A peek inside Cunard's 14-deck Queen Anne ahead of new liner's maiden visit to Invergordon
AN Easter Ross port that is no stranger to monsters of the deep can look forward to another head-turning arrival later this year.
The deep water port at Invergordon has provided the perfect platform for the development of a buoyant cruise liner industry which has weathered the storms of coronavirus and is now once again forging full steam ahead.
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The 221,000 passengers who were reported to have visited in 2023 are predicted to be surpassed in 2024 despite fewer ships – with the Port of Cromarty Firth predicting a total of roughly 230,000 tourists this time round.
Amongst those making her maiden call to Invergordon on May 29 this year will be the Queen Anne which can carry 3000 guests and 1125 crew.
The 14-decker stands 64 metres above the water and is 322 metres in length – longer than three Hampden Park football pitches put together.
She will be named in a spectacular ceremony in Liverpool on Monday, June 3 during what is dubbed The British Isles Festival Voyage.
Cunard ships have previously attracted more than a million spectators to the banks of the Mersey, where the company was established, first for the maiden call of the renowned QE2.
After the late May visit to Invergordon – sure to attract visitors who enjoy the spectacular arrival and departure of mega-liners into and from the Cromarty Firth – she will return again in June 2026 for a 12-night British Isles tour, which begins at Cunard's home port of Southampton.
Inger Klein Thorhauge was named the first Captain of Queen Anne, the first woman to take the role within Cunard.
Having started her career in 1997 as Second Officer onboard Cunard’s Vistafjord, Inger celebrated 25 years of service this year, in 2022.
The Queen Anne's hull is based on the Pinnacle class of vessels designed by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.
What can cruise passengers expect?
The luxury British cruise line company prides itself on offering unforgettable experiences around the world.
Cunard has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic since 1840 and counts itself a pioneer in transatlantic journeys for generations.
The Cunard experience boasts fine dining, entertainment and five-star restaurants plus guest speakers, libraries and film screenings. The Queen Anne has15 eateries and also boasts the 835-seat Royal Court Theatre, a casino, library and art gallery.
There are currently three other Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria. Queen Anne, enetring service this year, is the fourth.
