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Just months ahead of Queen Anne's maiden voyage, Cunard has announced a series of exclusive, new shore experiences for guests sailing on the new ship during the maiden season. The cruise line is offering 50 signature shore experiences, across 60 ports. These experiences offer immersive local culture, history, and nature across Europe. In total, the new programme comprises over 700 shore experiences for the 115 calls that Queen Anne will make during 2024. They range from an exclusive orchestral performance in a secret location in the heart of Barcelona to a behind-the-scenes tour of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. Other options include local culinary experiences, wine tasting, the UNESCO Enchanted Forest of Madeira and a Fjord Safari to a Goat Cheese Farm in Norway. On her maiden season, Queen Anne will sail from Southampton on itineraries to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, and the Norwegian Fjords. The ship will call at over 60 destinations in 16 countries. Queen Anne will set sail on 3 May for her seven-night maiden voyage to La Coruna and Lisbon. The ship will then depart for a 14-night voyage in the Canary Islands before travelling around the British Isles. This itinerary takes in Scotland and Ireland, as well as Cunard's founding home port and spiritual home, Liverpool. Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: "We are all incredibly excited to welcome Queen Anne to the Cunard fleet in May.” “It is only right that her maiden season is complemented with a truly captivating shore experience programme."

As it nears the six-month countdown to the launch of its newest ship, Cunard has teased details of Queen Anne's wellness offering. The 3,000-guest ship is currently under construction at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy. It invited a group of travel agent partners for its first behind-the-scenes tour. Queen Anne will have the widest selection of fitness, beauty, thermal and spa facilities so far seen on a Cunard ship, with a reimagined Mareel Wellness & Beauty. Queen Anne's Wellness Club will also offer a tailormade programme for solo travelers. On embarkation night, like-minded solo guests can unwind together at a meet-and-greet. Queen Anne guests will enjoy services such as cryotherapy treatments and a Himalayan salt sauna and cold room. One of the stand-out wellness spaces is The Pavilion, an open-air space on the top deck, which features a specially designed glass dome roof that retracts in warmer weather. The multi-purpose space, designed by David Collins Studio (of Harrods and Claridge's fame), incorporates several wellness elements. The top deck Wellness Studio is an ideal retreat for fitness with a Wellness Café. The Wellness Café will cater for breakfast, lunch, and daytime diners. The tour was hosted by Captain Inger Thorhauge, the cruise line's first female Captain, who will be at the helm for Queen Anne's maiden voyage from Southampton on 3 May 2024. The event in Venice follows Queen Anne's float out ceremony in May. The ship has since been moved from a construction dock to a fitting out basin nearby. Within the first month of welcoming Queen Anne into the fleet, Cunard will be offering opportunities for up to 500 travel agent partners to visit the ship. Queen Anne will be showcased at the 2024 CLIA UK & Ireland Conference between 23-25 May. Additionally, the ship will be hosting travel agents on two overnight experiences from Southampton as part of its operational sales drive. More details of these events will be available on Shine Rewards Club in the coming months.

Cunard is planning a trade sales blitz this October. A 15-strong team will hit the roads next month to reach over 200 travel agents, across 100 stores. They will deliver in-person news on the launch of the 2025 programme – which goes on sale on 4 October exclusively to Cunard World Club members. It then goes on general sale a day later. The Cunard team will share updates, agent collateral, and have Shine points to give away to travel agents. They will be joined by head office staff, making it Cunard’s biggest ever on-the-road campaign. Tom Mahoney, Director of UK Sales, said: “Our valued travel agent partners are imperative to our success, and we are looking forward to catching up with many friendly faces.” “We have a fantastic 2025 programme to shout about, with the release of 180 new voyages. We will also be hosting webinars and quizzes on Shine Rewards Club.”

Cunard has released 180 new voyages for 2025. They open for booking on October 4, 2023 exclusively for Cunard World Club Members, and on general sale a day later. The 2025 schedule program features sailings between April 2025 and January 2026 covering 91 destinations in 24 countries aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Anne, and Queen Victoria. Queen Anne will primarily be sailing to the Western Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords and Western Europe. Queen Mary 2 will continue offering transatlantic crossings and Queen Victoria will be based in the Mediterranean. Each Queen's season has at least one maiden call; while Queen Anne will make no fewer than 19 first-time calls including Bilbao, Ibiza, Skjolden, Messina and Santorini. For 2025, Queen Anne will sail out of Southampton on itineraries ranging from two to 19 nights. Highlights include a 12-night voyage of the Norwegian Fjords in June and a 16-night Mediterranean sailing around France, Spain, and Italy in July. Queen Mary 2 offers cruise holidays on both sides of the Atlantic and Queen Victoria sails 7, 14 and 21-night itineraries out of Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Trieste. Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: "We always strive to provide our travel agent partners with great offers and this program is no different."

Carnival Corp cruise brands P&O Cruises and Cunard are boosting guest Wi-Fi connectivity with the roll out of SpaceX's Starlink. Starlink provides Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite tech allowing greater capacity across P&O Cruises and Cunard ships. The roll-out on P&O Cruises and Cunard ships began in June 2023. It will be available in public spaces and cabins on Cunard ships Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth by the end of 2023. Cunard's newest ship, Queen Anne will launch with the service in May 2024. P&O Cruises ships Britannia and Azura have introduced Starlink to public spaces and will be added in public spaces and cabins on Arvia, Iona, Ventura, Arcadia and Aurora by the end of 2023. “Starlink will make it even easier for our guests and colleagues to stay connected," said Carnival UK and P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow.

