Cunard ship to feature venues ‘both familiar and new’
Cunard’s new ship will feature a lot of familiar venues “but a number new ones too”, according to the luxury line’s chief.
President Simon Palethorpe promised agents would be “wowed” by the line’s incoming ship he described as a “forward-looking take” on the brand.
Details about the unnamed 3,000-passenger ship, slated for delivery in 2022, have so far been kept secret, but Cunard president Simon Palethorpe revealed passengers have heavily contributed to the design plans.
Speaking at the steel-cutting ceremony today at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia shipyard in Italy on Friday, Palethorpe said: “This is going to be a forward-looking take on Cunard. I would encourage [agents] to really take a close look at it. I think they are going to be wowed by what we have on offer.”
The ballroom, known by the line as the Queen’s Room, is “sacrosanct” to passengers and will be “very recognisably Cunard”, Palethorpe added.
However, passengers have given the green light for the line to change the design of areas of the ship, including the theatre.
He said: “At the other end of the spectrum, (passengers) have said ‘go for it with the design’.
“That has guided the structure that we have given the team of architects. You will see a lot that you recognise, but a lot that’s new.”
Palethorpe said passengers had called for diverse experiences and dining options.
“You will see more venues which we have not had on previous ships,” he added.
Carnival UK president Josh Weinstein admitted it took time to “find the right blend” of keeping the Cunard DNA while “pushing forward”. “Getting the balance right was crucial,” he added.
Palethorpe said the vessel’s name would be revealed early next year, and its debut programme would go on sale in the second quarter.
On the deployment of what will be Cunard’s fourth vessel, he added: “We recognise that British guests are our biggest single nation and we want to give them great access to the ship in those early days.”