That’s the promise of the world’s cheapest cruise, recently revealed on Cunard’s brand-new Queen Anne liner.
Cruise expert and social media personality Jenni Fielding, better known as “Cruise Mummy,” shared her first-hand experience on the £99 journey from Hamburg to Southampton, raising eyebrows across the travel world.
“When I spotted a luxurious cruise on Cunard’s brand new Queen Anne for just £99, I couldn’t believe it. It’s cheaper than one night in a Premier Inn hotel,” Fielding said.
Her review highlighted what travellers can expect: a clean, spacious inside cabin (minus balcony or windows), a large bed, stocked bathroom, a television, wardrobe space, and even complimentary sparkling wine.
“It is actually pretty spacious,” she admitted, noting that even the minibar prices weren’t as steep as she feared.
Beyond the cabin, Queen Anne offered all the trappings of a luxury voyage: a glamorous pool deck, a mini putting green, comedy shows, gym facilities, chic dining halls, and the option of breakfast in bed. For passengers used to bustling cities like Lagos, Nairobi, or Johannesburg, the calming sea views and gentle pace offer a perfect reset.
Still, the experience wasn’t flawless. Fielding described her nut roast dinner as “the smallest main course I’ve ever seen”, accompanied by just half a roast potato and a heap of cabbage. Late-night diners might also be disappointed, as the buffet closes between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
“If you’re a meat-and-two-veg person, you’ll love it,” she concluded, suggesting the cruise may not suit everyone’s palate.
A new travel hack for Africans
A Nigerian student in London, a Kenyan entrepreneur in Berlin, or a South African family on holiday in Paris could all take a short train or budget flight to Hamburg or Southampton to board the Queen Anne and enjoy luxury at a price that rivals mid-tier hotels.
With Europe increasingly accessible through budget carriers from African capitals, think Nairobi to Frankfurt, Lagos to London, or Cape Town to Amsterdam, the idea of combining a European city break with a quick luxury cruise is no longer far-fetched.
As Fielding summed it up, “This ship is beautiful, stunning. Just having a little short cruise, a cheap getaway, is lovely. It’s so worth it.”
For Africa’s growing middle class, where wanderlust is matched with careful budgeting, the £99 cruise might be the most stylish bargain in global travel today.
