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Cunard introduces exciting details of Queen Anne’s design

March 11, 2022 by Editorial Team

Queen Anne showcases design expertise from the finest hospitality and accommodation ashore

@Cunard Queen Anne luxury cruise ship: Designed with an Extraordinary New Vision

Due to grace the seas in early 2024, Cunard‘s 249th ship extends the Cunard Line for future generations. Queen Anne cruise ship will make up a remarkable quartet alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth.

Every Cunard luxury cruise ship is set to the highest interior design standard and Queen Anne epitomizes this approach. The cruise line wanted to create something nostalgic yet contemporary, relaxed yet glamorous, new and exciting – all within the constraints of a ship.

“We worked very closely with the Cunard ship building team during the design process to gather as much knowledge as possible and also referred back to our extensive hospitality experience, where longevity and practicality are as important as the look and feel,” explains Lewis Taylor, Design Director at David Collins Studio on the process. “We have added layers of architectural details and design codes that refer back to Cunard’s history and that add a touch of whimsy and British eccentricity to the experiences. These architectural design elements along with the exquisite level of service on board, will make the new vessel truly unique.”

The design DNA was first brought to life through the iconic Cunard Queens Grand Suites. The Queens Grill Grand Suites offer guests their own private residences on board.

Designed by David Collins Studio, they represent the epitome of luxury accommodation at sea with a dedicated dining room and adjacent butler’s pantry, walk-in wardrobes, marble finished bathrooms with views out to sea, a spacious bedroom and the largest balconies onboard. The Princess Grill Suites, designed by Sybille de Margerie, are warm, inviting and surrounded in the softest materials and delicate textures for an intimate experience featuring a bespoke dressing table and bar area with pattern wall panel inspired by the flowing lines of Cunard’s past liners, sculpted ceiling panels and grand saloon carpets by textile designer, Corinne Hughes. While the Britannia balcony staterooms provide cozy sofa seating areas looking out to sea, and light, bright bathrooms with glass walk-in showers for a more relaxed experience.

A focal point for guests and the heart of the ship, the Grand Lobby, was designed to provide a show-stopping entrance, full of energy and light. Marking the transition from past to present, the area houses a contemporary metal mural sculpture that changes throughout the day by the lighting effect integrated within with an art deco leaning in homage to the ‘Golden Age’ of travel. The narrative is also keenly brought into play through the elevated entertainment spaces such as the vivid reimaging of the flagship Royal Court Theatre. The two-deck 825 seat space, designed by Richmond International, is inspired by the great sound halls of the world. All seating is of the utmost comfort and adorned in rich velvet providing each guest with a perfect view of the stage, where they may enjoy a wide variety of entertainment throughout the day and night.

Each of the fifteen restaurants on board Queen Anne are distinctive where guests will enjoy a wide variety of cuisines from around the world. This is vividly reflected in the décor – from the strikingly grand Britannia Restaurant to the newly refined Golden Lion pub. A first in Cunard’s fleet, Queen Anne will also exclusively reveal a new wellness and beauty concept never seen before on a Cunard vessel featuring the widest selection of fitness, beauty, thermal and spa suite facilities with a contemporary, open and airy aesthetic.

Another vital aspect to the overall blueprint is the color palette which has been individually curated for every space to create a unique ambience in every setting. Bold new colors elevate the signature spaces and Queens Grill Suites, deep blues with flashes of golden yellow in the Britannia Staterooms have been chosen to reflect the sea and shimmer of sunlight and deep rich tones of red, amber and gold heighten the luxurious lounge feel of the Princess Grill Suites. For the Princess and Queens Grill restaurants, bright colors were chosen with elements of gold, to reinforce the luxurious but refined overall design aesthetic on board.

Simon Rawlings adds, “Anything tricky can date, anything too predictable can be tiresome and replicated, so keeping things fresh, unique and bold ensures the designs are timeless, and meet or exceed guest expectations. “

Another first for Cunard, the updated exterior of the ship will proudly sport the famous red funnel but also will debut a refined updated livery, with a finessed design of the iconic crest and introduction of an elegant new font inspired by the grand ocean liners of the past, to confidently present the name Queen Anne on the forward bow.

Queen Anne will set sail in early 2024, with her maiden season programme available to book from May 2022.

Lee Powell, Cunard Brand Vice President adds, “We’ve worked with world leading interior designers and fresh creative talent; we’ve discussed and tested our ideas with guests from around the world; and we’ve delved deep into the Cunard Archives to make sure we can truly celebrate what makes Cunard so unique.”

