- CruiseMapper
Queen Elizabeth
Cruise line Cunard
- Miami (Florida)
- Sydney (NSW Australia)
- Seattle (Washington)
- Yokohama (Tokyo, Japan Kanagawa)
- Vancouver (BC Canada)
Queen Elizabeth current position
Queen Elizabeth current location is at North Pacific Ocean (coordinates 27.82178 N / -146.93777 W) cruising at speed of 19.8 kn (37 km/h | 23 mph) en route to HONOLULU, HAWAII. The AIS position was reported 33 minutes ago.
Current itinerary of Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth current cruise is 39 days, one-way from Vancouver to Sydney . The itinerary starts on 09 Sep, 2024 and ends on 18 Oct, 2024 .
Specifications of Queen Elizabeth
- Itineraries
- Review
- Wiki
Queen Elizabeth Itineraries
Queen elizabeth review, review of queen elizabeth.
The 2010-built MS Queen Elizabeth cruise ship is same-designed as MS Queen Victoria (2007) and has as fleetmates the Cunard liners RMS Queen Mary 2 (2004) and the fleet's newest boat (2024-built) Queen Anne .
The vessel (IMO number 9477438) is currently Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310625000) and registered in Hamilton . The flag state/registry was changed from Southampton (UK) to Bermuda in order to be able to host onboard weddings.
On the 10th of October 2007, Cunard announced the ship's name. Cunard's last traditional-design Atlantic Ocean liner RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 (1969-built, IMO 6725418) retired in 2008 (on Nov 27th).
The cruise ship was named after and christened by HM Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022). The namesake is the Royal Navy battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier (2014-built).
History - construction and ownership
Cunard Line is a British-American cruise brand, operated by Carnival UK and owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Cunard is headquartered in Southampton (England UK) and is among the world's oldest passenger shipping companies . In 2015, Cunard Line celebrated its 175th anniversary.
The 2300-passenger liner Queen Elizabeth is a luxurious ocean liner. QE appeared in October 2010 when she was named in a grandiose ceremony by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Reminding the rich inheritance of the first Cunarder to bear the name, her stylishness both echoes that legendary age and improves her luxury modern charm. QE- the running mate to Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria has a modified design and is slightly larger than Queen Victoria, having more vertical stern.
With her black hull, white structure and red funnel signals, externally Cunard Queen Elizabeth has the charm of the company's British heritage, following Cunard's tradition. Modern luxury and the best of Cunard's values are what guests can expect onboard.
The ship is identical in design to MS Queen Victoria, although the max passenger capacity is slightly higher because of the steeper stern. This difference is the reason why the largest suites (at the stern) have smaller balconies. The games deck is covered by a roof at the end of deck 11, which is not similar to the sports deck on Queen Victoria with her not continuous canvas covering. RMS Queen Elizabeth's original whistle was used to make a copy of it for the new ship.
Unlike previous Cunard ships, this is not a true liner, as it doesn't have a heavy plating (throughout the hull). The bow is constructed with heavier plating in order to cope with Transatlantic crossings. Also, the ship has a high freeboard.
The ship's decor is different from Queen Victoria's, although with identical interior arrangements. As a tribute to the previous Elizabeths (the original one and the QE2), this cruiser evokes the 1930s, when Cunard's first QE was launched. A feature on Queen Mary 2 (not available on Queen Victoria) is the Britannia Club section of the restaurant, featured on Queen Elizabeth. This way passengers in Britannia staterooms are allowed to use single-seating dining arrangements, not having to upgrade to the more expensive Grill cabin grades.
Decks and Cabins
Cunard Queen Elizabeth staterooms (1043 total) include 127 Suites, 611 Balcony, 146 Oceanview and 162 Inside cabins, in all 9 types and 34 categories. The ship has 20 wheelchair-accessible and 9 studios (single-occupancy cabins). The largest are the Grand Suites (1495 ft2 / 139 m2 plus 970 ft2 / 90 m2 terrace).
Cabin types include Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia, Suites (Grand, Master, Penthouse, Queen, Princess), Standard Balcony staterooms, Outside and Interior (windowless). Most cabins (Britannia Balcony) are sized 190-420 ft2 / 18-39 m2, with cabin balconies sized 70 ft2 / 7 m2.
The boat has 12 decks (all passenger-accessible) of which 7 are with cabins. Of all staterooms, ~85% are outside, with 71% of them with step-out balconies.
The Princess and Queens Grill suites are situated around the ship, with excellent views, or in the midships, where balconies are deeper. Most of the top suites are on Deck 7, in addition to Queens Grill penthouses, two Master and two Grand Suites which include huge balconies, separate dining areas, and whirlpool baths. These are named after the knighted Cunard Commodores. The Master Suites have a bath with a sea view, and the top category- the Grand Suites offer outdoor dining and a wraparound balcony. Queens and Princess Grill offer personalized stationery and marble bathrooms. The intimate Grill restaurants offer exceptional menus (with sophisticated creams and browns that glitter crystal and gold) and exciting sea views- located on Deck 11. The doors open to the Courtyard, and steps will lead you to the upper Grills Terrace, providing more exclusivity than the lower one, available for all guests.
Theoretically, MS Queen Elizabeth is a classless ship, but passengers are actually separated (like on all Cunard liners) as their onboard dining locations are according to their cabin's category/cruise fares paid. Britannia Restaurant is for regular cabins, Princess Grill - for junior suites, and the Queen's Grill is for deluxe suites. All the other public rooms are free to be used by all passengers.
Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks
Four main dining rooms and the Verandah- an alternative restaurant, the Lido- a buffet and a changing specialty option, are Queen Elizabeth suggestions. The Britannia Restaurant is the main dining room on board the ship, where everyone dines except the Grills and Britannia Club cabins. You may choose between two seating- 6,00p.m. and 8,30p.m. Britannia is open for full served breakfast on sea days from 8,00a.m. to 9,30a.m., on port days from 7,30a.m. to 9,00a.m.; lunch is from 12,30p.m. to 2,00p.m., open seating at both. A wide choice is on the dinner menu- five appetizers, six entrees (two of which vegetarian choices), two salads, six desserts, including cheese.
A step up from Britannia is the Britannia Club, which is a separate room for inhabitants of top-grade Britannia cabins. The menu is as, in Britannia, the atmosphere- more exclusive, dinner is from 6,30p.m. to 9,00p.m., open seating, breakfast and lunch served also there. The two Grill restaurants are on Deck 10, accessible with special keycards, sharing the outdoor terrace with a splashing fountain, sheltered by high walls. The Princess Grill's menu is similar to Britannia, but with more items and a la carte menu. Queens Grill's menu is with bigger a la carte menu and you can have what you want.
The Verandah Restaurant on Deck 2 offers really outstanding food and is available to all passengers. It is open from 6,30p.m. to 9,00p.m., for lunch from 12,00p.m. to 1,30p.m. If you dine there you will enjoy a real luxury cruise. The Lido is a 24-hour casual dining venue on Deck 9. Breakfast is served from 4,00a.m. to 11,30a.m., and is followed by lunch until 3,00p.m., afternoon tea is at 6,00p.m., dinner- from 6,00p.m. to 11,00p.m., snacks available through the night. Other dining venues are Cafe Carinthia on Deck 3, which is open from 7,00a.m. and serves breakfast- pastries, lunch- quiches and salads, and afternoon tea. The Lido and the Queens Room offer afternoon tea and sandwiches, burgers, pasta and other, as well as the menu from dining rooms.
The Britannia Club, which is one of the four basic QE dining rooms, replaced the Chart Room bar which is available on Cunard's Queen Victoria, while the Todd English specialty restaurant, featured on both QM2 and QV, became The Verandah. This restaurant, managed by Cunard's executive chef, is remindful of the glory days of the first Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary, on which The Verandah Grill was regarded as the finest restaurant at sea. The Midships Bar, which is another much-loved Cunard's feature, is back, as is the Yacht Club nightspot, which is a lounge fondly remembered by fans of QE2 for its late-night dancing. Despite that Cunard is American owned cruise company, there's no lack of British icons such as a Fortnum & Mason hamper ordering service, Harris Tweed for sale and a sunlit Garden Lounge that's spiritual by the glass houses of Kew Gardens.
When you book you may request a sitting. The Britannia restaurant has two for dinner - at 6 p.m. and at 8.30 p.m. Princess Grill and Queens Grill do not have sittings - when they are open, you can dine any time you choose. A note for confirmation sitting and table number will be left in your stateroom when you board. Lunch and breakfast do not require allocated tables or sittings.
During the day, passengers definitely tend towards country club casual dress code. At night, even when it isn't a formal-designated evening, people dress anyway. There are three dress codes in the main restaurants after 6 p.m. each evening - which one applies each night you will be told in pre-voyage documentation and daily program in your stateroom: Formal (men - dinner jacket with a black tie or dark business suit; women- evening dress); Semi-formal (men- jacket and a tie; women - cocktail dress/trouser suit); Elegant casual (men - a jacket, tie is optional; women - skirt, dress or trousers). Shorts and T-shirts or shorts are not permitted!
Follows the complete list of Queen Elizabeth restaurants and food bars.
- Verandah Restaurant (French specialty restaurant at a surcharge)
- Britannia Restaurant (1351-seat, 2-level Dining Room; serves open-seating Breakfast and Lunch. Dinners are waiter-served, with 2 assigned sittings at 6 or 8:30 p.m. Inside is the Britannia Club which is a private dining room for Britannia Club Balcony guests)
- Britannia Club Restaurant (single-seating, complimentary dining venue for AA-Balcony Room guests only)
- Lido Restaurant (450-seat buffet-style restaurant for Breakfast and Lunch; In two of its sections are offered itinerary-inspired dishes for dinner)
- Winter Garden Lounge (supper club/formal dining venue; features gourmet food and Afternoon Champagne Tea)
- Queens Grill Restaurant (142-seat, for Queens Grill Suite guests; with regular and an a-la-carte-priced menu)
- Princess Grill Restaurant (132-seat, Princess Grill Suite guests only; open-sitting, with the same menu as at the Queens Grill)
- The Courtyard Restaurant (40-seat; serves Grills staterooms guests only).
Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport
Queen Elizabeth cruise liner is quite similar in many aspects to her sibling, Queen Victoria, in most of the design, cabins and enrichment programs. The decor indefinably feels lighter; chic, geometric Art Deco-inspired interiors unlike to the heavier Victoriana. There is beautiful artwork, rich Italian marble, polished wood and soft light everywhere, diffused by glittering chandeliers. The rippling sounds of a harp, soft piano or gentle jazz trio throughout the public places emphasize the whole feeling of old-fashioned glamour. There isn't neon or glitz on this vessel, and there are some gimmicks. Instead of capturing the public's imagination with water slides and high-tech discos, Cunard cruise company cashes in on its awesome inheritance, a sense of cause and old-fashioned pursuits like ballroom dancing, lawn bowls or afternoon tea in the Garden Lounge.
Live music is played all over the ship. If you enjoy evening drinks in Midships bar or Cafe Carinthia, listen to the pianist and the harpist in the Grand Lobby. The Golden Lion pub presents a singing pianist, quizzes, karaoke. Every day dancing, morning, noon and night on Queen Elizabeth- most in the Queens Room built for the purpose, gold and blue. A large dance floor and stage for band complete the picture. Single ladies are accompanied by gentleman hosts. Jazz concerts and piano recitals are also held there. Every few nights Royal Balls are organized in the Queens Room. Other evening events are shows in the theatre, with 20 V.I.P. boxes. Forward is the Empire Casino and the Golden Lion pub. The pub is cozy and modeled as a British pub, is cozy enough. Roulette, Texas Hold'em, BlackJack and numerous slots are available in the casino- a nonsmoking area. The only smokers places are on balconies, the starboard side on Decks 3 and 10, in Churchill's Lounge on Deck 10. The Midships Bar has seating around a marble bar and comfortable armchairs. In Queens Room, where a lot of people gather each evening drinks are also served. Bigger lounges and bars are on Decks 9 and 10.
Family-oriented in terms of facilities, Queen Elizabeth has the look of a "grown-up" ship. For that reason, families might feel better on P&O or Princess lines. The Zone on Deck 10 is a teenagers' room for computer games, air hockey, Xbox, and for the smaller ones QE suggests a colorful children's playroom full with toys. Outdoor deck space is featured, as well. These operate on port days only, but you better book in advance.
Cunard cruise ship weddings, ceremonies, and parties could be held in some of the QE's lounges. There is no chapel on board the QE ship.
Follows the complete list of Queen Elizabeth lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.
- Royal Court Theatre (832-seat, 3-deck, with a giant movie screen; hosts high-tech visual programs, grand musical productions, and shows, as well as theatrical spectacles, performances by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)
- iStudy (Cunard ConneXions; separate meeting rooms featuring Internet computers); Internet Centre
- Grand Lobby Atrium (with a grand piano, grand sweeping staircase, interior glass-wall lifts)
- Golden Lion Pub (116-seat traditional British pub bar; features a large selection of the UK and international beers, large-size TVs, live entertainment, small dance floor)
- Empire Casino (222-seat, 6000 ft2 / 610 m2; with 115 slots and 11 gambling tables, served by Casino Bar)
- Queens Arcade (quiet area for relaxation with panoramic views)
- Cunard Place (nautically themed museum); Clarendon Fine Art gallery; Images Gallery (photo gallery)
- Cunard ConneXions (a complex of 3 rooms which host onboard events)
- Chart Room (cocktail bar with live jazz)
- Queens Room (2-level formal dancing ballroom; hosts evening dancing parties and daily dance lessons)
- Veuve Cliquot (Champagne Bar); Cafe Carinthia (patisserie, specialty teas and coffees bar); Midships Bar & Lounge
- Royal Arcade (boutique shops, top name brands); Fortnum and Mason Shop
- The Alcove (a quiet room with a big jigsaw puzzle); Card Room
- Royal Spa & Fitness Centre (size 20000 ft2 / 1860 m2, 2-level; with a Spa, Thalassotherapy Pool, Thermal Suite, Finnish and Herbal Saunas, Treatment Rooms, Relaxation Lounge, Aromatic Steam Room, Beauty Salon)
- Fitness Centre (Gym Room and Weights area; with exercise bikes, Elliptical machines, treadmills, steppers, rowing machines, yoga mats; has Aerobics Room for classes)
- The Library (with a large book selection - over 6000 volumes)
- Pavilion Pool (with 2 Whirlpools and poolside Bar); Lido Pool (with 2 Whirlpools, Bar and Grill)
- Commodore Club (indoor observation lounge with panoramic windows and live piano music)
- Admiral's Lounge (premium liquors)
- Churchill's Cigar Lounge (smokers room with a selection of fine liquors and cigars)
- The Yacht Club Lounge & Disco (nautically themed, glass-domed)
- The PlayZone (indoor/outdoor kids area for children 7+ yo); The Zone (for children 8 to 12 yo); Teen Zone (teenagers club area)
- Games Deck (glass-domed; with tennis court, shuffleboard, croquet, quoits, giant chess, golf simulators, first time at sea complimentary fencing lessons)
- The Terrace (private outdoor area, Grill passengers only); The Grills Lounge (Grill Suites guests only).
Itineraries
Queen Elizabeth itinerary program each year has a World Cruise leaving roundtrip from Southampton UK , with several one-way itinerary segments. The liner also sails in Europe (Canaries, Mediterranean and UK mini cruises), leaving from Southampton.
