The weather was fit for an historic royal welcome as Cunard’s latest ship celebrated her maiden visit to Australia at the weekend.
Queen Anne, the cruise line’s first new vessel in 14 years, arrived on Friday as part of her maiden 107-day World Voyage.
Celebrities, dignitaries and travel media were invited aboard for a garden party before being given a tour of the new ship.
There was no mistaking Anne still had that “new ship” smell, with the carpets spotless, the walls freshly painted and the public areas sparkling. She’s definitely a different ship to her sisters, offering classic touches of elegance but with a modern look and feel.
“The warmth and hospitality of your people and the beauty of your places make our guests and crew feel truly welcome,” said Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge, who oversaw the construction and launch of Queen Anne and is now guiding her on her maiden world voyage.
“This represents an exciting new chapter in Cunard’s legacy, combining the elegance and timelessness that our brand is loved for with the innovation and modern touches that lead our brand into a new chapter.
“We took a fresh approach to her design, collaborating with a team of world class designers who brought their expertise in luxury hospitality to the world of cruising for the first time.
“Their vision seamlessly blends our rich Art Deco heritage with contemporary elegance, resulting in a ship that redefines ocean travel across 14 expansive decks, 15 exceptional dining venues and sophisticated accommodations for up to 3,000 guests.”
After departing Sydney, Queen Anne will visit Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands, Cairns and Darwin, injecting upwards of $11 million into the local economies.
“This historic arrival builds on Cunard’s rich history and Australian legacy, which dates back to the cruise line’s first voyage in 1925 which also included a visit to Sydney,” said Karen Jones, Acting CEO, Destination New South Wales.
“The 2023/2024 cruise season brought a record breaking $4.41 billion to the New South Wales visitor economy, with significant growth expected to continue in this dynamic sector.
“More than 1.2 million passengers and crew from 312 cruise ships are expected to arrive at New South Wales ports by the end of this current summer season and that includes 23 main arrivals across Sydney, Newcastle and also our beautiful South Coast down in Eden.”
Among the special guests onboard for the historic visit were three women named Anne, each nominated by Australians for their unwavering dedication to others, whether supporting children, the vulnerable, the sick or animals.
Honoured as ‘Deserving Annes’, they were invited by Cunard to be celebrated for their remarkable contributions to their communities. During their time on board, they experienced the royal treatment, enjoying indulgent spa packages, private butler service, exclusive dining and world-class entertainment.
“Cruising supports the entire ecosystem of the New South Wales visitor economy, from visitor experience operators to hotels to our restaurants, our retailers, our transport providers and our port operators,” added Ms Jones.
“Destination New South Wales is working closely with visitor economy businesses to develop and deliver memorable shore experiences for cruise passengers that reinforce our reputation as Australia’s cruise capital.”
