Cunard Line has introduced the required delay of Queen Anne, citing provide chain shortages and power considerations that may push again the ship’s debut by a number of months. Now, Queen Anne won’t welcome friends till Might 2024.
Booked friends impacted by the delay are being contacted, and friends booked on the maiden voyage are being rebooked on the brand new inaugural crusing mechanically.
Queen Anne Delayed
The primary new ship for Cunard Line since Queen Elizabeth debuted in 2010, Queen Anne will now be delayed for 4 months. As a substitute of becoming a member of the road in early January 2024, the ship’s inaugural crusing will now be in Might 2024.
In a letter despatched to booked friends, Cunard Line defined: “Consequently, for causes past our management, our much-awaited new ship Queen Anne will likely be arriving later than anticipated and we have now been suggested that we should regrettably cancel her maiden season sailings departing from January 4, 2024, as much as and together with April 14, 2024.”
The cruise line cited provide chain points and power constraints as components within the ship’s delay, circumstances which have equally delayed different new cruise ship deliveries in latest months.
“Due partly to unexpected occasions which have occurred in recent times, the shipbuilding {industry}, like different industries, has confronted quite a few challenges together with power shortages and international provide chain constraints,” the e-mail learn.
The brand new Pinnacle-class, 113,300-gross-ton cruise ship is at present below development on the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, close to Venice, Italy. Her first metal was lower in October 2019.
This isn’t the primary delay for the highly-anticipated new ship; when she was introduced in September 2017, it was anticipated that she would be part of the Cunard fleet in 2022, however the industry-wide pandemic shutdown – which additionally stopped work in shipyards and disrupted provide chains worldwide – compelled prolonged delays in her development.
New Maiden Itineraries to Go on Sale
Regardless of the delay and these new cancelations, curiosity is excessive within the vessel that guarantees to be as regal as her fleet mates.
The brand new inaugural season of voyages, which at the moment are deliberate to set sail in Might 2024, will go on sale in December. The cruise line’s loyal previous passengers, Cunard World Membership members, may have the chance to e-book passage first, with reservations obtainable from December 6, 2022. Basic bookings will open the following day, December 7, for all friends to make reservations.
Company beforehand booked on the now-canceled maiden voyage are being mechanically moved to the brand new maiden voyage, and thus will nonetheless have the chance to be a part of that momentous crusing.
“As you had been attributable to sail on Queen Anne’s sold-out maiden voyage, we will likely be mechanically transferring your reserving to the brand new maiden voyage over the approaching weeks, and we’ll difficulty you with new reserving particulars,” the e-mail to impacted friends learn.
The brand new 7-night inaugural crusing will being in Southampton on Might 3, 2024, and can go to each La Coruna, Spain, and Lisbon, Portugal.
Company who’re unable to hitch the brand new maiden voyage can contact the cruise line to cancel their plans or rebook on a unique crusing. If friends should cancel, they are going to obtain a full refund in addition to a ten% future cruise credit score (FCC) primarily based on what prices have already been paid.
Company not mechanically rebooked on the maiden crusing will nonetheless obtain a full refund and the ten% credit score, however should organize their very own rebooking for an alternate itinerary if desired.
Different Ship Delays
Queen Anne shouldn’t be the one new vessel to have been delayed attributable to pandemic disruptions that proceed to echo by means of the shipbuilding {industry}.
Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Want was delayed by a number of weeks, Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras was delayed a complete of seven instances earlier than lastly welcoming friends in July 2021, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva has already had delays and a number of cruise cancelations whereas she continues to be below development.
P&O Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Margaritaville at Sea, and Virgin Voyages have additionally additionally delayed ship debuts attributable to ongoing shipbuilding and provide struggles.
