Cunard's newest ship is changing hands within the family. The line announced in October 2026 that Queen Anne, the 3,000-guest, 113,000-ton ship that only entered service in 2024, will transfer to sister brand P&O Cruises in 2029. It is part of a broader reshuffle across the Carnival portfolio: P&O's 2005-built Arcadia, which carries 1,968 guests, moves the other way to Holland America Line the same year.

The Arcadia will not simply arrive as-is. Holland America says the ship will go through its Evolution refurbishment programme before debuting in the U.S. market, so passengers can expect updated venues and facilities by the time it sails under the new flag.

Elsewhere in the secondhand market, Oceania Cruises sold its 684-guest Sirena, built in 2000, to British line Ambassador Cruise Line. The deal is neatly layered: Oceania charters the ship back until spring 2028, after which it becomes Ambella, dedicated to summer cruising in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Winters will belong to Semester at Sea, the floating university programme, which has chartered the vessel for eight months a year starting in late 2028.

Not every ship found a glamorous landing. The Gemini, a 1992-built, 960-passenger vessel operated by Miray Cruises, was arrested in Greece over unpaid debts and will be auctioned by Greek authorities in October, with a minimum bid of 3,805,462 euros. It currently sits laid up near Athens. The Blue Dream Star, a 2001-built ship laid up in China for roughly two years, has reportedly been sold to a Turkish owner and may run short Mediterranean cruises from 2027. And Croatia's Golden Horizon, a striking 2021-built tall ship with room for 300 guests, has been sold for a reported 110 million euros to undisclosed buyers, ending five years largely idle at the Brodosplit shipyard where it was built.

Why should a holidaymaker care? Because fleet moves shape the cruises on sale in a few years. Bookers loyal to Cunard should note that its newest flagship will be sailing as a P&O ship by 2029, while P&O regulars get a fresh flagship at the same time. Fans of smaller, classic ships may find former Oceania tonnage reappearing on the UK market under Ambassador. If you have your eye on any of these vessels, check which brand and itinerary you are actually booking once the transfers take effect.