By Rebecca Gibson | February 5, 2024
British musician Matt Willis and television presenter (and wife) Emma Willis will host the christening ceremony for Cunard's new Queen Anne at the cruise brand's “spiritual home” in Liverpool, England, on June 3, 2024.
Queen Anne, currently being completed at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Italy, will be christened during a 14-day British Isles Festival Voyage. She will depart Southampton on May 24 and will also call at Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Invergordon and Greenock in Scotland; and Cork in the Republic of Ireland; and Belfast in Northern Ireland.
The ship will arrive in Liverpool shortly after sunrise on June 3 for its christening, before a day of celebrations that will include a naming ceremony, live performances by “outstanding entertainers” and a “special greeting” to the city in which it is located Cunard began its transatlantic passenger shipping service in 1840. It will stay in the city until late evening before departing for Cobh.
Cunard will also host surprise celebrations at Pier Head, where the Cunard Building is located.
“Cunard has an incredible bond with the city of Liverpool,” said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. “This is where our founder Sir Samuel Cunard began his transatlantic line in 1840. So what better place to officially name our new ship than a place that holds so many special memories.”
Queen Anne's guests will be able to attend the christening ceremony, along with thousands of other spectators who will watch from vantage points along the river at Pier Head, between New Brighton and Seacombe on the Wirral and on the beaches of Formby and Crosby in Sefton. Cunard will also host a live global broadcast.
“We are delighted to be part of such a fantastic occasion and can’t wait to share an exciting and action-packed day of surprises and celebrations with everyone in Liverpool,” said Matt and Emma Willis, who recorded this message what guests can expect from the event. “On June 3rd the Mersey coast will come to life as world-famous entertainers put on a spectacular show. It will be an unforgettable day and we can’t wait to welcome the fourth queen to the legendary Cunard fleet.”
The 113,000 GT Queen Anne is the third ship Fincantieri has built for Cunard and offers space for 3,000 guests on 14 decks. Notable highlights onboard include the largest curated art collection at sea, a new multi-purpose outdoor wellness area called The Pavilion on the upper deck, and the Bright Lights Society, a custom-designed venue that will host live shows Experience Company Ted.
The ship will also feature four new dining venues – Aji Wa, Aranya, Sir Samuels and Tramonto – as well as Cunard's signature favorites such as the Queens Grill Restaurant and the Golden Lion Pub, both of which will offer new Michelin-curated menus. Star chef Michel Roux.
“Queen Anne is the next in line for our brand and she will provide breathtaking moments at every turn and advance our core values of luxury, elegance and glamour,” said McAlister.
Queen Anne will set off on a seven-day maiden voyage from Southampton to the Portuguese capital Lisbon on May 3, 2024. This is the first time since 1999 that Cunard has operated four ships simultaneously.
The ship will then spend its inaugural season from Southampton to more than 60 destinations including the Canary Islands, the Norwegian fjords, the Mediterranean, the British Isles and Northern Europe. Cunard has curated 50 unique shore experiences across these 60 ports.
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