New ship

[3rdGenCunarder]

I don't feel I saw or heard enough to get a real sense of what QA will be like. There was a lot of marketing-speak about combining tradition with forward-looking design and a few renderings. 

 

My doubts about QA stem from my dislike of many aspects of Koningsdam. And hearing that the same firm is doing the design does not increase my desire to try QA. I'm not one who rushes to book a maiden voyage, so I'll wait and see the final product and her itineraries.

 

[eroller]

1 hour ago, Lakesregion said:

Princess Alice will due just fine with the casual let it all hang out crowd which seems to be whom Cunard is trying to attract with their dumbing down of all civil requirements of their passengers.

 

 

 

I feel Cunard is becoming more and more P&O with each passing day.  So many of the attributes that make Cunard, Cunard are being done away with.  Tradition.  Structure.  Formality.  Heritage.  Dumb down the dress code.  Open up the dining.  Less and less structure.  Add a multitude of dining options ... you now have pretty much every other cruise line sailing today.  I think the young marketing team at Cunard don't really understand the product.  They feel they have to dumb it down to increase market share and they may be right.  Cunard is a niche brand but becoming less so.  Growth for the sake of growth, even if the product differentiators are blurred.  Frankly besides QM2 the other Cunard ships are not enough to keep me coming back.  I'll keep sailing on QM2 because she is one of a kind, and a true crossing is a niche market vacation for sure.  Something you can't find elsewhere.  As for the other Cunard ships, well I can sail on other cruise lines with better ships and even more choice and casual dress since that is the way Cunard is going.   

Edited March 10, 2022 by eroller

[ew101]

I would like to see the deck plans.  The Golden Lion looks lovely.   You would think if they had someone in charge of the brand they would remember you need to have as an example ballroom dancing.  But if tastes change and as on HAL nobody shows up and the band plays to furniture, then what do you do?  They got rid of smoking rooms- where is the indignation?  

 

 

[Victoria2]

I'm not too enamoured with the new ship purely because of her size. but we have yet to find out how far Queen Anne will differ in character from her older sisters so I'll never say never.

 

It's a rather arrogant viewpoint to infer a less traditional Cunard outlook is lacking in civility and it's the kind of attitude that could eventually sink the company if potential Cunard passengers took that as being the general Cunard ethos [it certainly isn't as far as I'm concerned], and stayed away.

 

I am more a traditionalist, but that doesn't mean to say I look upon any new concept with disdain because as long as Cunard don't completely change all the traditions in their other ships, there will be enough 'Cunardness' to satisfy [most of] the present market and open it up to newbies  which could be why  Cunard have seemingly gone for a different approach for the next chapter in the company's history . 

I say seemingly because although we've seen presentations of the ship and snapshots of her interior, we still have no idea of the level of her 'Cunardness'.  The die-hards on this board might not sail with her, but I'll hazard a guess, she'll be a popular ship and again, I will never say never. 🙂

[Host Hattie]

I've just had chance to watch the video properly, I was trying to multitask at 1pm yesterday !

I liked the look of most of what was shown, especially the Golden Lion.

I'm looking forward to sailing on her at some point.

[aday10]

I have also just watched it and it’s mixed feelings. I’m excited to see the interiors further, as they do look very inviting and modern. I am 25 and been sailing on Cunard ships since 2008. I love that you get the same table and waiters for dinner in the Britannia (pre covid), so with 15 restaurants I don’t think the Queen Anne will have this, which would be a real shame. 
 

The golden lion does look great! 

[Victoria2]

13 minutes ago, aday10 said:

I have also just watched it and it’s mixed feelings. I’m excited to see the interiors further, as they do look very inviting and modern. I am 25 and been sailing on Cunard ships since 2008. I love that you get the same table and waiters for dinner in the Britannia (pre covid), so with 15 restaurants I don’t think the Queen Anne will have this, which would be a real shame. 
 

The golden lion does look great! 

But there lies the rub. We don't know what the set up will be. At the moment [as far as I know as our QE  cruise last August was  cancelled so haven't had the chance to find out], there seems to be a two tier Britannia dining system on QE, Club and Anytime. Maybe that will be carried forward to the new Queen and the more 'Cunard'  approach to dining will be available to those who want it, but as I said, we just don't know. 

The more I think about it, the more I think it quite exciting for the future and for those dead against the new ship, there's always the back up of the other three if things don't change too much.

 

[majortom10]

I think there will still be the same MDR scenario on Queen Anne but obviously more choice for those that want a change. Whether they will all be included in price or cost extra we will wait and see. I think the statement of 15 restaurants is frightening some people but I am sure in that number they are counting every bar that serves food and buffet. Off the top of my head I think QE at the moment has 9 areas where food can be had.

[bluemarble]

On the subject of the number of restaurants, I think I've seen it mentioned before that QM2 has 12 of them. Here's the list I've come up with for 12 restaurants on QM2. This doesn't count bars and lounges where nibbles are served or the Queens Room for afternoon tea (where it might be possible to stretch the count even further).

