Cunard’s Queen Anne is the newest ship in the famous cruise line’s fleet, sailing from Southampton to destinations across Europe and further afield. While Cunard is often associated with elegant dining and traditional cruising, Queen Anne also has plenty for families. Here are five things to know before booking.
1. Queen Anne is Cunard’s newest ship
Queen Anne entered service in 2024 and carries around 3,000 passengers. It has a more contemporary feel than some of Cunard’s older ships while keeping traditions such as afternoon tea, Gala Evenings, the Queens Room and the Golden Lion pub.
For families, one of the big advantages is being able to start a holiday from Southampton without needing to fly.
2. There is much more for children than you might expect
Queen Anne has dedicated children’s clubs included in the cruise fare.
The Play Zone is aimed at children aged 2–7, with toys, games, crafts and organised activities.
The Kids’ Zone is for children aged 8–12 and includes games, sports, challenges, arts and crafts and games consoles.
Teenagers aged 13–17 have their own Teen Zone, giving them somewhere to socialise and take part in activities away from younger children.
There is also a Baby Zone for younger children and a Night Nursery for babies and toddlers.
Parents should register children for the clubs through My Cunard before travelling, with sessions then booked once on board.
3. Families can swim, watch films and play games together
The Pavilion Pool is particularly useful for families because it has a retractable roof, meaning swimming does not necessarily depend on the British weather.
There are also plenty of activities families can enjoy together, including deck games, giant chess, pickleball, sports competitions and scavenger hunts around the ship.
Queen Anne also offers activities such as archery.
The Pavilion can become an outdoor cinema too, with films and entertainment shown on its large screen.
4. There are lots of family-friendly places to eat
Dining is a major part of a Cunard cruise, but families do not need to spend every evening having a long formal meal.
Alongside the main restaurants, there are more relaxed places to eat throughout the ship.
Children can experience the traditional Cunard afternoon tea, try food in the buffet or eat somewhere more informal before heading to an evening activity.
Families can also see theatre shows, listen to live music or join the dancing in the Queens Room.
It is worth checking the ship’s Daily Programme each morning because activities and entertainment vary from day to day.
5. Queen Anne could be a good choice for a first family cruise
Queen Anne is not a floating theme park packed with water slides and rollercoasters. That is actually part of its appeal.
It offers a quieter and more traditional style of family cruising while still providing swimming, children’s clubs, games, films, entertainment and plenty of food.
Parents can enjoy some time in the spa, have a drink or relax while children attend supervised clubs, before everyone meets again for meals and evening entertainment.
For families who want a cruise from Southampton with plenty for children but without the extremely busy atmosphere of some giant resort-style cruise ships, Queen Anne could be a very good option.
Is Queen Anne good for children?
Yes. Queen Anne may look like a fairly grown-up cruise ship, but children are very much catered for. The complimentary children’s clubs are a particularly strong feature, while the covered swimming pool, films, games and organised activities make sea days easier for families.
For parents considering their first Cunard holiday, Queen Anne could therefore be one of the most family-friendly ways to experience the famous cruise line.
Find out more about the ship, facilities and upcoming sailings on the official Cunard Queen Anne website.
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