american queen cruise ship

American Queen Voyages shuts down, cancels future cruises amid reported service issues

American Queen Voyages has shut down.

An automated voice message on its customer information hotline said the cruise line "has made the difficult decision" to suspend operations, and all future cruises have been scrapped. “Guests and customers should expect to be fully refunded for canceled cruises,” the message said.

The message directed listeners to www.aqvrefunds.com “to begin the refund process,” and said they could find more information at www.aqvinfo.com .

"Despite our best efforts, demand for overnight cruises has not recovered following the pandemic, and AQV has become financially unsustainable," a guest FAQ section on the second website reads. "We thank you for your support and deeply regret any inconvenience this causes you."

No ships were sailing at the time of the closure. Adam Peakes, president of the line's owner Hornblower Group, said it plans to "sell the company, or, if a sale cannot be achieved, its operations will be wound down."

"Please know this decision was not made lightly," he said in an emailed statement shared with USA TODAY. "We are deeply proud of our employees and crew for the outstanding services they have provided our guests over the years. As the backbone of the AQV experience we extend our deepest appreciation to our team for their unwavering commitment, passion and hard work, which has been exceptional. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our guests, partners, agents and the local communities where we call who have each been integral to our journey."

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

The news comes after the line reportedly canceled three season-opening sailings set to take place on the Mississippi River later this month, attributing the changes to an extended layup schedule. Multiple industry groups previously suspended sales of American Queen Voyages cruises because of service issues, including delayed commission payments, Travel Weekly reported in January.

The line began sailing as American Queen Steamboat Company in 2011 and was rebranded as American Queen Voyages in 2021 after merging with Victory Cruise Lines.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

• Vacation Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

American Queen Deck Plans & Reviews

American Queen

Activities & entertainment.

• Engine Room Viewing Area
• Enrichment Lectures
• Fitness Center
• Gentlemen's Card Room
• Inclusive Excursion Options
• Ladies' Parlor
• Local History
• Mark Twain Gallery
• Quizzes & Trivia
• Swimming Pool
• Grand Saloon
• Local Entertainment
• Production Shows
• J.M. White Dining Room - American
• Captain's Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Front Porch Cafe - Casual
• River Grill - Casual
• Engine Room Bar - Nautical bar *
• Excellent 26
• Very Good 8
• Terrible 31
• All languages ( 83 )
• English ( 83 )

• CruiseMapper
• American Cruise Lines

American Queen

Cruise line American Cruise Lines

• New Orleans (Port NOLA Louisiana)
• Memphis TN (Tennessee)

American Queen current position

American Queen current location is at Gulf of Mexico (coordinates 29.94918 N / -90.02480 W) cruising en route to NOTTOWAY. The AIS position was reported 5 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of American Queen

American Queen current cruise is 7 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis TN . Prices start from USD 3299 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 06 May, 2024 and ends on 13 May, 2024 .

Specifications of American Queen

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

American Queen Itineraries

American queen review, review of american queen.

The 1995-built American Queen cruise ship was initially operated by Delta Queen Steamboat Company (now defunct ) and until 2024 by AQSC (American Queen Voyages) . the 436-passenger riverboat is similar to fleetmate American Empress , and also to ACL-American Cruise Lines vessels Queen of the Mississippi/now American Heritage and Queen of the West/now American West .

American Queen is the largest steamboat ever built in the world. Before relaunching in April 2012, the ship received a USD 6,5 million renovation to make the Victorian decor. Cabins got new LCDTVs and bedding. A top-deck bar (River Grill) was also added. Today, the steamboat feels much more like a historic boutique hotel than a riverboat.

American Queen cruises the Upper and Lower Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers with 5- to 14-day itineraries. Departure ports include New Orleans , St Louis MO , Minneapolis-St Paul MN , Memphis TN , Cincinnati OH .

The previous shipowner was Hornblower Group Inc (via Hornblower Cruises and Events).

Following the bankruptcy of Hornblower Group in 2024 (February), American Queen Voyages was placed for sale. Hornblower was sold to Strategic Value Partners and announced reorganization plans, focusing on its other subsidiaries.

In a Texas-held auction in March 2024, ACL/American Cruise Lines became the highest bidder and purchased four riverboats (American Queen, American Duchess ,  American Empress , American Countess ) plus other AQV assets.

American Queen Steamboat Company cruise deals

Operated with all-inclusive cruise packages, American Queen cruise tour deals are inclusive of:

• all shore excursions (“Steamcoach Tours” by luxury motorcoaches)
• 1-night pre-cruise hotel package
• soft drinks and bottled water (offered throughout the voyage)
• wines and beers (offered at dinner only)
• 24-hour room service (menu has the standard for breakfasts fare, plus sandwiches, burgers, macaroni & cheese, fresh salmon, desserts)
• Wi-Fi Internet
• Pilot House tour (of the ship's Navigation Bridge).
• Smoking inside the cabin and on the balcony is forbidden. The only smoking-allowed area on the ship is the sun deck.

"Commodore Services" is the company's set of exclusive services reserved for American Duchess cruise passengers booking categories LFS-Loft and OS-Owner suites. The list of bonus perks (price-inclusive / complimentary privileges) includes:

• gifts (upon arrival) - fruit basket and a bottle of wine
• suite tour (upon arrival)
• priority boarding and dining arrangements
• reserved balcony seating in "The Auditorium" (boat's theatre/show lounge), with a personal escort to the reserved seats
• private reception party with the ship's Captain and Senior Officers
• personal River Butler
• unpacking, hanging the clothes in the closet, packing, laundry, pressing service, shoeshine (conditioning)
• in-cabin dining - Afternoon Tea service, Breakfast and Dinner service (on the suite's balcony, upon request), pre-dinner canapes, post-dinner sweets).

American Queen - user reviews and comments

Photos of american queen.

American Queen ship related cruise news

American Queen Steamboat Company (American Queen Voyages/AQV) ceased operations

On February 20, 2024, (at 5 pm Indiana time/12:00 UTC) American Queen Steamboat Company LLC (which operates under the travel brand American...

AQV-American Queen Voyages cancels February sailings due to operational concerns

AQV-American Queen Voyages has announced the cancellation of several sailings scheduled for February. The decision stems from an unforeseen...