 

Britannia

Britannia Club

Princess Grill

Queens Grill

Steakhouse at The Verandah

Kings Court

Kings Court Alternative Dining

Chef's Galley (evening table service)

Golden Lion (pub lunch)

Carinthia Lounge (light breakfast and lunch)

Sir Samuel's (pastries and Godiva chocolate treats)

Boardwalk Cafe (lunch when open)

[ew101]

I think the Kings Court Alternative Dining is pretty lame.  I mean you are still in the buffet.  If I am in the mood for Dan Dan Noodles (yes I know low class, non-gourmet street food got it) there is a place. 

 

And the attacks on the ship without seeing the deck plans seem contrived.  

[AuroraCruiser08]

17 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

To me it looks like any international hotel and rather lacking in any nautical character.

 

I'd like it to look more like a classic ship. A missed oppportunity to create something that would capture the imagination. It just looks like more of the same old mass market lines but I'm sure the Crystal afficionados will be happy - it looks very Crystal.

We have only seen a few pictures. Hopefully as more spaces come out, chart room, grills restaurant,etc we will see a more nautical theme. 

 

 

 

 

[Windsurfboy]

Await a deck plan , and detailed list of restaurants.  Will there be a decent grills deck like on QE/V or something far to small like QM2

[gumshoe958]

4 hours ago, ew101 said:

I think the Kings Court Alternative Dining is pretty lame.  I mean you are still in the buffet.  If I am in the mood for Dan Dan Noodles (yes I know low class, non-gourmet street food got it) there is a place.    

I tried the Alternative Dining last month and it vastly exceeded my expectations. Yes, technically you’re in the buffet but not the main section and frankly you wouldn’t really know it.

 

The signature roast lamb carved tableside was exceptional and, frankly, superior to my steak in the Verandah the following night.

 

It’s a shame so many people reject it out of hand simply because of its location and their preconceptions. It’s really pretty decent.

[MarkBearSF]

29 minutes ago, gumshoe958 said:

It’s a shame so many people reject it out of hand simply because of its location and their preconceptions. It’s really pretty decent.

To be honest, it's also not particularly well publicized.

[Victoria2]

4 hours ago, ew101 said:

I think the Kings Court Alternative Dining is pretty lame.  I mean you are still in the buffet.  If I am in the mood for Dan Dan Noodles (yes I know low class, non-gourmet street food got it) there is a place. 

 

And the attacks on the ship without seeing the deck plans seem contrived.  

Nothing wrong with street food. I had char kway teow made for me and it was better than any Gala dinner!

[exlondoner]

Have they stopped doing Coriander et al? I always enjoyed them a lot.

[2BACRUISER]

I saw Inger Klein Thothauge has been named Queen Anne's captain. Came up in my Google news feed.

See https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/26970-inger-klein-thorhauge-named-captain-of-new-cunard-ship.html

Edited March 10, 2022 by 2BACRUISER
Add link

[richard_london]

A number of you mentioned the Queen Anne will be based on the Koningsdam so I was looking at the deck plans (https://www.hollandamerica.com/content/dam/hal/inventory-assets/ships/KO/pdf/hal-ko-deck-plan-051021.pdf) and in my head trying to work out what each space could be on the QA. 

 

So rather than just keeping it to myself I thought I would write it down and share with you.  This is just an educated guess, comparing the Koningsdam deck plan to that of the Queen Elizabeth and filling them in.  Some are obvious like the main restaurants, theatre and casino.  I then looked at Queen Mary 2 deck plans to see if any venues on there could fill in some of the gaps.

 

The numbers in brackets were me trying to tally 15 restaurants (or places where you could get food and drink).

 

Please mind this was just me trying to counter my enthusiasm so is not based on any prior knowledge of the actual QA internal arrangements.

 

Deck 1:
One of these meeting rooms becomes the Card Room?
Other meeting rooms renamed after historic Cunard liners?

 

Deck 2:
World Stage = Royal Court Theatre
Billboard Onboard = Library? (was running out of places to put this)
Rolling Stone Rock Room = Golden Lion Pub (1)
Merbella = Luxury shop
Lincoln Centre = Queens Room (as this is the only double height space I can see)
The shops = Same
Pinnacle Grill = Verandah Restaurant (2)
Atrium = Same
Sel De Mer = New dining venue, Sir Samuels (like on QM2)? (3)
Ocean Bar = Midships Bar (4)
Blend = Champagne Bar (like on QM2)?
Club Orange Dining Room = Britannia Club Restaurant (5)
Dining Room = Britannia Restaurant (6)

 

Deck 3:
World Stage = Royal Court Theatre
Casino = Same
Art Gallery = Same
The shops = Same
Future cruises + guest services = same
Grand Dutch Cafe = Cafe Carinthia (7)
Photo Shop = Same
Dining Room = Britannia Restaurant (6)

 

Deck 9:
Fitness Center = Mareel Spa
Movies poolside = Children's area?
Lido Bar = Pavilion Bar (8)
Dive In + Gelato = New food experiences? (9/10)
Canaletto = New high end dining experience? (11)
Lido Market = Lido Restaurant (12)
Sea View Bar = Lido Bar

 

Deck 10:
Spa and Salon = Hair salon
Covered area = Pavilion pool
New York Deli & Pizza & Panorama Bar = Garden Lounge (13?)
Club Hal = Yacht Club
Club Hal = Grills Lounge
Tamarind & Nami Sushi = Princess and Queens Grills (14 + 15)

 

Deck 12:
Crows Nest = Commodore Club
Explorations Cafe = Admirals/Churchill Lounges
The Retreat = Grills Terrace

 

 

[rafinmd]

5 hours ago, richard_london said:

Dive In + Gelato = New food experiences? (9/10)

I'm thinking maybe Boardwalk Cafe

 

Roy

[richard_london]

22 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

I'm thinking maybe Boardwalk Cafe

Before they introduced the Verandah Restaurants I remember doing a survey for Cunard on alternative dining options.  I remember the steakhouse option, since it became the Verandah, but I can't remember what the others were.  Does anyone else recall the same Cunard survey?

[Underwatr]

5 hours ago, richard_london said:

A number of you mentioned the Queen Anne will be based on the Koningsdam so I was looking at the deck plans (https://www.hollandamerica.com/content/dam/hal/inventory-assets/ships/KO/pdf/hal-ko-deck-plan-051021.pdf) and in my head trying to work out what each space could be on the QA. 

I'd be careful about how far to take this comparison. For example, although QV is a Vista ship like several HAL ships, you really can't compare the interior configurations aside from gross-level "the theater goes here and the main dining room goes there" comparisons. QV/QE's lobby atrium doesn't have a parallel on a HAL Vista. You can consider how many decks are available for public spaces vs. passenger accommodation but even the lifts could be located differently.

[richard_london]

8 minutes ago, Underwatr said:

I'd be careful about how far to take this comparison. For example, although QV is a Vista ship like several HAL ships, you really can't compare the interior configurations aside from gross-level "the theater goes here and the main dining room goes there" comparisons. QV/QE's lobby atrium doesn't have a parallel on a HAL Vista. You can consider how many decks are available for public spaces vs. passenger accommodation but even the lifts could be located differently.

Oh yes, it is entirely speculative, but put the Koningsdam deck plan PDF alongside the QE plans and you will see a lot is in the same position.   The Koningsdam  has an atrium.  It is on the deck plans, decks 1 to 3, the same decks it has been mentioned for the Queen Anne.

[bluemarble]

I just saw the full Carnival Corporation press release about the new ship for the first time.

 

Cunard's Queen Anne: Designed with an Extraordinary New Vision

 

There's the expected fluff, but there is also at least one tidbit I don't think we've discussed here.

 

We have discussed here before what Simon Palethorpe had to say in 2019 about reducing the size of the Royal Court Theatre on the new ship.

 

"... passengers have given the line the greenlight to change the new ship’s theatre. “They just said, 'Just make sure the sightline is good, the acoustics are good and the seats are super comfortable,' so we’ve reduced the amount of seats to make each seat bigger, with more room and bigger arm rests.""

 

Now this press release provides a bit more detail about the "reimagining" of the Royal Court Theatre on Queen Anne.

 

"... The two-deck 825 seat space, designed by Richmond International, is inspired by the great sound halls of the world. All seating is of the utmost comfort and adorned in rich velvet providing each guest with a perfect view of the stage, where they may enjoy a wide variety of entertainment throughout the day and night."

[Host Hattie]

I hadn't seen that, thanks for posting

[PORT ROYAL]

39 minutes ago, bluemarble said:

I just saw the full Carnival Corporation press release about the new ship for the first time.

 

Cunard's Queen Anne: Designed with an Extraordinary New Vision

 

There's the expected fluff, but there is also at least one tidbit I don't think we've discussed here.

 

We have discussed here before what Simon Palethorpe had to say in 2019 about reducing the size of the Royal Court Theatre on the new ship.

 

"... passengers have given the line the greenlight to change the new ship’s theatre. “They just said, 'Just make sure the sightline is good, the acoustics are good and the seats are super comfortable,' so we’ve reduced the amount of seats to make each seat bigger, with more room and bigger arm rests.""

 

Now this press release provides a bit more detail about the "reimagining" of the Royal Court Theatre on Queen Anne.

 

"... The two-deck 825 seat space, designed by Richmond International, is inspired by the great sound halls of the world. All seating is of the utmost comfort and adorned in rich velvet providing each guest with a perfect view of the stage, where they may enjoy a wide variety of entertainment throughout the day and night."

Very interesting 

3000 passengers - 825 seats available = 4 shows (potential)

Currently, evening shows usually commence @ 20.30 hours with a 2 hour spacing between shows.

Therefore, the final (4th) show could commence @ 02.30 the following day.

Or, to have the final show commenced @ 22.30 the 1st show could start @ 16.30