Queen Anne arrives in Sydney to a right royal welcome and an English Garden Party

• Cunard’s newest ship Queen Anne arrived in Sydney this weekend.
• She is the first new Cunard ship in over 14 years and is the second largest ship in the Cunard fleet.
• Among the festivities was a very English Garden Party.

Queen Anne, the second largest Cunard ship ever built, arrived in Sydney Harbour on Friday morning – her maiden visit to Australia on her first-ever world cruise.

Cunard had taken out front-page newspaper advertising to call on Sydneysiders to turn out in force. There was a strong turnout on the bows by guests eager to see the bridge and the Opera House.

Her voyage began in Southampton, England, starting with a transatlantic crossing, followed by her first-ever transit of the Panama Canal. She then sailed across the Pacific to Tonga, and is currently on her way from Auckland, New Zealand.

And to celebrate, she held a very English garden party for the city’s tourism chiefs.

The Queen Anne visit comes as this season marks the end of Cunard’s program of homeporting ships in Australia during our wave season. Queen Elizabeth, which has sailed in Australia for several seasons, left on February 11th and won’t be back next year.

But there was still lots of enthusiasm for Cunard, with over 1,000 Australians joining her for at least one leg of our grand world tour. Some 1,500 passengers joined the cruise in Sydney.

Why is Queen Anne so special?

At 113,000 gross tons and 1,058 feet, Queen Anne is the second heaviest and second longest ship in the four-vessel Cunard fleet. However, she beats her sister Queen Mary 2 in terms of capacity, with her ability to hold 2,996 passengers, compared to the latter’s 2,691.

Cunard states that Queen Anne is ‘modern, yet timeless’ promising to bring a new level of contemporary luxury, while still keeping true to the traditions that make Cunard unique, namely, their classic elegance and exceptional service. With 2025 being the 185th year of Cunard, Queen Anne is an exciting addition to commemorate this anniversary.

She is said to be the ship that should appeal to the upcoming millennial cruise generation. And on a short ship tour, she certainly looked different to her two sisters. Lighter woods and brighter colours were everywhere, though with some traditions – like the dress code – maintained.

There are some new restaurants on board Queen Anne, alongside the designated dining areas (matched to guest’s accomodation). Some options include:

• Aji Wa, modelled on a contemporary interpretation of Japanese cuisine
• Tramonto, inspired by fresh Mediterranean flavours
• Sir Samuel’s, offering expertly cooked steaks
• Aranya, serving up quintessential Indian food
• The Golden Lion, offering a fresh take on pub classics

Queen Anne features 13 decks, as well as a variety of lavish suites and luxurious staterooms. She will also have a spa offering over 40 ocean-inspired treatments, plus a unique wellness studio and cafe. Onboard shopping possibilities are also endless, as Queen Anne promises an elevated retail experience with 115 household brands available on board.

Why Cunard is unique

Cunard is a beacon of classic ocean travel, renowned for its rich history and commitment to traditional cruising elegance. A significant part of this experience revolves around its traditions like a distinct dress code, luxurious Grill accommodations, and opulent suites.

The line has come under pressure to relax its dress code, but has stood fast to the fact that it is what makes Cunard unique. The dress code says:

Daytime:

• Cunard maintains a “smart casual” daytime dress code. This translates to comfortable yet presentable attire. Think polo shirts, chinos, dresses, and tasteful shorts.
• Swimwear is perfectly acceptable around the pool areas, but a cover-up is required in indoor public spaces.

Evening:

• Evenings on Cunard are where the line truly shines. There are generally two evening dress codes: “smart attire” and “gala evenings.”
• Smart Attire: This typically involves dress shirts and trousers for men, and dresses, skirts, or stylish trousers for women.
• Gala Evenings: These are the most formal nights, where guests are encouraged to dress their best. For gentlemen, this often means dinner jackets, tuxedos, or dark suits. Ladies typically wear evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or elegant formal wear.  
• Cunard often holds themed gala evenings, adding an extra layer of fun and sophistication.  
• Even with the formal nights, there are always more casual dining locations available for those who wish not to participate in the formal dress codes.

Cunard is also known for their famous White Star Service, which begins from the moment you step on board. Your luggage is delivered straight to your stateroom or suite. Champagne or sparkling wine await, followed by 24-hour room service, complimentary food, along with Penhaligon’s toiletries, fine Egyptian cotton linen and a pillow chocolate every evening. Suites and staterooms vary by size and location. With Cunard, your accomodation is matched to your main dining restaurant.

Suites and Staterooms:

• Cunard’s suites are designed to provide the utmost in comfort and elegance.
• They range in size and layout, but all feature luxurious amenities, including spacious living areas, private balconies, and marble bathrooms.
• The Britannia Inside staterooms are the most affordable choice, but still boast a high level of comfort and style.
• The Queens Grill Suites are the most luxurious accommodations, offering the highest level of service and amenities.  
• Cunard provides a range of suite levels so that passengers can find the best fit for their needs.

Grill Class:

• Cunard’s Grill experience represents the pinnacle of luxury cruising.
• Passengers in Grill Class accommodations enjoy exclusive dining in the Queens Grill or Princess Grill restaurants.  
• These restaurants offer exceptional cuisine, impeccable service, and an intimate atmosphere.  
• Grill Class guests also benefit from priority embarkation and disembarkation, access to exclusive lounges, and personalised concierge services.  
• The grill class is a higher tier of service, with enhanced dining, and suite accomodations.  

Cunard offers a cruise experience that harkens back to the golden age of ocean travel. Its emphasis on refined dress, exclusive Grill Class dining, and luxurious suites creates an atmosphere of timeless elegance.

The 2007 Chaos of Queen Mary 2’s Arrival

Cunard ships are no stranger to causing a commotion in Sydney. Queen Mary 2’s maiden visit to the harbour resulted in an unprecedented congregation of Sydney-siders.

This was the most significant crowd surge ever created by a cruise ship in the Sydney Harbour. At the time, Queen Mary 2 was the biggest ship to ever arrive in Sydney. Too big to dock at Circular Quay, the Navy had to clear out Garden Island to accommodate the ship.

Some 200,000 people flocked the foreshore like loyal subjects, with then premier Morris Iemma calling it an “unprecedented event”. The NSW Police Commissioner at the time said that this overwhelming public response had not been seen since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.