A Taste of the Sea: Discovering Short-Break Cruising
Tony and Barbara Hallwood boarded Queen Anne for a short European cruise that blended heritage, culture and discovery alongside a couple of days at sea
For anyone who has ever wondered whether cruising might be for them, a short break voyage can be the perfect introduction. Effortless from start to finish and packed with memorable moments, it offers a flavour of life at sea without the commitment of a week or a fortnight away.
Encouraging four friends to join us, we boarded Cunard’s latest addition to their fleet, Queen Anne, sailing from Southampton to Zeebrugge (for Bruges and Ghent) and Rotterdam (for Delft and The Hague). A short break that blended heritage, culture and discovery alongside a couple of days at sea to relax on board.
The Pleasure of Cruising from Southampton
Cruising from Southampton feels like joining a long tradition of ocean voyages. Instead of the stress of airports, long security queues and luggage restrictions, cruise travellers arriving at the cruise terminal are welcomed like old friends. Parking your car through one of the onsite parking specialists recommended by your cruise line means you can drop your car and keys off 100m from the cruise terminal. Check-in is fast and seamless and you are aboard before you can say “Bon Voyage.”
Within minutes of boarding, the pace of life slows. A steward greets you at the top of the gangway, your luggage appears outside your cabin as if by magic and the ship cossets you like a luxury hotel. As the ship glides down Southampton Water and out into the Solent, with The Needles on the horizon, passengers gather on deck for the traditional 'sail away' to watch the English coastline slip away - the unmistakable signal that the cruise has begun.
The Joy of Life at Sea
Queen Anne retains the line's trademark elegance but feels fresher, lighter and more contemporary in spirit than other ships in the fleet. Her interiors are brighter and more open, with softer colour palettes and design details inspired by both classic ocean liners and modern boutique hotels. The Grand Lobby still offers that unmistakable Cunard sense of arrival, but elsewhere the atmosphere is more relaxed. There are fewer hushed spaces but more inviting corners, places designed for lingering with a coffee, a book or a quiet cocktail as the sea slides past. In no time, you soon settle into the gentle rhythm of life at sea.
Between ports, the ship itself becomes a destination and sea days are to be enjoyed. Passengers might begin the morning with a bracing walk on the Promenade deck as the sun rises above the horizon, followed by a leisurely breakfast in the Britannia Restaurant and then perhaps a visit to the thermal suite in the spacious spa or the top deck yoga studio.
Afternoons are perfect for reading beside the pool, listening to entertaining speakers or enjoying the celebrated iconic afternoon tea. Evenings meanwhile bring elegant dining, and entertainment ranges from theatre-quality performances to live music. Whatever your choice, the day is never long enough. Some nights you can dress for dinner and embrace the classic Cunard glamour; other nights, enjoy the excellent buffet choice or maybe room service on your balcony, just watching the sea glide by.
Bruges – Belgium’s Storybook City
For true city break lovers, the great joys of cruising is waking up each day somewhere new without the inconvenience of unpacking suitcases or changing hotels. The ship carries you effortlessly from one country to another while you relax in luxury. Barbara and I love to explore new places that are off the beaten track alongside visiting iconic locations. Our short break cruise on Queen Anne was no different.
Our first port of call was the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, the gateway to the enchanting medieval city of Bruges. We hopped on board the shuttle bus to the nearby rail station and boarded the local double-decker train, which whisked us to the city in just 20 minutes.
Few places in Europe are as picturesque as Bruges. With its winding canals and boat trips, cobbled lanes with horse-drawn carriages and centuries-old buildings, the city feels as though it has stepped straight out of a storybook. Often described as the “Venice of the North”, Bruges rewards visitors who simply wander its historic streets. The heart of the city is the Market Square, surrounded by colourful guild houses and cafés. Rising above it is the medieval Belfry, a landmark tower that has watched over Bruges for centuries. Climbing its narrow staircase rewards you with magnificent views across the red-tiled rooftops.
Belgium is famous for indulgent treats. We could not resist the chocolate shops and their world famous waffles. It goes without saying that the Belgian beers were amazing too.
On this cruise, we were berthed overnight, which also allowed us to visit Ghent, a true hidden gem combining its well preserved medieval architecture with scenic canal-side walkways.
Rotterdam – The Gateway to Holland
Contrasting with the medieval beauty of Bruges, Rotterdam is a modern, bold and architecturally adventurous city. A short walk reveals many of Rotterdam’s architectural icons. The famous Cube Houses tilt at improbable angles while the enormous horseshoe-shaped Markthal offers a vibrant food market beneath a spectacular vaulted ceiling covered in colourful artwork. Wherever we wandered, we sampled the Dutch cuisine, a plethora of artisan cheeses and enticing stroopwafels - thin waffles filled with caramel syrup.
We then left the hustle and bustle of Rotterdam, taking a short journey to nearby Delft. This sleepy town, known as "Mini Amsterdam", is where we purchased hand-painted blue and white pottery. Delft is a charming old town, where medieval buildings and winding canals create a picture of Holland in miniature. Its majestic main square is lined with inviting cafés where you can sit and watch the world go by.
With a couple of hours after lunch to spare, we ventured to nearby The Hague (the nation's capital and royal residence) with its mix of historic and stately buildings before letting the high-speed train deliver us back to Rotterdam with time to spare.
A Perfect Short Escape
Back on board after a day's exploring, evenings were unhurried. Entertainment ranged from live music to theatre-quality performances. Some nights you can dress for dinner and embrace the classic Cunard glamour; other nights, just enjoy the buffet or splash out on a speciality restaurant.
Our Cunard cruise from Southampton to Bruges and Rotterdam offered a remarkable variety of experiences. We love our short break cruises and for first timers there really is no better introduction to a true taste of life on the ocean wave. Guests enjoyed the comfort of life on board Queen Anne and all that it offered. Perhaps the greatest appeal of a short break on Queen Anne is how seamlessly it introduces the idea of cruising. There are no airport queues, no constant packing and unpacking, and no sense of being herded from place to place. Instead, cruising feels fluid and indulgent - a reminder that the journey itself can be just as rewarding as the destination.
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