Cunard Delays Queen Anne Boarding for Enhanced Cleaning
Cunard said staterooms may not be ready immediately and did not connect the Southampton delay to any confirmed shipboard illness.
Cunard postponed embarkation for Queen Anne’s June 21, 2026 departure from Southampton by 90 minutes to give crew additional time for enhanced cleaning and sanitation before boarding began. The change applied to passengers booked on the ship’s 14-night Norway and North Cape itinerary.
Cunard cited changing health conditions and “current elevated levels in the UK,” but did not name a specific illness or say an outbreak was occurring aboard Queen Anne.
Passengers told to use later boarding times
Booked guests were instructed to arrive an hour and a half later than the embarkation time printed on their boarding passes. Cunard also advised that staterooms may not be immediately available while the hotel team prepares accommodations after the ship’s arrival.
The Norway cruise was scheduled to call Olden, Trondheim, Tromso, Honningsvag, Andalsnes and Alesund before returning to Southampton. The delayed turnaround followed a 12-night British Isles voyage that departed Southampton on June 9 and included Edinburgh, Invergordon, Stornoway and Oban in Scotland; Belfast in Northern Ireland; and Liverpool, England.
Cunard cites adaptable health protocols
In its notice to guests, Cunard said the added time at Southampton was intended to let crew complete additional sanitation before passengers embarked. “Throughout the voyage, we will continue to maintain robust hygiene and sanitation measures,” Cunard told passengers.
The line said its protocols were developed with regional and global health authorities and are intended to adjust as health conditions change. Guests were urged to wash their hands regularly, particularly before eating and after using restrooms, and to use hand sanitizer when handwashing facilities are not available.
Cunard’s notice did not connect the delay to any confirmed shipboard illness. Earlier this year, passengers aboard Queen Mary 2 described a respiratory illness during a transatlantic crossing, including persistent coughing and flu-like symptoms.
The Norway and North Cape voyage is scheduled to return to Southampton on July 5.