AQV-American Queen Voyages cancels Great Lakes cruises, sells Ocean Navigator and Voyager ships

American Queen Voyages (AQV) has unveiled its plans to shift its focus to river cruises, implementing a series of changes and updates that will...

American Queen Voyages/AQV is the first cruise line with fleetwide SpaceX Starlink Internet

AQV-American Queen Voyages announced SpaceX Starlink upgrades to its entire fleet of 7, including the award-winning lines Rivers, Lakes & Oceans...

Viking Octantis is the first cruise ship to arrive in Duluth (Minnesota USA)

A Viking Ocean's cruise ship will be the first to arrive and use the brand new customs facility at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center today...

American Queen Voyages marks the return of its final Lakes & Oceans ship, Ocean Navigator

AQV-American Queen Voyages marked the return of Ocean Navigator, the final Lakes & Oceans ship to be added back to the fleet, as she welcomed her...

American Queen Voyages 2024 season's new routes & itineraries

AQV-American Queen Voyages released its 2024 season, marking the furthest in advance a cruise season has opened for reservations in the 10-year...

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) rebranded American Queen Voyages (AQV)

AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company, which is part of Hornblower Group, is now the new brand merging AQSC and VCL-Victory Cruise Lines - American...

AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company's flagship American Queen returns to service

AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company announced that its American Queen ship had welcomed her first revenue guests in 18 months on Monday, August 9...

AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company and VCL-Victory Cruise Lines release 2023 season

In response to demand for the 2022 cruise season, AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company and VCL-Victory Cruise Lines, Hornblower Family Companies...

•   show more news

Other American Cruise Lines cruise ships

• ACL American Eagle
• ACL American Glory
• ACL American Legend
• ACL American Liberty
• American Constellation
• American Constitution
• American Countess
• American Duchess
• American Empress
• American Harmony
• American Heritage
• American Independence
• American Jazz
• American Melody
• American Pride
• American Serenade
• American Song
• American Spirit
• American Splendor
• American Star
• American Symphony
• American West

American Queen Wiki

American Queen riverboat was built in the USA and christened in Nashville TN by Godmother Phyllis Dale (owner of Phyllis Dale Travel Agency, Winter Springs Florida). As flag-state , the USA flag requires all officers, crew and hotel staff on the vessel to be American (US citizens).

By design, this USA-based river cruise ship is classified as "paddle-wheeler" (paddle-wheel boat). The vessel is similar to the fleet mate American Empress , and the famous American Cruise Lines ships Queen of the Mississippi/American Heritage and Queen of the West/American West . They all feature a huge, stern-mounted paddle wheel.

American Queen became second in 2012's Great Steamboat Race. The first prize was for the steamboat Belle of Cincinnati. The vessel is acknowledged to be the world's largest steamboat ever built. The ship is 6-decks high and built as a Mississippi riverboat replica vessel for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company (currently non-operational USA cruise line).

Just like the classic USA riverboats from the late 1800s which used to sail on the country's largest rivers (like Mississippi, Ohio, Snake, Columbia), the American Queen steamboat has a huge paddlewheel. It is a feature component of the vessel's main propulsion system. The impressive paddle wheel is driven by a hydraulic motor powered by a steam plant. Besides the paddle wheel, for better maneuverability and during emergencies, the ship uses its two Azimuth thrusters (aka Z-drives). These are modern marine propulsion units (diesel-electric propellers) mounted on either side of the stern paddlewheel. Both Z-drives are fully submerged underwater, and able to rotate at 360 degrees.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

Here Are All The Ships in American Queen Voyages Fleet

• February 23, 2024

After launching service in 2011, American Queen Voyages recently announced plans to cease operations .

Mostly cruising in U.S. Domestic Waters, the company currently operates a seven-ship fleet that includes classic riverboats, coastal vessels and expedition ships.

Cruise Industry News looks at the status, location, and history of every vessel in the American Queen Voyages fleet.

For a complete overview of the U.S. river market, see the 2024 USA Riverboat Market Report by Cruise Industry News.

American Queen Capacity: 436 guests Tonnage: 3,707 Year Built: 1994 Former names: N/A Current Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Bought from MARAD in 2011 , the American Queen was the first vessel acquired by American Queen Voyages. Built in 1995, the vessel was designed by Delta Queen Steamboat Co. as a replica of the classic Mississippi paddle-wheelers .

Considered the largest river steamboat ever built, the 436-guest vessel was mostly used for cruising on the Mississippi, with itineraries also sailing to neighboring waterways, including the Cumberland, the Tennessee, and the Ohio rivers.

American Empress Capacity: 223 guests Tonnage: 5,975 Year Built: 2003 Former names: Empress of the North Current Location: Portland, Oregon

In 2013, the American Empress became the second cruise ship in American Queen Voyages’ fleet. Formerly named Empress of the North, the 2003-built vessel was acquired from MARAD for an undisclosed amount .

Originally built as a coastal ship for Majestic America Line , the 223-guest paddle-wheeler had been offering cruises in the Columbia and Snake rivers since debuting for AQV in 2014.

American Duchess Capacity: 166 guests Tonnage: 3,560 Year Built: 2017 (using the hull of 1995-built casino ship) Former names: Battendorf Capri Current Location: Amelia, Louisiana

The American Duchess entered service in mid-2017 . Using the hull of a former casino ship, the 166-guest vessel was designed as a classical paddle-wheeler, featuring all suite accommodations.

After several seasons cruising in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, the American Duchess entered an extended lay-up in early 2023 and has been out of service ever since .

American Countess Capacity: 246 guests Tonnage: 6,837 Year Built: 2020 (using the hull of 1995-built casino ship) Former names: Kanesville Queen Current Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

The newest riverboat in American Queen Voyages’ fleet, the American Countess entered service in mid-2021 . Built for the company using the hull of a former casino ship, the paddlewheeler was designed with a traditional look, reminiscent of the classic Mississippi steamboats.

During the 2023 season, the 246-guest ship offered a series of cruises to the Mississippi, the Ohio, the Cumberland and the Tennessee rivers.

Ocean Victory Capacity: 186 guests Tonnage: 8,000 Year Built: 2021 Former names: N/A Current Location: Antarctica (in service for Albatros Expeditions)

Initially chartered by Victory Cruise Lines , the Ocean Victory was integrated into the American Queen fleet when the company’s river and coastal products came together under a single brand in 2021 .