2019 Transatlantic Fashion Week at Sea sets sail with Breakfast at Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe

July 30, 2019 by Editorial Team

2019 Fashion Crossing Headliner Milliner Stephen Jones OBE joins special guests prior to Queen Mary 2 Fashion Crossing for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Cunard Sets Sail for 4th Annual Transatlantic Fashion Week with Breakfast at Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe Luxury cruise line Cunard kicked off the company’s 4th Annual Transatlantic Fashion Week at Sea … Read more

Hat-maker to the stars, Stephen Jones OBE presents the Cunard-inspired hat

June 12, 2019June 5, 2019 by Editorial Team

Luxury cruise line Cunard, the operator of luxury cruise ships Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, unveiled a stunning millinery masterpiece designed in collaboration with the legendary milliner Stephen Jones OBE, onboard Queen Mary 2 luxury ocean liner. The custom hat will be part of runway show during this summer’s Transatlantic … Read more

Aspinal of London x Cunard

June 11, 2016 by Editorial Team

Aspinal of London x Cunard launch co-branded travel collection. Cunard and high-end lifestyle brand Aspinal of London teamed up for “an indulgent retail experience.” The Quintessentially British premium lifestyle brands collaborate on board the majestically remastered Queen Mary 2. The co-branded Cunard and Aspinal collection will feature one of Aspinal’s most iconic items, their refillable … Read more

Remastered Queen Mary 2 opens World’s Finest Wine Cellar at Sea and Wine Academy

May 26, 2016May 26, 2016 by Editorial Team

The journey becomes the destination.

Cunard’s newly remastered flagship Queen Mary 2 introduced a unique collection of 450 fine wines, including the highly sought after California Screaming Eagle at $4,500 per bottle, which is to be served by the glass for the very first time.

Additionally a unique collection of vintage port wines, the only assortment of its kind in the world, has been specially assembled to join the enhanced wine cellar. The 46 different vintage ports, each produced in a key year of Cunard’s 176-year history, will form part of a specially commissioned permanent display in the new Carinthia Lounge. This is being created as part of the ship’s major 25 day refit this June that befits the status of the world’s only ocean liner.

Guests on board the luxurious Queen Mary 2 cruise ship can now experience The Cunard Wine Academy, an all sensory experience of food and wine pairings, tastings and producer master classes for the appreciation of even the most advanced wine graduate1.

To enhance guests’ enjoyment of the elegant wines without compromising the quality, the introduction of the new Coravin wine pouring system used on board, uses a needle to extract the desired quantity of wine required from a bottle.

“With thoughtful planning and a keen attention to detail, our new fine wines as well as our unique port collection, inspired by Cunard’s history, are evocative of our craftsmanship,” said Richard Meadows, President, Cunard North America. “With the addition of The Cunard Wine Academy, we proudly offer guests yet another exclusive and enriching experience in an unforgettable journey.”

“Our sommeliers together with our suppliers have searched the world for exciting new additions to Cunard’s famous wine list,” said Anthony Habert, Cunard’s Head of Fine Wines. “We’re proud that we can offer a wine to compliment every palate and occasion.”

Cunard’s selection of beverages also includes a large array of whiskey and cognac .

Age of Discovery barrel aged, limited edition cocktail

January 13, 2016 by Editorial Team

The Savoy London joined forces with CUNARD and Jack Daniel’s UK to launch a unique collaboration on board the Queen Mary 2. This January (2016), Cunard, The Savoy and Jack Daniel’s produced Age of Discovery – a specially created, barrel aged, limited edition cocktail. The cocktail itself will mature in a hand chosen 300 litre, Jack Daniel’s barrel taken on board Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 during her 41,000 nautical mile, four-month World Voyage (January 10, 2016 – May 10, 2016).

Age of Discovery has been formulated by the team at the world-famous Savoy Beaufort Bar, named Best International Hotel Bar 2015.

Inspired and influenced by the tastes and aromas of the continents Queen Mary 2 will visit, from Europe to Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania, the Jack Daniel’s cocktail will be mixed at The Savoy before the barrel is sealed and bonded for its World Voyage.

The Age Of Discovery cocktail features a blend of Savoy Select Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 and Bacardi 8, with Spice Trail Madeira, Dubonnet, Martini Riserva Rubino and Earl Grey and Cocoa nib bitters.

The cocktail itself has been crafted to reflect both Cunard‘s 175-year ocean-going heritage and the decades of history and patronage associated with The Savoy’s famous cocktail bars. Its home for the voyage, a Jack Daniel’s first fill American oak barrel, was carefully chosen by The Savoy’s Assistant Food and Beverage Director, Daniel Baernreuther.

Daniel travelled to the Jack Daniel distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee and personally chose the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel to be used in Age of Discovery. Daniel then had the barrel itself transported whole to The Savoy in London. This is the very same barrel that will play host to Age of Discovery for its global journey.

During her four-month circumnavigation, Queen Mary 2 will visit 39 ports of call in 27 countries. The barrel will be secured in open deck space for the duration of the voyage to expose it to the varied elements and climates that will influence the final result. Prevailing temperatures, humidity and sunlight – as well as more inclement conditions – will combine to produce this truly unique barrel-aged cocktail.

The progress of Age of Discovery will be charted via social media throughout the passage, across the oceans, and will appear in the world’s most iconic ports and cities. The barrel will also have its own unique Log Book.

When Queen Mary 2 returns to Southampton on May 10, 2016, the barrel will be ceremoniously unloaded and will travel to the specially-commissioned Houston Bottling & Co Pack plant in West Dunbartonshire.

It is estimated that the unique barrel will yield a minimum of 250 litres of Age of Discovery, which will become the latest in The Savoy Collection; one of the world’s most prestigious and unique collections of one-of-a-kind spirits and liquids. Launched in 2013, The Savoy Collection was created with the support of esteemed cocktail experts, Speciality Drinks, to celebrate the rare and the beautiful from the world of drinks.