October 7, 2026 — P&O Cruises will hand its adults-only Arcadia to Holland America Line after a final sailing on August 21, 2029, and will receive Cunard’s Queen Anne in May 2029. Carnival UK, the Carnival Corporation unit that runs both British brands, announced the moves on October 6.
Queen Anne carries about 3,000 guests and entered service in May 2024. It will finish Cunard’s 2028–29 world voyage, then go through what the company calls an extensive reimagining and take a new name before sailing for P&O. Arcadia joined P&O in 2005 and is known for longer voyages and world cruises.
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Queen Anne joins P&O Cruises | May 2029 (exact date TBA) |
| Arcadia’s final P&O sailing | August 21, 2029 |
| Arcadia farewell season on sale | TBA |
| Queen Anne’s new name | TBA |
| First P&O itineraries and homeport for the renamed ship | TBA |
The company says all currently published Arcadia and Queen Anne voyages before the transfer dates will sail as planned. Carnival UK president Paul Ludlow said Queen Anne will “introduce a new class of ship to the P&O Cruises fleet,” Cruise Critic reports.
Not yet answered: whether the renamed ship will be adults-only like Arcadia, and how much of the Cunard interior will remain.
What it means for airline travelers
- Existing bookings are safe. No published Arcadia sailing is cancelled, so no flight changes are needed.
- Adults-only fans should watch the next announcement. P&O has not said whether the replacement ship keeps Arcadia’s adults-only policy.
- Farewell season: P&O plans a celebratory final season for Arcadia, but those cruises are not on sale yet. Expect demand from loyal guests when dates appear.
- Homeport: TBA for the renamed ship, so hold off on planning flights for summer 2029 sailings.
- Interline rates: not mentioned in the announcement or the coverage.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News — Carnival Ship Moves: Queen Anne to P&O; Arcadia to Holland America
- Cruise Critic — Cunard’s Queen Anne to Join P&O Cruises Following 2028/29 World Voyage, P&O’s Arcadia to Join Holland America
- Seatrade Cruise News — Queen Anne to replace P&O’s Arcadia, which is going to HAL
- Bolsover Cruise Club — Queen Anne to Join P&O Cruises as Arcadia Leaves the Fleet in 2029
- Cruise Mummy — Cunard’s Newest Ship Transferring To P&O With Arcadia Moving To Holland America
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