An expedition ship, the 186-guest vessel was chartered from SunStone Ships for summer programs in Alaska and Canada. The exploration itineraries were first introduced by AQV in 2022 and were set to return for a third season in 2024.

Ocean Navigator Capacity: 202 guests Tonnage: 4,954 Year Built: 2001 Former names: Cape Cod Light, Coastal Queen 2, Clipper Discoverer and Sea Discoverer Current Location: Portland, Maine

For sale by American Queen Voyages since late 2023 , the Ocean Navigator was initially operated by Victory Cruise Liners before being integrated into the company’s fleet in 2021.

Built in the early 2000s as a coastal, U.S.-flagged vessel, the 202-guest ship had ben acquired by American Queen in 2019 . More recently, it offered varied itineraries to Canada & New England and the Great Lakes.

Ocean Voyager Capacity: 202 guests Tonnage: 4,954 Year Built: 2001 Former names: Cape May Light, Sea Voyager, Saint Laurent and Sea Voyager Current Location: Portland, Maine

The Ocean Voyager was also earmarked to leave American Queen Voyages’ fleet since completing its summer program in 2023.

Previously operated by Victory Cruise Lines, the coastal vessel joined the company in 2019 before being transferred to American Queen in 2021. Like its sister ship Ocean Navigator, the U.S.-built ship was offering itineraries in the Great Lakes and Canada & New England before being withdrawn.

Cruise Industry News Email Alerts

• Breaking News

Get the latest breaking  cruise news .  Sign up.

54 Ships | 122,002 Berths | $36 Billion | View

Highlights:

• Mkt. Overview
• Record Year
• Refit Schedule
• PDF Download
• Order Today

• 2033 Industry Outlook 
• All Operators
• Easy to Use
• Pre-Order Offer
• Advertising
• Cruise News
• Magazine Articles
• Quarterly Magazine
• Annual Report
• Email Newsletter
• Executive Guide
• Digital Reports

Privacy Overview

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

American Queen Voyages: The Complete Guide

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

American Queen Voyages is a cruise line catering mainly to a previously untapped market: river cruises in North America. With three types of vessels available — including riverboats — American Queen guests can enjoy sailing down the Mississippi as easily as in the Caribbean.

At American Queen, historical riverboats have been transformed into full-service, all-inclusive cruise ships capable of sailing the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake rivers, as well as excursions in the Great Lakes. The traditional routes are on the roster also, including sailings to Alaska, Costa Rica, the Gulf of Mexico and New England.

Here's a look at how American Queen Voyages is breathing new life into a part of the U.S. that features natural beauty and history.

About American Queen cruises

Here’s a quick overview of what to expect on an American Queen cruise.

Cabin types: Depending on the type of cruise you book, you can choose from a variety of room types. These include interior rooms, single rooms, rooms with a veranda and suites. 

Main U.S. routes: American Queen operates most of its routes on rivers in the U.S., with its main voyages cruising down the lower portion of the Mississippi. 

American Queen Voyages cruise destinations

American Queen cruise line operates almost exclusively in North America, but that doesn’t mean that its destinations are limited.

The majority of the departures it operates are American Queen river cruises and take place on the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake rivers. You’ll also find ships on the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, though that’s less common.

If you’re not aboard one of its riverboats, you’ll also be able to explore destinations such as Canada, New England, Alaska, British Columbia, Mexico and Costa Rica. Sailings generally last from seven to 16 days.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

American Queen Voyages cruise prices

Journeys on American Queen Voyages are all-inclusive and tend to be more expensive than other cruises. For example, the cheapest option we found rang in at $2,049 per person for a last-minute cruise from Portland, Oregon, to Spokane, Washington.

In contrast, rates for this same cruise in summer 2024 run as high as $5,369 per person.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

What is the best American Queen Voyages ship?

American Queen Voyages has seven ships in its fleet — four of these ships are riverboats, two are coastal vessels and one is purpose-built for expeditions.

What is the newest American Queen Voyages ship?

The newest American Queen Voyages ship is the American Duchess. As a riverboat, this ship will sail on American Queen Mississippi River cruises. With four guest decks and a capacity for 166 guests, the American Duchess features a boutique experience while still offering the amenities you’d expect from a cruise ship.

What’s included

American Queen Voyages bills itself as an all-inclusive experience, and that appears to hold up to scrutiny. While most cruises include food with your package, American Queen Voyages goes beyond that.

One-night pre-cruise hotel stay.

Ground transfers between the hotel and vessel.

Unlimited guided tours.

Unlimited alcohol.

Morning juice bar.

Gourmet dining.

In-room dining.

Prepaid gratuities. 

Port taxes and fees.

Live entertainment. 

Hiking sticks.

American Queen Voyages provides unlimited Wi-Fi to all its passengers for free.

American Queen Voyages trips are all-inclusive and will provide food and alcohol as part of your package. You’ll also be able to take advantage of guided tours, Wi-Fi, prepaid gratuities and a pre-cruise hotel stay with your fare.

American Queen Voyages cruises offer complimentary alcohol to all eligible passengers. This includes wine, beer and spirits. It also offers specialty coffees.

American Queen Voyages doesn't require passengers to have any type of COVID vaccine or test to board its ships.

(Top photo courtesy of American Queen Voyages)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

North America Chevron

United States Chevron

Alaska Chevron

Review: Ocean Victory

Reviewed by Stefanie Waldek

What is the line? American Queen Voyages

Name of ship? Ocean Victory

Passenger occupancy? 186

Itinerary? Ocean Victory sails 12- and 13-day itineraries between Sitka and Vancouver.

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

American Queen Voyages is best known for its fleet of paddlewheelers that sail America's waterways, but it entered the expedition cruising world in 2021 with Ocean Victory, an ocean-going, ice-rated ship.

Tell us about the ship in general:

The 186-passenger expedition vessel is easy to recognize in port or at sea, with its distinctive inverted X-Bow and a bright blue wave painted across its exterior. In the summer, she travels Alaska as part of American Queen Voyages' fleet, but in the northern winter (austral summer), she heads south for Antarctica with Albatros Expeditions. As an expedition ship, she carries with her a small flotilla of Zodiacs (small inflatable boats) for off-ship exploration, which is my favorite "amenity."