In February 2018, Cunard announced that for season 2019-2020, the cruise liner will be deployed in Australia to serve a 101-day program. During this season (December 2019 through March 2020), the ship had scheduled 6 roundtrips from Melbourne and 2 roundtrips from Sydney NSW on itineraries to Tasmania, New Zealand, South Australia, Papua New Guinea (14-day from Sydney, with maiden port calls to Conflict Islands and Kiriwina / Trobriand Islands).
For season 2019 (February-March), the ship had a 54-day long Australian season with homeporting in Sydney NSW and Melbourne. In 2019 and 2020, the liner offered a unique for Cunard Alaskan program based on roundtrips from Vancouver BC Canada (read more in the Wiki section).
In summer 2021 (July through October), Cunard scheduled for Queen Elizabeth an ex-UK season with 10 "British Isles Voyages" and 3 "Sun Voyages" (3- to 12-nights itineraries). "British Isles Voyages" offered scenic coastal cruising including Jurassic Coast (Dorset England), Land's End (Cornwall England), Scotland's Isle of Arran , Kintyre Peninsula, Sound of Mull. Four ex-UK voyages visited Belfast Ireland , Greenock , Invergordon , Liverpool , Newcastle , Holyhead Wales (first-time for Cunard). Balcony cabin prices per person (with double occupancy) started from GBP 600/EUR 700/USD 830 (4-night British Isles Voyages), GBP 900/EUR 1050/USD 1240 (7-night Sun Voyages), GBP 1300/EUR 1520/USD 1790 (10-night British Isles Voyage). Bookings were opened only for UK residents.
In late-October 2021, Cunard canceled Queen Elizabeth's Asia 2022 program (a total of 19 itineraries planned between Feb 20 - May 17) which was based on homeporting in Yokohama Japan . The revised 2022 schedule included roundtrips from homeport Southampton to Norway, Spain's Canary Islands, and Western Mediterranean ports, ending with a Grand Voyage (westbound Transatlantic crossing and Panama Canal transit) ending in Vancouver (BC Canada) .
Photos of Queen Elizabeth
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Other Cunard cruise ships
- Queen Mary 2
- Queen Victoria
Queen Elizabeth Wiki
The Fincantieri Monfalcone -built Queen Elizabeth as vessel design is similar to P&O UK's Arcadia , Princess' Coral and Island , and Costa's Luminosa and Deliziosa . HM Queen Elizabeth II is the ship's Godmother. The naming ceremony was on October 11, 2010. The British monarch also christened Cunard's RMS Queen Mary 2 (2004), and in 1967 - Queen Elizabeth II (QE2 ship ceased operations in 2008).
The inaugural cruise/maiden voyage started on October 12, 2010, leaving from homeport Southampton to Canaries (Spanish autonomy territory). The itinerary visited Lisbon , Cadiz , Tenerife , Santa Cruz de la Palma and also Funchal (Madeira Island, Portugal) . For its first year of service, Queen Elizabeth did around 142,000 mi (230,000 km) of cruising to 100+ different destinations. Among the many celebrities who participated in the onboard show programs were Ruth Scott, Lord Jeffrey Archer, Brian Hoey.
The ship's first birthday was celebrated in Malta (Port Valletta) on October 12, 2011.
On January 13, 2011, the 3 Cunard liners met in the USA ( New York City ) on a second "Royal Rendezvous" to commemorate the second year after the first Royal Rendezvous. On this occasion, Elizabeth and Victoria crossed together the Atlantic Ocean. All Cunard ships gathered again in Southampton on June 5, 2012, to celebrate HM's diamond jubilee. A month later (on July 15), for the first time ever, Queen Elizabeth and QM2 docked together in Hamburg (Germany) .
In October 2011, the vessel changed its registry/flagstate from the UK to Bermuda, which allows cruise wedding ceremonies to be held on the ship. The word “Southampton” on the stern was replaced with “Hamilton”.
On March 12, 2013, the liner passed by RMS Queen Mary - an earlier Cunard fleet member. QM is now permanently docked at Long Beach CA (Los Angeles) , serving as a ship hotel. On March 13, 2017, the ship departed on its ever first cruise leaving roundtrip from Japan ( Kobe-Osaka ). The 7-day itinerary (March 13-20) came after the local municipal government asked Cunard to schedule a Kobe-based cruise as in 2017 Port Kobe celebrated its 150th anniversary. The voyage included the Japanese ports Kagoshima , Busan , Hiroshima and Kochi . This "surprise cruise" became part of the 2017 world voyage. CLIA's "2017 Summit at Sea" conference (May 9-17, 2017) was held onboard the ship. The itinerary (May 8-12) was roundtrip from Southampton to Hamburg .
In 2019, Cunard repositioned the liner for a 2-month long season in Australia (February-March), with departures from homeports Melbourne and Sydney on 7 cruises to NZ, South Australia, and Tasmania. For the liner's Australian deployment, Cunard partnered with 4 local brands (R.M.Williams / fashion, Akubra Hats, Starward Whisky/distillery, and Australian Dance Theatre). Under the Starward distillery partnership, the ship carried "The Seafarer" (a 225-litre barrel of the boutique whisky). It was loaded in Sydney NSW and positioned on the top deck to spend 12 months around the world, and will be opened in February 2019 at the Australian season's start. The partnership with Australian Dance Theatre will result in live performances, along with onboard dance classes and workshops.
Operated regularly and starting in January each year, Queen Elizabeth offers Cunard World Cruise deals with affordable pricing, popular destinations, and big-city ports to visit around the world.
Cunard cruises Alaska 2019-2020
In 2019, MS Queen Elizabeth had scheduled Cunard's first-ever Alaskan cruise season in over 20 years. The 27-day Pacific Ocean crossing itinerary (Asia-Alaska repositioning, May 5-31, 2019, Yokohama to Vancouver ) included as call ports Aomori , Tomakomai-Sapporo , Kodiak , Juneau , Anchorage , Skagway , Sitka , Ketchikan , Icy Strait Point . Cunard's 2019 Alaskan program included all four 10-night long roundtrips out of Vancouver to Tracy Arm Fjord and Hubbard Glacier .
On Queen Elizabeth, Cunard offers culturally-rich shipboard programming for all 2019 cruises to Alaska. The program includes four 10-day roundtrips (themed ‘The Last Frontier") with departures from Vancouver BC (2019 departure dates - May 21 and 31, June 10 and 20), with call ports Icy Strait Point , Juneau , Ketchikan , Sitka , Victoria BC , Skagway . Highlights include scenic cruising through Inside Passage , Hubbard Glacier , Tracy Arm Fjord . Cunard’s 2019 Alaskan program includes the following special onboard amenities:
- Lectures by Dr. Rachel Cartwright - a naturalist with 20+ years of experience in Alaska
- Live performances by Alaska Native Voices and members of Huna Tinglet tribe
- Presentations by LaDonna Rose Gundersen - cookbook author and commercial fisherwoman
- Dedicated in-cabin TV entertainment, including the documentary series “The Ketchikan Story”
- Complimentary hot cocoa and blankets provided on Sun Deck
- Live Navigation Bridge commentaries
On Queen Elizabeth, Cunard also planned a full 2020 Alaskan season (June through September). Due to high demand, the Alaskan 2020 program was doubled (in comparison to 2019) with 10 roundtrips from Vancouver (ranging 9 to 12 days) plus one roundtrip to San Francisco (overnight on Independence Day).
Each Alaskan voyage offers popular destinations along the coast of British Columbia (Canada) and Alaska (USA), and longer port times in Juneau , Ketchikan , Skagway , Sitka . In addition, these voyages offer scenic cruising in Inside Passage , Hubbard Glacier and along Sawyer Glacier ( Endicott Arm and Tracy Arm ). Cunard customers also can combine these itineraries into B2Bs (back-to-back cruises) . Cunard's 2020 Alaskan cruises include:
- 10-day "Alaska Voyage" roundtrip from Vancouver (June 2-12, 2019), fares start from USD 1600 pp.
- 3-day "Independence Day Celebration" from Vancouver to San Francisco (July 2-5), fares start from USD 600 pp.
- 16-day repositioning from San Francisco to Vancouver (July 5-21), fares start from USD 2660 pp.
- 29-day repositioning from Vancouver to Tokyo (August 29-September 28), fares start from USD 4460 pp.
Cunard Line offers for booking over 140 shore tours in Alaska, including "Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest", "Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest", "Taku Lodge Feast and Five-Glacier Seaplane Discovery", "Dogsled Adventure by Helicopter", "Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure", "Cooking in Alaska's Wildest Kitchen", "Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour", "Scenic Mountain Ascent and World's Largest ZipRider".
Other Alaskan shore excursions are themed as ATV Expedition, Wilderness Cruise and Silverking Lodge Seafood Feast, White Pass Scenic Railway (Luxury Class), Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and Crab Feast, Misty Fjords Seaplane Exploration, Ghosts, and Goodtime Girls Walking Tour, Exclusive Burro Creek Waterfall Lodge and Crab Feast.
Cunard also offers pre- and post-cruise rail tours, that include 3- or 5-day hotel plus 2 full days on the train. Rocky Mountaineer train travels through scenic destinations, such as the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, mountain passes, tunnels, and river canyons.
MS Queen Elizabeth refurbishments review
The ship's last drydocking was in 2023 (March 16 thru April 3) in Singapore , conducted at Sembawang shipyard (owned by Sembcorp Marine Ltd). The project was for regularly scheduled maintenance works, including hotel upkeep, technical overhauls, steel works, minor machinery updates.
The ship's 12-day drydock refurbishment in 2018 (November 15-27, at Damen Shiprepair Brest in Brest France ) resulted in the following changes:
- All staterooms (cabins and suites) were upgraded.
- (deck 3) Royal Arcade was redesigned.
- (deck 1) Royal Court Theatre (main show lounge) was completely overhauled (its audio and video equipment was upgraded).
- (Lido deck 9) open-deck spaces on Sun Deck were upgraded with new furniture, shaded seating areas were expanded.
- (deck 9) ship's wellness complex "Mareel Wellness & Beauty" (Spa, Beauty Salon) was extensively refurbished, and its treatments menu was upgraded via partnership with Canyon Ranch.
Maintenance works included stabilizers, ABB Azipods (azimuth thrusters), water-ballast tanks, EGCS (scrubbers/exhaust gas cleaning system), piping and ducting, safety equipment (lifeboats, liferafts), tender boats, renovations of hallways and corridors, cleaning and repainting the hull. All works were conducted at Damen Shiprepair Brest shipyard.
The boat's drydock 2014 was conducted by Blohm+Voss (in Hamburg Germany ) and resulted in the following changes:
- hull works (cleaning and repainting) and routine maintenance
- technology enhancements: filter system upgrade, scrubbers (new eco-friendly technology to lower exhaust gasses and bettering the fuel efficiency), Azipod (Azimuth thruster) propulsion modifications
- onboard enhancements: new carpeting in all public spaces, passenger cabins (new mattresses and flat TVs), restaurant renovations (plus new coffee-tea makers), new jewelry shops (on Promenade Deck 3), restyling of the Lido buffet area (Deck 9), Photo Studio upgrade (new touch screen photo processing system), new sun-awning systems (on open decks 9 and 12)
- 9 new single cabins were added on Deck 2 (8 Oceanview, 1 Standard Inside) taking some of the Casino space.
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Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship
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4 Ships in the Cunard fleet
Ship: .
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Queen Elizabeth Overview
A cruise on the Queen Elizabeth , one of Cunard’s three ocean liners, is a chance to step back into the glamorous hey-day of cruising. Passengers can delight in the fabulously British touches of afternoon tea, a game of croquet and a formal royal ball. Queen Elizabeth also has lots of modern features, including a state-of-the-art Computer Centre, relaxing whirlpools and karaoke, for some fun at night. Cunard is also known for its cuisine - we recommend the Lobster Newberg at the Queens Grille and the decadent Cambridge Burnt Cream Tart at the Britannia Restaurant.
- Passenger Capacity: 2,081 (double occupancy)
- Year Built: 2010
- Last Refurbished: 2023
- The Queens Room The full history and grandeur of the Britain’s aristocracy comes alive on Cunard’s ocean liners. To really immerse yourself in the culture, you must have Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room aboard the Queen Elizabeth. Here you will be served tea along with cucumber sandwiches and scones, all while an orchestra plays. The Queens Room is also where the Royal Nights Themed Ball takes places.
- Royal Spa Unwind completely at the Royal Spa on your next journey. The facility offers a chance to rejuvenate in the soothing waters of the Hydrotherapy Pool at the Royal Bath House. Renew your skin with a facial and revive your romance with a couple’s massage or body wrap. The spa is also home to the Queen Elizabeth’s fitness programs and salon services.
- The Royal Court Theatre The Royal Court Theatre is home to the Queen Elizabeth Theater Company, known for their imaginative musicals and stirring production of Shakespeare classics. Some times this gorgeous theater with balcony seating doubles as a movie theater, showing recent hits and classic favorites.
Queen Elizabeth Cruise Destinations
Cunard Line is famous for its transatlantic sailings, but they offer an impressive set of destinations and some fantastic itineraries all over the world. Visit four continents and hundreds of ports-of-call ranging from Tortola, British Virgin Islands to Tallinn, Estonia. Whether it be a historically enriching cruise to Northern Europe, or a tropical Hawaiian vacation, one of Cunard’s three regal ships will proudly be your vessel.
Adventure is right around the corner with a Cunard Line cruise to Alaska.
Delight in the historic treasures and scenic pleasures of the Far East on a cruise through Asia aboard Cunard Line’s world-famous ocean liners.
Immerse yourself in the delightful cultures and exotic locales of Australasia with a Cunard Line voyage to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Eastern Caribbean
Live the island life with Cunard in the Eastern Caribbean, where the sun is always shining.
South Pacific / Tahiti
Inspire yourself with adventure, grand Sydney attractions, and vibrant marine environments on a cruise to Australasia and the Pacific Islands.
Transatlantic
Enjoy the excellent experience that is a vacation away from the everyday, sailing across the Atlantic and stopping at intriguing ports—try a transatlantic cruise.
Transpacific
Sail to the marvels of the Pacific aboard a marvel of your own with Cunard Line’s exquisite fleet of luxury ocean liners.
Western Caribbean
Enjoy the allure of a classic cruising experience when sailing with Cunard in the tropical waters of the Eastern Caribbean.
Queen Elizabeth Departure Ports
Traveling across the pond, there’s no cruise line better than Cunard, with more than 150 years of history, this brand makes routine cruises from Southampton to New York City and vice versa. However, they offer more than just transatlantic sailings. You can sail around the world with Cunard from Tokyo to Athens to San Francisco. Call The Cruise Web for a great offer on a Cunard cruise.
Darwin, Australia
Darwin is one of the northernmost cities in Australia, offering visitors a beautiful welcome to the great outdoors of Australia.
Melbourne, Australia
Soak up the culture and relaxed environment of Melbourne as you take in the live music, sip some perfect coffee and explore all that this unique city has to offer.
The near perfect days, beautiful scenery, pristine beaches and sparkling water offer the perfect backdrop for any dream adventure in Sydney, Australia.
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Sar, China
One of the world’s most exciting modern cities, Hong Kong offers a true East meets West experience where you can shop for traditional Chinese cure-alls and attend high tea all in the same afternoon.
Singapore, Singapore
Southeast Asia’s most modern city, Singapore, also contains a lot of history and treasures from the past, along with a perfect tropical climate – all making Singapore a wonderful destination year round.
In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.
On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the ‘City by the Bay’ has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline.
