Everything you need to know about Queen Anne’s return visit to Merseyside

Cunard’s newest cruise ship Queen Anne is set to make a return visit to Merseyside for the first time since her spectacular naming ceremony at the Pier Head last June.

Her arrival is expected to attract huge crowds on either side of the water on the same day Liverpool gets set to welcome the LFC Premier League Champions Parade.

It’s going to be a busy and momentous day – so here’s everything you need to know …

When is Queen Anne arriving in the city?

The MS Queen Anne – the second largest ship in Cunard’s fleet – will arrive in Liverpool on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26, and is due at Cruise Port Liverpool by 12pm.

Where will I be able to see her arriving?

As she makes her way to her berth at Cruise Port Liverpool for noon, you will be able to see Queen Anne at various points and times:

Mersey Bar – 9.15am

Formby – 9.45am

Crosby – 10.15am

New Brighton – 10.45am

Seacombe – 11am

Cunard Queen Anne - The Guide Liverpool — Cunard Queen Anne – The Guide Liverpool

Why is she here?

Almost a year to the day since her historic naming ceremony (June 3, 2024), Queen Anne is making the return visit to her spiritual home as part of the cruise line’s 185^th anniversary celebrations. Marking a proud maritime heritage, it’s 185 years since Cunard’s first transatlantic crossing leaving Liverpool in 1840. The latest of four Queens in service, she is visiting the city as part of a Round Britain Voyage.

Beautiful backdrop

Reds’ fans couldn’t have hoped to have had a better backdrop to their celebrations with the magnificent vessel already taking its place on the waterfront before the LFC motorcade arrives. Just imagine those photos!

Royal rendezvous on Tuesday

HRH The Princess Royal will visit Queen Anne on Tuesday, May 27, to mark the official start of the 185^th anniversary celebrations. British Army Band Catterick will play to signal her arrival.

Sea of Glamour Exhibition – Royal Liver Building

Following HRH The Princess Royal’s visit, and again as part of the anniversary celebrations, Cunard will open the Sea of Glamour exhibition, an extraordinary collection of photographs from the Cunard archives featuring Hollywood icons, musicians, royalty, politicians, and memorable passengers from the golden age of ocean travel. It will also explore the glamour and elegance of Cunard ships, with photos capturing historic moments at sea.

It’s been curated by renowned film maker and photographer Mary McCartney who said it had been a brilliant project to develop: “I had the privilege of exploring not only Cunard’s iconic legacy but also the real, heartfelt moments shared by its guests on board.”

The 185th image will be of the five Liverpool icons chosen to represent the city at the Queen Anne Naming Ceremony (Spice Girl, Mel C; broadcaster and community ceader, Ngunan Adamu; local restaurant entrepreneur, Natalie Haywood; Liverpool music and cultural legend, Jayne Casey, and British Olympian heptathlon athlete, Katarina Johnson-Thompson) when Liverpool, in a world first, was declared Queen Anne’s Godparent.

Landmark celebrations and a lasting bond

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, says: “This is a landmark moment for Cunard, and we are incredibly honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness to Liverpool as we celebrate 185 years of our heritage. The opening of the Sea of Glamour exhibition is a fitting tribute to the elegance and legacy that define Cunard, and to the special bond we share with this great city.”

How long is Queen Anne here?

The ship is scheduled to be in the city for one night only. She will depart from Liverpool at around 11.45pm on Tuesday, May 27.

Will there be fireworks?

Sadly not, but the majestic site of Queen Anne leaving the Mersey will be dazzling in itself.

Travel advice for Bank Holiday Monday

Merseyrail services will be really busy over the Bank Holiday weekend so special timetables will be in place and some stations closed.