Who is onboard?

Right now, most passengers are American Queen Voyage loyalists—typically older couples. But given the expedition-style excursions in some locations, I could see the demographic tipping slightly younger in the coming years. Most passengers on my ship had never experienced expedition-style sailing before.

Describe the cabins.

I stayed in a Deluxe Stateroom with a Private Veranda, the most common accommodation on the ship. It's reasonably spacious for two people. The living area has a loveseat and a desk next to the queen-size bed—my husband and I didn't feel like we were tripping over one another at all, even when we had all our rain gear hanging up to dry. The balcony is large enough to fit two chairs, which are perfect for enjoying views of the Alaskan wilderness and spotting wildlife. The bathroom is well-designed with a large walk-in shower and a decent amount of counter space.

Beyond this standard cabin type, there are smaller cabin categories, which either have no balcony or a French balcony, as well as larger suites that doubled the size of my cabin.

Tell us about the crew.

Because the ship is so small—and itineraries are 12 to 13 days long—you really get to know the crew. I found the dining room wait staff to be exceptional, learning your preferences (both in cuisine and with whom you'd like to sit) very quickly.

There's also a large expedition staff ranging from expedition leaders and naturalists in a variety of scientific fields to interns from Cal Poly, with whom American Queen Voyages has a partnership. These staffers gave lectures, hosted hands-on science demonstrations, and provided guidance ashore, particularly on expedition excursion days. Dawn, our expedition leader, deserves a shoutout. She is extremely knowledgeable about Alaska and was able to guide us to a humpback whale bonanza when we were surrounded by dozens of singing whales—not a bad day.

What food and drink options are available on board?

On our sailing, two dining venues were open to guests: a main dining room open for three meals a day, plus a café-like room open for breakfast and lunch. They serve identical menus during buffet breakfasts and lunches, while dinner is à la carte and includes a fair number of local delicacies, such as king crab and Alaska sockeye salmon. Each dinner menu offered meat, fish, pasta, and vegetarian items that changed daily and typically skewed American and continental. But given how intimate the ship is, guests could easily make special requests of the chef (and some did). There are also two bars onboard, one adjacent to the lecture hall and the other in the observatory lounge, where most guests spend their days.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

There's a spa treatment room as well as a fitness center onboard, but they're fairly basic facilities.

How about the activities and entertainment?

As a small expedition ship, there aren't very many "typical" cruise amenities. Though there's a pool on the sun deck, it wasn't filled on our sailing due to rough seas. Two hot tubs, however, were available, and if you plunked yourself in, a server would magically appear and take your drink order—even after dinner, in our case.

Onboard activities are more education-based than entertainment-based, spanning lectures and hands-on science "experiments" that helped explain everything from geologic history in Alaska to how mammals handle swimming in cold water. Even some of the evening entertainment is educational in nature—for instance, trivia night with Alaska-based questions or bar talks with the expedition staff about their global adventures. For more traditional entertainment, a pianist hosted singalongs in the lounge each night.

How was the experience for families?

Our sailing was particularly light on families, but I do think the overall experience is definitely child-friendly, particularly for inquisitive minds who love getting out into nature.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

Ocean Victory sails 12- and 13-day itineraries between Sitka and Vancouver, which includes two days at sea on the Inside Passage. While it stops at the cruise hotspot Ketchikan, most of its other ports of call are small towns like Kake and Wrangell where the big ships can't go, allowing for non-crowded excursions with local guides to learn about the people and wildlife of Southeast Alaska outside of the main tourist destinations.

But my favorite excursions were the Zodiac cruises on what the ship calls "expedition days." We sailed to scenic locations in places like Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, where we hopped in the Zodiacs and explored the shoreline, looking for waterfalls, wildlife, and even icebergs. On one such cruise, we were surrounded by a raft of more than 100 otters, including mothers with pups. On other expedition days, we navigated through icebergs to spot seals lounging on icy perches and took a ship-wide a polar plunge. This is what makes American Queen Voyages stand out in Alaska—other expedition ships here are typically much smaller and more basic in accommodations and amenities, whereas Ocean Victory provides a much more comfortable home base for soft adventure mixed with sightseeing.

Anything we missed?

One thing to note is that if you board in Sitka, transfers to the pre-voyage hotel are not included—and there are very few cabs (and no Uber) in Sitka. The walk into town would take some 30 minutes, but it's not a fun journey in the rain with suitcases. I recommend calling cab companies at least a day ahead of arrival, so you don't end up in the queue of passengers trying to get a ride at the same time. While I found the cruise's pre-departure communication lacking, it didn't take away from the amazing experience I had onboard!

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

American Queen Voyages fills a gap in the Alaska cruise market with Ocean Victory —it's an upscale small ship that combines comfort with more adventurous expedition-style excursions.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Information About American Q ueen Voyages

American q ueen voyages has made the difficult decision to shut down..

Despite great efforts by our team, crew and partners, American Queen Voyages (AQV) unfortunately has been unable to rebound from the effects of the pandemic. The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by changes in travel preferences and, as a result, AQV has become financially unsustainable.

We are therefore shutting down the business, and all future AQV cruises have been cancelled.

We are deeply proud of our crew and the outstanding travel experiences and service we have provided to our guests. As we reflect on the journey we have shared over the years, we are filled with gratitude for the privilege of serving our guests, partners and agents and for being part of our incredible local communities.

It has been an honor to bring joy to so many lives, and we are deeply touched by the relationships we have formed and the memorable experiences we have created.

We sincerely regret any inconvenience this decision causes. Our goal is to ensure a smooth process for all AQV stakeholders.

or visit www.AQVrefunds.com

Why is American Queen Voyages shutting down?

Despite our best efforts, demand for overnight cruises has not recovered following the pandemic, and AQV has become financially unsustainable.

We thank you for your support and deeply regret any inconvenience this causes you.

I have an American Queen Voyages overnight cruise booked. Should I still expect to go?

All future AQV cruises have been cancelled. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Will I receive a refund? How long will that take?

You should expect to be fully refunded for your cruise deposits.

For information about the refund process, please CLICK HERE or visit www.AQVrefunds.com .

Where can I go for additional assistance?

Please call toll-free (888) 202-5784, or (747) 288-6437 for calls originating outside of the U.S. or Canada.