Known as The Emerald City, Seattle is a beautiful, luscious city with incredible views of the Cascade Mountains and Elliott Bay. The city is full of activities for both water lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Yokohama, Japan
See Japanese history in person as you discover Yokohama, Japan’s biggest port city, where the country was first opened to outside trade after more than 200 years of seclusion.
Fremantle, Australia
Beautiful beaches mixed with alternative art and music fill the Western Australia port city of Fremantle.
Queen Elizabeth Deck Plans
Deck eleven, deck twelve, queen elizabeth staterooms.
Balcony (BA)
Enjoy the view from your private balcony and the comfort of your luxurious interior as you relax in your well appointed stateroom. The Britannia Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony.
Balcony (BB)
Balcony (bc), balcony (bd), balcony (be), balcony (bf).
Balcony (CA)
Balcony (cb).
Balcony (A1)
Your Britannia Club Balcony stateroom offers the luxury of inside space and a stunning view from your private balcony. You will also dine in the intimate Britannia Club Restaurant, offering you the freedom to choose when you eat each evening. The Britannia Club Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony
Balcony (A2)
Inside (LC)
If you are travelling alone, our Single staterooms offer you the opportunity to enjoy more space for yourself. Each single stateroom offers comfortable accommodation with generous sized single beds, spacious bathrooms and comfortable lounge areas. The Britannia Single Inside staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.
Inside (GA)
Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Deluxe Inside staterooms have two beds, a desk area with seat and a shower.
Inside (GB)
Inside (gc).
Inside (IA)
Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Standard Inside staterooms have two beds, a desk area with seat and a shower.
Inside (ID)
Inside (ie), inside (if).
Oceanview (FB)
Gaze upon an ever changing seascape from your large window, which offers an abundance of natural light in your spacious stateroom. The Britannia Oceanview staterooms have two beds, a living area and a shower.
Oceanview (FC)
Oceanview (EB)
Oceanview (ec), oceanview (ef).
Oceanview (KC)
If you are travelling alone, our Single staterooms offer you the opportunity to enjoy more space for yourself. Each single stateroom offers comfortable accommodation with generous sized single beds, spacious bathrooms and comfortable lounge areas. The Britannia Single Oceanview staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.
As our guest in a abluxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Master Suites have two beds, a bath and shower, living and dining areas as well as a balcony.
In a luxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every need, a spacious lounge offers space to relax and your suite commands the very best views. The Grand Suites have two beds, a bath and shower, living and dining areas as well as a balcony.
In a luxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every need, a spacious lounge offers space to relax and your suite commands the very best views. The Penthouse Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.
In a luxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every need, a spacious lounge offers space to relax and your suite commands the very best views. The Queens Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.
Your Princess Grill Suite is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Luxurious features such as a private balcony, separate seating area and a spacious bedroom make your Princess Grill Suite the ideal home from home. You also enjoy access to the Grills Lounge, Grills Terrace and renowned Princess Grill restaurant. The Princess Suites have two beds, a bath with shower along with a living area and balcony.
Photo Gallery for Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship
Get a glimpse at the regal atmosphere that awaits you on a Cunard Cruise among one of their three Queens: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in this photo gallery.
Queen Elizabeth
Princess Grill
Top 10 Queen Elizabeth Cruises
- Queen Elizabeth 18 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Oct 2024)
- Queen Elizabeth 12 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Fremantle, Australia (Nov 2024)
- Queen Elizabeth 5 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Melbourne, Australia (Nov 2024)
- Queen Elizabeth 10 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Nov 2024)
- Queen Elizabeth 7 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Nov 2024 - Dec 2024)
- Queen Elizabeth 5 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Dec 2024 - Feb 2025)
- Queen Elizabeth 20 NIGHT South Pacific CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Dec 2024 - Jan 2025)
- Queen Elizabeth 13 NIGHT South Pacific CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Dec 2024)
- Queen Elizabeth 18 NIGHT South Pacific CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Dec 2024)
- Queen Elizabeth 17 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Jan 2025)
Learn More About Cunard
Accessibility
Learn about Cunard Line's handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities.
Savor variety of dining options aboard Cunard Line cruises, including the Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia restaurant, Queens Room, Todd English, Kings Court, Golden Lion Pub and more.
Entertainment
Enjoy Cunard Line's onboard entertainment, including live music, the Royal Court Theatre, Commodore Club entertainment, Royal Night Theme Balls, Queens Room dancing, karaoke and more.
Onboard Activities
Participate in Cunard Line's onboard activities, including Cunard Insights lectures, Book Clubs, computer lab, duty-free shopping, sports courts, art galleries, dance classes, afternoon tea, deck games, golf simulators and more.
Service & Awards
Learn about Cunard Line's famous White Star Service and extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Cunard Line's cruising awards.
Spa & Fitness
Relax in Cunard Line's pools, the Royal Spa and Canyon Ranch SpaClub, where spa treatments range from relaxing massages to Ayurvedic experiences.
Special Events
Learn about Cunard Line's special cruises with exclusive speakers, activities and shore excursions, including Wine Lecture and Tasting voyages.
Explore Cunard Line's luxurious staterooms, including Queen and Princess Grill Suites, balconies, oceanviews and inside staterooms - each beautifully appointed in Cunard's classic style.
Youth Programs
Learn about cruising with children aboard Cunard Line. Cunard's youth programs are for ages 2 - 17, including the Play Zone (ages 2-7), Kids Zone (ages 8-12) and Teen Zone (ages 13-17).
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Review: Cunard Queen Elizabeth cruise ship
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Queen Elizabeth cruise ship facts
- 2,081 guests
- 2010 launched
- 2018 refurbished
The MS Queen Elizabeth is a large cruise ship that embraces Cunard's British heritage. This Queen Elizabeth review explains what makes it unique.
In this review
- Our review ratings
- Queen Elizabeth deck plan
- About Queen Elizabeth
- Food on Queen Elizabeth
- Accommodation onboard
- Queen Elizabeth nightlife
- Fitness on board
- Onboard activities
- What’s included on Queen Elizabeth
- Queen Elizabeth dress code
- Fellow guests
- Review conclusion
This review of the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship explains the pros and cons of a cruise vacation on board. It rates the restaurants and bars, as well as the nightlife. There are also video tours and insiders tips to help make the most of your time on board.
- British traditions like champagne afternoon tea.
- Ballroom dancing and fencing
- Great art deco vibe.
- No beverages included.
- Service can be patchy.
The Queen Elizabeth deck plan is mostly easy to get around. There are a total of 12 passenger decks, the highest of which is deck 12.
- Reception : Deck 1
- Accommodation : Decks 1 to 8
- Main dining room : Deck 2
- Theatre : Deck 2
- Observation lounge : Deck 10
It is worth noting the lowest deck is -3 (a crew deck).
Queen Elizabeth is a Vista-class cruise ship in the Cunard fleet. She was built in Italy and debuted in October 2010. Queen Elizabeth is 289 m. / 964 ft. long with room for 2,081 guests. That’s almost the same as her sister-cruise ship Queen Victoria, but somewhat less than the famous ocean liner Queen Mary 2. Interestingly, because Queen Elizabeth is not a true ocean liner the bow has extra steel plating so it can cope with rough ocean crossings.
The Queen Elizabeth cruise ship had a major refurbishment in November 2018. During that time the Royal Spa got an extensive renovation. Also the Royal Arcade and Golden Lion Pub had a spruce up, while elsewhere on the vessel the decor was updated to make it “more British”.
On Queen Elizabeth there are four different classes of service:
- Britannia Club.
- Princess Grill.
- Queens Grill.
These can be likened to economy, premium economy, business and first class. It’s worth noting that Princess and Queens Grill guests have exclusive access to certain areas of the cruise ship.
The food on Queen Elizabeth can be outstanding, but that depends on where you choose to eat. There is a buffet and a pub, as well as cafes and fine dining restaurants. My Queen Elizabeth review rates them all. Most guests choose one of the restaurants for dinner, however some of these are reserved for Club or Grills guests only.
The Britannia Restaurant is the biggest dining venue and is where Britannia-class guests eat. It is a multi-level restaurant serving tempting dishes like Alpine Pepper-crusted Goose Breast, Rack of Lamb and Pan Fried Sea Trout. It has a busy atmosphere and sometimes the service can be patchy.
Britannia Club guests can eat in a more intimate venue called the Britannia Club Restaurant . The service is better, but the menu is almost identical.
Princess Grill guests dine in their own elegant restaurant which has a more de luxe menu. While Queens Grill guests dine in the most exclusive venue, the Queen’s Grill Restaurant . As a matter of fact it serves some of the best food at sea, like White Sturgeon Caviar and Duck L Orange. Queens Grill guests can even order off-menu.
The Steakhouse At The Verandah is a specialty restaurant on Queen Elizabeth. It’s a glamorous, upmarket venue with a fascinating heritage, but the menu is a bit unadventurous with options that include a burger and seafood platter. That said, it’s a great dining alternative and is open to everyone, but it costs extra:
- Lunch: US$25 per person.
- Dinner: US$39 per person.
The Lido Restaurant on deck 9 is a sprawling buffet venue which is especially popular at lunch time (the self service buffet my be subject to COVID-restrictions when cruising resumes in 2021). In the evenings part of it becomes an alternative dining venue with waiter-service and a theme which rotates between pan-Asian (Bamboo), Indian (Coriander), Mexican (Aztec) and pizza (La Piazza). Check the Daily Programme newsletter for details. It’s worth noting that dining at Bamboo, Coriander, Aztec or La Piazza cost extra:
- Dinner: US$19.50 per person.
There is also the poolside Lido Grill which serves burgers and hotdogs. Cafe Carinthia has a tempting array of sweet treats and the conservatory-styled Garden Lounge offers drinks and snacks.
In addition there is the Golden Lion Pub which is a relaxed, English-style venue where you can enjoy a quiet ale, or authentic pub food like fish & chips. In the evening there is an entertaining band.
The guest rooms on Queen Elizabeth are comfortable and practical. They range from Inside and Balcony Staterooms to spacious Grills suites , some of which have separate bedrooms. The guest rooms are spread across the entire length of the cruise ship.
When it comes to nightlife Queen Elizabeth has something for everyone. There is the Yacht Club disco, or the more intimate Commodore Club. A string quartet play in the Midships Bar and there is dancing in the Queens Room.
The Royal Court theatre has spectacular shows as well as entertainment by guest artists. Indeed, the standard of the performances is generally very good.
Queen Elizabeth has a great range of wellness options. There are two pools and a gym as well as Zumba, yoga and pilates classes. There is also bowls and golf on the open air decks. The onboard spa offers a range of relaxing treatments, as well as an Aqua Therapy Centre which has a hydrotherapy pool, aromatic steam room and sauna.
All the usual shipboard activities are available on Queen Elizabeth including bridge, trivia, shuffleboard and lectures from expert speakers. However, as my Queen Elizabeth review explains there are some more unusual activities too, like fencing and ballroom dancing classes.
There are also Watercolour Art Classes (US$35) and galley tours (usually once per voyage), as well as get-togethers for solo cruisers and friends of Dorothy.
In addition, Queen Elizabeth has a library and a shopping arcade, as well as dedicated spaces for kids and teens.
Your cruise fare on Queen Elizabeth generally only includes accommodation, meals and entertainment. Almost everything else comes at an additional cost.
Beverages are not included in your cruise fare – not even water. So I recommend purchasing a Stateroom Water Package. Other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packages are also available.
Cunard cruise fares do not include gratuities. So a service charge of 15% will be added to the cost of individual beverage purchases, while a 12.5% gratuity will be added to the cost of spa and salon treatments.
It’s also worth noting that there is a daily “Hotel and Dining” charge of US$11.50 per person per day for Britannia Staterooms and US$13.50 per person per day for Grill Suites. This charge will be added to your account at the end of the cruise.
Dining in specialty restaurants also comes at an additional cost.
On the up-side, free self service laundry facilities are available. Also, in some ports there are transfers to and from downtown.
During the day you can dress as you please, but in the evening the Queen Elizabeth dress code is more traditional. Indeed, from 5:45pm the dress code will be either Smart Attire or Formal in bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. This will be advertised in the Daily Programme newsletter.
Smart Attire
- For women this includes casual dresses, jumpsuits and informal evening-wear.
- Men should wear slacks. Jackets are optional.
On Gala Evenings the Queen Elizabeth dress code is formal.
- Women should wear a cocktail dress, smart trouser suit or formal separates.
- Men should wear a dinner jacket, tuxedo or dark suit with either a tie or bow tie.
There are usually two or three Gala Evenings for every seven days on board.
The Queen Elizabeth attracts a loyal following of return passengers as well as first time cruisers.
There is usually a mix of family groups and older couples on board. Indeed, during my Queen Elizabeth review sailing the guests ranged in age from teenagers to those over 80-years old.
Most guests generally come from the U.S.A, U.K, Australia and Canada.
It’s also worth noting that like all the Cunard cruise ships, Queen Elizabeth gay-friendly.
The Queen Elizabeth cruise ship embraces its British heritage. Indeed, traditions like afternoon tea and gin & tonic are a real treat. The West End-style shows are a great drawcard too.
The restaurants on Queen Elizabeth are generally good and it’s worth noting that the first class Queen’s Grill Restaurant is outstanding. Indeed, I rate it as one of the best restaurants at sea.
During my voyage some areas on the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship felt crowded on sea days – in particular the pools and Cafe Carinthia. Also, during my review voyage I noted that service can be patchy, particularly in the busy dining venues.
Cruisers should also remember that Queen Elizabeth does not have the inclusions of some other premium cruise lines.
Read the accommodation section of my Queen Elizabeth review by clicking the button below.
The author sailed as a guest of Cunard .
About the Author: Jason Kerr
Queen Elizabeth Rooms
Queen elizabeth dining, queen elizabeth nightlife, queen elizabeth wellness.
We have been on all the Cunard ships and we find little to fault. My only objection is that Cunard is now American owned and sees itself as serving the USA and Far East markets before the UK. That is globalisation and it’s the same with major companies and football teams but things might change !! We like the crew, the organisation abd the people on board and the whole ship experience and as such, are frightening to try any other cruise line and can’t see ourselves going elsewhere.
I have sailed on QE four times now and find there it to be a most pleasant ship. Those who do not enjoy dressing and a relaxed environment should perhaps look outside Cunard.
I have cruised several times before but our first Cunard cruise is in January. I find that the Cunard website is not especially informative and thank you for such comprehensive information as to what we can expect, what is an additional cost etc :)
Dear Leanne
Thank you for your kind words and I hope you enjoy your cruise.
Regards Jason Kerr Managing Editor
I will be cruising with the Queen Elizabeth later in the year. This will be my first cruise with Cunard. I’m just wondering, does everyone dress up for the gala nights?
Dear Therese
On my various Cunard sailings the gala nights were always very popular. And yes, most guests did dress up for the occasion.
I hope you enjoy your cruise.
Kind regards Jason Kerr Managing Editor
I better get some frocks then :-)
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Queen elizabeth.
- Onboard Experience
The Queen Elizabeth Reigns Cunard
Named by Her Royal Majesty herself, the Queen Elizabeth offers elegantly appointed guest rooms in soft hues — and even staterooms for single travelers. What is there to do while you sail to your next destination? Play croquet or paddle tennis on the Games Deck. Or soothe your cares away in the Royal Spa with Elemis Spa amenities and a thermal suite. Shop for souvenirs or goodies at the Royal Arcade, featuring the Cunard Signature Collection and brands such as Harris Tweed Fortnum and Mason. The Queen Elizabeth offers a number of dining choices for when hunger strikes. Listen to soft, live music with your meal at The Commodore Club, indulge in afternoon tea at Queen's Room, or go casual at The Garden Room or Cafe Carinthia. Dance the night away aboard the Queen Elizabeth at The Yacht Club; you can even sign up for dance classes. Kids and teens onboard have their own hangout areas and activities, including pizza parties, bingo, and discos.
