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."
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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.