Cunard Queen Anne Less Than Six-Months From Launch

As the world’s most iconic luxury cruise line nears the six-month countdown to the launch of its new ship, Cunard has given an exclusive preview of Queen Anne’s elevated wellness offering.

The 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest ship is currently under construction at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy, and on 05 October 2023, the company Cunard invited a group of travel agent partners from across the world for its first behind-the-scenes tour.

Featured Image: ​Christopher Ison / Cunard

Queen Anne will boast the widest selection of fitness, beauty, thermal and spa facilities so far seen on a Cunard ship, with its reimagined Mareel Wellness & Beauty proposition heralding a new era of wellbeing at sea.

Cunard’s Mareel concept aims to deliver enriching wellness experiences that leave guests feeling radiant, from the inside out, just as its namesake – a glowing luminescence – lights the sea from within. Queen Anne’s Wellness Club will also boast a tailormade programme for solo travellers, where, on embarkation night, like-minded guests will be able to relax and unwind together at a meet-and-greet.

As these pictures show, the vision of a tranquil sanctuary is coming to life, and it is here where guests will enjoy a variety of uniquely crafted experiences – from cryotherapy treatments to a Himalayan salt sauna and cold room – that will renew the mind, body, and soul. 

One of Queen Anne’s stand-out wellness spaces is The Pavilion, an idyllic open-air oasis on the top deck, which features a specially designed glass dome roof that retracts in warmer climes. Inspired by beautiful glasshouses, it is the ideal spot for getting lost in a book or enjoying a dip in the pool by day and for meeting new friends in the evening. 

The multi-purpose space, designed by David Collins Studio (of Harrods and Claridge’s fame), weaves together several wellness elements, and will encompass the top deck Wellness Studio – an ideal retreat for fitness fanatics, open from sunrise to sunset – as well as the Wellness Café, an alternative dining experience that will boast a colourful mix of seasonal, mouth-watering, and nutritious dishes. 

The Wellness Café will cater for breakfast, lunch, and daytime diners, celebrating the vibrancy of plant-powered foods and sustainably sourced meat, dairy and fish options.

Acclaimed architect Martin Francis – who supported with engineering the iconic Louvre Pyramid in Paris – led a redesigning of the glass dome, which will now feature a refined arched steel frame to maximise height and light in the space as it stretches up and aft to create the new Wellness Studio.

The tour was hosted by Captain Inger Thorhauge, the luxury cruise line’s first female Captain, who will be at the helm for Queen Anne’s maiden voyage from Southampton to Lisbon on 3 May 2024. 

The event in Venice follows Queen Anne’s float out ceremony in May, a tradition where a ‘Madrina’ is named to offer blessings and best wishes for the ship, celebrating the first flow of water into the ship's dry dock.

The ship has since been moved from a construction dock to a fitting out basin nearby, and as these photos illustrate, the fitting out phase is in full swing. 


Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “For more than 180 years, Cunard has constantly refined the definitive experience of luxury ocean travel and I am incredibly excited that we are now just six months away from beginning the next chapter of our remarkable story. It is both incredible and inspiring to see the progress that has been made by the craftsman, engineers, and workforce here at Fincantieri shipyard and as we start to see Queen Anne’s interiors take shape, we can all see what a truly magnificent Queen she will become. I know that guests around the world are looking forward to sailing with our new Queen and we are counting down the days until we can welcome them aboard.”