ONBOARD EXPERIENCE
Entertainment & Attractions
- The Commodore Club
- The Golden Lion
- Royal Night Theme Balls
- Royal Court Theatre
- Empire Casino
- Queens Room
- Garden Parties
The Commodore Club provides magnificent views across the ocean or your delightful port-of-call for that day. Sink into leather chairs or sofas and relax while enjoying a delicious martini, cocktail, or whatever takes your fancy. This is a perfect location to watch the world go by during the day, or enjoy a post-dinner drink while listening to the mellow sounds of a pianist or singer in the evening.
Venture into the Yacht Club in the after hours and dance the night away. Named after the lively QE2 venue, with its quirky nautical features, including the compass shaped dance floor, this exciting addition to the Queen Elizabeth provides the scene for lively evenings and relaxing days.
A Cunard favorite, choose from a wide selection of beer, cider, and wine to compliment the delicious gastro pub style menus in a comfortable, traditional setting. Enjoy all the British pub essentials such as quizzes, live music, and screens showing your favorite sporting events.
The Queens Room Ballroom is host to Cunard’s magnificent Royal Night Theme Balls. Practice your newly acquired dance steps at the Cunard Ball, and show off your cloaks and caps or velvet gowns and high collars during the Elizabethan Ball. Or enjoy a traditional waltz, all to the sound of the wonderful orchestra.
The resident Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company presents an imaginative repertoire in the Royal Court Theatre, which includes stunning musical productions and abridged Shakespeare classics. You can also enjoy a first-run feature during your voyage in the spectacular setting of the Royal Court Theatre.
Each evening, the Midships Bar welcomes you with soft relaxing music from the resident pianist. The string quartet is the perfect accompaniment to white-gloved Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room and also sets the tone for the sparkling Royal Night Theme Balls.
This elegant casino will set your heart racing as you spin the roulette wheel, play the slots, or try your hand at blackjack. If you are not sure how to play then take part in our complimentary gaming lessons.
A magnificent Grand Ballroom whose artwork and murals reflect Cunard Line's cherished royal links. The setting for Royal Nights Themed Balls and white-gloved Afternoon Tea.
Guests may enjoy a country club-style gathering beneath clear blue skies on the expansive aft deck, as the wake follows behind.
Dining Options
- Princess Grill Restaurant
- Verandah Restaurant
- Café Carinthia
- Brittania Restaurant
- Afternoon Tea
The sophisticated, intimate Princess Grill restaurant serves up unerringly excellent cuisine for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner whenever it suits you between 6.30pm and 9pm each evening. To match your choice, the sommelier will gladly talk through the impressive wine list. In warmer weather the courtyard offers al fresco dining, wonderful in more exotic parts of the world.
The Verandah is Queen Elizabeth's formal alternative dining venue and is your invitation to savor contemporary French cuisine that uses ingredients sourced in France, along with an ambiance that recalls the legendary Verandah Grill aboard the original Queen Elizabeth.
Café Carinthia is the perfect place to sit and relax, watching the world go by. Sip specialty teas and coffees with an accompaniment of delicious pastries.
Your table reservation is at Britannia Restaurant, where grandeur and occasion combine with exceptional service. Breakfast and lunch always feel special here and, whether you've chosen to take your seat for dinner at 6pm or at 8.30pm, you can arrive with a flourish, down the steps of the curved staircase.
Indulge in this truly British tradition. White-gloved waiters serve decadent fresh scones with cream, finger sandwiches, and premium tea in the Queens Room.
Other Features
- Garden Lounge
- Royal Arcade
- Clarendon Fine Art
- Cunarder's Gallery
Enjoy some fun in the sun with traditional Ocean Liner games from shuffleboard to quoits. With daily tournaments to hone your competitive edge, you’ll be an expert before you know it!
A light and sociable room, inspired by Kew Gardens. Spend a lazy afternoon reading a book or relaxing with a Garden Lounge Smoothie, or return in the evening for live music, dining, and dancing under the stars at the occasional ‘Supper Clubs’.
Whichever shores you seek out in the company of Queen Elizabeth, her Royal Spa by Elemis invites you on a blissful journey thanks to its range of innovative and indulgent treatments, massages, and fitness services.
The very traditional Royal Arcade presents famous brands and chic designer boutiques in uncrowded elegance.
Clarendon Fine Art specializes in British and international contemporary painting and sculpture, and has an international reputation for numerous leading artists working in a wide variety of styles and genres.
Shop at the intimate bookshop and souvenir shop specializing in nautical literature, posters, postcards, collectibles, and memorabilia.
Gaze at the famous faces that have traveled on iconic Cunard ships, as fascinating black and white photographs tell their stories.
In warm weather, choose from one of the two inviting swimming pools, The Pavilion and The Lido, as well as four whirlpools.
Stay trim in the fully equipped gymnasium at the luxurious Royal Spa. All fitness center facilities are complimentary.
Choose from one of the most impressive collections at sea in serene, stately ambiance. Browsing the 6,000 titles is a real pleasure, and warm mahogany woodwork, the ornate spiral staircase, and leather sofas invite quiet contemplation.
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5 NIGHT AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND Cruise
Departing From: Sydney
Duration: 5 nights
Ship: Queen Elizabeth (Ship Info)
Port of Call: Sydney, Nsw, Australia, Day At Sea, Hobart, Tas, Australia, Great Oyster Bay, Australia, Day At Sea, Sydney, Nsw, Australia (View Itinerary)
5 Night Australia / New Zealand Cruise
Best For: Gourmet, Honeymoon, Luxury, Ocean Cruise, Romantic, Senior, Wedding
$840
as little as $168.00/night
What's Included? -->
What 's Included in my Cruise?
Your Cunard Cruise Package Includes:
- Comfortable accommodations
- Ocean transportation
- Fabulous entertainment and daily activities
- On-board meals
- Some beverages
- Port charges
It does not include travel protection, shore excursions, personal expenses, gratuities, specialty dining, wifi or alcoholic beverages.
Cunard's Health & Safety Protocols allow you and your loved ones to cruise with the ultimate safety.
Visit Cunard to learn more about their Health & Safety Protocols.
- Cunard's Health & Safety Protocols
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7 NIGHT AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND Cruise
Duration: 7 nights
Port of Call: Sydney, Nsw, Australia, Day At Sea, Day At Sea, Port Arthur, Tas, Australia, Hobart, Tas, Australia, Hobart, Tas, Australia, Day At Sea, Sydney, Nsw, Australia (View Itinerary)
7 Night Australia / New Zealand Cruise
$843.
as little as $120.00/night
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Departing From: Seattle/Tacoma
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Queen Elizabeth
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About Queen Elizabeth
Elegant yet chic, step aboard the regal Queen Elizabeth and you feel like royalty as you experience Cunard Line's legendary White Service — the ultimate in British hospitality. Majestic and refined, the beautiful 90,900-ton ship accommodates 2,092 guests in the ultimate of comfort with unobtrusive pampering. Touches of Art Deco combined with modern features create a décor of classic elegance sure to delight the most discerning traveler. Gleaming polished woods, rich Italian marble, artwork and sparkling chandeliers provide the perfect setting for this luxurious ship. Gracing the three-deck Grand Lobby's magnificent staircase is the ship's centerpiece, a bespoke wood panel artwork, created by renowned craftsman David Linley.
Peaceful days of leisurely pleasures and enchanting nights can be yours on the majestic Queen Elizabeth. Award-winning Cunard Insights offer enriching courses and expert guest lectures. Delightful entertainment choices range from lavish high-tech musical productions to classic refined garden parties and legendary grand balls. Relaxation opportunities include everything from the simple pleasures of the reading at the two-deck-high 6,000-book (in various languages) library, to the Cunard Royal Spa & Fitness Center, where you can indulge in a variety of soothing treatments. Feel part of history at Cunard Place, displaying exhibits and memorabilia of the line's two-century history. Join in delightful traditional English pastimes on the Games Deck, such as lawn bowls and croquet and log on at the Internet Centre. World class shopping is featured at The Royal Arcade, with such quintessential British stores as Fortnum and Mason and Harris Tweed. Watch the world go by from a comfortable chair or sofa with your favorite cocktail during the day at the Commodore Club, the perfect venue for a pre- and post-dinner drink while listening to the delightful sounds of a pianist or singer.
Considered some of the finest haute cuisine at sea, enjoy several dining options , including the two-deck Britannia Restaurant. Exquisite culinary masterpieces are also served at the Queens Grill and Princess Grill. Enjoy al fresco dining in The Courtyard and buffet-style fare at the casual Lido Restaurant. Delicious French cuisine is served at The Verandah, a formal alternative restaurant. Casual dining venues include the Lido Café for indoor/outdoor seating and delicious themed buffet items. Evenings, it is transformed into regional venues, such as the Asada, for authentic South American grill fare, Jasmine, serving mouthwatering Asian cuisine and Aztec, for Mexican classics with a twist. Savor a traditional ploughman's lunch, as well as other classic British meals, at the authentically English Golden Lion Pub. Relax and enjoy the experience traditional Afternoon Tea, poured by white-gloved servers in the lovely Queens Room. Take advantage of 24-hour Room Service.
Receive the highest level of service in a variety of different accommodations, from the lovely inside cabins to the outsides, suites and penthouses. Stylishly decorated and designed for your comfort, they will make you feel pampered. Those in the Grills Suites receive such exclusive amenities as complimentary canapés, butler service and a bottle of champagne waiting for them upon embarking. Indulge in the luxurious Queens Grill Suites and Princess Grill Suites, designed to provide exquisite comfort, as well as spacious Balcony Staterooms, Oceanview Staterooms and Inside Staterooms.
Step out and join in the nightly onboard celebrations. Dine, dance or take a romantic stroll under the stars in the fresh sea air as you enjoy the many entertainment choices, including spectacular production shows, cabaret singers and classical performances. Glamorous nights on the Queen Elizabeth also include unforgettable Royal Nights Theme Balls. Dress in fabulous costumes for magical theme balls, including the Black and White and Royal Ascot, Never feel left out if you are traveling alone, Gentleman Dance Hosts will accompany you. Experience all these exciting features and many more on the unrivaled Queen Elizabeth.
Queen Elizabeth cruises to worldwide destinations, including a full world cruise.
Grand Suites
Spacious lounge area with seating, Dedicated entertaining area with room to host guests, Pillow concierge menu with seven pillow types to choose from, Marble bathroom with twin washbasins, bathtub and walk-in shower, Spacious private balcony with seating and sea views, Satellite TV with movie and music channels in bedroom and lounge areas, Feature vanity with hairdryer, Workspace with a set of personalised stationery, Binoculars and world atlas to track your travels, UK, USA, European and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Luxury bathrobes and slippers, Speciality tea and coffee making facilities, Pre-dinner canapés, Welcome bottle of Champagne, Dine in-suite from the exclusive Queens Grill menu, Concierge service for on board reservations and shore experiences, A dedicated butler and steward to keep your suite in fine order day and night and host the perfect soiree.
Master Suites
Spacious lounge with seating and dedicated dining area, Pillow concierge menu with seven pillow types to choose from, Marble bathroom with twin washbasins, bathtub and walk-in shower, Spacious private balcony with seating and sea views, Satellite TV with movie and music channels in bedroom and lounge areas, Feature vanity with hairdryer, Writing desk with a set of personalised stationery, Binoculars and world atlas to track your travels, UK, USA, European and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Luxury bathrobes and slippers, Speciality tea and coffee making facilities, Pre-dinner canapés, Welcome bottle of Champagne, Dine in-suite from the exclusive Queens Grill menu, Concierge service for on board reservations and shore experiences, A dedicated butler and steward to keep your suite in fine order day and night and host the perfect soiree.
Spacious lounge area with seating, Pillow concierge menu with a variety of types to choose from, Bathroom with bath and shower and separate dressing area, Spacious private balcony with seating and sea views, Satellite TV with movie and music channels in bedroom and lounge areas, Feature vanity and desk with hairdryer, Binoculars and world atlas to track your travels, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Luxury bathrobes and slippers, Speciality tea and coffee making facilities, Pre-dinner canapés, Welcome bottle of Champagne, Dine in-suite from the exclusive Queens Grill menu, Concierge service for on board reservations and shore experiences, A dedicated butler and steward to keep your suite in fine order day and night and host the perfect soiree.
Queen Suite
Spacious lounge area with seating, Pillow concierge menu with a variety of types to choose from, Bathroom with bath and shower and separate dressing area, Spacious private balcony with seating and sea views, Satellite TV with movie and music channels in bedroom and lounge areas, Feature vanity and desk with hairdryer, Binoculars and world atlas to track your travels, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Luxury bathrobes and slippers, Speciality tea and coffee making facilities, Pre-dinner canapés, Welcome bottle of Champagne, Dine in-suite from the exclusive Queens Grill menu, Concierge service for on board reservations and shore experiences, A dedicated butler and steward to keep your suite in fine order.
Princess Suite
Private balcony with seating and sea views, Spacious lounge area with seating, Pillow concierge menu with a variety of types to choose from, Bathroom with bath and shower, Satellite TV with movie and music channels in lounge and bedroom areas, Feature vanity and desk with hairdryer, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Luxury bathrobes and slippers, Feature mini-bar with speciality tea and coffee making facilities, Mini-bar packages available for purchase, Dine in-suite from the exquisite Princess Grill menu, Concierge service for on board reservations and shore experiences, A dedicated steward to keep your suite in fine order day and night.
Club Balcony
Private balcony with seating and sea views, Lounge area with seating, Bathroom with walk-in shower, Satellite TV with movie and music channels, Feature vanity and desk with hairdryer, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Pillow concierge menu with a variety of types to choose from, Penhaligon's toiletries, Bathrobes and slippers, Speciality tea and coffee making facilities, Mini-bar packages available for purchase, A dedicated steward to keep your stateroom in fine order day and night.
Choice of Early, Late, and Open Dining in the Britannia Restaurant, Bathroom with a walk-in shower, Satellite TV with movie and music channels, Feature vanity with hairdryer, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Bathrobes and slippers, Tea and coffee making facilities, Mini-bar packages available for purchase, A dedicated steward to keep your stateroom in fine order day and night.
Balcony (partially obstructed view)
Choice of Early, Late, and Open Dining in the Britannia Restaurant, Private balcony (obstructed view) with seating, Lounge area with seating, Bathroom with walk-in shower, Satellite TV with movie and music channels, Feature vanity and desk with hairdryer, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Bathrobes and slippers, Tea and coffee making facilities, Mini-bar packages available for purchase, A dedicated steward to keep your stateroom in fine order day and night.
Choice of Early, Late, and Open Dining in the Britannia Restaurant, Lounge area with seating, Bathroom with a walk-in shower, Window with sea view, Satellite TV with movie and music channels, Feature vanity and desk with hairdryer, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Bathrobes and slippers, Tea and coffee making facilities, Mini-bar packages available for purchase, A dedicated steward to keep your stateroom in fine order day and night.
Oceanview (obstructed view)
Choice of Early, Late, and Open Dining in the Britannia Restaurant, Lounge area with seating, Bathroom with a walk-in shower, A window offering a slightly obscured outside view, Satellite TV with movie and music channels, Feature vanity and desk with hairdryer, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Bathrobes and slippers, Tea and coffee making facilities, Mini-bar packages available for purchase, A dedicated steward to keep your stateroom in fine order day and night.
