The London traffic crawled slower than usual, making the journey feel endless. I was on a media bus traveling from Leicester Square to Southampton to be among the first to board Queen Anne, Cunard Line’s first new ship in 14 years. Joining her renowned sisters — Queen Mary II, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria — Queen Anne measures 1,058 feet and accommodates up to 2,996 guests, sailing itineraries across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Western Europe and the Canary Islands.
A single overnight visit barely began to reveal the ship’s grandeur, but I packed as much in as possible: a late lunch and breakfast at The Lido and Kings Court, dinner in the Princess Grill, a Broadway-style show in the Royal Court Theatre, and cocktails in The Pavilion and Commodore Club. I also made time for Mareel Wellness & Beauty — the spa is truly an “oasis of calm,” inviting guests to pursue whatever wellness means to them.
An amusing moment nearly cost me the spa appointment. After boarding, I checked my stateroom’s schedule to plan the afternoon and settled on a 4 p.m. discussion with the ship’s designers in the Commodore Club. My phone read 3:45 p.m., so I hurried over and waited in the nearly empty club until 4:05 p.m., puzzled and a bit annoyed. I went down a few decks to registration to inquire. Exiting the elevator, my phone suddenly displayed 3:05 p.m. — apparently my iPhone was switching time zones with deck changes. I adjusted my settings and confirmed the correct time at registration. With time now on my side, I enjoyed proper fish and chips — when in England — before attending the design discussion and making it to my spa appointment.
Because our visit was just before Queen Anne’s first official passenger sailing, some services weren’t fully operational. Still, I managed to book a 50-minute treatment. The spa offered the option of a facial, a massage or a combination; I chose a massage to avoid post-facial products and to fit my short schedule. It was my first trip away since having a baby, and the Swedish massage was restorative — exactly what I needed. The therapist was friendly and enthusiastic about the ship and Mareel Spa.
Mareel’s décor is strikingly modern and calming, with a palette that evokes the sea, dramatic lighting fixtures that serve as art, and shimmering mosaics throughout. The design and treatments draw inspiration from the ocean and aim to soothe and pamper guests.
The spa amenities include a steam bath, sauna, cold room, Himalayan salt sauna, a thermal pool and thermal loungers. Treatment options are extensive: passengers can try cryo-body therapy at sea, which uses cooling and thermo-shock to target toxins and firm skin, alongside skincare services such as micro-needling and advanced biotech facials. Traditional therapies like cupping are available for pain relief, and high-tech options such as leg-compression treatments are offered as well. Wellness workshops and schedule details vary by sailing, so check your itinerary.
The Wellness Experience is a private offering that begins with a massage in a dedicated Wellness Suite, followed by time in the suite’s shower, sauna and relaxation area, and concludes with a complimentary smoothie and nourishing selections from the Wellness Café menu.
In partnership with Harper’s Bazaar, Queen Anne features three Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea programs that combine curated treatments, healthful cuisine, masterclasses and selected ELEMIS products across a three-day schedule.
The Pavilion Wellness Studio is new to Queen Anne and provides ocean-facing fitness sessions with exceptional views. The ship also has a comprehensive fitness center, a spin studio, personal trainers and a salon, catering to a wide range of wellness and beauty needs.
Reflecting on my time aboard, it’s clear this visit only skimmed the surface of Queen Anne’s offerings. The ship presents an array of dining, entertainment and wellness experiences that merit a longer stay. I’ll be holding onto these memories — and planning a return visit to explore more thoroughly.