For me one of the joys of being retired is that my holidays aren’t constrained by work. So having decided to come back to UK for Paul and Carole’s group cruise, I looked at what else might be possible. I was delighted to find a 7-night cruise to Northern Spain and Cherbourg on Cunard’s new Queen Anne. To save a little money, I opted for an internal cabin. And, yes, it’s true: the total blackness meant I slept much better than in a cabin with curtains or blinds that aren’t totally lightproof.
La Coruña
We set sail from Southampton on Sunday June 1st, 2025. After two nights and a full day at sea – formal night: black suit, shirt and tie for dinner as per the dress code – we arrived at La Coruña. It’s an industrial and financial centre, population about 250,000. The ship docked within walking distance of the city centre and I spent a pleasant few hours exploring. There are any number of fine period buildings to be seen.
Gijón
The overnight sail took us to Gijón, population about 270,000. The key interest for me was that it’s home to one of the largest railway museums in Spain, the Asturias Railway Museum. Even better, the free shuttle bus from the ship stopped outside the museum! The museum, which opened in 1998, is housed in the old North Gijón railway station built in 1874, since extended. After spending a good couple of hours in the museum I went for a stroll through the old town before getting the shuttle bus back to the ship. The 18th century Revillagigedo Palace is a notable sight. The Town Hall and adjoining square date back to 1858-64. As with La Coruna, these are but two of many buildings of merit.
Bilbao
Our third and final Spanish port call was Bilbao, the tenth largest city in Spain, population around 350,000. Cruise ships dock at Getxo, about 20km from Bilbao. This was Queen Anne’s maiden visit. From the ship Cunard laid on a shuttle bus service to the Algorta metro station. At the time I went, passengers were being delivered to the station faster than the ticket machines could handle them, so I walked to the next station, Aiboa, which was almost deserted. From there I got the train to Abando in the city centre (15km, €4.20; £3.60; A$7.50 return). I spent some time looking round the cathedral, then took a quick walk through the city centre, once again appreciating the many historic buildings along the way. Then back to the ship.
Cherbourg
Friday was our second sea day, sailing back across the Bay of Biscay to Cherbourg in NW France. Next to where the ship docks is La Cité de la Mer, Cherbourg’s maritime museum. I spent several hours there taking in the Titanic exhibits, the aquariums and exploring the Redoutable, the first now-preserved French nuclear submarine before having a quick walk round the city centre.
As for the ship …
The order for the ship that is now Queen Anne was placed in 2017. Delivery was originally planned for 2022 but with Covid delays the maiden voyage was deferred to May 2024. With a gross tonnage of 113,000 and capacity of 2,996 passengers she is slightly larger than Cunard’s Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
As previously posted here, I’ve cruised on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth several times and love their Art Deco interiors. Queen Anne is very different: she’s been given a contemporary look. I liked the arrows on the carpets in the corridors which point to the nearest staircase.
Away from the ‘hardware’ it’s very definitely Cunard. All the crew I interfaced with were excellent. The Insight lecturers were Andrew Ryder, historian, Barry Halliday, retired Detective Superintendent, and the theatre-filling Pam Ayres. As is my custom on Cunard ships I enjoyed the Queens Room music and dancing each evening. For dinner I was on a shared table and enjoyed the company.
During the cruise the ship travelled 1,489 nautical miles, 2,758km.