Cunard Queen Anne: is this the BEST Ship they ever launched? Our Honest Opinion

[@Xavier7799]

"The world's best cruise reviewer ". Hands down.

[@ritzytravelguide]

That's really kind of you to say, thank you so much

[@jeremy1350]

Hi Bill, Yes, you are right. It is the battle between the traditionalists and the modernists. Bows and Arrows, you're supposed to shoot at the target and not each other !! I laughed out loud. The Queens Room, leaves much to be desired. I did not like it at all. Sitting in the library, and hear "Thundering Elephants from above" one might ponder Rudyard Kipling and maybe not pickle ball !!! Oh, the insanity.

[@jackbrechwald8344]

Ugh! To the New Look. Reminds one of downtown Beijing or Shanghai. All cold metal, glass, and irritating flash. Give me the look of the bygone days of elegant, refined cruising-Give me the QM2.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Quite a lot of people feel the same!

[@TheTravelingHatter]

Agree 👍

[@GlobalAdventurer]

Doublely agree 👍

[@betsymeyers1976]

I love most of the ship and love that the buffet is mostly served. The mounds of food I have seen left on plates is so wasteful. I am a fan of art deco and thought the Grand Lobby and Queens Room were underwhelming. Thank you for this comprehensive review!

[@ritzytravelguide]

You're very welcome!

[@theapprentice2298]

its lost its way . People will vote with their wallet . What people loved was traditional Cunard , hertitage , style , grace. IMHO ,Now we have, well a copy of other ships . Not good !

[@ritzytravelguide]

I would tend to agree with you that people book Cunard... for Cunard. If they steer too far away from their history and heritage, they are in danger of losing their identity

[@stevewilson6390]

Thanks for this, thorough and articulate. I do hope you managed to enjoy your cruise, many many hours involved in your filming never mind your editing and narration👍👏

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Steve, we did manage to enjoy our cruise, thanks so much for asking!

[@jorgschwantje1239]

@@stevewilson6390 I said to my wife the same: Bill is probably one of the hardest working vloger I know.

[@joanfreestone1707]

Queen Elizabeth is our favourite ship. We love the Cunard traditional feel. We booked to go on Queen Anne but when we saw videos of on board, we cancelled our booking. It looks just like any other new ship. The people who said the Queens Room looks like a shopping centre are quite right and the lack of a proper promenade deck is terrible. Overall, it looks like a very badly designed ship. Thanks for a great review.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you Joan

[@francesguinta8614]

Way too many big television screens everywhere.

[@danncantley9755]

My experience on Queen Anne (14 day voyage and naming ceremony) has turned me off Cunard for good. They need to do a whole lot of fine-tuning to make this ship work.

[@jorgschwantje1239]

Come to the Victoria. It's great! Everything fits here.

[@TheTravelingHatter]

My experience on Queen Anne was similar to yours except that I found the service on the Queen Anne to be lacking. The Grand Lobby wowed me at the start, and that was the last time i felt that way. I am cruising again on Cunard, but I will not cruise on the Queen Anne again. It was also abrupt going from the Queen Mary 2 and its classic style to the golden blandness of the Queen Anne

[@kimroberts2292]

We were on the same cruise. Totally agree with everything said. It's a beautiful ship , wouldn't say we wouldn't travel on her again but definitely prefer QV and QE. Booked QV for 2025 👍 Thank you for an unbiased view.

[@MERCEDESLIMBURG]

Great video quality and filming! Liked the structure, too.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you!

[@ElaineOwen-g7s]

Loved the video. You ought to be on tv. You are so much better than most tv presenters and your videos are so professional. Can’t wait to see your wife’s comments on the gym in the next episode.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much Elaine!