Vendor, Supplier, Partner and Port Services FAQ

What does this mean for vendors, suppliers, partners and port services.

You have played an important role in enabling AQV to provide outstanding travel experiences and service to our guests.

As AQV is no longer operating, our goal is to facilitate an orderly wind-down of our relationship with you.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, and we thank you for your support.

I have an outstanding invoice. How can I submit that?

Please CLICK HERE or call toll-free (888) 504-8055, or (747) 263-0163 for calls originating outside of the U.S. or Canada.

American Queen

Discover the heritage and culture of America with a cruise onboard the elegant American Queen, an authentic paddlewheel steamboat. Luxurious amenities display the opulence of the American Victorian era while also featuring every modern convenience. Each stateroom features lush bedding and fine linens as well as in-room bottled water and fresh fruit. Onboard cuisine is gourmet and something to satisfy every craving is available 24 hours a day, from grand meals in the Dining Saloon to American favorites in the Front Porch of America. Complimentary wine and beer are available with dinner. There is always something to enjoy onboard during your leisure time. Enjoy a swim or a workout in the pool or athletic club or borrow a book in the Mark Twain Gallery; after a day of exploring, enjoy nightly entertainment that includes everything from showboat style performances to calliope concerts to swing dancing.

• Detailed Information
• Dining Info

  AMERICAN QUEEN VOYAGES CEASES TRADING  

On wednesday 21 february 2024, aqgsa ltd and light blue travel learned of the sad news that american queen voyages had ceased trading., as the uk and europe representative for american queen voyages we are currently in the process of contacting all affected bookings made through our office, to offer alternative solutions with other cruise lines. our priority is to help assist those who are due to travel within the next few weeks/months and we will process all bookings in departure date order., if you have made a booking through a travel agent or tour operator, please contact them directly in the first instance., we understand that this is very disappointing and may cause concern, however, please be assured that all monies paid to the uk office are held securely in the uk and any refund requests will be processed swiftly within 10-14 days..

• Our friendly team of experts are here to help. Feel free to drop us a message using the form below and someone will get back to you within 1 business day. *
• I would like to receive communications by email and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

trending now in World News

Up-and-coming model who appeared in Vanity Fair dead at 28

Israeli war cabinet green-lights military push into Rafah over...

Suspect in triple murder of surfers killed in Mexico allegedly...

Australian surfer slain in Mexico left girlfriend heartbreaking...

Airline furious after man uses secret hack to buy 58 free flights

Teacher had baby with underage student — while on bail for sex...

Solar storms could disrupt communications, make northern lights...

This business offered free wine in its fine print — and you...

Breaking news, elderly american couple stranded in spain after norwegian cruise ship left without them.

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

They missed the boat — literally.

An elderly American couple was left behind by Norwegian Cruise Line in Spain this week after they returned late to the ship and the vessel refused to wait for them — despite it routinely departing behind schedule during the voyage.

“I am a very experienced traveler and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime,” Salt Lake City resident Richard Gordon, 84, told CNN .

“Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system.”

Gordon and his wife Claudene, 81, had gone on an independently booked excursion to view the city of Grenada while their ship, Viva, was docked in Motril on Monday. Due to a rainstorm, they ran late for the 5:30 p.m. all-aboard time ahead of a scheduled 6 p.m. departure.

At 5:45 p.m. the Gordons, who were taking the cruise to celebrate Richard’s 85th birthday this week, notified a relative on board that they were running late but were nearby.

The family member was told that the Viva had to leave on time and would not wait. By the time the octogenarians arrived at 6:10 p.m., the boat had left the harbor, Gordon told the outlet.

“Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4 p.m.,” he claimed.

“Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled.”

When the Viva set sail, the Gordons were left without their medication, eyeglasses and spare hearing aid batteries, which were on board.

Back in Salt Lake City, their daughter Marilee Baker, stayed up into the wee hours of the morning trying to book her parents a flight to Palma de Mallorca, where the boat was making its next call Wednesday morning, according to CNN.

The Gordons claim Norwegian didn’t make first contact with them until late Tuesday, and by the time they got to Mallorca, they were met with a luxury taxi service to bring them to the Viva.

“They picked us up at the hotel in a beautiful black BMW limousine to take us to the ship. There we were met by the head of ship services who escorted us inside the ship to meet the general manager of the ship, then they escorted us to breakfast, then they escorted us to our cabin,” Gordon told CNN, adding the boat blamed the Motril harbormaster, who they said was supposed to organize travel with the couple.

Despite their reception, Gordon said the boat’s failure to communicate with them left a sour taste in their mouth.

“The ship had not contacted us directly for two days so that doesn’t speak so well for them,” he said.

Norwegian Cruise Line disputed the couple’s account of what happened, telling The Post they were a full hour behind the 5:30 p.m. all-aboard time, and that it tried numerous times without success to contact the couple after they were left behind.

“After several attempts to contact these guests with the phone numbers provided, as well as trying to phone their emergency contact, we were unable to speak to them directly. However, we worked closely with the local port agents to make arrangements for the guests to rejoin the vessel,” a Norwegian Cruise Lines spokesperson said.

“It is important to note that a delayed departure has the potential to impact the ship’s ability to deliver its planned itinerary and thus influence the experience for all guests onboard. While this was a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.”  

The Gordons are the second set of passengers to complain about being left behind by Norwegian Cruise Lines in just a month.

Earlier in April, nine passengers — including six Americans — missed their boat in Africa and were left to fend for themselves to catch up with the boat in Senegal.

The passengers — including a paraplegic person and an elderly man with a heart condition — were left stranded on the island without any belongings like money, medicine and necessary travel documents.

Norwegian reimbursed some costs they endured while trying to make it back onto the ship, the cruise line said .

Though not waiting for passengers late by their own doing is a common procedure on cruise ships , Norwegian has faced scrutiny in recent weeks after one of the passengers left behind in Africa had recently suffered a stroke and was sent to the hospital when the ship departed.

