Cunard's Queen Anne Heralds A New Era of Luxury Wellness at Sea Commencing May 2024

As Cunard's highly-anticipated new ship, Queen Anne, approaches its launch date in just six months, the luxury cruise line has unveiled an exclusive sneak peek into its groundbreaking wellness offerings. This 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest vessel, currently in construction at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy, promises an unparalleled experience in fitness, beauty, thermal relaxation, and spa facilities, setting a new standard for well-being at sea.

Mareel Wellness & Beauty, a reimagined concept by Cunard, is at the heart of Queen Anne's wellness experience. The Mareel concept aims to provide enriching wellness experiences that leave guests feeling radiant, both inside and out, just like its namesake – the luminous glow that lights up the sea from within. Queen Anne's Wellness Club will even feature a tailor-made program for solo travelers, allowing like-minded guests to connect and unwind together on embarkation night.

The ship's vision of a tranquil sanctuary is quickly coming to life, with unique experiences that range from cryotherapy treatments to a Himalayan salt sauna and cold room, all designed to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.

One of Queen Anne's standout wellness spaces is "The Pavilion," an idyllic open-air oasis on the top deck. Featuring a specially designed glass dome roof that can retract in warmer climates, this space draws inspiration from beautiful glasshouses. During the day, it's the ideal spot for getting lost in a good book or taking a dip in the pool, while in the evening, it's a perfect place to make new friends.

Designed by David Collins Studio (known for their work on Harrods and Claridge's), The Pavilion brings together various wellness elements, including the Wellness Studio, which caters to fitness enthusiasts from sunrise to sunset, and the Wellness Café, an alternative dining experience offering a colourful mix of seasonal, mouth-watering, and nutritious dishes. The Wellness Café will serve breakfast, lunch, and daytime dining, celebrating the vibrancy of plant-powered foods and sustainably sourced meat, dairy, and fish options.

Architect Martin Francis, known for his contribution to the iconic Louvre Pyramid in Paris, led the redesign of the glass dome. The refined arched steel frame maximizes height and light, creating space for the new Wellness Studio.

The behind-the-scenes tour in Venice was led by Captain Inger Thorhauge, Cunard's first female Captain, who will be at the helm for Queen Anne's maiden voyage from Southampton to Lisbon on May 3, 2024. The event followed Queen Anne's float-out ceremony in May, a tradition where a 'Madrina' bestows blessings and best wishes upon the ship, celebrating the first flow of water into the ship's dry dock.

The ship has since been moved to a fitting out basin, and the fitting out phase is in full swing, as the photos illustrate. Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, expressed her excitement about this new chapter in Cunard's story, highlighting the progress made by craftsmen, engineers, and the workforce at Fincantieri shipyard stating: “For more than 180 years, Cunard has constantly refined the definitive experience of luxury ocean travel and I am incredibly excited that we are now just six months away from beginning the next chapter of our remarkable story. It is both incredible and inspiring to see the progress that has been made by the craftsman, engineers, and workforce here at Fincantieri shipyard and as we start to see Queen Anne’s interiors take shape, we can all see what a truly magnificent Queen she will become. I know that guests around the world are looking forward to sailing with our new Queen and we are counting down the days until we can welcome them aboard.”

With just six months remaining until Queen Anne welcomes its first guests, Cunard is poised to redefine luxury ocean travel once again, delivering an exceptional experience that combines opulence, wellness, and unrivaled adventure.

For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, visit www.cunard.com.