Carnival UK has announced that Cunard ship Queen Anne will join the P&O Cruises fleet in 2029 at the end of her 2028/29 world voyage.
Queen Anne will be ‘extensively’ redesigned and renamed before she enters service with the sister brand in May 2029.
The decision does not change Carnival UK’s commitment to Cunard or its future and is a result of a careful review of its portfolio, Carnival UK, P&O Cruises and Cunard President Paul Ludlow said.
He added that Queen Anne has a more ‘natural affinity’ with P&O Cruises, with the shift also allowing Cunard to focus on a ‘unified’ offering of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
In a related move, Arcadia will complete a special farewell season with P&O Cruises ending on 21 August 2029 before transferring to Holland America Line.
All currently published voyages before the ships’ respective transfer dates will operate as planned.
Paul said: “These decisions reflect a careful, long-term view of our portfolio and where the individual strengths of each ship can best support guest demand and the future direction of our two cruise lines.
“Queen Anne was created as a bold and contemporary expression of Cunard, combining the brand’s hallmark service and sense of occasion with modern design, an extensive choice of dining and entertainment, and highly flexible public spaces.
“Those qualities give her a natural affinity with the modern P&O Cruises holiday experience. Following her reimagining, she will introduce a new class of ship to the P&O Cruises fleet and broaden the choice available to guests through a different scale, style of onboard experience and range of itineraries. This choice will complement the existing fleet and make her a defining addition to the next chapter of P&O Cruises.”
“At the same time, the change will give Cunard a more closely unified fleet centred on Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Each has a deeply established identity and embodies the timeless style, heritage and sense of occasion that guests around the world most closely associate with Cunard.
“This decision does not change our commitment to Cunard or its future. We will continue to invest in the ships, service, itineraries and guest experiences that make Cunard unique, while building on the strong following enjoyed by each of its three Queens.
“Arcadia has been a much-loved part of P&O Cruises for more than two decades and has created countless special memories for our guests. We are immensely proud of her place in the line’s history and pleased that, following a celebratory farewell season, she will continue her career within the Carnival Corporation family.”
Queen Anne will play an important role in the Four Queens celebration in Liverpool in May 2028, with details of celebrations marking her final Cunard season to be announced in due course.
Paul said: “Queen Anne has established a special place within the Cunard fleet and she has an exciting programme ahead, including a central role in the Four Queens celebration in Liverpool in May 2028 and her final World Voyage as a Cunard ship in January ‘29. We will ensure that the seasons ahead are a fitting celebration of her time as a Cunard Queen.”
Elsewhere at Cunard, a major upgrade of flagship Queen Mary 2 will be completed next year.
“As the world’s only ocean liner providing regular transatlantic service, it’s a one-of-a-kind asset, and our investment is designed to ensure it continues to delight guests for decades to come,” Paul added.