Cunard ship Queen Mary 2 broke from its moorings in strong winds while docked at Civitavecchia, Italy. Mooring lines snapped causing the ship to drift out to sea. The Cunard ship also dragged the gangways off the pier. There were winds of around 40km/h at the time. The vessel was secured by anchor and bow thrusters before a tug guided the Queen Mary 2 back to the dock. There were no reported injuries or damage. The ship is in its next port of call in Valencia where it was inspected and given the all clear.  

Cunard has a new Shine Rewards Club travel agent incentive. Agents have the chance to book their own luxury voyage aboard one of Cunard’s iconic Queens. The travel agent incentive is now live and runs until 2 October. It requires agents to register and 'play' all their customers' Cunard fare bookings to bank 100 Shine points for each eligible booking. It goes towards Shine points which can be used on any voyage, for any departure date, and any ship. Guests booking up to 2 October can enjoy up to US$600 per balcony stateroom to spend on board on selected 2023, 2024, and 2025 voyages. Cunard is also offering travel agents the chance to earn an extra 10 Shine points by correctly answering four out of five questions about this promotion in its new quiz. Shine Rewards Club is Cunard's points-based loyalty and rewards scheme that rewards UK travel agents with Shine points for bookings and training completed. It is also a hub of other support and resources, including how-to guides and FAQs. Shine points are currency that agents can use to treat themselves to various rewards. Shine points are valid for two years, and are combined with the Shine points earned with P&O Cruises. Tom Mahoney, Director of UK Sales, said: "We hope this initiative enables agents to book a dream voyage with Cunard.”

Cunard has reintroduced a regional sales team, marking the first time since 2020 that field-based managers have been deployed. This reintroduction sees the appointment of two new partnership development managers. Savannah Fryer will cover the North of the UK, while John Garbutt will cover the South. Both are existing Carnival UK employees and now report to Business Manager James Scott. They will be responsible for developing relationships with Cunard's new and existing travel agent partners. They will also provide training, sales, and marketing support. Cunard's UK sales team now numbers 13 and includes trade operations, partnership development and business development. Tom Mahoney, Sales Director said: "We are excited to now be able to provide a more tailored, personalised service for our travel agent partners with dedicated regional support.” “We have listened, and our new approach reflects the feedback we have been receiving.” Travel agents can visit www.ShineRewardsClub.com for the latest Cunard news and information.

Cunard has announced the upcoming appointment of TUI executive Katie McAlister as its new president.  She joins the cruise line in August after 20 years with TUI where she is currently chief marketing officer, UK & Ireland. "We are delighted to have someone of Katie's calibre join Cunard at this vital time of expansion,” said Carnival UK president Sture Myrmell. "Her commercial and operational experience as well as digital transformation expertise will ensure brand and growth opportunities are maximised.” McAlister started at TUI in 1998 and held various roles including overseas delivery, commercial, digital and marketing. She is a member of the UK & Ireland board and leads sales channels and marketing in the UK & Ireland for TUI, First Choice and Marella Cruises. “This was an unrivalled opportunity to join an iconic travel company at a key point in its history," she said.

Cunard will celebrate King Charles' coronation with a range of toyalty-themed activities on all three of its Queens. An exclusive Coronation dinner menu is planned for the evening of Saturday 6 May. It features a selection of specially curated dishes. Specially designed cocktails will be available to toast the King, including a "Coronation Oath" made with Prosecco, White Vermouth, Grapefruit and Cardamom Bitters and a "Monarch Martini" using Cunard's 3 Queens Gin. All three ships will be at sea for the big day and will broadcast the ceremony live into the ships'' Royal Court Theatres and stateroom TVs. Queen Elizabeth guests will be just starting their nine-night tour of Southern Japan and Taiwan. The Queen Victoria will be returning from a 12-night voyage around the Canary Islands. A new Coronation Celebration voyage on Queen Mary 2 is sailing round-trip from Southampton to Cunard's spiritual home port, Liverpool. Cunard's Insights programme across the fleet will feature royal commentator Dickie Arbiter, historian Caroline Aston and etiquette expert Grant Harrold. Each ship will also host a deck walk in honour of The Big Help Out on Monday 8 May to raise money for youth charity The Prince's Trust. To date, Cunard has raised over £2.7 million for the Trust. Cunard's royal connections date back to August 1861, when Prince Alfred sailed from Halifax to Liverpool on Cunard's SS Arabia. Meanwhile, Cunard just celebrated the float out of Queen Anne with a milestone ceremony in Italy.

Cunard is sailing back to South America in 2025. It marks the first time since 2020 the line will offer a South America cruise. Brazil, Chile and Ecuador are on the itinerary when Queen Victoria sails from Southampton, for 78 nights, in January 2025. Its roundtrip South American Discovery voyage takes in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro plus Patagonia and the Chilean fjords. The sailing will also include stops in the Peruvian city of Callao, and the Brazilian city of Salvador. South America cruise shore excursions will comprise Brazil’s Tijuca rain forest, learning to surf in Buzios, and trekking to Chile’s Petrohue Falls. Agents can visit www.ShineRewardsClub.com for the latest Cunard news and information. To mark Cunard's 2024 Alaska and 2025 voyages going on sale, agents earn double Shine points for these bookings through 31 March.  

Cunard is on a two-day travel agent sales blitz to reach over 150 travel agents. A 15-strong team will travel this week to 70 travel agent stores. They will update agents on the cruise line's winter 2025 programme which goes on sale from 15 March. Along with information and agent collateral, they are giving away Shine reward points. It is the cruise line’s biggest ever on-the-road campaign. Tom Mahoney, Director of UK Sales said: “Travel agents are critical to our success, and this record-breaking sales blitz is just one of many initiatives.”