Mersey Ferries offer chance for unique close-up look at Cunard’s new Queen Anne liner

• Cruise liner to visit Liverpool on June 3 for naming ceremony


• Andrea Bocelli to perform as ship makes maiden voyage to Cunard’s spiritual home


• Mersey Ferries’ special Queen Anne viewing cruise sells out in record time


• All visitors advised to plan their journeys, with crowds expected around Pier Head

Mersey Ferries passengers will be given a unique opportunity for a close-up look at Cunard’s new Queen Anne cruise liner during her maiden trip to the city.

A special Mersey Ferries Queen Anne cruise sold out in record time however visitors are still able to buy tickets for cross-river services that will offer fantastic river views of the state-of-the-art liner.

The 113,000-tonne liner will visit Liverpool on June 3 for a special naming ceremony at Cunard’s spiritual home. Huge crowds are expected to greet the liner and to watch famous tenor Andrea Bocelli lead a stellar cast at Pier Head to celebrate the visit.

Visitors will be able to hop aboard one of Mersey Ferries Direct Cross-River services, operating between Seacombe Terminal and Pier Head during peak hours. The service, which lasts 20 minutes for a round trip, will sail past the Queen Anne while she sits docked at Pier Head, offering passengers the chance to enjoy a unique view of the mighty new liner, which is more than the length of three football pitches.

To give people as many opportunities as possible to see the incredible new ship, Mersey Ferries has extended the Cross-River service on 3^rd June 2024, running from 17:00 until 19:30.

Councillor Liam Robinson, Portfolio Holder of Transport for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (2023/24), said: “We’re excited to welcome the Queen Anne to the River Mersey and be a small part in, what we hope to be, an exciting and enjoyable occasion.

“From its unique vantage point on the river, Mersey Ferries is offering passengers the chance to have a once in a lifetime experience while they enjoy Cunard’s Queen Anne naming ceremony. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and, with high numbers of people expected to take up the opportunity, we’re asking everyone to plan ahead. Train stations, buses and Mersey Ferries Terminals are expected to be very busy, with Mersey Tunnels also expected to receive heavy traffic; we want everyone to have a fun experience, so encourage everyone heading toward the area to check their travel arrangements and plan ahead when deciding how to get home.”

Mersey Ferries daily River Explorer Cruise will also be running as normal throughout the day, with visitors encouraged to take earlier cruises, starting from 10am at Pier Head to avoid disappointment. Cross-river services operate during peak hours only, with the extended afternoon hours available Monday 3rd June.

A full timetable is included below. For up to date Mersey Ferries service information, please visit Mersey Ferry Timetables | Liverpool Ferry Times | Mersey Ferries

• Morning Cross-river running from 7am until 10am


• River Explorer Cruise running between 10am and 3pm


• Queen Anne cruise (sold out) between 3pm and 4:50pm


• River Explorer Cruise running 5pm until 6pm


• Evening Cross-river running from 6pm until 7:30pm


• Queen Anne cruise (sold out) between 8:15pm until 11pm

For travel planning advice and the most up to date information, please visit the Merseytravel website at Cunard Queen Anne Naming Ceremony Travel Advice | Liverpool City Region | Merseytravel.