Following the anticipated name reveal of Cunard’s newest ship - MS Queen Anne on February 8, the luxury cruise brand introduced her first Captain, Inger Klein Thorhauge.
Thorhauge is going to lead the team responsible for onboard operations and take charge of the new Queen’s maiden season. Cunard Line’s first female Captain is celebrating 25 years of service this year with the company and will sail Queen Anne from Italy, where the vessel is currently being built, to Southampton (England UK) ahead of her inaugural voyage in early 2024.
Designers David Collins Studio, Sybille de Margerie, and Richmond International working with the Creative Director Adam D. Tihany, collaborated to create an extraordinary and modern approach to the suites, venues, and decor design.
The principle cruise ship concept was founded on heritage, style, innovation, craftsmanship, and storytelling. These 5 pillars became the design DNA for the newbuild, and the engine of inspiration for the designers.
The design DNA was brought to life via the iconic Queens Grand Suites. Queens Grill Grand Suites offer passengers their own private residences onboard. Designed by David Collins Studio, they boast a dedicated dining room and butler’s pantry, walk-in wardrobes, a spacious bedroom, the largest balconies onboard and marble-finished bathrooms with sea views. Princess Grill Suites, designed by Sybille de Margerie, are surrounded by soft materials and delicate textures. They provide a dressing table and bar area with pattern wall panels inspired by Cunard’s past liners, as well as sculpted ceiling panels and grand saloon carpets by Corinne Hughes.
The Britannia Balcony staterooms feature cozy sofa seating areas that are looking out to sea and bright bathrooms with glass walk-in showers.
The heart of Queen Anne, the Grand Lobby, was specially designed to provide an entrance full of energy and light. The area boasts a contemporary metal mural sculpture changing throughout the day by a lighting effect integrated within.
The 2-deck 825-seat Royal Court Theatre was designed by Richmond International and inspired by the world's great sound halls.
Each of the 15 restaurants on Queen Anne is distinctive where passengers will enjoy various cuisines from around the world. A first in Cunard’s fleet, the liner will exclusively reveal a new wellness and beauty concept featuring the widest selection of facilities with a contemporary and airy aesthetic.
Another aspect of the overall blueprint is the colour palette which has been individually curated for each space to create a unique ambiance. Bold new colours elevate the Queens Grill Suites and signature spaces, deep blues with flashes of golden yellow in the ship's Britannia Staterooms have been chosen to reflect the sea and sunlight, and deep rich tones of amber, red, and gold heighten the luxurious lounge feel of Princess Grill Suites.
Bright colors were chosen for the Princess and Queens Grill restaurants with elements of gold.
Another first for Cunard Line, the updated exterior of the vessel will sport the famous red funnel but will also debut a refined updated livery, featuring a finessed design of the crest and introduction of a stylish new font inspired by the ocean liners of the past.
Queen Anne is due to set sail in early 2024, with her maiden season program available to book from May 2022.