[@heidilevens6284]

Great honest and balanced review- thank you. Not sure I’d want to spend money on Queen Anne. Much prefer the old school style. Thanks again!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you for your thoughts

[@dancourt4792]

I absolutely loved your review of Queen Anne. My husband and I are Cunarders but as yet we haven't been on Queen Anne, our first cruise will be in December so I will leave judgment 'til then. I do think there will be a few things that I won't like because I am a traditionalist but I will keep an open mind. Looking forward to your next vlog. I have to say, your daughters ball gown was gorgeous, she looked lovely x

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, wishing you a lovely cruise in December. Please let us know afterwards, how it went. Our daughter was so nervous about wearing her gown. Thankfully she kept her nerve, and got several kind and reassuring comments.

[@sallan29]

Great video and review, highly polished presentation as always. An honest and accurate assessment and i even noticed my wife and myself on two occasions in the background of your video clips. Excellent job and looking forward to seeing part 2.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much. I hope I caught your handsome side!

[@wellardsmith3629]

I enjoyed evey part of this review. Thanks

[@ritzytravelguide]

Very kind of you to say, thank you

[@jorgschwantje1239]

The Grand Lobby looks nice for a Plastic surgery clinic. But nothing Grand, no glamour, like every other new ship. Could be also the Explora II. The Queens Room could only called "Room" cos there is no royalty left. Looks like a London club. That said the Cunard Experience like waiters in white gloves, violins and big bands feels off in these rooms. Does not fit at all. And in front of what staircase you make your fotos on the 20s ball? In the clinic-atrium? Really? I still have no idea why this brand changes what it stands for in comon cruise-ship-design but thinks the Cunard-Experience still fits? 🤷‍♂️ What I like: The aft pool area looks very nice and the Commodore Club is quite nice too. Thanks Bill and family for this great video. 🎉❤

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Jorg, thanks very much for your detailed insights and thoughts. Great to hear from you. Yes, the Queen Anne is very different from ALL the other Queens. Some long term Cunard customers will find it quite a change. It's really going to be quite divisive.

[@jorgschwantje1239]

@@ritzytravelguide My first comment did not come through, I wrote everything again and now you have two of them.. 😅 I am a first time cruiser on Cunard and just booked Victoria because she different. Did not regret a single minute.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Victoria is a lovely ship!

[@bodyloverz30]

@@ritzytravelguide Other than the black paint job, you could put a Celebrity logo on this ship and no one would no the difference.

[@bodyloverz30]

@@ritzytravelguide Why can't Cunard build more classic Liners!

[@MG-xx5ph]

Great video. We are in Queens Grill next month, having booked when only deck plans were available. I knew then that the QG restaurant was an odd shape. In the flesh, it looks like a railway carriage. Hopefully we will get a window table, otherwise it's taking turns with my partner, looking at the wall.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, wishing you a great cruise next month. Yes, Queen's Grill is a bit like a railway carriage. Be sure to dream up weird, wonderful and amazing dishes for them to prepare for you! It's your opportunity to ask them to prepare anything!

[@ServraghGiorsal]

From the first shots, i dont like it. But as im 78, and not likely to go there, im sure they don't care.. but i, too, am a traditionalist!😊😊

[@ritzytravelguide]

I think many are too!

[@lincolnroad3]

Nice production, great visuals. You all looked fabulous 👏👏👏

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much!

[@processserver8470]

Thank you Ritzy for your diligent attention to detail. Greetings from Greenwich London ⚓️⛵️ Cheers 🥂🍾👍✅

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hello Greenwich. Cheers 🥂 back to you

[@AndrewFitch-n4c]

Thanks Bill. As always, you brought a smile to our faces with your genial style and fair minded review. Looking forward to our Christmas voyage. 😊

[@ritzytravelguide]

Wishing you a fabulous cruise, it should look very festive!

[@TheNickVillarreal]

I know this is comparing Cunard to Cunard, but I am curious as to how this stacks up against the Holland America version of the Pinnacle Class. Given that both Cunard and Holland America are in the Premium cruise category, I would be fascinated to know what differences are present, and which one is a better value proposition

[@ritzytravelguide]

By coincidence we will have a video on EXACTLY this topic later this year! In November we are on Holland America's Rotterdam, which is Pinnacle class, just like the Queen Anne. The two ships SHARE so much DNA. The video will directly compare the 2 ships.

