HAL MS Rotterdam vs Cunard Queen Anne - Which would YOU choose?

#cruiseship #cruising #hollandamerica #cunard
Holland America Line's flagship MS Rotterdam takes on Cunard Line's Queen Anne! Who's the winner in a direct head to head comparison?

Today we’re going to compare two very similar yet very different ships. Two of the world’s best and newest cruise ships that are essentially the same design, but with very contrasting interiors. If you’re a Cunard or a Holland America Line fan or planning a vacation and simply cannot decide between the two, this video may reveal a few surprises!

Holland America Line’s flag ship MS Rotterdam and Cunard Line’s brand new Queen Anne are both Pinnacle Class ships, built around the same basic design, size and platform. The concept is similar to car manufacturers sharing the same chassis platform, for example the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Mercedes-Benz GLE share the same structure, although the cars LOOK completely different.

You can see here the external elements of the Pinnacle Class ships are very alike but that’s where the similarity ends. The question is, which cruise line has put this Class of ship to best use? Which line has used the space more creatively? Which one would YOU prefer to sail on?

In this review we will be giving our own verdict of the 14 main venues of each ship side by side and then you can make your own mind up as to which YOU prefer. Each area we’re going to show you is in the same physical location on the two ships so a direct visual comparison can be made. This video will definitely divide opinion! Are you ready?

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Pinnacle Class
01:22 World Stage (R) vs Royal Court Theatre (QA)
02:00 BB Kings Blues Club (R) v Queens Room (QA)
02:59 Rolling Stone Rock Room (R) vs Bright Lights Society (QA)
03:33 Billboard Onboard (R) vs Golden Lion Pub (QA)
04:22 Casino (R) vs Casino (QA)
04:57 Grand Dutch Cafe (R) vs Carinthia Lounge (QA)
05:49 Atrium (R) vs Grand Lobby (QA)
06:49 The Dining Room (R) vs Britannia Restaurant (QA)
08:02 Sea View Pool (R) vs Panorama Pool Club (QA)
08:57 Lido Market (R) vs Artisan’s Foothill (QA)
09:44 Canaletto (R) vs Tramonto (QA)
10:45 Tamarind and Nami Sushi (R) vs Sir Samuels and AJI WA (QA)
11:28 Crow’s Nest / Explorations Central (R) vs Commodore Club (QA)
12:32 Lido Pool (R) vs The Pavilion (QA)

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[visitwithus]

Thank you so much for watching! It really does mean the world to us! Please give this video a THUMBS UP, please SUBSCRIBE and please leave us a comment too as we'd love to know your thoughts about which one YOU prefer (oh and also we’d LOVE to hear from you). R&H x

[siiyrabbit]

Your voice is so nice to listen too! So calming and smooth!

[rhondadeniston]

I've been on the Rotterdam and so it wins for me, but I would love to try the Queen Anne in the future. One thing that stood out for me is that the Rotterdam pools had steps leading down into the water. At my age, getting up and down ladders into the pool is a 'no can do'. Thanks for this!

[ManWhoLovesTheMary]

This comparison is much needed. I rather feel like we could use more of these in general. It’s a grand way of seeking improvements and making decisions on which ships to sail and to where.

The Queen’s Room does rather look like a 2007 take on 1967. I suppose I can applaud them on their daring attempt at something…new? The Britannia Restaurant, though! That is a classic/modern design that Art Decos the senses in a glam Regency kind of way…? Yes. That’s what I’m going with. While the curvy leading lines upon the ceiling of the Commodore Club is reminiscent of that aboard the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth’s Observation Bars. Just a beautiful and applicable touch. And that retractable pool! So delightfully Edwardian. If only that classic sense of authentic history was applied all throughout the ship. Maybe it was all an attempt just to try something different. And I do commend Cunard for that. But the Rotterdam does take the cake more so as far as I’m concerned as well.

[crrizello]

Thank you for this video. I really enjoyed the side by side comparison. Both ships look beautiful.

[_echobravo]

My wife and I sailed on Nieuw Statandam last year and immediately loved the Pinnacle class ship. Now we're booked on Queen Ann (Southampton to Norway) in July 2025 and a Rotterdam re-positioning (San Diego to Vancouver) April 2026. Your review "goes to 11" as far as relevance to our future vacations!

[ElleiDan]

Excellent video. I am a little surprised that it was basically a landslide. I’ve not been on the Queen Anne but HAL’s Rotterdam is one of my favorites. The music rooms and her library were my favorites.

[joergschwarting]

Love this new concept! Especially the two photos next to each other. Was pleasantly surprised by HAL Rotterdam!

[fionasteggall]

Hello Helen and Rich - it’s Rotterdam for us. We love the ‘Have it all’ concept on HAL. We spend a lot of time on ships and Cunard’s drinks packages & WiFi options are punitive. Also we feel Cunard is not for us - perhaps when we are octogenarians! In the meantime love the live music options on HAL especially BB Kings! Thanks for the video 😀

[missflipz]

Both are stunning and spectacular! But Queen Anne for me by far.. ❤❤

Who wouldn’t want to be on either of these ! 💁🏻‍♀️

[Parkhopper]

Wonderful video. Very creative to compare 2 ships with the same design. Super informative too.

[jenserikjohansson]

Stunning vlog, tanks and all the best from Norway

[TrenaDavenport-bj]

Wow super side by side! I haven’t done Rotterdam so I’m a bit biased but lots of Queen Anne for me 👍🏻 she really was beautiful, I thought so anyway 😊

[leesonpj]

We've been on both, and your assessment is spot on! Different but equal is how I perceive them. But...Dutch Cafe might be the decider.

[patriciasantoso]

Both are amazing decor in their own right . Since never been on Cunard before and I love the HA Pinnacle class shops, I'll vote HA at this time.

[shirleysmith]

I've been on Queen Anne but not Rotterdam. I think I prefer the lighter colours of the Rotterdam as I found Queen Anne quite dark and sombre. Many thanks for posting. Would you be able to do a comparison between Queen Anne and New Statendam as I believe this is Queen Anne's sister ship?

[genefrance]

both are great ships...we would like to see more comparison ships...thank you

[atomicrancher]

Thanks for doing this. I’m on both ships next year for the first time and now I have a much better idea of what to expect and experience. As much as I like Cunard and their other Queens, the Rotterdam does look very very nice and so much my style.

[robyoungquist]

It’s Rotterdam for me 👍🏻👍🏻. Yes, please MORE COMPARISONS! I don’t believe anyone else is doing it. 😉

Muchas gracias por su información, seguro que me será de utilidad, me gustan mucho los dos barcos 👍🏻