Queen Anne

Malcolm Ginsberg takes a look at the newish Cunard ship, a long time coming due in the main to Covid. 

It is a bit of an unwanted Cunard tradition.  In 1929 RMS Queen Mary was ordered but she did not enter service until 1936.  Finance was the problem. With Queen Anne documents were signed in 2017.  Her maiden voyage was not until May 2024 with a somewhat quieter introduction than is usual for a Cunard ship.  No Royal naming.  

If you have never been cruising Cunard’s Queen Anne is probably a delight.  The service and ambience are what one would expect from the UK’s most prestigious cruise line, even though it is American owned these days.  However, cruise aficionados might be somewhat fussier.

Firstly, the name Anne.  She was not one of the most outstanding of British monarchs, described as uninspiring.  Some had suggested Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII, much involved with nursing all her life.  Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps still exists today.  Perhaps for the next Cunarder. 

I start with the negatives.

The standard accommodation has taken a step backward compared with Queen Victoria, 180 square feet on average, with wardrobes difficult to use and the balcony doors of the swing variety, rather than sliding.  Our stateroom was at the front of the ship and offered a huge overhanging balcony, perhaps too big.  Nothing wrong with the bathroom, nor the cabin service.

Queen Anne is a big ship, just over 1,000 feet long and on this trip completely full with 3,000 passengers.  For the most part it is a seamless operation, with very few queues even for the enquiry desk.  You never see any management staff.

Now for the plus points. 

Queen Anne is the first Cunarder to have a retractable roof over the largish (for a cruise ship) main swimming pool.  On a wet day with grey skies it is a real holiday oasis. There is a further pool in the stern.

The decor on Queen Anne is a luxurious blend of Art Deco glamour and contemporary elegance, with rich fabrics, bold geometric patterns, polished wood, marble, and opulent gold accents, typified by the Grand Lobby's starburst ceiling and sweeping staircase.

The dining arrangements have been sorted out.  Either go first or second sitting in the Britannia lower, or queue up for the Britannia upper.  There is never much of a wait.  Standard catering on all cruise ships has improved immensely over the years and Queen Anne is typical.  Four course meals if so desired plus cheese, petit fours and coffee to follow.  Mass catering, but of a good standard and there was always chicken or a steak if you did not fancy the daily choice of dishes.  Vegan and vegetarian items were available, and pre-ordered Kosher.

The Artisan food hall is a typical buffet fully open from 07:00, and for early risers continental is available.  There are late snacks from 11:00 to 12:30.  Included in your holiday cruise package is the Golden Lion pub and Carinthia lounge, and if you wish to ‘splash out’ Sir Samuels offers steak, Aji Way – Japanese, Aranya – Indian and Tramonto – Mediterranean. 

The Queens Room is usually the social centre on Cunard ships, but this time around somehow misses out, something of a thoroughfare, although the afternoon tea is a sumptuous affair which needs to be taken at least twice on a 14-day trip.

As for the entertainment it is always something of hit or miss with theatre ‘stars’ varying in their offerings, part of a showbiz ensemble touring with the ships.  It is rather like the Northern club rotations, with the artists flying from port to port.  With Queen Anne the resident performers were very good, as it were, part of the furniture.

You have to be lucky with the lecture presentations.  We were with Squadron Leader John Peters, RAF retired, telling the tale of being shot down during the 1991 Gulf War and his incarceration in an Iran jail.  He is now a motivational speaker.  Ray Galloway began his police career in Liverpool, and later moved to Yorkshire.  Since his retirement he has directed the independent investigation into the activities of Jimmy Savile in Leeds and was the co-author of the public report published in June 2014.  Both presenters were first rate.  Sam Cox was on board as part of the Clarendon Fine Art team, and an excellent speaker telling the story of the artist L. S. Lowry, 1887-1976, he of the Matchstick Men.

Southbound from Southampton and its well organised terminal, this 14-night cruise went as far as Mallorca.  Montserrat, ex-Barcelona on a ship’s tour, proved to be the highlight.  Six sea days out of 14.  Perfect.

www.cunard.com

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