In a shock announcement, Carnival Corporation has revealed plans to redeploy Cunard’s Queen Anne to P&O Cruises in 2029, while simultaneously moving P&O’s Arcadia over to Holland America Line.

Where does this leave Cunard’s iconic fleet?

For now, Carnival’s official statement maintains that this move keeps the Cunard brand consistent. Queen Anne, introduced as a modern interpretation of the brand, will have served Cunard for just five years before her transfer. This sudden departure feels remarkably reminiscent of the early 1970s, when Cunard briefly operated the smaller, modern Cunard Adventurer and Cunard Ambassador.

Rather than remaining a three-ship fleet reliant on mega-ships, this shift presents a golden opportunity for Cunard to redefine its future. Something Cunard has done repeatedly throughout it’s history.

Imagine a newly designed class of four small-to-mid-sized ships, each accommodating around 1,000 passengers. This strategy would allow Cunard to Directly challenge premium lines like Viking Cruises, capturing market share from travellers who prefer intimate luxury over high-capacity vessels. Fill an upcoming void in the market as Holland America Line inevitably prepares to retire Volendam and Zaandam, the last remaining ships of their class following the departure of their sister vessels.

Despite their smaller footprint, these vessels would remain unmistakably Cunard. They would preserve the line’s most cherished signature experiences, including the Grill accommodations, with their associated deck and restuarants as well as a Queens Room and wrap-around Promenade Deck. They should also be able to accommodate occasional transatlantic voyages, like the Green Goddess Caronia

To truly restore Cunard’s distinct identity and break away from the design overlaps shared with P&O Cruises and Holland America Line, this new class should honour four legendary names from Cunard’s rich history Caronia, Carmania, Aquitania and Mauretania.

Caronia,

By echoing the proven success of Viking’s mid-sized ship model, Cunard could diversify its offerings, expand its route itineraries to smaller destination ports, and ultimately reclaim its unique heritage as the world’s premier ocean liner brand.

I would of course, see this diversifying Cunard’s departure ports and would expect to see Cunard operate from Liverpool regularly, with the associated Liverpool to Halifax and New York transatlantic voyages during the summer.

This post uses AI to visualise the concept. We have used Asuka 3 as a concept for what the class could look like. We would love to see your designs and ideas for what Cunard could do next?

Thanks,

Liam