In an historic second that befits her royal standing, Cunard Line’s new Queen Anne departed Southampton simply after 9 p.m. on Friday, Might 3, 2024 to start her maiden voyage. Hundreds of spectators lined the shore to look at her departure, and a spectacular fireworks present heralded the start of what is going to hopefully be an extended, clean, and memorable service life.
Onboard the ship, a sailaway get together celebrated the passage alongside Southampton Water because the ship started her 7-night voyage. A “Maiden Gala Night” was underway, set to incorporate particular performances from English tenor Russell Watson, famous for his operatic in addition to pop songs.
The ship will make her preliminary port visits to La Coruna, Spain on Might 5 and Lisbon, Portugal on Might 7, earlier than returning to Southampton on Might 10.
“Queen Anne’s maiden voyage alerts the dawning of a brand new period in luxurious ocean journey and her historic sail away from Southampton was a really particular second for everybody linked with Cunard,” stated Katie McAlister, President of Cunard.
Queen Anne is the 249th ship to sail below the Cunard Line flag, persevering with a distinguished maritime historical past that started in 1840 when the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Firm, which might finally turn out to be Cunard Line, was based.
Cunard Line has not had 4 ships in simultaneous operation since 1999, and Queen Anne now joins her fleetmates Queen Mary 2 (2003), Queen Victoria (2007), and Queen Elizabeth (2010).
“Right here within the UK and throughout the globe, Cunard is known for our lovely iconic Queens. With Queen Anne becoming a member of our fleet, she marks not only a new icon however the completion of an ideal quartet alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria,” stated McAlister.
A Numerous Maiden Season
As befits a brand new ship already steeped with nautical historical past and a popularity for class and luxurious, the 113,300-gross-ton, Pinnacle-class Queen Anne has a various season forward of her.
After this primary particular crusing, the brand new vessel will make her first 14-night cruise to the Canary Islands. Her second 14-night voyage is across the British Isles and can embody her naming ceremony in Liverpool on June 3.
All through the subsequent few months, Queen Anne will provide departure choices from Southampton, Civitavecchia, Hamburg, and Kiel, whereas she visits numerous ports of name within the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, northern Europe, the British Isles, the Canary Islands, and the Baltic Sea.
Learn Additionally: Cunard Pronounces 50 Unique Shore Experiences for Queen Anne
In January 2025, she’s going to start her Maiden World Voyage, setting sail on January 9 for a route that may take her to North America, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. The excellent itinerary contains transits by way of the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal – supplied the tensions within the Purple Sea subside to allow that passage safely.
Her fleetmate, Queen Mary 2, not too long ago adjusted a month of her 2024 world cruise to bypass the troubled area, however it’s far too early to find out if such modifications might be essential for the brand new ship’s first world cruise.
Queen Anne is now Cunard Line’s second largest vessel, and may welcome 3,000 visitors aboard. Queen Mary 2, the final true ocean liner left crusing on the planet, is the most important within the fleet at 149,215 gross tons, however can solely welcome roughly 2,700 vacationers.
