Sneak peek: A new Queen of the seas is coming

Early Cunard ships used to carry a cow – used for milk during the voyage and then slaughtered to be eaten on the last day of the voyage. Today, there’s a juice bar and a wellness cafe with vegan options. At the stern is another, open-air pool surrounded by a bar and al fresco dining.

The Grills Suite passengers have their own terrace with infinity pools at each side on deck 11. “Imagine sitting here in the Norwegian fjords with a glass of champagne,” said Francis Fred, Cunard’s senior brand manager, who was leading the tour.

Within the ship, large windows will illuminate areas such as the Britannia restaurant, which will have a two-deck frieze based on the original four wind gods which first appeared on Queen Mary, which is itself now a museum in Long Beach, California.

A new innovation on this ship is the Bright Lights Society, a cabaret venue hosting two shows a night, after which, said Fred, “they will strike up the band, start the DJ and get people on to the dance floor”.

Travellers who look for more conventional ballroom dancing will not be disappointed and can practise their steps in the Queens Room, which will also host white-gloved afternoon teas, surrounded by a mural celebrating the seven continents and the seas. There’s a surprise there, too – acrobats will spin down wrapped in silks from a hook in the ceiling.

“You’re sipping your afternoon tea and all of a sudden that happens. It’s a wow factor,” said Fred.

There were some areas of the ship where our tour group had to use our imagination – aided by computer-generated images propped on easels. The theatre, the fleet’s largest ever Chart Room and the Golden Lion pub, which will host live music and karaoke, are all still heavily under construction. The three-deck Grand Lobby, meanwhile, will have a brass installation etched and carved using lasers and chemicals to tell the story of travelling in style with Cunard.

A little more complete is the spa and wellness areas which will feature a circular thermal pool, steam room and Himalayan salt sauna.

Touring the steel skeleton of what will become one of the two most impressive suites – named for the Mersey and Solent – I could see the area that will be the butler’s pantry, complete with a staff entrance so that when you’re having a party, the guests aren’t disturbed by all the catering coming in.

For those whose budget doesn’t stretch to private room service and a butler, the 15 restaurants on board include a steakhouse, Japanese cuisine, Indian meals and a food court in place of the traditional buffet. Drinks venues include the Commodore Club above the captain’s bridge, boasting a 270-degree ocean view.

I spoke to the ship’s female captain, 56-year-old Inger Klein Thorhauge, who was born in the Faroe Islands. “Queen Anne is going to be quite different,” she told me, “which is the exciting thing. She has a more modern touch – this is the future for Cunard.

“We’re retaining the history but also want to attract people who think we are different. I think newcomers will say wow, this is great.”

Her appointment is a big boon, having sometimes struggled to get ahead in the cruise sector. “It has been a challenge from time to time,” she confided.

“It’s a very male-dominated industry and has been for many years. Luckily we have seen changes. You have to be realistic and say the attraction to women is not as overwhelming as in many other industries. Some people just don’t like to be away from home for a long time.”

Also touring the ship was maritime historian Chris Frame, who has been a fan of the line – now part of the giant US Carnival Corporation – since childhood. “We’re at the very beginning of the Queen Anne chapter in the Cunard story,” he told me excitedly.

“Countless memories will be made on board this ship. Just think about all the experiences and connections and romances and fun times that are going to happen here.”

Sir Samuel would be very proud…

Interesting facts about Cunard’s Queen Anne

• Cunard ship: 249
• Length: 322.5m
• Size: 113,000 gross tons
• Height: 64m above water
• Width: 35.6m
• Capacity: 3000 guests
• Crew: 1225
• Decks: 14 (excluding missing deck 13)
• Restaurants: 15
• Draft: 8.12m
• Top speed: 22 knots
• Cabling: 3.5 million metres
• Anchors: Two weighing 12.6 tonnes each
• Engines: Four weighing 52 tonnes each
• Water: Desalination plants and evaporator units can produce 2300 cubic metres a day – enough to make 11.5 million cups of tea

The Telegraph, London