The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) welcomed Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, on her maiden voyage to Ireland on Wednesday, June 5.
This arrival of the 249th ship to fly under the Cunard flag marks a historic occasion for both Cunard and the Port of Cork/Cobh, renewing a long-standing association that dates back to the early 20th century.
Ireland, and specifically the Port of Cork, has been integral to Cunard’s history. Cobh (Queenstown between 1849 and 1920) is one of the oldest Cunard ports of call. Notable Cunard vessels that visited Cobh include the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), the ill-fated Lusitania, and her sistership, the RMS Mauretania in the early 1900s.
As the newest addition to the Cunard fleet, Queen Anne represents a unique blend of heritage, craftsmanship, style, storytelling, and innovation. The 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest ship spans 14 decks and measures 323 m in length, making her the second-largest vessel in Cunard’s fleet.
During a ceremonious event aboard the Queen Anne, a traditional plaque exchange took place to commemorate this significant occasion. Representatives from the PoCC presented a custom-made plaque to the ship’s Captain, symbolizing the enduring relationship between the port and Cunard. This tradition, upheld for all maiden visits, underscores the historic and ongoing partnership. Additionally, a commemorative wreath was placed at the Lusitania Memorial in Cobh to honor the memory of those lost in the tragic sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. The Queen Anne’s visit to Cobh is a highlight of her British Isles Festival Voyage, a 14-night circumnavigation of the British Isles, which includes other maiden calls to Greenock, Belfast, and Liverpool. This voyage celebrates the rich maritime heritage of the British Isles and Cunard’s deep-rooted connections to these historic ports.
The final leg of the voyage saw Queen Anne departing from Cobh to Southampton England. Queen Anne's maiden season is based on roundtrips from Southampton. The itineraries visit popular destinations (60+) in 16 countries) in the Mediterranean, Baltic/Scandinavia, also Spain's Canary Islands and Norway's Fjords.