Single Oceanview
Deluxe Inside
Choice of Early, Late, and Open Dining in the Britannia Restaurant, Bathroom with a walk-in shower, Satellite TV with movie and music channels, Feature vanity and desk with hairdryer, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Bathrobes and slippers, Tea and coffee making facilities, Mini-bar packages available for purchase, A dedicated steward to keep your stateroom in fine order day and night.
Standard Inside
Single Inside
Choice of Early, Late, and Open Dining in the Britannia Restaurant, desk with stationery, Bathroom with a walk-in shower, Satellite TV with movie and music channels, Feature vanity with hairdryer, UK, USA, European, and USB power sockets, Penhaligon's toiletries, Bathrobes and slippers, Tea and coffee making facilities, Mini-bar packages available for purchase, A dedicated steward to keep your stateroom in fine order day and night.
View Deck Plan
Britannia Club
Britannia Club.
Britannia Restaurant
If you are a Britannia guest, your table reservation will be in the Britannia Restaurant where grandeur and occasion combine with exceptional service. Breakfast and lunch always feel special here and whether you've chosen to take your seat for dinner at 6.00pm or at 8.30pm; you can arrive with a flourish, down the steps of the curved staircase.
Princess Grill
Our sophisticated, intimate Princess Grill restaurant serves up unerringly excellent cuisine for breakfast and lunch, whilst dinner is served whenever it suits you between 6.30pm and 9.00pm each evening. To match your choice, our sommelier will gladly talk through the impressive wine list.
Queens Grill
Guests staying in our Queens Grill Suites have a table reserved in the world-renowned Queens Grill restaurant. Here you'll be greeted with a warm welcome before you sit down and experience our exemplary White Star Service. Dine in the Queens Grill restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with dinner being served at a time that suits you between 6.30pm and 9.00pm.
Queens Room
The elegant tradition of Afternoon Tea is a Cunard signature not to be missed. White-gloved waiters serve delightful cucumber sandwiches, fresh scones and tea accompanied by the sounds of the orchestra in the magnificent Queens Room ballroom.
The Courtyard
The Courtyard.
The Golden Lion
Darts, karaoke, live sports and ale – everything you’d expect of an authentic English pub. There’s even a traditional pub lunch served every day, with classic favourites such as fish and chips, curry, and cottage pie.
The Lido Restaurant
Enjoy a casual breakfast, lunch, dinner or late-night buffet in the relaxed self-service Lido restaurant. With cuisine options that take inspiration from around the world, you’ll always find something to tempt you; no matter what time you feel peckish.
The Verandah Restaurant
The Verandah offers contemporary French cuisine that makes use of seasonal ingredients of exceptional provenance. Designed to create a genuine dining experience that lasts the whole evening, The Verandah takes design inspiration from the original Verandah Grill on board Queen Mary. A cover charge will apply for this restaurant.
Royal Court Theatre
Decks: 1 2 3
Find a wide range of musical styles, as live musicians play throughout the day and late into the evening. Each evening, join our hugely talented cast of singers, dancers and performers in the stunning Royal Court Theatre.
Empire Casino
Empire Casino.
The Library
Admire the flowing spiral staircase and striking geometric patterns as you select from 6,000 titles.
Spa Reception
Occupying an imposing position overlooking the Pavilion Pool, the Yacht Club comes to life in the evening. A central dance floor is the perfect place to show off your footwork into the early hours, accompanied by the resident live band or DJ.
Children's Outdoor Area
Our young passengers are well catered for with activities through the day and into the evening, all age appropriate and fully staffed.
Pavilion Bars
The Lido and Pavilion bars serve Queen Elizabeth’s two main pools, which means that you’re never too far from a refreshing drink. During sail-away parties, the bars serve champagne and cocktails as the resident band plays.
Whirl Pools
When the warm weather entices you on to the spacious Games Deck, you’ll notice a definite English country garden ambience, with the gentle clunk of croquet balls, traditional bowls or paddle tennis in the welcome shade of its canopy.
Promenade Deck
Promenade Deck.
Queens Arcade
Royal Arcade
Royal Arcade.
Art Gallery
Gaze at the famous faces that have travelled on iconic Cunard ships, as fascinating black and white photographs tell their stories.
Teen's Outdoor Area
Aerobic Area
Cunard Spa and Fitness Centre
Thermal Suites
Thermal Suites.
The Play Zone
Inside and outside areas for children aged 1-12.
Photo Gallery & Studio
Launderette
Decks: 8 4 5 6 7
Decks: 2 3 10
Cafe Carinthia
Cafe Carinthia.
Midships Bar
Midships Bar.
Admiral's Lounge
Churchill's Cigar Lounge
Commodore Club
Cunard’s signature Commodore Club majestically overlooks the bow of Queen Elizabeth and provides glorious panoramic views as you sail towards the horizon. An extensive selection of Martinis are available and you may even be tempted to try our Martini Mixology or Whisky Tasting classes..
The Garden Lounge
A relaxing space in which to enjoy the sun, the Garden Lounge is designed to have the feel of a Kew Gardens conservatory. Perfect for enjoying an informal breakfast or a refreshing cocktail, the Lounge also shows live sports events.
The Grill Lounge
The Grill Lounge.
The Grills Terrace
Decks: 12 11
The Grills Terrace.
Grand Lobby
Grand Lobby.
Connexions.
Pavilion Pool
Spa Treatment Rooms
Spa Treatment Rooms.
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What is it like to cruise on the Cunard Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship - Here is our Review!
We cruised on the Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship in September 2021 on one of the first cruises from the UK. Here we describe our experience on board which will give you an insight into what cruising with Cunard is really like.
We booked our cruise on the Queen Elizabeth using my Blue Light Card which gave us a discount and a fantastic price of £369 for the 4 nights cruise. In this post we describe our experiences on board this ship so you can decide if a Cunard cruise on the Queen Elizabeth is for you.
Relevant reading –
Cunard Drinks Prices and Packages
Cunard Dress Codes – What to pack for a Cunard Cruise
Cunard Cruises WiFi Packages – How much do they cost?
Cruising at Christmas with Cunard – What do the ships look like?
Embarkation and our first day on board - Cunard Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship Review
After a very slick testing experience and embarkation process at Southampton, we were on board by 1530.
As we walked on to the ship we were welcomed by staff in traditional Cunard Uniform and a stunning peacock floral display. Looking around the beautiful wooden interior of the ship it certainly felt like we had been taken back to a different era of cruising.
We had booked a guaranteed standard balcony cabin and had been allocated a cabin on deck 8 towards the aft of the ship. To comply with the safety regulations we headed to our cabin to watch the safety video and report to our muster station which was really easy to do. First impressions of the cabin are really good, spacious with a sofa and decent sized balcony and lots of storage. We filmed a cabin tour which can be found at the end of this post.
After a walk around the top deck we met our friends at the Commodore Club situated right at the front of the ship on deck 10. A stunning lounge full of Cunard pictures and nostalgia.
As we hadn’t eaten since breakfast we decided to go and find a snack. We headed to the Golden Lion Pub which serves food but it was fully booked. So we went to the buffet to be told it had just shut at 4pm. We headed to the restaurant to also be told that food had finished there too and there are no other options for dining on the ship until 6pm. This was disappointing and a first for us as food on all our other cruises has never been hard to find!
While we were in the Britannia restaurant we decided to see where our table was for dinner and found that even though we had linked our bookings with our friends we were not sat on a table for 4 but 2 tables for 2 which were only inches away from another table. There were no closing of tables to promote social distancing that we had experienced on our previous cruises post pandemic.
We decided to try to speak to the Maitre’d to see if we could change to a table of 4 but unfortunately this proved impossible. We asked the staff in the restaurant if we could speak to someone and we were told in a very rude and dismissive manner that we couldn’t be helped and that we had to come back at 6om. After such a frosty response we decided to find someone else to speak to and was met with not only another rude response but also a shrug of the shoulders, and told to come back at 6. In all the 25 cruises (with the exception of MSC Opera in 2018!) we have been on we have never been spoken too like this. Appalled and pretty angry we decided to head to a bar!
At the aft of the ship on deck 9 is the Lido Pool. Here there was a celtic duo Shane Moran and Cameron Ross performing who were very good and we enjoyed a drink in the sunshine. Unfortunately the wind picked up and we were getting cold so we heading inside and found the Gin and Fizz bar. Must say after our dealings with the disappointing dining staff the bar service we recieved at both these venues was exceptional which was a relief.
6pm arrived and we returned to the Brittania restaurant and spoke to a lady at the entrance. We explained our concerns regarding our allocated table but were told that she couldn’t change it maybe we could sort it out tomorrow….a little exasperated we asked were there any other tables available at all in the whole restaurant that we could be moved too and after a few minutes she did reluctantly come up with a solution and we were allocated an empty table for the 4 of us. That was hard work but we got there in the end!
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Our table 515 was next to the window over looking the promenade and our waiter Dave was a delight. We enjoyed a fabulous meal, starters of Rissoto of Wild Mushroons, Crab and Shrimp Skagen, Roasted Cauliflower Soup. Mains of Medallions of Pork and Palliard of Beef went down a treat. For dessert we had Sticky Mango Rice and Chocolate Marquise. We must say our actual dining experience as we sailed away from Southampton in the Britannia was superb and we left there very contented and full.
After dinner we found the Queens Room where house band Alchemy were playing. What a fabulous venue this is. We had a lovely time, listening to the band and watching some fabulous dancers too. So good to see dancing is back!
Excellent service in the Queens Room too and we had our first Perfect Serve Gins – Queen Victoria – which were delicious! The Bloody Mary’s were good too.
Then we went to the Golden Lion Pub to watch the live music and the Royal Court Theatre Orchestra were playing. Well we thought Cunard would be a quiet, stuffy affair but how wrong were we, the pub was rocking! Singing and playing a selection modern and old hits they had the majority of people in their feet. It was such a fun end to a fabulous night.
Believe it or not it was now nearly 0100 and Paul sniffed out some food. The Lido Buffet has snacks which are available until 0100 and Paul enjoyed a Cheese, Tomato, and Pesto panini and Chocolate pudding. Thankfully I spotted some cookies which I took back to the cabin ready for day 2!
After a disappointing start to the day, we have had the best evening and laughed so much with our friends Deb and Steve. Service has been exceptional and our first day definitely ended on a high.
Entertainment on board Cunard Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship Review
I woke up at 0700 just in time to see the end of a lovely sunrise and managed to drag Paul out of bed 2 hours later in time to make it to the Lido for the buffet breakfast before it closed at 10:30. The choice and standard of food available was excellent, we both had a cooked breakfast with Paul finishing with what he described as the the most chocolaty chocolate muffin he’d ever had.
We then headed to reception to change some reservations as the app was being a tad unresponsive. This was quickly resolved so we then went to find the garden lounge which was showing the football. This was a decision that Paul would later regret as his beloved spurs sank to a miserable 3-0 defeat.
However, on a positive note the Garden Lounge is a lovely venue on deck 9, mid ship, just between the Lido Buffet Restaurant and the Pavillion Pool. We received fabulous service by Gary and Bogden with the added bonus of bowls of crisps and nuts provided with drinks.
Bingo was next, and our investment of $30 won us nothing! So we decided to try our luck at the quiz. Unfortunately another poor result with a dismal 11/20.
It was now time to get ready for the Black and White Gala Night. We put on our finery and went to the Britannia Restaurant for dinner. Starters of Madeira Duck Parfait and Golden Beetroot were delicious. I went for Beef Wellington which was cooked perfectly and Paul had venison with roast vegetables and creamy cabbage which he throughly enjoyed. The meal was finished with an excellent lemon soufflé with lemoncello sauce, and a chocolate brownie and service was excellent throughout.
With dinner done it was time for the Top Hat show at the Royal theatre. It was an enjoyable show but we were eager to get to the Queens Room as soon as it finished to watch the Big Band.
Big Band Night in the magnificent ballroom was such a wonderful experience. A 12 piece orchestra played Big Band Tunes from a bygone era and it was just magical. The dance floor filled up with excellent dancers and the professional dancers on the ship put on spectacular performance too. This was a very special moment!
Up next was Shaun and Cameron the Celtic Duo who were not only fabulous musicians but very funny too! It was their last night on the ship as they were getting off in Liverpool tomorrow, which was a shame as we would of loved to see them again.
After a late night wander around the lit up Lido and Upper Deck we decided to have one for the road at the Commodore Club. A very stylish and comfortable area, with the added bonus of bring entertained by Clarolyn Maier, a very talented pianist and singer who covered Hits of Broadway to the Great American Songbook.
After such a fantastic night, we couldn’t resist a little visit to the late night snacks at the Lido, where again the little pies and paninis went down well.
We are loving our time on the Queen Elizabeth and can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Cunard Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship Review - Liverpool and our third day on board.
I woke at 0530 to find we had already arrived in Liverpool. Unfortunately the sky was drab and grey, so no sunrise photos to be had. However it was great to look just to the right and see the iconic Liver Building!
On the Queen Elizabeth you can have breakfast delivered to your cabin free of charge. You just need to tick the items on the menu card and indicate the time you want it and hang it on the door by 0100. Our breakfast arrived as requested at 0930 and was thoroughly enjoyed.
We are planning on uploading a full tour of this beautiful ship to our You Tube Channel so after our leisurely breakfast we started filming some footage. We got as far as deck 2 and spotted Deb and Steve in the Golden Lion Pub. Feeling it would be rude not to say hi, we popped in. Steve pointed out that there were 6 types of Bloody Mary’s on the menu. Not needing a lot of arm twisting we sampled one each and they were superb.
We dragged ourselves away from the pub and filmed some more for our ship tour and headed off to afternoon tea, we had booked this at reception the previous day as our app was not playing ball.
We had heard such good things about the afternoon tea on Cunard but have to say we were fairly underwhelmed by what was on offer. No afternoon tea stand just a menu with a choice of sandwiches and cakes that came on small plates. The service was quite cold too. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with anything but it was just not what we expected, we could have gone to the buffet and got exactly what we had been served. Talking to friends there are occasions where afternoon tea is served in the Queens Room with Silver Service but unfortunately that didn’t happen on our cruise.
The other frustrating thing was the dining room was virtually empty but they still sat two other couples about two feet away from our table. We understand it is more convenient for staff but with post covid social distancing being encouraged elsewhere, we thought this was a bit odd.
It was nearly time for sail away so we headed back to our cabin. We had a small bottle of bubbly as a welcome gift, every cabin receives one on Cunard. Deb and Steve bought their bottle up too and we enjoyed a sail away with bubbles from Liverpool on our balcony.
As we were sailing out to sea we went to the Lido deck as a Saxophonist and DJ were playing a set. It was great music to listen too but a little bit nippy. We were all given blankets and had a fab time!
For dinner we headed to our usual table 515 and again recieved fabulous service from Dave and Michael. We started with Salt Beef Hash and Horseradish, followed by White Radish and Asian Slaw Salad. Then mains of Lemon Sole and Spinach, Feta and Mushroom Strudel. All just simply delicious. The sun was starting to set so I went for a walk around the decks to capture some photo’s while Paul enjoyed a warm Bakewell Tart and Vanilla Custard.
I met Paul, Deb and Steve in the Garden Lounge so we could watch the Dixieland Band. Great tunes from the deep south kept us entertained. Next stop was the Yacht Club on deck 10 where Amethyst Duo were playing. This is another a beautiful venue with a huge chandelier in the centre that changes colour.
