Queen Anne

Queen Anne is Cunard's first new ship in 14 years, debuting in May 2024, and easily its most modern - widely judged the line's most beautiful new build since Queen Mary 2. The roughly 3,000-guest vessel keeps Cunard's British ocean-liner DNA of formal nights, afternoon tea, ballroom dancing, and a dress-up crowd, but wraps it in a light, contemporary, art-deco-tinged interior rather than the heavier traditional look of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. The vibe is refined and grown-up, skewing toward older, affluent, heavily British travelers, yet reviewers also pitch it as the friendliest Cunard ship for first-timers.

The ship shines visually and in its wellness and pool facilities: the Pavilion's retractable glass roof, the expanded Mareel thermal spa, and standout venues like Sir Samuel's Steakhouse, Aji Wa, and the Princess Grill. Cabins are well-designed, quiet, and tasteful, with a strong tiered Grills suite experience. The recurring weaknesses are service and crowding - in its first year the crew was frequently described as undertrained or stretched thin, higher passenger density creates buffet congestion and instantly-full shows, the layout can confuse with Grills areas blocking through-routes, and a few specialty restaurants (notably Aranya) plus the main dining underwhelmed some guests.

Queen Anne sits in the premium, luxury-adjacent tier - pricier than Princess or Celebrity - with reviewers debating whether the experience yet justifies the premium given service growing pains. It's best for couples and solo travelers who love a traditional, formal, adults-oriented cruise with British flair, ballroom dancing, and dressing for dinner, and for the Cunard-curious wanting a modern entry point. Standout activities include formal afternoon tea, Royal Court Theatre productions, dancing in the Queens Room, the thermal spa, the covered Pavilion pool, and classic transatlantic crossings.