Cunard has announced its themed cruises for 2022, offering a wide variety of experiences aboard its flagship Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth. The program includes the return of the Festival of Literature at Sea in partnership with the Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Times, and The Sunday Times; Anthony Inglis and the UK National Symphony Orchestra; Cunard will also present the company's first-ever Arts and Design Week; and "The Beatles and Beyond: Showcasing the Best of England." Also joining the lineup is the highly anticipated "London Theatre at Sea" featuring the Olivier Awards.
Passengers will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with renowned authors, West End theatre stars, get nostalgic with one of the world's leading Beatles tribute bands, and learn expert opinions and the latest trends with the new Art and Design Week.
Each cruise offers the opportunity to delve into an existing passion or discover something new, with an enriching program of interactive workshops, masterclasses, performances, talks, and discussions with other passengers.
Cunard Chairman Simon Palethorpe commented: “Our themed cruises have become the most beloved cornerstone of our brand. They are renowned for giving passengers exclusive access to remarkable world events across various fields, while also offering the opportunity to delve into their passions, from entertainment to literature and art, all within the luxurious environments of our ships.”.
Our proposal for 2022 promises a much-anticipated welcome to our passengers on the themed cruises so eagerly awaited by Cunard customers, and we hope not to disappoint them.”
Here's a taste of what awaits us:
- From May 15 to 22, 2022, “London Theatre at Sea,” featuring the Olivier Awards, will sail from New York to Southampton aboard the Queen Mary 2. Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the London Theatre Society, commented:
“In May 2022, we are eager to welcome passengers on the “London Theatre at Sea Event Voyage” – a mix of performances, workshops, talks, dance classes, and some special evening shows combined with an extraordinary array of talent on and off stage to bring theatre to life. The transatlantic experience aboard the Queen Mary 2, the world’s leading cruise ship, combined with the very best of London theatre, will result in an extraordinary week.” - From October 25 to November 1, 2022, Anthony Inglis and the National Symphony Orchestra will sail transatlantically from New York to Southampton aboard the Queen Mary 2. Maestro Anthony Inglis said: “For this annual transatlantic voyage, the National Symphony Orchestra and I are very excited, both for the musicians and the guests aboard the magnificent Queen Mary 2. We look forward to welcoming passengers to celebrate a giant seven-night party with our wonderful orchestra playing favorite classical pieces, a passenger choir, and many other entertaining events as we cross the Atlantic Ocean from New York to Southampton.”
- From December 3 to 10, 2022, the Transatlantic Literature at Sea Festival will sail from New York to Southampton aboard the Queen Mary 2, in association with the Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Times, and The Sunday Times. Guests will include bestselling authors such as Ian Rankin, Maggie O'Farrell, Charles Cumming, Sathnam Sanghera, Mick Herron, and Simon Winchester; the revered classicist Mary Beard; acclaimed journalists Damian Barr and Rachel Johnson; and Times red box editor Matt Chorley. Nicola Tuxworth, Head of Programming for The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, said: “We are eager to set sail again on the magnificent Queen Mary 2 for the 2022 Literature at Sea Festival. The 2022 program will be packed with fascinating events for all who love books and brilliant journalism.”.
- From August 28 to September 4, 2022, the Queen Mary 2 will host a transatlantic Art & Design Week from New York to Southampton. Cunard's first Art & Design Week is a unique experience that will take passengers on a cruise celebrating the best of design's past, present, and future.
- From May 8 to 17, 2022, the Queen Elizabeth will embark on a spectacular nine-night cruise departing from and returning to Tokyo, sailing along the coasts of Japan and South Korea, and hosting the first-ever “Beatles and Beyond: Celebrating the Best of the British Voyage of Cunard.” Through music, film, tastings, and demonstrations, beloved aspects of British culture will be celebrated, culminating in a spectacular finale at the Royal Court Theatre with the magnificent Bootleg Beatles, the world’s foremost Beatles tribute band.