Share this article:

American Queen

Discover the heritage and culture of America with a cruise onboard the elegant American Queen, an authentic paddlewheel steamboat. Luxurious amenities display the opulence of the American Victorian era while also featuring every modern convenience. Each stateroom features lush bedding and fine linens as well as in-room bottled water and fresh fruit. Onboard cuisine is gourmet and something to satisfy every craving is available 24 hours a day, from grand meals in the Dining Saloon to American favorites in the Front Porch of America. Complimentary wine and beer are available with dinner. There is always something to enjoy onboard during your leisure time. Enjoy a swim or a workout in the pool or athletic club or borrow a book in the Mark Twain Gallery; after a day of exploring, enjoy nightly entertainment that includes everything from showboat style performances to calliope concerts to swing dancing.

• Detailed Information
• Dining Info

Business Insider

Cunard added a 4th luxury cruise ship to its famous fleet — see what it'll be like on the new Queen Anne

Posted: May 8, 2024 | Last updated: May 8, 2024

• Cunard  welcomed its fourth ship and newest in 14 years, the 2,996-guest Queen Anne.
• The 114,000-ton vessel has amenities like an Indian restaurant and pool under a retractable glass roof.
• Queen Anne's 2024 itineraries, primarily in Europe, start at $300 per person for a two-night cruise.

Cunard has operated 249 ships throughout its 184 years in operation, including the famous Queen Mary and Queen Mary 2. But it's been 14 years since the cruise line has launched a new vessel — until now.

Luxury cruisers , meet Queen Anne. It's Cunard's latest 2,996-guest ship, replete with 4,300 art pieces, archery, and the company's signature high-end flair. Its arrival was so highly anticipated that every cabin on its May 3 maiden voyage was fully reserved in minutes, the BBC reported.

The Carnival Corp. brand may be storied, but that doesn’t mean it’s past its prime.

Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, recently told the BBC that its bookings have grown 25% since the beginning of 2024 and are now the best they've been in a decade.

So it should come as no surprise that several of Queen Anne's 2024 itineraries are almost sold out.

Cunard isn’t in the business of building bigger.

Luxury cruise lines are beloved for their small-ship experience. Cunard is no different.

The new 114,000-ton cruise liner is the company's second-largest, although it can carry more guests than any of its other ships.

However, at a 2,996-guest and 1,225-crew capacity, Queen Anne is still tiny compared to the mass-market cruise industry's newest ships , the largest of which can carry 10,000 people.

Queen Anne's cabins are divided into four categories, listed from most to least luxurious: Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia Club, and Britannia.

Despite being the cheapest option, the Britannia accommodations have high-end amenities like sparkling wine, Penhaligon toiletries, and tea and coffee machines.

That's nothing compared to the most luxurious Queens Grill suites, where guests get amenities like pillow menus, stocked mini-bars, a butler, fruit, and pre-dinner canapes.

Forget the sparkling wine — Queens Grill travelers get a bottle of Champagne.

Cabin categories are especially important for Cunard, not for reasons you might expect.

Besides how luxurious your hotel room at sea is, your cabin influences where you have breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guests in the Princess Grill suites dine at the Princess Grill restaurant, while Britannia Club guests stick to the Britannia Club restaurant, and so on.

Guests in the higher-end Princess and Queens cabins also get a pretty sweet bonus: an exclusive lounge with infinity hot tubs.

Regardless of your cabin, the 14-deck ship has plenty of areas for all guests to relax under the sun.

For example, the Pavilion. It's one of Queen Anne's go-to places for an afternoon swim, nighttime movie viewing, silent disco, and not-so-silent live music, all under a retractable glass roof.

The ship's pool club also has plenty of lounge seats for a more traditional pool deck experience. For something indoors, head to the drawing and game rooms instead.

Like every new cruise ship, Queen Anne has a pickleball court.

But unlike every new cruise ship, it also has archery — coaches, bows, and arrows included.

Travelers looking for a less intense afternoon can instead try their hand at the putting green, shuffleboard, or quoits.

Not confident in your athletic abilities? Don't worry — there's a bar nearby, too.

If you lose your pickleball match, you can retail therapy your pain away at Queen Anne’s high-end stores.

Travelers have been splurging big on their cruise vacations . On Queen Anne (and with help from one of the ship's personal shoppers), this could include a Bremont watch or Chanel makeup.

Or, do as cruisers do: Eat and drink the pain away.

The ship has 15 eateries. Unfortunately, you'll have to pay extra for the Mediterranean, Indian, Japanese, steakhouse grill, alfresco, and British restaurants.

Thankfully, the food hall-style buffet, room service, and cabin-assigned dining rooms are included in the fare.

Feeling peckish in the afternoon? Afternoon tea is held in the Queens Room, the same venue that hosts events like ballroom dancing and Cunard's signature black-tie galas.

Of course, a cruise wouldn’t be complete without a casino, spa, and nighttime shows.

Queen Anne is showing two new productions, including an adaptation of the classic British film "Brief Encounter."

For more casual entertainment, the ship also has a "show bar" helmed by a variety of musicians and entertainers.

For a more relaxing afternoon, try the spa's cryotherapy, "experience showers," and salt saunas.

Afterwards, to keep the wellness trend going, grab a healthy bite at the veggie and "sustainably sourced protein"-forward Wellness Cafe. Its kombucha bellinis are technically good for you, right?

Cunard is beloved for its regular transatlantic cruises on its Queen Mary 2 ocean liner.

In 2025, Queen Anne will embark on its first three-month around-the-world cruise. However, for the most part, it's not scheduled for repeat long-haul journeys .

Instead, in 2024, the ship will be homeported in Southampton, UK and travel on two- to 19-night itineraries across Europe.

The cheapest way to experience the new ship is a two-night summer cruise from Southampton to Hamburg, Germany, which currently starts at $300 per person.

But if money is no problem, the 18-night roundtrip Hamburg cruise during Christmas and the New Year might pique your interest — and your wallet. The itinerary's luxurious Queens Grill suites start at $19,350 per person.

More for You

Miss Teen USA resigns two days after Miss USA: ‘My personal values no longer fully align’

Mavericks coach says players don't want to play with Luka Doncic

The 5 Best Chevy Camaros Ever Made, Ranked

Map reveals best places to live in the US if nuclear war breaks out

An AI Photo of Katy Perry at the Met Went Viral and Fooled Everyone

‘We are blessed’: My mother, 72, gets $11,000 a month, not including income from retirement savings. Should she get long-term care insurance?

I drove the Tesla Cybertruck. These 7 design flaws surprised me.

