Cunard to name new cruise ship Queen Anne; debut set for 2024

Cunard Line's 249th ship -- its first in more than a decade -- will be named Queen Anne, the line revealed during a brief broadcast on YouTube Tuesday.

"The name 'Queen Anne' celebrates Cunard's rich heritage, royal history and refined status -- joining a luxury contemporary fleet now honoring the names of each Queen Regnant over the last millennium," the line said in a statement.

"It is so exciting that the fourth ship of the fleet will be named after Queen Anne," said Kate Williams, a British historian, author and television presenter who assisted the line with the decision. "[Queen Anne] has a fascinating tale to tell -- one of queenship, unity of developing constitutional monarchy, a golden age of the arts. She was an inspiring woman, wildly popular with her people. She should be celebrated."

The 113,000-ton vessel, which is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, is the line's first new ship since Cunard introduced Queen Elizabeth in 2010. Set to carry 3,000 passengers, Queen Anne will not only be the newest in the fleet; it will also become the largest when it debuts.

Although it offered no specifics, the line said the new ship will be a mix of "tradition and contemporary luxury," including reimagined signature spaces, as well as some new dining, entertainment and cultural options -- all presented with Cunard's White Star Service. The ship will feature an updated livery, as well.

"I am absolutely delighted to welcome Queen Anne, the fourth ship to Cunard's fleet," said Sture Myrmell, president of Carnival U.K., which operates Cunard Line. "This marks a very special moment in Cunard's 182-year history and showcases Cunard's exciting global plans for the future."

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The vessel, which was originally slated to launch this year, will instead debut in early 2024, following COVID-19-related shipyard delays. Voyages will go on sale in May 2022; itinerary details have not been released.

Cunard has also not yet named a godmother, but in keeping with the tradition, it will likely be a member of The Royal Family. Of the line's three other current vessels, two -- Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth -- were christened by HRM Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Victoria's godmother is HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

HRM Queen Mary (wife of HRM King George V) and Queen Elizabeth II, respectively, served as godmothers to iconic ships Queen Mary, which is docked as a floating hotel in Long Beach (and recently received $5 million from the port for critical repairs to save the structure), and Queen Elizabeth 2, now a floating hotel and nightclub in Dubai.