Cunard Queen Anne And P&O Arcadia To Change Cruise Lines

On Tuesday 6th October 2026 Cunard Cruise Line and P&O Cruises announced breaking news

Queen Anne will transfer from Cunard to P&O Cruises’ fleet after taking part in the much-anticipated Four Queens celebration in Liverpool in May 2028, her Winter 2029 Season, and the completion of her 2028/9 World Voyage. Joining Cunard as recently as 2024 as the White Star Line’s first new ship since 2010, Queen Anne will be reimagined and renamed under a brand-new P&O ship class.

P&O Arcadia meanwhile will make way for Queen Anne and join sister brand Holland America Line’s fleet upon the completion of her final farewell voyage in August 2029. After an extensive revamp as part of Holland America Evolution, the cruise line’s multi-year renewal programme, to match her new sister ships, Arcadia is set to join Holland America Lines' Vista-Class along with Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Noordam. This new-look ship is also yet to be named at the time of the announcement.

More details will be announced in the near future in terms of ship names, details and inaugural sailings. For the latest information on booking a place on one of these reimagined ships, sign up to our newsletter below.

Carnival UK, P&O Cruises and Cunard president Paul Ludlow said:

“These decisions reflect a careful, long-term view of our portfolio and where the individual strengths of each ship can best support guest demand and the future direction of our two cruise lines.

Queen Anne was created as a bold and contemporary expression of Cunard, combining the brand’s hallmark service and sense of occasion with modern design, an extensive choice of dining and entertainment, and highly flexible public spaces.

Those qualities give her a natural affinity with the modern P&O Cruises holiday experience. Following her reimagining, she will introduce a new class of ship to the P&O Cruises fleet and broaden the choice available to guests through a different scale, style of onboard experience and range of itineraries. This choice will complement the existing fleet and make her a defining addition to the next chapter of P&O Cruises.

Queen Anne has established a special place within the Cunard fleet and she has an exciting programme ahead, including a central role in the Four Queens celebration in Liverpool in May 2028 and her final World Voyage as a Cunard ship in January ‘29. We will ensure that the seasons ahead are a fitting celebration of her time as a Cunard Queen.

At the same time, the change will give Cunard a more closely unified fleet centred on Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Each has a deeply established identity and embodies the timeless style, heritage and sense of occasion that guests around the world most closely associate with Cunard.

This decision does not change our commitment to Cunard or its future. We will continue to invest in the ships, service, itineraries and guest experiences that make Cunard unique, while building on the strong following enjoyed by each of its three Queens.

Next year we will also complete a major upgrade of Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2. As the world's only ocean liner providing regular transatlantic service, it’s a one-of-a-kind asset, and our investment is designed to ensure it continues to delight guests for decades to come.

Arcadia has been a much-loved part of P&O Cruises for more than two decades and has created countless special memories for our guests. We are immensely proud of her place in the line’s history and pleased that, following a celebratory farewell season, she will continue her career within the Carnival Corporation family.”

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Cunard Queen Anne and P&O Arcadia may be moving on but Cunard and P&O Cruises, and even Holland America Line, still have plenty of incredible sailings aboard their other popular cruise ships, as well as Queen Anne and Arcadia having plenty of fantastic sailings left before they sail over the horizon. Call one of our friendly Cruise Experts on 0800 197 8050 and start your next cruise adventure with us today!

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