Little League World Series hero, Olympic gold medalist Sean Burroughs 'tragically passed away' at 43

30 Birds with White Heads and How to Identify Each

Lithuania defies Russia and launches missiles

The 10 states with the best health care in America—and the 10 with the worst, based on data

This Social Security Spousal Rule Is Officially Finished in 2024 — But These 3 Strategies Remain

I was laid off after 25 years of working my way up in the insurance industry. It was the best thing to happen to me.

Say Goodbye To Stink Bugs With This Easy And Powerful DIY Repellent

Fani Willis, Letitia James Face Probe Over Donald Trump Cases

My partner is against marriage. I’m not on the deed to his home, but he set up a revocable trust in case he dies first. Is this risky?

These 10 Cars Are Actually Worth More Used Than New

Opinion: The presidential election isn’t playing out how I thought it would

Music chain founded in 1924 closing all 42 locations across US

Planet Fitness is ditching the $10 membership it has had for 26 years, and hiking basic prices by 50%

First photos: Inside Queen Anne, the stunning new cruise ship from Cunard

Editor's Note

Call it a new era for Cunard , the storied cruise brand that operates the famed Queen Mary 2 .

As I saw last week during a brief visit, the 184-year-old shipping company's first new vessel in 14 years, the 2,996-passenger Queen Anne , is more contemporary in its look and feel than the line's three older ships.

It also offers venues that embrace the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven't done before.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Now on its maiden voyage, a seven-night trip from Southampton, England, to Spain and Portugal, the $600 million vessel offers more choice in dining and entertainment, more wellness options and more of a focus on onboard celebrations than earlier Cunard ships.

That said, it's also a vessel that holds true to Cunard's longtime point of view — a nod to tradition and elegance that harks back to the grand old days of ocean liner travel.

Here's a first look at the new Queen Anne and its most notable features, mostly in photos. I only had a few hours to explore the vessel before its maiden voyage with passengers. But I'll be aboard a full sailing of the ship later this year for a more in-depth review.

A top deck for all seasons

There's no doubt about it: Queen Anne is the new reigning monarch of the Cunard fleet when it comes to operating in inclement weather — something Cunard ships do often as they circle the world.

At the center of Queen Anne's top decks is The Pavilion, an enormous central pool area that — unlike any other Cunard ship — is topped with a retractable glass roof designed to keep poolgoers warm and dry on cold and rainy days.

It's a retractable glass roof that is not only functional but beautiful — a showpiece for the ship.

Soaring higher and feeling airier than the typical magrodome (as such retractable glass roofs on ships are called), the giant structure above the pool was created by Martin Francis, the United Kingdom-based design wizard who figured out how to make the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum stay up.

Francis' design uses less steel and more glass than has been the norm for such magrodomes in the past. As I saw during my visit, that allows in a lot of light, even on the dourest of days. It was pouring rain, but the space still felt cheery.

At night, the entire space transforms into a theater under the stars, with dimmed lighting and seating reoriented toward a giant screen.

In addition, one deck up overlooking the pool (and still under the dome), a combination juice bar and cafe (The Pavilion Wellness Cafe) serving healthy dishes awaits health-minded passengers — part of a bigger wellness focus at Cunard.

The Pavilion, meanwhile, is much more than just a covered pool area. Underneath the dome — in addition to a pool, three whirlpools and lounge chairs — there is a bar, a grill for poolside food, a gelateria and a stage for entertainment. The stage will be the home of live and prerecorded "Performances at The Pavilion" musical events.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Cunard ship

It's a something-for-everyone approach that is part of Cunard's wanting to offer more options and more "activations" on its top decks.

I loved the versatility of the space as well as its design, particularly the mesmerizing blue-and-white checkered tiling of the pool area and the scalloped edge of the deck above — both nods to the art deco design that has been a hallmark of Cunard ships.

Queen Anne's top decks are also home to a forward observation deck with lounge chairs, a paddle tennis court, a putting green and table tennis, and the Sky Bar, an open-air bar with soaring views (an area that was difficult to tour and photograph during my visit due to pouring rain).

The observation deck will be more of a destination for passengers than the much smaller games decks that have occupied the top fronts of Cunard's last two ships — in part because of the inclusion of the outdoor bar, which is something Cunard traditionally hasn't built into forward deck-top areas.

The paddle tennis court in the area doubles as a pickleball court, something no Cunard ship has ever had.

Both The Pavilion pool area and observation deck are open to all passengers, as is a second pool area at the back of the ship. There also is an open-air deck area toward the middle back of the ship that is exclusive to passengers staying in the top cabins, known as Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites (more on that in a moment).

A bigger observation lounge

If you're already a Cunard fan, you know that the forward-facing observation lounge — the Commodore Club — is a hot spot on its ships. So you'll surely be excited to know that Cunard has really gone all out with the Commodore Club on Queen Anne.

As I saw during my visit, the Commodore Club on Queen Anne is by far the biggest Commodore Club on any Cunard ship, including Queen Mary 2 (which is a bigger ship than Queen Anne).

Notable features of the Commodore Club on Queen Anne include a "bar in the round" at its back that is designed to be a place to meet new friends; a stage for live entertainment that will include band music, string instrument performers and pianists; and a seemingly endless, 270-degree wall of glass offering views of the sea.

In addition, Queen Anne's Commodore Club is part of a larger complex of adult venues at the top of the ship that also includes the ship's cigar lounge, known as Churchill's; its library; and an expanded area for onboard weddings and other shipboard celebrations.

New wellness spaces

Cunard is leaning into the wellness trend with a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio that is just past The Pavilion Pool (it sits under the same glorious glass dome that covers that venue).

While it still wasn't quite done during my visit, the allure of the space was already clear. Even on a rainy day, it was bathed in light and afforded stunning views.

The space will be used for yoga, Pilates, Zumba and line dancing during the day, and there are plans for ballroom dancing classes at sunset.

The Wellness Studio is part of an expansion of wellness areas that also includes the healthy-eats cafe and juice bar in The Pavilion area mentioned above.

The idea, in part, was to get all of the fitness classes that the line normally offers in its fitness area on the inside of the ship up to the top deck, where participants can enjoy natural light and views of the sea all around.

That said, Queen Anne still has a good-sized fitness center and a spa with a thermal pool complex in a lower part of the vessel.

