Cruise ships leaving from Southampton are a common sight from the port, and soon a new ship from Cunard will be sailing from there.

The Queen Anne will become the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag and is set to enter service in May 2024.

It will make up a quartet of Cunard ships at sea alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth.

Inger Klein Thorhauge will serve as the first captain of the Queen Anne and is also Cunard's first female captain.

It will have the capacity to hold 3,000 guests and more than 1,200 staff as it sails around the world.

The Queen Anne will arrive in Southampton on Tuesday, April 30 before departing for its first voyage on Friday, May 3.

Take a look inside the Queen Anne ship

The Queen Anne is comprised of 14 decks and a total of six standards of accommodation will be available to guests.

Daily Echo: An example of what one of the bedrooms on the Queen Anne will look likeAn example of what one of the bedrooms on the Queen Anne will look like (Image: Cunard)

The ship has a whole range of public spaces and features to enjoy including the Grand Lobby, which spans over three decks.

Other public spaces include Cunard's signature venue, the Queens Room, which will play host to a variety of activities from Afternoon Tea to Gala Evenings, classical recitals, and ballroom dancing.

Alongside that, there is the 835-seat Royal Court Theatre, a casino, a library, an art gallery and the Queen Anne’s spa offering – Mareel Wellness & Beauty.

Daily Echo: One of the spa/wellness roomsOne of the spa/wellness rooms (Image: Cunard)

This will offer a wide selection of fitness, beauty, thermal, and spa facilities alongside an array of treatment rooms.

Elsewhere, there will be a space called The Pavilion that boasts a specially designed glass dome roof that can retract in warmer climes.

Daily Echo: The PavilionThe Pavilion (Image: Cunard)

As well as a swimming pool, the space will hold both a central stage and a large LED screen for open-air theatre, cinema screenings, live music and more.

In terms of options for dining, there are 15 venues on the ship offering various different cuisines.

Daily Echo: One of the dining roomsOne of the dining rooms (Image: Cunard)

As with all Cunard ships, Queen Anne will offer dedicated restaurants corresponding to her four accommodation categories.


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Finally, there are also plentiful options for bars and lounges such as The Panorama Pool Club.

Daily Echo: The Panorama PoolThe Panorama Pool (Image: Cunard)

It has impressive sea views and is located in a prime position on the aft of the ship.

Cunard adds that it "will be a vibrant destination in which to soak up the sunshine and make the most of luxurious days on board Queen Anne."

Alongside that guests can enjoy the Sky Bar and Observation Deck plus the laidback Cabana bar.