On the daily programme we noticed there was a quiz due to start in the Golden Lion Pub so decided to head to deck 2 to join in but unfortunately the pub was packed and there were no seats available.
We walked next door to the Queens Room where the Orchestra where joined by the vocalists Jack and Ester. In hindsight we were so glad we couldn’t get in the pub as we had a wonderful end to the evening. There was a table for 4 free just to the side of the orchestra which gave us a fabulous view of the dance floor and of the band.
Playing popular songs in the style of the different genres of dances, they even inspired us to get up and Waltz! We had been practising in our small kitchen at home, we didn’t disgrace ourselves but we definitely need more practice!
The orchestra are just superb, they play such diverse music and are such fun to watch. We just loved the trombone version of Macerana! Tonight was such a fabulous night.
By the time the entertainment finished it was the early hours again and guess what the boys were peckish! So up to the late night buffet which we just managed to catch before it closed where they enjoyed pannini tuna melts and a cheese platter.
Cruising with Cunard has surprised us in so many ways and unfortunately this cruise is going way to fast.
Cunard Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship Review - Our last day on board.
We put the alarm on for 8 so we could get up for breakfast but quickly turned it off and woke up at 10! Still the Coffee and Godiva chocolates which are left on our bed each evening started the day well.
John Peters was doing a talk this morning called ‘Tornado Down’. For those that don’t know of John he came to the worlds attention in January 1991 during the first Gulf War when his bruised and battered face flashed onto television screens around the world. His description of his experience was horrific, how he managed to keep mentally positive and how we can overcome even our worst fears and nightmares, is a true lesson to us all in what is important in life. It was an emotional and thought provoking presentation and I am glad I had some tissues in my hand bag! Cunard have enrichment talks every day and we are so glad we got the chance to see this. He was actually in the Theatre but the talk was televised throughout the ships bars and lounges which was great.
Lunch today was in the Golden Lion Pub. Paul and I both had Ploughman’s lunch and Deb and Steve both had Fish and Chips, which we all agreed was really tasty, The food in the pub is all included at no extra charge, it does get very busy so we recommend getting in early.
As it was our last day on board it was sadly time to pack. Suitcases that you want to be taken off the ship have to be outside your Cabin between 5pm and 11pm.
Packing done the boys decided that we should have another go at the bingo, as today was Snowball Jackpot Bingo Finale. So we headed to the Garden Lounge on deck 9. After a very tense time, we had 1 number on two tickets to win the jackpot of $760…..alas a lady on the next table got her number before us and won!
Next up was the quiz where we scored a respectable 15, but sadly missed out on winning a Cunard pen! Feeling a bit peckish the boys popped to the Lido restaurant and came back with a pepperoni pizza and some cakes and scones from the Lido Buffet Restaurant next door. It all went down very well.
After the fabulous evening we had last night we all decided we wanted to get to the Queens Room early to get our front row seats by the band for Dancing in the Streets.While we were waiting we decided to play Crib, after a tense time the score was 1:1 then the band started!
The Band with Jack and Ester played and sang hits of Motown, Soul and just really great party music. The dance floor was packed with everyone strutting their stuff, and the four of us happily joined them. The band did 4 sets over 3 1/2 hours and even after all that the whole of the Queens Room, including us were shouting for more. It was such a fun night that had sadly come to an end.
Hungry again we paid our last visit to the late night snack buffet. More pies and cheese plates were consumed, as we all discussed what a fabulous time we had all had!
Our Verdict of our Cruise on the Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship - Will we cruise with Cunard again?
Our cruise on the Queen Elizabeth has been full of surprises. After a frosty start we all agreed that we had had a very enjoyable time on board. The ship is elegant and sophisticated and takes you back to a bygone era which we loved. We knew that the standard of food and service was going to be excellent but what surprised us the most was the variety of entertainment on board and how much fun it was. We also filmed a vlog series on board which you can watch below.
We also were very impressed with the cabins that we booked. We stayed in a standard balcony cabin and our friends booked a deluxe inside cabin and you can have a look around both of these cabins in the videos below.
We had such a great time on the Queen Elizabeth that we have booked another cruise on this ship for December, we are also planning a transatlantic cruise on the Queen Mary 2 too! We are looking forward to seeing what this ship will look like at Christmas and we can’t wait to be back on board!
View more video blogs on YouTube > > >
Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship Review - Cabins
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Queen Elizabeth Stateroom Cabin 5193
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Queen Elizabeth Balcony cabin number 5193 ACTUAL videos and/or pictures, floor plans, diagrams and detailed features including a deck image of the actual location on the Queen Elizabeth ship for cabin 5193. Cruisedeckplans.com has 62,998 different (staterooms) cabins that have actual cabin pictures and/or cabin videos taken by real cruisers. That is plenty of coverage to provide you with a good sampling of all the different cabins on cruise ships. Take a minute and notice the breadcrumb menu above. This is a quick easy way to navigate our website. You can also use the menu above for menu items specific to the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship.
Stateroom Features
- King-size bed that convert to two twins
- Balcony with loungers and tables
- Balcony has plexiglass lower half to enhance ocean views
- 24-hour room service
- Bathrobe and slippers
- Nightly turndown service with pillow chocolate
- Satellite TV with multi-language film and music channels
- Refrigerator, safe, hair dryer
- Daily shipboard newspaper
- Half a bottle of Bon Voyage wine
- Direct-dial telephone
- Fruit basket (on request)
- 220V British 3-pin and 110V 2-pin sockets
Satellite tv with multi-language film and music channels / Half bottle of bon voyage wine / Nightly pillow chocolate / Fruit basket on request /
Deck Location
Important Information
Staterooms range in size from 190 to 420 square feet with 54 square foot balconies. A6 Cabins 4003-4042 and A7 Cabins have metal fronted balconies. A6 Cabins views are partially obstructed by lifeboats.
Balcony Typical Floor Plans
Queen Elizabeth Balcony cabin 5193 pictures
These are some actual stateroom pictures of cabin 5193 on the Queen Elizabeth. Click on images below for larger image and slide show. The slide show will show the date the picture was uploaded to out website. This date is useful because Queen Elizabeth typically will update its cabins every three to five years with new carpeting and decor. We will keep older pictures for you to compare the more recent photos to. The pictures are sorted by the newest ones first. Most of our cabin pictures are contributed by actual cruisers. We pay 50 cents for any that we use. You can upload your cabin photos HERE . Afer you are done looking at these photos and/or the videos below you can click here to select another cabin .
Queen Elizabeth Balcony 5193 cabin videos
Scroll over cabin (stateroom) tiles below to click and watch actual stateroom videos of Queen Elizabeth cabin 5193. You can choose to watch the videos right on this page, or click to watch them on YouTube (will open in new window). When you are done viewing these videos and/or the cabin pictures above, you can click here to select another cabin. The date shown below is the date video was published. Use this to see decor changes. Keep in mind that stateroom cabins are typically updated once every three to five years. To save you time, Cruisedeckplans.com will spend hours every week finding more actual stateroom videos on YouTube.
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Cunard Queen Anne cruise review: A lovely new ship that's still coming into its own
Editor's Note
Are you thinking of a cruise on Cunard 's new Queen Anne ? Be warned: It's not like any Cunard ship you've seen before.
The storied cruise brand's first new vessel in 14 years is notably more contemporary in its look and feel than the line's three other ships, including the iconic Queen Mary 2 .
It also offers venues that embrace the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven't done in the past.
As I've seen on two visits to Queen Anne since it debuted four months ago, including a weeklong stay in September as it sailed the Norwegian coast, the $600 million vessel offers more choice in dining and entertainment, more wellness options, and more of a focus on onboard celebrations than we've ever seen on a Cunard ship.
That's no small thing, given that Cunard has fielded 149 ships in its 184-year history.
Still, even as Queen Anne ushers in a new era for Cunard, it's a vessel that holds true to the traditional values at the core of the line — particularly a formality and elegance that harks back to the grand old days of ocean liner travel.
Overview of Queen Anne
Queen Anne is the new belle of the ball when it comes to Cunard ships. Unveiled in May, it's far younger and more up to date than the three other ships in the Cunard fleet, which range from 14 to 20 years in age. It also has a smorgasbord of new-for-the-line dining and entertainment venues that tap into the latest trends in hospitality.
Unlike other Cunard vessels, for instance, Queen Anne features a wide array of extra-charge eateries, ranging from a Mediterranean cuisine venue where the dishes are sprinkled with African and Arabic influences to one of the first contemporary Indian restaurants on a cruise ship.
That's on top of the four relatively formal main restaurants that have long been at the core of the Cunard dining experience (one each for each class of onboard cabins — if you're in a Britannia-class cabin, your main eatery is the Britannia Restaurant; if you're in a Princess Grill suite, your main eatery is the Princess Grill).
Queen Anne also has a broader array of entertainment options than past Cunard ships, including an all-new cabaret venue that is home to a murder mystery theater show for part of every cruise.
Like all Cunard ships, it's a vessel that maintains longtime ocean liner traditions such as gala evenings where passengers wear black tie and ballgowns and nightly dancing in a grand ballroom (something you no longer find on most ships).
But alone for now in the Cunard fleet, Queen Anne aims to bridge the gap between such traditions and a more contemporary sort of cruising — not just in the venues it offers on board but in its overall look and feel.
It's been a change that hasn't been without controversy. Some Cunard regulars have mercilessly (and sometimes hilariously) panned the ship at online review sites, citing both the new look and what they say are obvious design flaws.
Queen Anne also clearly has suffered from teething pains in its first four months at sea, with Cunard fans reporting listless service, mediocre food in some eateries and uninspired entertainment. These are all things that I saw, too — so much so that I'm hesitant to recommend that passengers book this ship just yet. While lovely, it's not quite ready for prime time.
That said, if Cunard can work out the kinks over the coming months, particularly in the areas of service and specialty dining, Queen Anne has the potential to be a wonderful cruise ship.
What I loved about Queen Anne
The new look.
Put me down as firmly in the camp that loves the new look. Make no mistake, I have long enjoyed the ocean liners-of-old design of Cunard vessels. Sailing on the Atlantic-crossing Queen Mary 2, in particular, is like stepping onto the movie set for "Titanic," which definitely has an appeal. Combined with Cunard's focus on old-style tradition and elegance, it has given Cunard something unique in the world of cruising. But that doesn't mean the brand has to be forever stuck in the past.
In my view, which admittedly isn't shared by some Cunard fans, Cunard has artfully updated its design and onboard offerings for modern-day cruisers in a way that doesn't lose the tradition and elegance for which its ships have long been known.
Related: This movie will give you a sense of a transatlantic Cunard voyage
The British feel
Like all ships operated by United Kingdom-based Cunard, Queen Anne has a particularly British feel. It's a vessel where mushy peas and fish-and-chips (along with other British culinary favorites) are on the lunch buffet not just once a sailing but every day , and afternoon tea is a major event. It's also a ship where one of the busiest drinking spots is the (very traditionally English) pub.
But beyond such Britishness in food and drink, it offers a uniquely British style of prim and properness that is perhaps Queen Anne's most distinctive feature. It is a ship, for instance, where even on nights when the dress code is a relaxed "smart" casual, most passengers arrive for dinner in a jacket, some in full coat-and-tie. It's a vessel where you generally don't see people being loud or garish or otherwise inappropriate.
For American cruisers increasingly aghast at the way some passengers behave (and dress) on mass-market American vessels, where anything-goes American values rule the day, it can be wonderfully refreshing — a throwback to what cruising was across the board not all that long ago. Of course, for some Americans, it might come off as just plain stuffy.
What I didn't love about Queen Anne
The hard-to-navigate top deck.
Getting around the top deck of Queen Anne is easy — if you're staying in a top suite. Otherwise, it's like navigating a maze. That's because a significant chunk of the middle of the top deck is devoted to a private sunning area for the swells in top suites. If you're not booked in such a suite (and thus do not have the secret keycode to enter and cross this elites-only zone), you can't easily get from the sunning and sports deck areas at the front of the ship to the pool area at the back. The only way to do it is to descend into the interior of the vessel and walk across its already congested buffet restaurant (called the Artisans' Foodhall).
This, in turn, adds to the congestion of the buffet, which itself has design flaws (most notably, its self-serve drinks stations are inexplicably located along the crowded walkways through the eatery, such that you'll smack right into people pouring hot coffees and teas as you work your way across the space).
Queen Anne is more packed with people than Cunard's three other vessels, in a way that affects the experience. Seats are hard to come by for some shows, and the crew seems more harried than usual. The cabin experience is also diminished in some cases.
The numbers tell the story: At 113,000 gross tons, Queen Anne is 24% bigger than Cunard's last new vessel, the 14-year-old Queen Elizabeth. But Cunard has jammed 44% more cabins (and thus 44% more people) onto the vessel. Queen Anne holds 2,996 passengers at double occupancy (two passengers per cabin), up from Queen Elizabeth's capacity of 2,081 passengers at double occupancy. Notably, this drops the ship's "space ratio" of space (measured in hundreds of cubic feet) to passengers to just 37.8, which isn't a great number. By comparison, Queen Elizabeth has a space ratio closer to 44. The line's flagship Queen Mary 2 has a space ratio around 56.
The spotty service
I truly was excited to sail on Queen Anne, as I've long loved the elegance and refinement of Cunard vessels. I figured Cunard's first new ship in 14 years would set a new benchmark for the brand. Alas, what I experienced on board was a vessel that wasn't quite functioning right, mostly in the area of service.
I've sailed on more than 200 ships in 30 years of writing about cruising, including lots of just-out-of-the-shipyard vessels, and I've rarely encountered one where the crew members seemed as untrained and indifferent as they seemed on Queen Anne. It wasn't in every space. The servers in the exclusive restaurant for Princess Grill passengers were fabulous, catering to my every need. The bartenders at the casino bar (Room 1840) were a delight. But in many other venues, I regularly encountered crew who didn't seem to know what they were supposed to do or how to interact with passengers. Some venues also just didn't have enough staff to function properly.
Queen Anne cabins and suites
Queen Anne has 28 cabin and suite categories — a large number. But finding the right cabin category for you isn't as complicated as that number might make it seem. As is often the case on cruise ships, many cabin categories on Queen Anne are essentially the same, with the exception of where the rooms are located.
For instance, there are nine categories of balcony cabins, all basically the same in size and decor. The only differences among most of them are whether they are located at the front, middle or back of the ship and whether they have a clear or obstructed view.
Similarly, there are five categories of ocean-view cabins (those with a window but no balcony) and six categories of windowless inside cabins. The only difference between them is location.
There are eight categories of suites, some of which also are essentially the same except for their locations.
All that said, when booking accommodations on Queen Anne, it's important to know that the type of cabin you book will have a significant impact on your cruise experience beyond what you'll experience in your room.
Unlike most lines, Cunard still operates with an old-school class system, where passengers dine and lounge on ships in different places depending on their cabin category.
Most of Queen Anne's 1,498 cabins — including all inside and ocean-view cabins and most balcony cabins — are what's known as Britannia cabins. When you book passage in one, you'll dine in the ship's cavernous Britannia Restaurant at night (when not at an extra-charge specialty restaurant) and only have access to the non-elite lounge areas of the ship.
For those wanting something more exclusive (and willing to pay for it), there are three higher tiers of accommodations with ever-greater levels of pampering and perks:
- Britannia Club cabins . These 162 balcony cabins are similar to standard balcony cabins but come with access to a more intimate private restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Princess Grill suites . A big step up from Britannia Club cabins, these 127 rooms — all suites — come with concierge service and access to an exclusive lounge area (the Grills Lounge) and a restaurant (the Princess Grill) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition, you'll get access to a spacious private outdoor sun deck called the Grills Terrace.