While I didn't see it during my visit, the spa is designed to impress with heated loungers, experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna and a traditional sauna. There's also a relaxation room and a wellness suite.

The ultimate Grills zones

If you're a Cunard regular, you know about the Grills. They're the two exclusive restaurants on every Cunard ship for passengers staying in suites.

On Queen Anne, these upscale spaces — the Queens Grill and Princess Grill — come with access to what is the ultimate exclusive retreat area ever conceived for a Cunard ship.

Known as the Grills Terrace, it's a sprawling private outdoor lounge area spans the width of the ship and has plush lounge chairs, two stunning infinity whirlpools overlooking the ocean and waiter service for your every need.

The Grills Terrace sits just above the Queens Grill and Princess Grill restaurants, which are loaded with tables for two (in response to customer demand). That's a big change from the designs of earlier Grills on Cunard ships that often had lots of bigger tables where passengers sometimes were assigned seating with strangers.

In between the two Grills is what just may be my favorite spot on the ship: the Grills Lounge. It's a stunningly designed hideaway bathed in natural light from a skylight that is for the exclusive use of Grills passengers. I love the curvy chairs upholstered in luscious peacock blue fabric surrounding a circular chartreuse seating area. Just behind is a bar that is exclusive to Grills passengers.

The space also has a concierge to help with your every need.

The Queens Grill and Princess Grill dining rooms are open to passengers staying in Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites, respectively. Queens Grill suites are the biggest suites on the ship, starting at 507 square feet. Princess Grill suites (one of which is shown above) measure 302 square feet.

More dining venues

Cunard has never been known for ships that offered oodles of dining options. But that's changing with Queen Anne — and in a big way.

Queen Anne boasts 15 different places where you can grab a bite, more than double the number on the line's other ships.

The options include Aji Wa, a new restaurant concept for Cunard that serves what's billed as a contemporary take on Japanese cuisine and is home to the Sushi and Sake bar. Also new for Cunard is Aranya, an Indian eatery.

Both are extra-charge specialty restaurants, as is Queen Anne's high-end steakhouse, Sir Samuel's — another new concept. A fourth specialty eatery that is new for Cunard, Tramonto, serves Mediterranean dishes meant to be shared.

These four specialty restaurants complement the traditional Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia and Britannia Club restaurants, which are the main eateries for passengers (assigned based on cabin category).

Other places to dine include the Golden Lion pub, a mainstay of Cunard ships. On Queen Anne, it features a new pub menu designed by renowned chef Michel Roux (who also created an exclusive gala menu for the Queens Grill restaurant). The menu will eventually be rolled out to Golden Lion pubs across the Cunard fleet.

Designed to capture the essence of a traditional British pub with lots of red leather, green leather and wood tone finishes, window mosaic work, banquet seating and a grand bar, the Golden Lion pub on Queen Anne is also notably bigger than sister venues on other Cunard ships.

It's also home to a wall of eclectic art that its designers say offers a nod to the quirkiness of Britain today.

In addition to classic British pub dishes reimagined by Roux and a new Cunard beef burger, the pub offerings will include Cunard brand craft beers and a Bloody Mary menu.

In addition, Queen Anne passengers are able to eat in casual comfort at the Artisans' Foodhall, a new take on the traditional buffet eatery on Cunard ships. It features active food stations instead of traditional self-serve buffet lines.

At each of the stations, a chef is standing by to make a dish just for you, and there are also pre-plated dishes available to grab and go.

The Artisans' Foodhall is also the first casual buffet eatery on a Cunard ship with its own bar, located right in the middle of the room.

Classic Cunard spaces with a twist

As is typical for Cunard ships, Queen Anne features a Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase that makes you feel like royalty as you descend into the ship's interior areas for the evening. But it's a Grand Lobby with a more contemporary design.

Instead of the traditional ocean liner-of-old look of the Grand Lobbies found on Cunard's three other vessels, the space has a fresh modernity with Art Deco-inspired white-and-black marble floors, glass railings and a modern take on the showpiece murals that are a staple of Grand Lobbies on Cunard ships.

Another classic Cunard venue getting a tweak on Queen Anne is the Queens Room, the grand ballroom where Cunard fans traditionally have danced the night away to big band music.

With clusters of modern ball lamps hanging from its ceiling, evoking planets floating in the sky, and a stunning, multicolored marquetry wood floor as a counterpoint, it has a dreamy, make-believe quality that is unlike anything seen before on a Cunard ship.

A large digital screen behind its semicircular stage and high-tech lighting add to its much more modern feel.

The Queens Room is also rounder in its design and more open to its surroundings. Its top level, in particular, is open to an area of boutique stores and the passing traffic of passengers moving between the front and back of the ship.

The Queens Room and surrounding shopping area are curvy in their layouts, with fewer straight-lined walls than you'll find on earlier Cunard ships. It's something of a signature for the design of Queen Anne's public spaces.

Bars, in particular, often are built in a circular motif, a deliberate change from earlier Cunard ships that is aimed at encouraging drinking passengers to interact with each other.

Among the most striking spaces on Queen Anne is the Chart Room, a lounge area with semicircular seating arranged across colorful carpeting with bold circular patterns.

With dark paneled walls and crystal chandeliers, it has an Art Deco sensibility while also feeling contemporary in its design.

Forward of the Grand Lobby and Queens Room, passengers also will find the ship's casino (called Room 1840) and main theater (dubbed the Royal Court Theatre).

The latter venue spreads across two decks.

Bottom line

Queen Anne is ushering in a new era for Cunard with a more contemporary look and feel than the three other vessels in the line's fleet and a broader array of venues that tap into recent trends in cruising. It's the first Cunard ship to have a wide range of alternative dining options with new-for-the-line restaurants focused on Indian, Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine. It's also the first Cunard ship with a top-of-the-ship wellness studio for yoga, Pilates, Zumba and other class-based wellness activities, and it offers several other new wellness offerings. These are all things that Cunard plans to carry through to the older ships in its fleet over the coming years as it revamps the vessels during dry docks.

Still, Queen Anne continues to hold true to what Cunard has long been about — that respect for tradition and elegance that evoke the grand old days of ocean liner travel. Whether you're a longtime Cunard fan or someone eyeing your first cruise with the brand, this is a vessel you'll want to try.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money on vacation
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin