Cruise & Cruise Line

Cunard Sees Record Bookings in May, Unveils 2025 Theme Cruises

Image: Cunard’s New Queen Anne Arrival On Deck (Photo Credit: Cunard’s Queen Anne)
Image: Cunard’s New Queen Anne Arrival On Deck (Photo Credit: Cunard’s Queen Anne)
Sarah Kuta
by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:40 PM ET, Tue June 11, 2024

Queen Anne is giving Cunard a boost: the cruise line’s newest ship has led to record-breaking bookings.

In May, the 3,000-passenger ship set sail for the first time and was named during a bustling ceremony in Liverpool. All the hype surrounding the launch led to more guests booking with Cunard in May than in any equivalent period on record. Queen Anne’s cruises in Europe are particularly popular.

"We're delighted to see such strong booking momentum in response to the successful launch of Queen Anne,” says Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. “This record-breaking booking period is testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and we're excited to have the opportunity to welcome so many new guests on board Queen Anne and the rest of our iconic fleet in the future."

Also this week, the cruise line unveiled its 2025 event voyages, which includes seven themed sailings aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. Experts in the arts, gastronomy, wine and entertainment will join the sailings, offering special performances, Q&As, and hands-on workshops for guests.

The full line-up includes:

  • Great Australian Culinary Voyage on Queen Elizabeth departing February 6, 2025, featuring Australian chefs, producers and food critics 
  • Film Festival at Sea on Queen Mary 2 departing March 8, 2025, in partnership with the British Film Institute
  • 185th Cunard Anniversary Sailing on Queen Mary 2 departing June 24, 2025, with a focus on Cunard’s long history
  • Dance the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2 departing August 8, 2025, featuring six dancers from the English National Ballet
  • Anthony Inglis and the National Symphony Orchestra on Queen Mary 2 departing September 3, 2025, featuring the conductor of the UK’s national Symphony Orchestra
  • Voyage du Vin on Queen Victoria departing October 13, 2025, in partnership with Corney & Barrow, one of the UK's oldest independent wine merchants
  • Literature Festival at Sea on Queen Mary 2 departing December 8, 2025, featuring events curated by The Times, The Sunday Times and the Cheltenham Literature Festival


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