Cunard’s newest luxury cruise ship, Queen Anne, has made her historic debut in South Africa. She graced Durban’s harbour on Monday, 7 April 2025 and Cape Town’s on 10 April 2025. South African shores formed part of Queen Anne’s historic 107-night maiden world voyage from Southampton.
Known for crafting unforgettable memories since 1840, Cunard has been Britain’s renowned cruise line for over 185 years. Their newest cruise ship is Queen Anne, known for its 14 decks of entertainment, dining and design.
Queen Anne is Cunard’s 14th ship to embark on a complete world voyage, calling at 30 different ports across 18 countries. This premium cruise liner has a capacity for 2996 passengers and 1225 crew, making her the largest within Cunard’s fleet to have completed a full circumnavigation of the globe.
Cunard’s philosophy is: “Inspired by our past, designed for our future.” This emphasises how they are always blending the cruise line’s rich heritage with cutting-edge maritime technology and innovations of modern cruising.
Queen Anne’s first global voyage sees her arriving in South Africa. She will return to South African shores in January 2026 as part of her next world voyage.
Shaun McCarthy, Managing Director at Whitestar Cruise & Travel, Cunard’s South African representative, said that they were thrilled to welcome Queen Anne to Cape Town for her much-anticipated arrival. “This is a historic moment for Cunard, as their newest luxury liner makes her South African debut. Queen Anne blends timeless elegance with modern luxury, and we are excited to offer South African guests the opportunity to experience her.”
This historical debut nods to the fact that cruises are growing in popularity amongst tourists. In 2023, 31.7 million passengers took cruises globally. This is a notable 7% increase from 2019, with 2020 as an exception due to the coronavirus pandemic. Cruise lines have seen a continued demand for cruise holidays, with the forecast for cruise capacity said to increase by 10% in 2028. Global tourism, with travellers wanting to cross international boundaries, is thus on the rise.
As Cunard’s newest ship in their impressive fleet, Queen Anne has come to impress. This 14-deck ship offers premium dining experiences, more entertainment opportunities and high-level accommodation that is functional and comfortable.
Cunard’s history is blended with bold, modern design in their newest cruise liner. Queen Anne’s décor was inspired by luxury hotels, high-end yachts and grand residences for a classically contemporary style. Features include art deco finishes and refined details like carved chairs and carefully selected artworks.
Glamorous nights at the Bright Lights Society Show Bar, James Bond-inspired casino nights, lively pub quizzes at Golden Lion Bar, string quartet performances and plays at the Royal Court Theatre and live musicians throughout the ship’s deck keeps guests entertained in the best ways thought possible.
The entirety of Queen Anne boasts comfortable areas for relaxation. However, the crème de la crème of the cruise ship’s comfortability designs are the cabins. Whether you are in a stateroom, spacious suite or penthouse, your comfort is guaranteed. With cotton sheets, soft bathrobes and a nightly turndown service, every passenger aboard experiences an unforgettable journey. Some suites even have private balconies and personal butler services to top it all off.
There are 15 dining venues on board Queen Anne. One can indulge in multi-course meals in the main restaurant or healthy choices at The Pavillion Wellness Café. A classic British pub can be found at Golden Lion where one can taste the traditional dish of fish and chips. Passengers can celebrate special occasions at the Japanese, Mediterranean and Indian inspired restaurants.
On certain legs aboard Queen Anne, Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux will host exclusive Le Gavroche at Sea events. Passengers will experience his signature seafood dishes and culinary classics that made his restaurant the first British restaurant to earn three Michelin stars.
Whether you are looking for a wellness getaway or activity-focused trip, Queen Anne has something for everyone. This cruise ship boasts the widest selection of fitness, beauty, thermal and spa facilities so far seen on a Cunard ship. Guests can enjoy a swim at one of the various onboard pools, whereafter they can enjoy live music at the Panorama Pool Club. Or, they can take an evening stroll looking out at the horizon, try their hand at pickleball, unwind at the Sky Bar, or relax at the Cabana Bar and Wellness Studio.
Finally, a new and elevated retail space also boards Queen Anne, marking a new era of shopping at sea. Guests can enjoy personalised shopping services with a curated selection of 115 iconic brands. These include Bremont, Chanel, Hugo Boss, Whittard and 886 Royal Mint, to name but a few.
Cunard’s Queen Anne is opening her deck to South Africans for the first time. If you are yearning to explore the globe in a unique way, this cruise liner might be perfect for you.
Stay up-to-date on the hottest, hippest and most happening things to do in Mzansi!