Cunard’s Queen Anne Makes Its Maiden Voyage into Sydney Harbour

On February 28, 2025, Cunard’s latest cruise ship, the Queen Anne, made its inaugural arrival at Sydney Harbour as part of its first world voyage. The ship encountered a two-hour delay, which contributed to a smaller onshore crowd, as many locals had begun their daily activities by that time.

Despite this setback, passengers on board were treated to stunning views of Sydney’s famous landmarks, including the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The Queen Anne docked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal for the night and was scheduled to depart at 5:00 p.m. the following day.

This event marks a significant change for Cunard’s operations in Australia. The 2024-2025 season will conclude the homeporting of the Queen Elizabeth in Australia, a program that had been running since late 2019. Going forward, Cunard will no longer base a ship in Australia for seasonal operations; instead, Australian ports will feature in the line’s global itineraries.

The decision to end the homeporting program was driven by rising operational costs, unfavorable exchange rates, and a shrinking market that aligns with Cunard’s upscale cruising style. These factors prompted the company to revise its deployment strategy within the region.

Queen Anne began its maiden world voyage from Southampton, UK, on January 9, 2025. The itinerary includes a transatlantic crossing, a transit through the Panama Canal, and a variety of stops across the Americas, Australasia, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Sydney’s call is a notable highlight in this extensive 107-night journey.

This change in Cunard’s approach illustrates a broader shift in the company’s engagement with the Australian cruise market, transitioning from a localized model to integrating the region into its wider global cruise offerings.

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