-the-world cruise in January 2025. Fares start at $201 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a quick two-night cruise from Southampton to Hamburg, Germany. Seven-night European sailings start at $618 per person, not including taxes and fees.
Earlier this year, Queen Anne was named one of the nine best new cruise ships of 2024 by TPG's cruise team.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.