[@familyfrost1399]

Amazing review, top work, kudos ritzy

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much!

[@tamipaskins4849]

Omg first time I've seen your daughters' drop dead gorgeous! 👏

[@ritzytravelguide]

That's so kind of to say, thank you

[@ianshorland982]

Outstanding content and presentation Bill, very polished and informative, thank you for posting, I can’t wait for future content, kindest regards to you and your family.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much Ian. All the best to you and you family as well.

[@joanne26]

My next door neighbour turned 60 in April and has semi retired from the NHS She only works 2 days a week now. The NHS pension scheme is a no brainer Her and hubby went for a cruise on the Queen Anne in August around Norway and the Fjords. They have never cruised before Loved it They are going to book a Caribbean one for 2025 👍 👍 👍 👍 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️❤️❤️

[@carolyns99]

Not for me. My dream is to get on a Cunard cruise in the next few years - but it won't be on this. Rather go on Princess and get what you expect than go on Cunard for the elegance and ambience and get this - whatever-it-is. Not trying to rag on Princess either but, let's face it, most people want to go on Cunard for an experience and look that no-one else does. My heart actually dropped when I saw their first promotional videos when she was being built. Sadly it has now fully lived down to my expectations following the previews. This is the ship version of the entertainment industry's "update for a (largly illusory) modern audience". The reason that the Deco look is so popular is that it truly is one of the few design eras that has almost universal appeal. So many people love it that it is really hard to go wrong using it as a template. The lotus columns in the Britannia restaurant looked like someone started in the right place and then threw away the plans. Even the splashes of their traditional livery (like the stairs) look totally out of place amongst the visually underwhelming shopping mall chic of everything else. Having that ball court above the library is just insane and as for the senior-citz club look of the Queen's Room and the cheap and trashy bling of the Chart Room ... no thank you. And who designed that hideous mustard yellow cafeteria look for the Italian restaurant? 🤮 Maybe they will manage to find enough passengers who actually like the look, but I can't help feel there may be a fairly hasty decor overhaul over the next 5 years or so.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hello, thank you so much for your comprehensive thoughts and observations. It will indeed be interesting to see how much revision there is over coming years, to return the Queen Anne nearer to the traditional art deco look.

[@carolyns99]

@@ritzytravelguide Yes, it will be interesting. Looking forward to seeing what you have to say about the cabins.

[@jorgschwantje1239]

Totally agree.

[@FraserCampbellTravel]

Fantastic tour and review!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much

[@stevenvater8720]

Well I was on the Anne in August.... Almost everyone liked her but wouldn't come again, they'd ho on the other ships. Many of the main public areas fell well below standard, for instance, the seating in all public areas were not the same quality as on the other queens, in fact some was unacceptable and cheap especially in the(non) queens room. The view sighting in theatre a complete disaster, what the hell were they thinking??!!! Pavilion was incredibly noisy, with sunlounger shuffle a day and that bloody TV screen, .smelled like a sweaty gym changing room. On top of all this one engine failed and we missed cadiz!!... It's a new ship!! Bright lights was a fantastic success. You gave a really good review thank you

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Steven, thanks so much for your various insights. I think one of the really telling comments you made is: "Almost everyone liked her, but wouldn't come again, they'd go on the other ships." This is exactly what Cunard needs to be cautious of. Once the initial batch of 'curious onlookers' have come and gone, how much repeat/return business will the QA get? This is very much the telling question for me, and why I raised the question in the video: 'have they designed a ship for the ages, and is it the special one?'