- Queens Grill suites . These 65 suites are the ship's finest accommodations. Measuring 484 to 1,440 square feet, they come with butler service, concierge service, upscale touches such as fresh flowers, and access to an elegant private restaurant (the Queens Grill) for all meals. In addition, you get access to the same Grills Lounge and Grills Terrace as those staying in the Princess Grill suites.
My room was a Princess Grill suite, and the exclusive private areas that came with it really were wonderful. I particularly loved my special access to the Grills Lounge, a stylish bar and lounge space. Filled with curvy chairs upholstered in luscious peacock blue fabric, with a striking circular chartreuse seating area as a focal point, it served as a quiet escape from the ship's bustling public areas.
One deck up, the private Grills Terrace was a similarly serene and uncrowded oasis for decktop lounging that felt a world away from the busier public areas atop the ship.
Like all Princess Grill suites, my room measured about 300 square feet, including its balcony area. That's quite large for a cruise ship cabin, and it was room enough to contain everything I could want in a cabin for a week at sea: a king bed that could be split into two single beds, a built-in desk area, a separate built-in cabinet hiding a miniature refrigerator, a seating area with a sofa and chair, built-in closets, and a bathroom.
For the most part, I was happy with my Princess Grill suite on Queen Anne. While it wasn't inordinately high-end in its finishings, it had a clean-lined, contemporary look that felt modern and up to date. A recurring circular motif in its carpeting, lighting and mirror gave it a whiff of an art deco feel, one that was augmented by the room's red and gold accents (a nod to Cunard history, as they are two of Cunard's signature colors).
While surprisingly small in relationship to the overall size of the room, the bathroom in my Princess Grill suite was modern and bright, with a well-thought-out layout that made the most of its limited space. I particularly liked the relatively large walk-in shower and ample shelving space for toiletries — a sign that its designers understood what matters most to cruisers (unlike the designers of the poorly laid-out bathrooms on the new Seabourn ship that I just tested a few weeks ago ).
If my Princess Grill suite had a flaw, it was in the lack of adequate storage in the room. Given the formality of Cunard ships, which requires that passengers pack elegant eveningwear (think ballgowns and tuxedos) in addition to everyday clothing, the storage needs for Cunard passengers are higher than for passengers on some other lines. Cunard ships (and Queen Anne in particular) also often make longer sailings that require more clothes.
While there was enough storage in my room to pack away everything my companion and I brought for a weeklong sailing, it would have been tight if we had been on one of the ship's longer two-week sailings. I can't imagine how it'll work for passengers on the monthslong around-the-world sailings that are planned for the vessel starting in January.
One detail of the room I truly loved was the placement of large nightstands with large drawers on each side of the bed where I could hide away all my electronics and their cords, books, papers, glasses and the like. Bedside storage at this level is increasingly rare on ships. What's more, each of the nightstands was topped with a U.S.-style 110-volt outlet, a British-style 220-volt outlet, and both USB-A and fast-charging USB-C ports. Bravo, Cunard, for knowing how to keep us charged.
Other Queen Anne cabin tidbits:
- Every cabin has a small hair dryer that works with the ship's specific current. Leave yours at home.
- Rooms have nicely wide personal safes that can hold even a big laptop.
- There are Cunard-red "Do Not Disturb" magnets to stick to your door when you don't want to be disturbed. Flip them over, and a steward will make up your room. It's not a sophisticated system, but it works.
- Cabin televisions offer a wide range of movies on demand at no extra charge, a nice touch (some of Cunard's competitors charge as much as $11.99 to watch a movie).
The Princess Grill suites seem like a sweet spot to me when it comes to the higher-end accommodations on Queen Anne. They get you the same exclusive access to private indoor and outdoor lounge areas as the higher-priced Queens Grill suites and access to a private restaurant, too, but at a significantly lower price point.
That said, if you're looking for the ultimate in Queen Anne swankiness, you'll find it in the Queens Grill suites.
The best suites on Queen Anne
The two largest Queens Grill suites, called Grand suites, measure an astounding 1,440 square feet — nearly five times the size of my Princess Grill suite. They boast a bedroom, a master bathroom with a separate bath and shower, a large living room, a dining room, a powder room, a private balcony, and a walk-in closet.
Also impressive are the ship's four Queens Grill Master suites, which measure 896 square feet. They also feature a bedroom, a master bathroom with a separate bath and shower, a living room, a dining room, a powder room, a private balcony, and a walk-in closet.
The remainder of the Queens Grill suites are split between Queens Grill Penthouse suites, which measure 501 to 527 square feet, and slightly smaller Queens Grill suites, which measure 484 to 500 square feet. Each has a bedroom, a bathroom with a separate bath and shower, a living area, and a private balcony.
In addition to fresh flowers, Queens Grill suites come with personalized stationery, fresh fruit daily, predinner canapes and a complimentary minibar, including alcoholic drinks and soft drinks.
As noted above, Queen Anne's designers have packed a lot more cabins on Queen Anne than on earlier Cunard ships, and they did it in part by shrinking the size of some cabins. While standard balcony cabins on Queen Anne are just a tad smaller than balcony cabins on the line's past two new ships (236 square feet versus 239 square feet), the differential with Princess Grill suites is more noticeable.
Princess Grill suites measure 335 square feet on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria — about 10% more space than my Princess Grill suite on Queen Anne. Princess Grill suites on the line's flagship, Queen Mary 2, measure a far more generous 381 square feet.
At the Queens Grill level, there are notably no two-deck-high duplexes measuring more than 2,000 square feet on Queen Anne, as you'll find on the Queen Mary 2, which remains Cunard's reigning monarch for over-the-top accommodations.
Related: Cunard cabins and suites guide: Everything you want to know
Queen Anne restaurants and bars
Cunard has never been known for having ships that offered lots of dining options, but that changed notably with the debut of Queen Anne. It boasts 15 different places where you can grab a bite — more than double the number on the line's other ships. It also offers quite a few bar options, including several new-for-the-brand venues.
Restaurants
As on all Cunard ships, the dining scene on Queen Anne revolves around four main restaurants: Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill and Queens Grill — only one of which you will experience during any given cruise.
In keeping with Cunard's old-fashioned class system of dining, you'll be assigned a table in one of the four eateries for the duration of your cruise based on the type of cabin you book.
The vast majority of passengers — those in the least expensive windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins and most balcony cabins — are assigned to the least intimate of the four eateries: the expansive, two-level Britannia Restaurant. It's packed with close-together tables that can hold 596 people at a time — a banquet hall sort of number.
Dinners on the lower level of the Britannia Restaurant take place during two fixed seatings each night, while the second level is reserved for diners on an open-seating plan (arrange this in advance). Breakfast and lunch have open seating.
Passengers who pay up for one of 162 premium balcony cabins will be assigned a table in the more intimate Britannia Club restaurant. It's designed to hold up to 339 passengers and doesn't turn over tables for multiple seatings. If you book this class, you have a specific table in the eatery that is available whenever you want to dine during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours.
Even more intimate and upscale are the Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants, which are assigned to passengers staying in suites. The Princess Grill is for passengers booked in the ship's 127 smaller suites, known as Princess Grill suites. The Queens Grill is for passengers in the ship's 65 biggest suites.
In the Princess Grill and Queens Grill, as with the Britannia Club restaurant, you'll have a specific table that is available to you whenever you want it during dining hours.
Among the four main eateries, I only was able to experience the Princess Grill, as I was staying in a Princess Grill suite. Serving mostly classic Continental cuisine, it offered a refined dining experience with top-notch service, as you'd expect from an eatery reserved for passengers in top suites. Elaborate dishes such as chateaubriand and Dover sole meuniere (the latter expertly deboned and plated tableside) were available every night, as were such showy desserts as bananas Foster and cherries jubilee that were flamed tableside — a throwback to first-class travel during ocean liner days.
In addition to the four eateries above, Queen Anne also has a wide range of alternative dining options — something that isn't the case with other Cunard ships.
These include four new-for-the-line extra-charge dining concepts: Aranya, an Indian eatery; Tramonto, serving Mediterranean dishes; Aji Wa, a Japanese restaurant; and Sir Samuel's, a steakhouse.
I tried nearly all these new restaurants while on board and, alas, was disappointed with them all for varying reasons.
Both Aranya and Tramonto, which came with upcharges of $35 and $20, respectively, seemed like eateries added to the ship as afterthoughts. Both were in carved-out corners of the buffet area, and they had the ambience you might expect from such a location. From my table at Aranya, I looked out over a sad landscape of empty tables and a trolley cart with glasses in the buffet. Tramonto's ambience was better, thanks to the addition of a built-in wine cabinet blocking the buffet view. But it still suffered from being aside one of the main thoroughfares into the buffet.
Foodwise, the 38-seat Aranya was the biggest disappointment. The "carefully crafted spice-led journey" that it promised was almost devoid of spice across much of its (very limited) menu. A turbot wrapped in banana leaf came out dry. The one choice of naan that was available (plain) had the consistency of cardboard. It was nothing like the fabulous Indian eateries you'll find all over the ship's home country (for a similar cost, my companion and I feasted on truly wonderful Indian cuisine in London just the night before boarding).
Aranya also was plagued by servers who seemed only half awake (one server tried to fill our water glasses with tap water twice in five minutes, even though we clearly told her the first time we were drinking sparkling water).
The cuisine at the 38-seat Tramonto wasn't quite the disaster it was at Aranya, but too many dishes at this venue arrived cold, tasteless or otherwise underwhelming, and the servers were inattentive, even absent at times.
Both Aranya and Tramonto suffered, I suspect, from not having their own kitchens on-site. It appeared that waiters at both outlets were walking out of the eateries periodically to head to the buffet kitchen to grab dishes. They also apparently had to travel long distances to get drinks, as the eateries had no bars of their own. Our charge for sparkling water at Aranya posted as coming from the Panorama Pool Club bar, suggesting that our server had to walk to the back of the ship to get it.
Aji Wa, the Japanese eatery, had a much better atmosphere and served lovely sushi and other Japanese dishes. Its main flaw was disorganized service. During one of two visits, we sat at the sushi bar, ordering small sushi plates directly from the chef (as instructed) a couple at a time. Alas, nobody cleared these dishes away as we finished them, such that dirty dishes were piling up all around us by the end of the evening. We then sat for 20 minutes waiting for someone to notice we were done and bring us a bill. We finally got one, but just for our drinks. We had to wait again for a second bill for the food portion of the meal — a separation of charges that surely makes sense to someone in the accounting department at Cunard's U.K. headquarters but, of course, is nonsensical to the customer.
Sadly, I wasn't able to try Sir Samuel's, Cunard's new signature steakhouse. The eatery was unavailable for the entire week I was on board due to a private event that was being held in the space.
Other places to dine on Queen Anne include the Golden Lion pub, a mainstay of Cunard ships. On Queen Anne, it features a tasty new pub menu designed by chef Michel Roux Jr., who owned London's Le Gavroche restaurant, the first U.K. restaurant to receive three Michelin stars. (He also created an exclusive gala menu for the Queens Grill restaurant.) I particularly loved the steak-and-ale pie. It looked underwhelming on the plate but was fabulously rich and yummy.
You'll pay up to $11 a plate for lunch at the Golden Lion, but it's a worth-it upcharge. Some items, such as the quintessentially British Scotch eggs, are available at no extra cost.
In addition, Queen Anne passengers can eat in casual comfort at the Artisans' Foodhall, the ship's buffet. It features active food stations instead of traditional self-serve buffet lines, with a chef standing by at each station to make a dish just for you — a nice upgrade. There also are preplated dishes available to grab and go. The array of dishes is more limited than on some mass-market ships, but I never had trouble finding something to suit my taste.
That said, for something fast and casual, my favorite outlet, hands down, was the new-for-Cunard Wellness Cafe on the second level of the ship's Pavilion pool area. Part of Cunard's expanded focus on wellness, it offered no-extra-charge, built-to-order healthy food bowls that were not just tasty but beautifully plated. You could pick from a long list of healthful items such as edamame, kale, quinoa, roasted broccoli and charred cauliflower and top it all with grilled salmon and other proteins, as well as fresh dressings such as miso, lime and ginger. It was the one new eatery on Queen Anne that was a clear home run.
Eat there, and then blow your calorie count at the nearby Pavilion Gelateria, which serves massive extra-charge gelatos starting at a very reasonable $2.50 for one flavor. The Pavilion is also home to a grill for no-extra-charge burgers and hot dogs.
You'll also find small bites available from morning to night at the Carinthia Lounge. Located off the Grand Lobby, it's a European-style coffee bar by day with lovely handmade pastries and other elevated breakfast bites at no extra charge. At night, it morphs into a wine bar that serves artisanal cheese and charcuterie sourced from small producers for an extra fee (on my sailing, $6.50 for a selection of three cheeses or meats).
The Carinthia Lounge also serves oysters on the half shell at night ($6.50 for three oysters) and a few other small snacks that pair well with wines.
Room service is available day and night with several solid options including the same Michel Roux-designed burger you can get in the Golden Lion pub. That said, many of the better items come with an upcharge, which isn't always the case with room service menus on ships. The burger will set you back $11, while the room service steak — from the ship's Sir Samuel's steakhouse — will cost you $25 to $29, depending on whether you order a sirloin or filet. With an added lobster tail, the plate cost jumps to $40 to $44.
If you're heading out for a drink in the evening on Queen Anne, you're probably heading to one of two places: the Commodore Club or the Chart Room.
Located at the top of the ship overlooking the bow, as it is on all Cunard ships, the Commodore Club is the hot spot for drinks in the evenings, and for good reason. It's an elegant and inviting space with an impressive martini menu, friendly bartenders and lively entertainment (on my sailings, a pianist who took requests and played to the crowd).
The Commodore Club is such a popular venue on Cunard ships that the line has made it bigger than ever on Queen Anne, even bigger than its counterpart on Queen Mary 2, which is a far bigger ship.
Just off the Grand Lobby, the Chart Room is the main bar and lounge for the ship's lower-deck interior areas. It has a creative list of specialty cocktails themed around the signs of the zodiac (I loved the Leo-themed Natural Leader cocktail, made with pisco, lemon juice, raspberries and elderflower syrup) and the stylish art deco-inspired decor.
A third major drinking spot in the interior of the ship is the Golden Lion pub, which is just down the hall from the Chart Room past the Queens Room — the ship's ballroom. It's definitely the place to go for a pint of beer and a chat or a full-blown pub meal. Just be warned that it sometimes morphs into a karaoke club at night and is often taken over by trivia and bingo sessions, which sort of wrecks the cozy British pub ambience. In my view, it's a space that suffers from mission creep, though people who love karaoke, trivia and bingo with a side of John Smith's bitter ale surely will disagree.
Another option for a drink in the afternoon or evening is the Carinthia Lounge. As mentioned in the dining section above, it's a coffee bar by day but morphs into a wine bar as the day goes on. It has a wonderfully diverse wine list that includes things like Hungarian furmint, a wine you don't normally find at cruise ship bars.
Alas, as an evening drinking spot, the Carinthia Lounge suffers a bit from a ho-hum setting along a sometimes busy corridor through a shopping area — the reason, I suspect, for why it wasn't drawing much of a crowd at night when I was on board. It also closes down early. It's much more popular during the day when it functions as a coffee bar.
