Cunard celebrated the 10th anniversary of its flagship, Queen Mary 2 with the arrival of the whole three ship fleet in Southampton this morning. This was a rare occasion to see all Three Queens together, and Southampton is the only place in the world to have hosted the Three Queens three times. The ships arrived together at first light to begin a day of spectacular celebration with an early morning Birthday Salute - Happy Birthday in ships' whistles (foghorns in common parlance) sounding out across Southampton Water. There follows a special reception and lunch on board for invited guests in the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who last visited the ship when accompanying Her Majesty the Queen to name Queen Mary 2 in 2004. A ten minute firework display from 10pm - one minute for each of the ship's ten years will create a spectacular send-off before Queen Mary 2 leads the three ships in convoy down to the Solent. Queen Mary 2 will set off an a special anniversary transatlantic crossing to New York with QM2 designer Stephen Payne and the ship's first master, Commodore Ron Warwick, among the speakers. Queen Elizabeth will sail on a short break to Hamburg and Queen Victoria will head for the Baltic capitals.
Cunard has revealed details of its new 2022 event cruises, with music, theatre, literature and an all-new art and design-themed Transatlantic crossing among the sailings.
The Queen Mary 2 will welcome the return of favourites including the ever-popular Literature Festival at Sea, plus an appearance from the London Theatre at Sea with the Olivier Awards.
A Beatles and Beyond event sailing 8-17 May 2022 will also showcase the ‘Best of British’ aboard the esteemed ocean liner on a circumnavigation from Japan. (Cancelled)
Take me too the Beatles and Beyond voyage
London Theatre at Sea, with the Olivier Awards will take plan from 15 – 22 May 2022 aboard Queen Mary 2’s eastbound Transatlantic crossing. Created in partnership with the Society of London Theatre, the themed cruise from Southampton will showcase award-winning talent in performances, alongside live conversation, production workshops and a choreographer-led dance class.
View more details of the London Theatre at Sea voyage
Cunard’s Literature Festival sees the cruise line partner with Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Times and The Sunday Times for the 3 December 2022 eastbound crossing on the Queen Mary 2. Poets, authors, historians and critics, as well as renowned journalists from The Time and The Sunday Times, will hold workshops and discussion around literature, art, film, history and politics. Guests set to feature including Ian Rankin, Charles Cumming, Sathnam Sanghera, Mary Beard, Damian Barr and more.
Discover more about the Literature Festival at Sea
Cunard’s first Art & Design Week departing Southampton on 28 August 2022 sees guests on the Art Deco Queen Mary 2 explore design, past, present and future through masterclasses and exhibitions. They’ll also have the opportunity to hear from the creative minds behind Cunard’s new ship, set to launch in 2022. (Cancelled)
Find out more about Art & Design Week
The calendar of Cunard event cruises sees the return of Anthony Inglis and the UK’s National Symphony Orchestra on 25 October, with Inglis once again leading performances in the Royal Court Theatre. Highlights including an evening of all-American classics after departing New York, and an evening of British performances before arriving into Southampton.
View more about Anthony Inglis and the National Symphony Orchestra
Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said: “Our event voyages have become a much-loved cornerstone of our brand.“They are known for giving guests exclusive access to notable global luminaries in their fields, whilst also providing an opportunity to delve into one’s passions, from entertainment to literature to art, all within the luxurious surroundings of our ships.“Our line-up for 2022 sees a welcome return of guest favourite event voyages as well as ones we hope will also become as revered in the future.”
Three Cunard Event Voyages remain on sale as part of the cruise line’s 2021 programme – Northern Lights: Through the Lens on Queen Victoria in October, Literature Festival at Sea on Queen Mary 2 in November and Australia’s Gardening Journey on Queen Elizabeth in December. Speak to a Cruise Expert today on 01246 819819 to find out more.
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