Queen Anne to Join P&O Cruises as Arcadia Leaves the Fleet in 2029

Cunard’s Queen Anne will join the P&O Cruises fleet in 2029, while Arcadia will leave P&O Cruises after more than 20 years with the cruise line.

The changes will see Queen Anne complete her final Cunard sailings before undergoing an extensive transformation and taking on a new name for P&O Cruises. Arcadia, meanwhile, will sail a farewell season before transferring to Holland America Line.

Here’s what we know so far about the changes to the P&O Cruises and Cunard fleets.

When will Queen Anne join P&O Cruises?

Queen Anne will join P&O Cruises in May 2029, following the completion of her 2028/29 Cunard World Voyage.

Before then, she will continue to operate her published Cunard programme as planned. This includes taking part in Cunard’s Four Queens celebration in Liverpool in May 2028, followed by her final World Voyage as a Cunard Queen from January 2029.

Once her Cunard programme has finished, Queen Anne will undergo an extensive reimagining before entering service with P&O Cruises. She will also be renamed, although her new name has not yet been revealed.

P&O Cruises has not confirmed exactly what will change on board, but says the ship will introduce a new class to its fleet and offer guests a different scale and style of cruise holiday.

Further details about the transformation, new name, onboard experience and first P&O Cruises itineraries will be announced at a later date.

Why is Queen Anne moving from Cunard to P&O Cruises?

Queen Anne joined the Cunard fleet in 2024 and is the newest of its four Queens. Her move to P&O Cruises forms part of a wider reshaping of the fleets operated by the two Carnival UK cruise lines.

Carnival UK, P&O Cruises and Cunard president Paul Ludlow said Queen Anne’s combination of modern design, dining and entertainment choices and flexible public spaces gives her a “natural affinity with the modern P&O Cruises holiday experience”.

Following Queen Anne’s departure, Cunard will return to a three-ship fleet made up of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

Cunard says the move does not change its commitment to the brand, with continued investment planned across its ships, itineraries and onboard experience. Queen Mary 2 is also due to undergo a major upgrade in 2027.

Is Arcadia leaving P&O Cruises?

Yes. Arcadia will leave the P&O Cruises fleet in August 2029, bringing more than two decades of sailing with the cruise line to an end.

Before departing, the adults-only ship will complete a special farewell season, with her final P&O Cruises programme ending on 21 August 2029. Details of the farewell cruises and when they will go on sale are expected to be announced shortly.

Arcadia will then transfer to Holland America Line, which, like P&O Cruises and Cunard, is part of Carnival Corporation. This means 2029 will not mark the end of the ship’s career, although details of her future with Holland America Line have yet to be announced.

Arcadia joined P&O Cruises in 2005 and has become particularly well known for longer voyages and world cruises during her time with the line.

What happens to existing Queen Anne and Arcadia bookings?

Anyone already booked to sail on Queen Anne or Arcadia before their respective transfers should not see any change to their holiday.

P&O Cruises and Cunard have confirmed that all currently published voyages scheduled before the ships leave their existing fleets will operate as planned.

There is still plenty more to learn about both moves, particularly Queen Anne’s new P&O Cruises identity and Arcadia’s future with Holland America Line. Further announcements are expected as the two ships approach their final seasons with Cunard and P&O Cruises.