Note that the Carinthia Lounge is one of the venues on Queen Anne where the servers seem particularly out to lunch. You apparently get to order just one coffee here, after which your server will disappear, never to be seen again.
Yet one more bar option, one that is something of an unexpected gem, is the bar attached to the ship's casino, Room 1840. Most casino bars on ships are dreary places you don't want to visit unless you're in the casino to gamble. But the Room 1840 bar is both striking in its design and home to a fabulous cocktail menu focused on Negronis (in addition to a classic gin Negroni, you'll find creative variations on the Campari-infused elixir made with everything from double-oaked whiskey to tequila).
The Room 1840 bar is also one of the few bars on the ship where you'll find proper oversize ice cubes for cocktails such as Negronis — something that is standard at any semidecent cocktail bar on land but sorely missing from most Queen Anne bars (to be fair, this is a flaw not just with Queen Anne bars but bars on most cruise ships).
And, no, Room 1840 isn't smoky. Unlike on most ships, you can't smoke in the casino on Queen Anne.
In addition to the above, there are small interior bars attached to the Queens Room, the Bright Lights Society cabaret theater, the Artisans' Foodhall and the Sir Samuel's steakhouse. But none of them are venues you'd necessarily visit specifically for drinking. They are more bases for the waiters serving these various areas.
On the outside decks of the ship, you'll find bars at all the main sunning and pool areas, including at the front-of-the-ship sports deck (known as the Observation Deck) and at the back-of-the-ship Panorama Pool Club. One of the outdoor venues, Cabana, is a new-for-the-line rum-focused venue touting 50 different brands of the drink.
Queen Anne activities
As is typical for Cunard ships, the top decks of Queen Anne are mostly devoted to relaxing pool and sunning areas. This isn't a ship where you'll find lots of family-friendly decktop amusements such as waterslides and kiddie splash zones.
This is in keeping with the clientele of the brand, which is mostly older adults. Cunard has never been known as a family line.
Queen Anne is also one of the relatively few cruise ships with a top deck designed specifically for operating in a wide range of climate zones.
At the heart of Queen Anne's top deck is The Pavilion, an enormous central pool area that — unlike the main pool areas on the last two new Cunard ships — is topped with a retractable glass roof designed to keep poolgoers warm and dry on cold and rainy days.
It's a retractable glass roof that is not only functional but beautiful — a showpiece for the ship. Soaring higher and feeling airier than the typical magrodome (as such retractable glass roofs on ships are called), the giant structure above the pool was created by Martin Francis, the U.K.-based design wizard who figured out how to make the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum stay up.
The Pavilion, moreover, is much more than just a covered pool area. Underneath the dome — in addition to a pool, three whirlpools and lounge chairs — is a bar, a grill for poolside food, a gelateria and a stage for entertainment.
Just forward of The Pavilion is an open-air sun deck that is the closest thing the ship has to an amusement zone. Called the Observation Deck, it has a paddle tennis court that doubles as a pickleball court, a putting green, a golf net for practicing your drives, a table tennis table (or, as most Americans would call it, a pingpong table) and — this being a British ship — deck quoits. If you're an American, you'll have to Google that last one.
There's also shuffleboard, here and elsewhere along the outdoor decks. It's that sort of deck-top vibe.
One other top-deck amusement, located toward the middle of the ship, is an archery range — something you won't find on most cruise ships. Indeed, while Royal Caribbean has offered a watered-down version of archery on its ships with toylike bows and arrows, Queen Anne is the first ship where you can shoot real (and very sharp) arrows with a real bow. You do it during formal reservations-only sessions with an instructor, and you have to sign your life away with a waiver form before you start.
In addition to the public areas above, there is an open-air deck area toward the middle of the ship that is exclusive to the swanky set staying in the ship's Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites. The center-of-the-ship placement of this exclusive area, alas, blocks regular passengers from moving across the top of the ship — a major design flaw.
The top of the ship is also home to a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio. Just past The Pavilion Pool (under the same glorious glass dome that covers that venue), it offers yoga, Pilates, Zumba and line-dancing classes during the day for an extra charge.
The Wellness Studio is part of the major expansion of wellness offerings at Cunard mentioned above. It was added to the ship in part to get all the fitness classes that the line normally offers in interior fitness areas up to the top deck, where participants can enjoy natural light and views of the sea all around.
That said, Queen Anne still has a good-size fitness center and a spa with a thermal pool complex in a lower part of the vessel. The latter venue is a wow with heated loungers, experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna, and a traditional sauna. There's also a relaxation room and a wellness suite.
Two-hour passes to the thermal complex are available for $59 per person.
If you're looking for activities in the interior of the ship, there are two main places to go: the Queens Room and the Golden Lion pub.
The Queens Room — a staple of Cunard ships — is the ship's grand ballroom and the place to dance the night away to big-band music. But it's also the spot for afternoon tea at times — a big thing for the ship's heavily British crowd — and occasionally other activities such as low-impact chair yoga.
The Golden Lion pub is home to frequent trivia contests (often several times a day), darts competitions, bingo and karaoke nights — so many such activities, in fact, that passengers looking for a traditional pub experience may be disappointed.
Other activity areas in the ship's interior include the small casino area called Room 1840 mentioned above. It's just forward of the Queens Room. There's also a small Games Room for card playing just off the Grand Lobby.
At the very top of the ship, off the Commodore Club, is a library with one of the best views of any library at sea. Just beyond it is a very small children's area called The Zone (as noted, Cunard isn't a line that draws many children).
Other interior areas include dedicated space for weddings and wedding receptions, part of a bigger focus on celebrations at Cunard, and a large number of shops.
Queen Anne shows
Cunard has beefed up its entertainment offerings with the debut of Queen Anne.
In addition to an 835-seat main theater (the Royal Court Theater) offering Broadway-style shows, it's home to a new-for-the-brand, 132-seat cabaret-style theater called the Bright Lights Society.
The former is home to a wide variety of entertainment during any given cruise, from full-blown musicals to comedy shows and vocalist performances. (It's also used for lectures by a rotating list of guest speakers and occasional screenings of feature-length films.) The latter offers a murder mystery theater-type experience on some days and a lively cabaret-style musical show on others.
On my sailing, the two big main theater productions were a smoke-, strobe light- and laser-infused musical production called "Imagination" and a shortened version of the West End musical "Pride and Prejudice (sort of)" — the latter a comedic retelling of the Jane Austen love story. Both were entertaining, if not the sort of wow productions you'll find on the ships of cruise entertainment leaders Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line .
The Bright Lights Society (the name is an oblique reference to the fact that Cunard was the first ocean liner operator to use electric lights on its ships) was a fun and lively venue — when I was able to get into it. Alas, all six performances of what some passengers said was the best show in the venue, the interactive murder mystery "Noir," booked up seemingly instantly on the first day of my cruise, so I never was able to get a reservation to see it.
With Queen Anne's passenger count significantly higher than Cunard's other vessels, there just isn't room in the Brights Light Society venue to accommodate the demand for its shows.
The "Noir" show was the only show in the venue for three of the first four nights of the cruise. For the last three nights of the sailing, the space was home to "Fizz," a cabaret-style show with musical and burlesque elements and a loose storyline of romance for which I did manage to snag a reservation. It was energetic and amusing, with the cast of five pulling in the audience to become part of the show.
Additional entertainment, including the occasional comedy show, vocalists and silent discos, takes place in the Queens Room, the ship's ballroom. On Queen Anne, it's a space that has gotten a makeover compared to the ballrooms on other Cunard ships to make it more multipurpose, and it often hosts some of the same acts that play on different nights in the Royal Court Theater.
With clusters of modern ball lamps hanging from its ceiling, evoking planets floating in the sky, and a stunning, multicolored marquetry wood floor as a counterpoint, the Queens Room has a dreamy, make-believe quality unlike anything seen before on a Cunard ship.
A large digital screen behind its semicircular stage and high-tech lighting add to its more modern feel.
The Queens Room is also rounder in its design and more open to its surroundings. Its top level, in particular, is open to an area of boutique stores and the passing traffic of passengers moving between the front and back of the ship.
Queen Anne itineraries and pricing
Of Cunard's four ships, Queen Anne is the one that spends the most time sailing out of Southampton, England — Cunard's traditional home. Nearly all its sailings during the year begin and end in the port.
Still, that doesn't mean Queen Anne only sails in the vicinity of the British Isles.
For all but the first few months of the year, Queen Anne operates an unusually wide array of Europe itineraries out of Southampton that can get you to just about every corner of the continent, from the far reaches of the Baltic Sea to the full expanse of the Mediterranean.
Some of Queen Anne's Europe sailings out of Southampton go all the way to the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa.
Queen Anne's trips from Southampton are diverse not only in where they go but in length, as the ship operates everything from quickie two-nighters to Hamburg, Germany (a good way to test the vessel to see if you like it), and seven-night sailings to Northern Europe to far lengthier voyages of 14 to 19 nights to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.
During the first few months of every year, Queen Anne sets off from Southampton on an even more ambitious voyage around the world. Since the ship's debut in early 2024, it has become one of Cunard's main ships for such lengthy voyages.
The around-the-world voyages (two of which currently are on Queen Anne's schedule for 2025 and 2026) typically last nearly four months and include stops in North America, Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe. In addition to selling passage for the entire cruise, Cunard also sells shorter segments of the voyage that focus on particular regions along the way.
Prices for Queen Anne sailings start around $400 per person, based on double occupancy, for a two-night sailing from Southampton to Hamburg. More typical seven-night sailings out of Southampton start at $1,159 per person, based on double occupancy. The ship's first world cruise, a 107-night trip kicking off in January 2025, starts at $17,536 per person.
The above rates include all taxes and fees.
Note that you'll pay a significant premium to stay in Queen Anne's Britannia Club, Princess Grill and Queens Grill accommodations as compared to standard Britannia cabins. A voyage where a balcony cabin in Britannia class starts around $3,000 per person might cost closer to $5,000 per person if you book the same balcony cabin in Britannia Club class or $7,000 per person if you book a Princess Grill suite. A Queens Grill room on the same voyage might set you back more than $9,000 per person.
What to know before you go
Required documents.
A passport is required for all itineraries, and passports must be valid for at least six months. The name on your reservation must match that on your passport. Double-check if you've recently gotten married or use a different version of your name.
Queen Anne guests will find an automatic service charge of $16 to $18 per person, per day, depending on cabin category, added to their onboard account and final bill. You are allowed to adjust this amount at the Purser's Office desk before disembarking.
In addition, a 15% gratuity is added to bar bills. You should not feel pressured to add an additional tip.
Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships
In recent years, Cunard has upgraded the Wi-Fi service on its ships and now offers a relatively fast connection through Starlink satellites. As is often the case with cruise ships, the service isn't free, nor is it inexpensive. Passengers can choose an Essential plan that allows web browsing and access to emails and social media sites for $18 per day if bought for the entire voyage (24-hour access is available for $24). A Premium plan allowing for streaming costs $24 per day if bought for the entire voyage (24-hour access is available for $36) is also available.
The above rates allow you to log in on a single device. Multidevice plans are also available. They'll cost you more in absolute terms but are a much better value if you are buying Wi-Fi for several people. On my voyage, a multidevice plan for four devices was the same cost as buying two single-device plans.
Note that top-tier members of the line's Cunard World Club loyalty program get credit toward buying internet plans.
Carry-on drinks policy
Cunard allows every passenger of drinking age to bring one bottle of wine or Champagne onto ships at boarding. The line charges a corkage fee if you bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or other public areas to drink.
Smoking policy
Smoking (including e-cigarette smoking) is allowed only in designated outdoor areas. It's forbidden in cabins, on cabin balconies and — with one exception — in all other indoor areas of the ship. The exception is that passengers can smoke cigars and pipes only (no cigarettes) in Churchill's Cigar Lounge, the ship's dedicated space for cigar smokers.
Unlike on some cruise ships, smoking is not allowed in Queen Anne's casino.
Queen Anne has self-serve launderettes on cabin decks where passengers will find washers, dryers and ironing boards for use at no extra charge. Even the detergent is free. The ship also offers extra-charge laundry, pressing and dry cleaning services.
Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services
Electrical outlets
You'll find North American-style 110-volt outlets and European-style 220-volt outlets in cabins, along with USB ports.
The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar. But you won't need cash while on board. Queen Anne operates on a "cashless system," with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a keycard that you can use to make charges, and Cunard will charge your credit card at the end of the sailing to settle the balance.
While on board, you can check your balance at the Purser's Office or via your in-cabin television.
Drinking age
You must be 18 to consume alcohol on Queen Anne in most parts of the world. When the ship is sailing in U.S. waters, Cunard enforces the U.S. drinking age limit of 21.
During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day, and you're bound for the pool deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits are just fine. Just note that swimwear is not permitted in indoor dining areas, so you'll want to change from that bathing suit before heading to lunch inside the vessel.
During the evenings, there is an official dress code, and it's more formal than at many lines. Cunard has always been known as a line where passengers dress up — and its dress code reflects that (though it's not nearly as formal as it was just a few years ago).
On most nights, the Queen Anne dress code is "smart" attire, which Cunard defines as a dress shirt and trousers, skirt and a top, or a cocktail dress. Jackets are optional, but many men do wear them. Some men even wear coats and ties on casual nights. This is a ship where passengers get very dressed up, and you might feel out of place if you don't.
Unlike on some lines, jeans are not allowed in restaurants in the evening, and the line is strict about it. You will likely be turned away if you show up in them, and you'll definitely get dirty looks from Cunard's formality-loving regulars.
Every few nights, the dress level on the ship becomes much more formal as the ship holds "gala evenings." These are shipwide events where passengers are encouraged to dress to the nines, and they generally do.
There are typically two gala evenings on every seven-night cruise and more on longer sailings. Cunard asks men to wear black tie or dark suits. For women, Cunard suggests floor-length dresses, ballgowns or off-the-shoulder cocktail dresses.
Cunard typically designates a theme for each gala evening, set in advance so you can plan your wardrobe. Examples include Black and White Gala Evening, when passengers are encouraged to wear black and white, and Red and Gold Gala Evening, when red and gold are the go-to colors. Some sailings also have a Masquerade Ball, where the line suggests passengers spice up their attire with masks.
Note that if you really, really hate the idea of getting all dolled up for a gala evening, you'll find that there are a few designated places on the ship (such as the pub) where you still can drink and dine without the formality. That said, the dress-up nights are a big part of the Cunard formula. If it doesn't sound appealing to you, maybe you're picking the wrong ship.
Related: What to pack for your first cruise
Bottom line
Queen Anne is a lovely ship that, alas, isn't yet running like it should. The design of the vessel, which is more contemporary in its look and feel than what we've seen from Cunard in recent years, is meant to usher in a new era for the brand, and it does. In my opinion, it's the most beautiful new Cunard ship to debut since Queen Mary 2 arrived more than 20 years ago.
But four months after opening, some of Queen Anne's venues still are struggling to deliver the sort of friendly and intuitive service that they should, given Queen Anne's positioning as a "premium" product that is a step above mass-market cruising (in some of its messaging to consumers, the line even refers to itself as offering a "luxury" experience).
In addition, several new-for-the-line dining concepts on the ship are struggling to hit their stride and may need rethinking.
Cunard, no doubt, will tweak all the above and eventually get it right, maybe by the time you are on board. And there's a lot already to love about Queen Anne — particularly the higher-end experience available in the ship's already smoothly-running Princess Grill and Queens Grill areas. If Cunard can work out the kinks with the rest of the ship, particularly in the areas of service and specialty dining, Queen Anne has the potential to be a wonderful cruise ship.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
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