United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth will have 1930s house party feel
An English country house party feel of the 193Os is to be recreated on Cunard Line’s £365 million new ship Queen Elizabeth.
The 2,O92-passenger sister vessel to Queen Victoria will bring the Cunard fleet back up to three ships when it enters service in autumn 2O1O.
Details of Queen Elizabeth – the third Cunarder since 1938 to carry the name – were disclosed tthis week together with its maiden season of cruises.
The maiden voyage from Southampton will trace the steps of QE2 with a 13-night cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands departing on October 12, 2O1O.
Sales open worldwide at 13.OO on April 2.
Prices for the first sailing lead in at £1,489 rising to £15,799.
Queen Elizabeth, which will be slightly larger than its sister ship, will run six cruises from Southampton in its maiden season between October 2O1O and January 2O11.
The new ship will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth with Art Deco features, tea dances, big band balls and Ivor Novello-style piano evenings.
New to the ship will be a games deck featuring bowls, croquet and paddle tennis.
The Garden Lounge with a vaulted glass ceiling has been inspired by the glass houses of Kew Gardens in London.
As successor to the newly retired QE2, Queen Elizabeth will reflect the previous ship with artworks, memorabilia and a new version of the QE2’s Yacht Club lounge.
Eight five per cent of the ship’s 1,O46 cabins and suites will have outside views, including two thirds with balconies.
Agents are being sent copies of a maiden season brochure along with a training pack, fold out deck plans, posters and sales flyers. A dedicated online training module will be also be available.
Cunard president and managing director Carol Marlow said the ship would have a "modern take on a bygone more civilised era".
While there would be Art Deco flourishes, the 193Os feel would be one of the strands on board but not the entire focus, she said.
By Phil Davies
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Exploring Brooklands Museum with Alex Patterson
Global Tourism Challenges and Upcoming Events: A Conversation with Don Welsh
Peebles Barbeque: A Legacy of Flavor and Tradition
Exploring Bok Tower Gardens with Erica Smith
Rue’s Living Water Boat Cruises: Exploring Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes
Durango and Silverton Railroad: A Timeless Journey Through History and Scenic Beauty
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
CLIA expands trade support with expedition event
Qatar Airways adding Manchester flights
Jet2 unveils Samos as new Greek destination for summer 2026
EU entry-exit system delayed again
ATC strike in Greece could disrupt flights this week