Cunard's Queen Anne Embarks on 19-Night Mediterranean & Greek Islands Voyage from Southampton

Cunard Line’s newest flagship, Queen Anne, has embarked on a 19-night round-trip Mediterranean and Greek Islands voyage from Southampton, England. Departing on September 20, 2026, the luxury ocean liner is taking guests across eight historic Southern European ports of call in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Gibraltar.

[SOUTHAMPTON] — Luxury ocean travel along European maritime routes reached a milestone as Cunard Line initiated a 19-night Mediterranean and Greek Islands voyage aboard its newest flagship, Queen Anne. The 3,000-passenger liner departed from the Port of Southampton on September 20, 2026, linking the United Kingdom directly with historical gateways across the Western and Eastern Mediterranean without requiring international air connections.

Built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and introduced to service in May 2024, Queen Anne represents the latest evolution of Cunard's long-distance ocean liner tradition. The current 19-night itinerary reflects growing global consumer demand for extended, multi-country ocean voyages that combine historical sightseeing, slow travel, and premium onboard hospitality.

Detailed Itinerary Breakdown: 8 Southern European Ports of Call

The round-trip voyage from Southampton weaves together iconic island destinations, ancient capital gateways, and strategic Atlantic-Mediterranean passages. By combining Western Mediterranean transit ports with extended Aegean island calls, the itinerary offers guests diverse regional cultural experiences.

The 19-night sailing includes eight primary ports of call across four European jurisdictions:

1. Cadiz, Spain: The historic Andalusian port provides access to regional coastal heritage and day excursions to Seville.
2. Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy: Sardinia's hilltop capital features medieval fortifications, archaeological museums, and Mediterranean coastal views.
3. Katakolon, Greece: Serves as the primary maritime gateway for shore excursions to ancient Olympia, birth site of the Olympic Games.
4. Piraeus, Greece: The primary port for Athens, connecting passengers to the Acropolis, Parthenon, and classical Greek antiquities.
5. Heraklion, Crete, Greece: Gateway to Crete’s Minoan heritage and the archaeological site of the Palace of Knossos.
6. Santorini, Greece: The iconic Cycladic island featured for its volcanic caldera, whitewashed clifftop villages, and Aegean views.
7. Mykonos, Greece: Renowned for traditional Cycladic architecture, coastal windmills, and seaside dining.
8. Gibraltar: A final British overseas territory port call near the Strait of Gibraltar before returning through the Atlantic to Southampton.

Official Voyage Specifications and Schedule Timeline

The table below outlines key parameters, port sequence, and operational details for Queen Anne’s 19-night Mediterranean deployment:

Voyage Parameter	Official Itinerary Specification
Vessel Name	Queen Anne (Cunard Line)
Ship Builder & Maiden Debut	Fincantieri (Italy) — May 2024
Total Voyage Length	19 Nights (Round-Trip)
Departure Port & Date	September 20, 2026 — Southampton, UK
Total Ports of Call	8 European Destinations
Nations Visited	Spain, Italy, Greece, Gibraltar (UK)
Signature Greek Ports	Santorini, Mykonos, Heraklion, Katakolon, Piraeus
Return Port & Date	October 9, 2026 — Southampton, UK

Onboard Design Features and Shipboard Amenities

As the fourth vessel in Cunard's active fleet—joining Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth—Queen Anne introduces modernized interior architecture designed by world-renowned designers while preserving classic brand traditions.

Key onboard features supporting extended multi-week voyages include:

• Expanded Dining Venues: Specialized dining concepts including contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, refined steakhouse options, and traditional Britannia Restaurant service.
• Signature Cunard Traditions: Traditional Gala Evenings, daily Royal Afternoon Tea served by white-gloved staff, and ballroom dancing in the Queens Room.
• Wellness & Relaxation Infrastructure: The Mareel Wellness & Beauty spa complex, featuring hydrotherapy pools, thermal suites, and outdoor deck lounges.
• Cultural Entertainment: Live theatrical productions in the Royal Court Theatre, planetarium-style lectures, and classical musical recitals.

Future Global Deployment Schedule: Southampton & 2027 South America Voyage

Following completion of the Mediterranean voyage in October 2026, Queen Anne will maintain homeport operations from Southampton through late 2026, offering itineraries to Northern Europe, the Canary Islands, and Scandinavian fjords.

In early 2027, the vessel is scheduled to undertake a landmark 82-night South America Grand Voyage round-trip from Southampton. The grand itinerary will mark Cunard's return to Santos, Brazil, after roughly three decades, providing direct transit to São Paulo alongside calls in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires (Argentina), San Antonio (Chile), Peru, the Panama Canal, and Fort Lauderdale (Florida).

Essential Visitor Planning and Logistics for Long Ocean Voyages

Travelers considering long-duration round-trip sailings from the United Kingdom should keep core planning logistics in mind:

• Luggage Flexibility: Round-trip departures from Southampton eliminate airline baggage weight restrictions, allowing passengers to pack formal wear and multi-climate wardrobes for extended 19-night to 82-night sailings.
• Schengen Entry Compliance: British and international travelers must ensure passport validity meets European Union entry rules across Spanish, Italian, and Greek ports of call.
• Pre-Booking Excursions: High-demand shore excursions—such as tours to ancient Olympia from Katakolon or the Acropolis from Piraeus—should be reserved in advance to guarantee placement.

FAQ: Cunard Queen Anne Mediterranean Cruise 2026

When did Queen Anne depart on its 19-night Mediterranean cruise?
Queen Anne departed from Southampton, United Kingdom, on September 20, 2026, returning on October 9, 2026.

Which Greek Islands are included in Queen Anne's 19-night itinerary?
The cruise visits Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete (Heraklion), alongside mainland Greek ports Katakolon (Olympia) and Piraeus (Athens).

When did Queen Anne enter service for Cunard Line?
Queen Anne entered commercial service in May 2024 after being constructed at Fincantieri's shipyard in Italy.

What major future grand voyage will Queen Anne operate in 2027?
In early 2027, Queen Anne will operate an 82-night South America Grand Voyage from Southampton, visiting Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Panama, and Florida.

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