Queen Anne’s debut: A new era of luxury retail at sea

Thursday, February 29, 2024

With the debut of its latest vessel, Queen Anne, looming just under three months away, Cunard has offered a sneak peek into the sophisticated shopping experiences that will be available to its guests. This prestigious cruise line, synonymous with luxury, has unveiled its collaboration with an exclusive array of 115 renowned brands, including the esteemed watchmaker Bremont and Chanel’s beauty sector.

Significantly, 27 of these brands are forming their inaugural partnerships with Cunard, with notable names such as Hugo Boss, Raishma, Chapel Down, Whittard, and 886 Royal Mint joining the lineup. Additionally, Garrard, recognized as the inaugural official crown jeweler of the UK, will debut its boutique at sea on a Cunard vessel.

Queen Anne is set to usher in a novel phase of retail luxury on the high seas, featuring a carefully chosen selection of brands from Walpole, the esteemed representative of British luxury, of which Cunard became a member in 2019.

Designed by the renowned Sybille de Margerie, the ship’s retail environments will captivate guests with winding paths that encourage discovery and engagement, guiding them smoothly from one shopping category to the next.

On-board Experience

Queen Anne is primed to redefine sea-bound retail with its array of boutiques filled with natural light and panoramic ocean views, offering everything from sought-after jewelry and fashion to unique gifts and a selection of sustainably sourced pre-loved designer accessories.

The Grand Lobby Boutiques will serve as the pinnacle of shopping luxury, home to the first Garrard fine jewelry boutique on the ocean, alongside the Queen Anne’s Cabinet of Curiosities and the Experience Lounge.

The Cabinet of Curiosities introduces a novel rotunda gallery with 38 showcases filled with luxury brand items and exclusive collectibles, celebrating the allure of travel with a 360-degree exhibition of purchasable items and rare finds from Cunard’s collection.

Further enriching the retail experience, the Experience Lounge will blend shopping with gastronomy, facilitating stylish events and activations.

Queen Anne will also feature a unique Shopping Host, a first for the Cunard fleet, offering personalized service with in-depth brand knowledge for an unparalleled shopping journey. A customization desk will also be available for guests desiring personalized enhancements to their purchases.

Queen Anne Itineraries

During its first season, Queen Anne will set sail from Southampton, journeying across the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, and the Norwegian Fjords. The ship is set to visit more than 60 unique locations in 16 different countries, showcasing some of Europe’s most historically rich and enchanting cities.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “Luxury ocean travel is all about escapism and being immersed in a world full of unique and enriching experiences. It’s a philosophy we are passionate about bringing to life with our new ship Queen Anne, which is why we are all so excited about her elevated retail offering. Nowhere else will travelers be able to find such a beautifully curated collection of luxury brands at sea or learn about heritage brands in such an engaging way as with Queen Anne’s Cabinet of Curiosities.”

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