[@stevenvater8720]

@@ritzytravelguide I only gave a cursory critique, I absolutely agree with almost everything you said. The other queens Victoria and Elizabeth "connect".. They achieve something other ships don't, it's a feeling of quality, familiarness, comfort, something that puts people at ease. I've spent many times pondering about what that special quality is, and it's along the lines of feng shiue. (don't laugh) what I noticed is there is a distinct lack of sharp edges, softly radiused curves everywhere. Extremely high quality seating, fixtures and fitting in all public spaces. The choice of carpet and colours also having a powerful effect in developing the ambience that is appreciated so much.The Anne is full of jarring geometric patterns. Also the flow of the ships is vastly superior to the Anne. I had extensive conversations with many other cunarders one gentleman made a good point, he said the building costs during covid forced cunard to skimp on quality, this made sense to me. Timing between courses in britannia was too long, we had most meals in buffet. Bit of a rant but had to get it off my chest. Very much looking forward to your next review, you the best out there

[@GlynisHearn-jf5yl]

Beautifully filmed, looking forward to your future reviews, we are on Queen Anne in October, thank you for your analysis 😀

[@ritzytravelguide]

Have a fabulous time in October!

[@shingodzilla7855]

Nice balanced review. I liked that you spelled out what the Cunard experience is supposed to be also.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you

[@davidjames-maddaford4531]

I do not like this floating brick at all! I am a traditionalist, and no American, so I find this revolting

[@julietrik4873]

Love your daughter's gown. She looks lovely.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks so much 😊

[@chak06880]

If Cunard created another Art Deco/ British themed ship, people will complain that Cunard is not keeping up with the times. So Cunard makes make a more modern ship and people complain they are not keeping up tradition. Eventually, I can see Cunard swapping Queen Elizabeth back to the UK and homeporting QA in USA for Alaska and Caribbean voyages. Less trauma for the purists then…. In any case - another well produced video!

[@ritzytravelguide]

You might well be right on your analysis, and QA eventually spends a fair amount of time in international and North American markets

[@jorgschwantje1239]

Keeping up with what times? Nobody of the guests were alive in 1912 or 1929. That was always a historic style. Also in 2004, 2007 and 2010, when they launched the ships.

[@GlobalAdventurer]

I'm glad I have several upcoming cruises on QM2, because i definitely wouldn't want to sail on this one. It's really unfortunate. Thanks for your review and I'm looking forward to the upcoming videos.

[@stevenvater8720]

Been on the Anne and as a cunarder myself the Anne is an awkward design ship with many schoolboy errors. It's not cunard it's celebrity

[@ritzytravelguide]

Many thanks

[@TheHendoncat]

I was on Queen Anne in may , the second cruise …I have to say the staff were very hit and miss , huge confusion as to what they were doing ..…breakfast was a rodeo of whether you would get what you ordered …you would never get the full expected experience…after 2 days , no grapefruit juice sir …no croissants on offer bar 2 mornings ….not a great ship …and it’s not a first world problem, it’s just what should be delivered consistently for the money that’s paid …you pay the same for bad service as you do for good .. Ps you just walk through the queens terrace …it’s allowed, and I wasn’t bothered about doing it …bad design . If I’d paid for Grills experience I would be less than happy … The front of ship where the smoking area is should have been the Grills area , but I’m glad it was left available for us lower class people , it’s a lovely spot … Good review by yourself , I think you’ve nailed it …it’s a new , tidy cruise ship , and I think that’s as far as it goes ….if you want Cunard experience go on the others as well will twice in the next 3 months ..

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there many thanks for your comments. As a side note: the entry to the Grills Terrace is now locked, behind a code. As we were not staying in Grills, I sought permission for entry, to take footage.

[@TheHendoncat]

@@ritzytravelguide I mentioned that to my wife and she did remark that maybe they have now introduced locks to it ….we then reviewed the video and saw the keypads …..it was open in May ….also those stateroom balconies you overlook from the buffet are all Princess grills cabins …again , I don’t think that’s an acceptable situation…multiple people viewing your time in your balcony .. lobed the review , best I’ve seen in its comprehensiveness.

