I Sailed on Queen Anne’s Cheapest Cruise—Here’s What Surprised Me the Most

I’ve been on over twenty cruises, but one line I wasn’t sure about was Cunard. A number of people I have spoken to are die-hard Cunard fans, but it always sounded a little too ‘posh’ for me. 

However, a great deal came up for a two night cruise for £99 ($120) stay on the Queen Anne from Southampton to Hamburg, and I couldn’t resist it! 

And while it’s true that Cunard offers all the elegance and tradition you’d expect, my experience on the Queen Anne showed me there’s a lot more beneath the surface.

The Ship

From the moment I stepped aboard the Queen Anne, it was clear that Cunard knew how to do classy. The ship oozed art deco charm, with elegant touches everywhere I looked, making it feel like I had travelled back to a more glamorous era. 

The ship is designed to accommodate up to 2,996 passengers, served by 1,225 crew members, and had only been sailing for two months when I joined in June 2024. It boasts an impressive 14 decks, 14 restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, a theatre, an art gallery, a casino, and even a library for those intellectual sea days.

Now, despite all that space, we still managed to get lost more times than I’d like to admit. This was a surprise, given my extensive cruising experience and the fact that the ship isn’t enormous by today’s standards. The layout just didn’t seem to flow as smoothly as I expected. Perhaps with another night onboard, I’d have figured it out, but I was left wandering more than I’d like for a two-night stay.

One thing that stood out was the lack of modern technology, which felt odd for a brand-new ship. No automatic doors, no self-flushing toilets – small things that could’ve made a big difference to hygiene and convenience. While Cunard doesn’t offer an app, once you’re connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi, you can visit myvoyage.cunard.com to check the daily programmes. Still, there were moments when the good old paper copy seemed like the easier option!

The Cabin

I stayed in an inside twin room with my mum, and my first thought was, “This is a bit small.” Some fellow passengers, who had been on other Cunard ships, shared the same sentiment, saying this cabin was smaller than what they were used to. For a two-night stay, it wasn’t a big issue, but I think a longer cruise might’ve made the limited space feel frustrating.

That said, the cabin itself was lovely. The beds were incredibly comfortable, and there was plenty of wardrobe space to tuck everything away neatly. The bathroom was simple, but it had everything we needed – no fuss, no frills.

What really stood out were the little touches. Each night, we found chocolates on our pillows, and the soft dressing gowns provided were pure luxury. To top it off, we even found a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for us one evening – those thoughtful extras really do make all the difference.

The Food

Cunard has a reputation for its food, and it certainly lived up to expectations. We dined in the main dining room twice, and both times the food was delicious, with excellent service. 

One of the nights was formal, and while I didn’t bring anything too glamorous (hand luggage limits on our flight from Hamburg!), I did feel a bit underdressed. Formal nights on Cunard are serious business – so be prepared to bring your best attire, as other cruise lines don’t seem to go all out quite like this.

We also tried the buffet, which was a different experience from the usual help-yourself style. Instead, you queue up and tell the staff what you’d like. My mum, who follows a gluten-free diet, found plenty of options, which was a relief. The food was tasty, and it was nice to see the extra attention given to dietary needs.

A hidden gem was the Pavilion Wellness Café, perched by the pool with views to match. The café served healthy but surprisingly delicious food, and we had breakfast, snacks, and lunch there. While the juices cost extra, the buzzer system they used made it all feel efficient and relaxed.

Now, I’m not a tea or coffee drinker (yes, I know – odd one out!), but I treated myself to a hot chocolate, and wow, was I impressed. It came with a pot for endless refills, real chocolate flakes, and marshmallows on the side. It was the perfect cosy treat, especially on a chillier day outside by the pool.

Things To Do and Entertainment

One of the ship’s standout features is the beautiful swimming pool area, complete with three hot tubs. It’s not your typical cruise ship pool design either, and the best part is the movable roof. 

While we didn’t get a chance to swim, it’s great to know that the roof can close when the weather turns bad, so the pool is always in use. At night, they close it up, and there’s a big screen where they show films and sports events. There’s also the Panorama Pool Club on Deck 9 at the back of the ship for a more relaxed vibe.

We attended a fascinating talk on art heists given by an art gallery staff member who also ran the auctions. They really knew their stuff, and the stories they shared were both engaging and educational. We also joined in on a couple of music quizzes, which were very popular – the turnout was impressive.

If you love afternoon tea, the Queens Room offers it daily, but be warned, it’s a hot ticket! The room fills up fast, so you need to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Although we didn’t make it in, we stayed to watch the ballroom dancing and listen to the live band. As a working-class mum, I found the whole scene rather posh, but it was a beautiful experience nonetheless.

The ship offers a variety of activities, including dance and exercise classes, and music fills the air in many venues. Dancing is encouraged, and they even host silent discos. Since the football Euros were on during our cruise, the Golden Lion pub showed the matches, which added a fun, sporty atmosphere.

For those who enjoy gambling, there’s a small casino onboard with table games and slot machines. It’s nonsmoking, which makes it more enjoyable. My mum even managed to win a bit of money!

Another highlight is the theatre, which spans two floors. We watched two shows, both of excellent quality. One featured a fantastic comedian/magician from Britain’s Got Talent, and the other was a futuristic show with singing and dancing that was equally entertaining.

For outdoor fun, the sports deck offers shuffleboard, a golf driving range, and pickleball – we had a blast playing a few games. The ship even has an archery area, which is quite unique. However, finding it is like a mini adventure in itself; it’s tucked away on Deck 10 on the starboard side and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

One quirk we noticed is the basketball court at the top of the ship, but don’t get too excited – it’s for crew only. There’s also a spa and gym onboard, but we didn’t have time to check those out.

Kids

I initially thought Cunard was adults-only, but kids are indeed allowed onboard – there just aren’t many of them. I didn’t bring my little one on this cruise, and honestly, I’m not sure there would’ve been enough to keep her entertained. That said, if I were to book another Cunard cruise, I’m sure she wouldn’t object!

The Queen Anne doesn’t have the massive waterslides or splash areas you see on family-focused ships, but they do offer kids’ programming and small, dedicated facilities. The onboard staff run a variety of age-appropriate activities, so there’s always something for the younger passengers. You do need to register your kids before the cruise, but the actual booking of sessions and activities happens once you’re onboard.

The programming is divided into two main areas: the Play Zone for ages 2 to 7 and the Zone for ages 8 to 17. The Play Zone is fully supervised, with activities like games, arts and crafts, puzzles, and computer games to keep little ones busy.

 Even infants as young as six months are welcome, though parents need to stay with them. Both zones are located on Deck 12, and there’s a small outdoor play area as well.

My Verdict

It’s a really nice ship, and I would definitely sail on it again. For £99, it was an absolute steal considering everything we got – from the delicious food and top-notch entertainment to the lovely little extras. Honestly, it was cheaper than staying home for the weekend!

While there were a few quirks, like the ship’s layout and the lack of modern tech, they were easy to overlook for such a short cruise. For a longer trip, I’d be happy to experience more of what the Queen Anne has to offer. 

Of course, it all depends on what you’re looking for in a holiday – if you prefer a more traditional, elegant cruising experience, Cunard is a great choice. But if you’re after flashy water slides and high-tech gadgets, this might not be the ship for you.

My Other Cruise Reviews

• I Cruised on the Regal Princess For 12 Nights: My Review
• Why the Celebrity Apex Cruise Left Me Wanting More: My Review
• My MSC Euribia Review: Bargain £99 Cruise!