Busy cruise season will include first Highland call by Cunard’s latest vessel

The vessel, which will embark on its maiden voyage in May, is due call at Invergordon later that month, on its first journey around Britain.

The Queen Anne’s visit is one of 118 cruise ship calls scheduled at the Easter Ross port between April and the end of October. Following this year’s record-breaking season, the number of passengers arriving in the Cromarty Firth is expected to hit a new high, of more than 230,000.

Allison McGuire, PoCF’s Cruise Manger said: “This year’s season exceeded our expectations, with more than 221,000 passengers visiting the Highlands during 130 vessel calls, contributing an estimated £29million to the area’s economy.

“While the number of calls scheduled for next year is slightly lower than in 2023, there will be more of the larger vessels calling and capacities are up on recent years, with the ships 90-95% full.

“As the gateway port for the Highlands, we are very much looking forward to welcoming all the passengers and crew to the Highlands during what will again be a busy cruise season.

“Inaugural calls are always a special occasion and we are delighted to be hosting the Queen Anne as well as five other ships that will be visiting Invergordon for the first time in 2024.”

With capacity for around 3,000 passengers and 1,200 crew, the Queen Anne is the first new cruise ship to be launched by Cunard in more than a decade and joins the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Victoria and the Queen Elizabeth in the firm’s fleet.

With 14 decks and 15 restaurants, the 1,058 ft long vessel’s facilities include and 835-seat theatre, an art gallery and an open-air swimming pool, with a retractable roof.

The ship is due to call at Invergordon on Wednesday May 29 as part of its 14-night British Isles Festival Voyage.

Other ships making their inaugural calls at the Port in 2024 are the Viking Saturn, Le Lyrial, the Ocean Albatros, MeinShiff 7 and the Azamara Onward.