[@terrikatz4854]

Is the Anne seaworthy for ocean going voyages? In contrast to the QM2, cruise ships in general are cheaply made so ordinary open ocean conditions result in nauseating movement. I am desperate to get a review of how the Anne handles 12-15 foot seas and Beaufort 8-10 winds.

[@stevebass3992]

Great review. We have been sailing with Cunard for 25 years and been on all the ships. I agree with everything you say. Not our favourite ship of the fleet but I would certainly go on again. We just prefer the more traditional decor of the other three Queens but this one has the best outdoor deck spaces other than the promenade deck.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

I've been waiting for this. I don't know. I'm not a traditional Cunard cruiser to know what are their strong signatures. Yes, the Queens Room is smaller and less grand as the other ships. The thing is, there is still a large-ish dance floor. And being knowledgable of nice pianos, I appreciate it has a Yamaha SX grand in it, a finer piano than the usual CX. I like the Commodore room and bright lights society. My feeling is it looks like a HAL ship with different decor. Cruising is so much the ambiance the crew creates so the physical ship just needs the right venues to facilitate certain activities and then the crew and entertainment staff provides the real magic. I think a more updated style isn't a terrible idea however that doesn't mean all the new classes should abandon what Cunard is in some contemporary or trendy style. I'll read the comments with interest. Look forward to more.

[@grahamdouglas1]

Is the non-Cunard look due to the fact that is only a modified Holland America ship. It looks like an office block on water like so many other newer Carnival brands ships.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, yes the last 3 Cunard ships have been shared across multiple other Carnival owned brands. Victoria and QE are Vista class and QA is Pinnacle. They share the ship hulls and superstructure. Particularly the Vista class, which is found amongst others on: Holland America, P&O, Costa and Carnival themselves. There is some ability to juggle the interior look and design and decor, but largely the layouts are similar. Hence the exteriors look very similar to each other. QA did add a partial extra deck on the top. We are cruising on HAL Rotterdam this November, which is Pinnacle Class and has a very similar DNA to QA. I will be making a video directly after that cruise, comparing Rotterdam vs QA

[@grahamdouglas1]

@@ritzytravelguide I’ve only been on QM2 and hated it, but QA looks to me like Miami, all glitz and no taste. I thought the Americans liked sailing in a ship that claimed to be British, despite being American owned and registered In Hamilton.

[@stevenvater8720]

​@@grahamdouglas1try the Victoria or Elizabeth, they're vastly superior

[@Eugenia-1982]

Almost a month since we cruised on Queen Anne and loved almost everything. Staff extremely friendly and helpful. Great food experience except for Tramonto. Despite being at capacity the ship never felt crowded. Easy to get off in port with no lines. Only flaw the promenade deck and Queen Rooms small, stacking chairs are shameful. The ship is beautiful look forward to another cruise on Queen Anne. Thank you the video shows off the ship well.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, thanks so much for your comments. We didn't try Tramonto. Was it not good?

[@Eugenia-1982]

Food and service at Tramonto not the best. All three courses were poor very bland and not creative. The dessert inedible. Re watched videos that reviewed Tramonto the same dish didn’t even look the same. We loved Sir Samuel’s. Had lunch as dinner reservations not available. Outstanding food and service. Unfortunately I’m a little picky about food and maybe more critical. We need to cruise again to try Golden Lion pub and Wellness Cafe.

[@ritzytravelguide]

@Eugenia-1982 Thank you for that. A few people have mentioned they didn't think Tramonto is a memorable experience

[@yurkshirelad]

I haven't been on a cruise but may do one day. This ship is way too garish and chintzy for me. It's not for me.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Perhaps one of the other Queens

[@yurkshirelad]

@@ritzytravelguide hopefully one day!

[@rutgergooszen9774]

They just copied the HAL signature series ships!

[@LeeDesignStudioYT]

I really love your videos! Your voice and the way everything is filmed feels like it belongs on the travel channel or a documentary film!

