Ray66

Lucky you living in the West Country so no too far to travel. We used to go to Cornwall twice a year as well but have given up because of the distance, and Southampton in a few weeks will be a bit trying. We regularly go to beautiful North Wales now instead.

The email I received from Cunard this afternoon reads: A Memorable Milestone Today we officially took delivery of our newest ship, Queen Anne, from master shipbuilders Fincantieri. The traditional handover ceremony took place in the Marghera shipyard near Venice. During the ceremony the Cunard flag was proudly raised by Captain Inger Thorhauge, signifying the change in ownership. We’d like to express our thanks to the very skilled team of engineers, designers, architects and more who have worked tirelessly on Queen Anne during her time at Fincantieri Marghera. Cunard President, Katie McAlister was joined by CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero; and General Manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division, Luigi Matarazzo. Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, was also present to welcome Queen Anne to our fleet. Captain Thorhauge will be at the helm, when she sets sail for her home port of Southampton, ready for what is sure to be a spectacular maiden voyage on Fri‌day 3 M‌ay. We’ll be posting the latest updates throughout her journey home, as well as sneak peeks of what is in store for guests across our social channels, so be sure to follow us.

There's an article about it in the Sun newspaper online.

The email I got reads: in only one month’s time we will begin a new era of sailing as a fleet of four. On 3 ‌May ‌2024, Queen Anne will welcome her first guests in Southampton for an unforgettable maiden sailing. 🙂

You used to be able to see excursions on Cunard's website before you booked a cruise. It seems crazy why they've stopped doing that now. I can give you Cunard Hamburg excursions from 2016: Medieval Luneburg Snapshot of Hamburg Jewish Hamburg and Former Concentration Camp The Beatles, Beer and Bratwurst

There's an item about Queen Anne on the ITV website https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2024-03-16/queen-anne-takes-to-the-water-ahead-of-her-arrival-into-southampton

It was discussed on here recently

I take it you mean Rotterdam, not Rotherham 🙂 I've been on a few 4 day Cunard cruises and they weren't booze cruises. Maybe more apt to other cruise lines.

So did I last week. It's all on Cunard's website too. https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/cruise-ships/queen-anne/queen-anne-shopping

27th April: QEII terminal - Arcadia Ocean terminal - Iona Mayflower terminal - Sky Princess 28th April: Ocean terminal - Arvia Horizon terminal - MSC Poesia Mayflower terminal - QM2 QEII termiaal - Queen Victoria

Someone posted this picture on here a few years ago of an inside cabin with drop down beds. I don't know the cabin number.

Oh that's a pity. I like to keep them.

Do Cunard still send out Shore Excursion brochures with luggage tags inside for people paying the Cunard Fare?

Capacity is 2,996 according to Cunard's website https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/cruise-ships/queen-anne/0 1,225 crew = 4,221

I've still got my Excursion booklet from a few years ago and the Introduction to Rome is listed as 9.5 hours.

Both Catherine Princess of Wales and the King are to be admitted to hospital for surgery, so that's them out.

Ah, right. I was just going to say there's always been a bible in a bedside drawer in our room on all of our cruises. Also, you can buy a pack of playing cards in one of the ship's shops.

This is a cruise programme definitely worth watching on Channel 4. It was actually on last night so you'll need to watch online now. The ship is MSC World Europa and behind the scenes shows it being built in France from scratch.

From the BBC website https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67516276 This is according to the Nautilus Union.

Apart from Zeebrugge, I think the other two ports are actually an improvement as they are the fjords proper which the original itinerary wasn't. There are also glaciers to be seen. We've also had itinerary changes a few times both before and during cruises but not a complete cruise change.

Yes, I just watched it. It was a bit corny and I don't know why they chose such a short actor to play the Captain. Oh, and it was full of Coronation Street cast-offs. 🙂

Well I for one think it looks dreadful. As you can see the artist threw yellow and pink paint over it. Or as Cunard put it: After the big reveal, Mr Brainwash added a unique finishing touch by spray‑painting his signature graffiti style to complete the piece.

The way I got to "Antonia" is that someone on Ebay is selling a postcard with the exact same picture as on your poster and they are calling it The Antonia. On the reverse of the postcard it says: The Antonia was launched in 1921 for the London- Canada run. Operated the Liverpool-Glasgow-Belfast- Canada routed from 1928-1939. Requisitioned during the war and never returned to Cunard service. Broken up in 1948. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to put a link on to the Ebay advert so I'd better not.

Apparently it's the Antonia leaving port in Canada returning to England. https://hmsausonia.co.uk/history/cunard-a-class-ships/antonia/