[@ritzytravelguide]

That's so nice of you to say, thank you!

[@LeeDesignStudioYT]

@@ritzytravelguide thank YOU!!! ♥

[@robp4682]

Thanks Bill - a very useful video

[@ritzytravelguide]

Very kind, thank you

[@thomasmilliken2256]

As a 'younger' person i liked it 😂

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks so much for writing in. I wonder if this will be a general trend. 'Younger' people prefer the Queen Anne, compared to the other Cunard ships.

[@steinwaldmadchen]

Also "younger" person I feel the ship looks great, though not all sites are well executed, notably the Queens room.

[@jorgschwantje1239]

My wife is 30. She hates it. 😅

[@isabellawalker2789]

Another masterpiece, thank you. So looking forward to the next video already! Looks like you’ve hit the nail on the head with the summary. Promenade deck which really doesn’t encourage promenading and a Queens Room lacking in the wow factor. Great to see your subscribers rapidly increasing as well.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Really kind of you. Thank you

[@theodoremartine3414]

The Queen Anne is a twin - some interior decor aside - of Holland America Line's newest fleet members, the Pinnacle class ships. Even though I am a big fan of HAL, I will forever boycott their Pinnacles because of the way they ruined the promenade deck, such as this video so ably points out.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Yes, that's absolutely correct, it is a Pinnacle ship. We're on the Holland America Rotterdam in November, which will be interesting, as it's an almost identical ship.

[@bodyloverz30]

@@ritzytravelguide Why is Cunard sharing ships with sister brands?

[@jorgschwantje1239]

​@@bodyloverz30 Probably just costs... 🤷‍♂️

[@KMA66]

@@ritzytravelguideehh

[@ritzytravelguide]

Both Cunard and Holland America are owned by Carnival Corporation. For the past 15 years they have been sharing ship hulls and superstructure. They then outfit them to their own wishes and wants. So the shell and layout are almost identical, and they then decorate and stylise them in their own way

[@russellgray1426]

I know that the Britannia is posh when diners eat Satay with a knife and fork😜

[@ritzytravelguide]

🤣

[@michaelwhalen2469]

First of all , thank you Bill for this expertly produced video !! Beautiful photography and informative narration !! Lots of hard work here , and the devotion shows . Second, I’ve been a fanatic Cunard fan ever since I was a child ! I’ve traveled on all of the other three Queens and madly love each !! Each has its own unique charm and character. Third , I’ve always dreamed of being aboard a Cunard Transatlantic Maiden Voyage. Well , over a year ago I booked passage for Queen Anne’s maiden transatlantic coming up this January-February 2025. After all , how often is there a Cunard Maiden ?? They are as rare as hens teeth, as my Grandmother use to say ! Well, since the many video tours of Anne ( including yours ) have come out on KZbin since May 2024 , I can only say that I’m completely shocked and disappointed in the ship’s interior designs !😳 !!! No Cunard charm , grace or wow factor !!! So Disappointing! I asked a fellow passenger that I met on an Alaskan Queen Elizabeth last month how she would describe the Anne’s interiors? She had been on one of Anne’s very first European Voyages . She did described it in three words, “ Cold , Sterile and Unwelcoming “ !!! Yes , the rooms decors scream “ mid century shopping mall “ The Queens Room is Pure Ugly !! Small and Claustrophobic. Don’t get me wrong Bill , I will still go on my Transatlantic Maiden Voyage and enjoy every minute of the experience. But after that I’m not ever going to set foot aboard the Queen Anne again !!! Afterwords it will be ONLY Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and the unique and grand Queen Mary 2 !! How could Cunard make such a unbelievable expensive huge MISTAKE ?!?!?

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Michael, great to hear from you. I totally feel the disappointment, from your message. I wish you an enjoyable maiden crossing next year. As you say, they come about so rarely. I hope it's memorable for you. (Even if you are simultaneously plotting and booking your next QE sailing as you sit there!)