Queen Elizabeth Cruises

Life aboard Queen Elizabeth
During the summer of 2019-20, 2020-2021 and 2021/2022 Queen Elizabeth will sail out of Adelaide, Melbourne, Auckland and Sydney to ports in Eastern Australia and New Zealand. Cunard’s famous bellboys swap their trademark red and black uniforms for outfits designed by R.M. Williams along with Akubra hats that will be worn throughout Queen Elizabeth’s Australian seasons. Enjoy the ‘local’ Australian short voyages. At the end of QE’s extended 2020 Australian season, cross the Pacific to Vancouver in May 2020. Then follows a series of cruises along the coastlines of Alaska, British Columbia, and California (3 to 17 nights). The return journey to Australia that departs late September 2020 heads for Tokyo, a few cruises around Japan, then south to the east coast ports of Australia by late November. From November 2020 QE offers short and longer cruises out of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland, right through till March 2021. From March to May 2021 QE offers 7 to 20 night cruises mainly around the islands of Japan. From May to August 10-night cruises out of Vancouver sail the Inside Passage of British Columbia and Alaska. Travelling with Cunard is something special.

Cunard Line’s MS Queen Elizabeth, launched in 2010, with its distinctive black hull and white superstructure, flies the Red Ensign of her home port Southampton. The ship is very spacious. She was re-fitted in 2018 with a new holistic spa, Mareel Wellness and Beauty. The interior design is reminiscent of the 1930s – graceful, ornate, with curved staircases and spectacular artwork that are all part of her opulence. Some of the highlights are the traditional Cunard ballroom, dining in the Garden Lounge under the vaulted glass ceiling, and playing croquet and bowls on the Games Deck. At mealtime expect a traditional setting dressed formally or semi-formally. The ship is aimed at the North American and British markets – or anyone with an appreciation of British traditions. This is a cruise ship (not the same as an ocean liner). This vessel is described as heritage not glitz, lawn bowls not waterslides. Gratuities are additional.

Accommodation
Cunard ships have three classes of staterooms (of which there are 32 price grades, depending on size and location). Most lavish are Queens Grill Suites, then the elegant Princess Grill Suites. Both come with many privileges, and their own Grill dining rooms and private lounges. Then comes Britannia Class for 83% of guests (Club Balcony with its own dining room, Balcony, Oceanview and Inside). Of the 1046 cabins, 85 percent are outside, 71 percent come with balconies, and 12 percent are exclusive Queens/Princess Grill staterooms. Balconies are glass-fronted for good ocean views. Some staterooms accommodate third and fourth guests. All cabins reflect conservative British décor, and come with excellent bedding, universal electrical sockets, toiletries and hairdryer, bath robe and slippers, shower, 24-hour room and nightly turn-down services, interactive TV with multi-language film and music channels, telephone, refrigerator, safe, daily ship’s newspaper and fresh fruit. There are 20 cabins with good wheelchair accessibility.

In a 2014 upgrade, QE fitted accommodation for solo travellers. Queens Grill guests dine in Queens Grill restaurant, or in-suite, and have butler and concierge services. Princess Grill Suites come with in-suite dining, access to Queens Grill Lounge, dining in the Princess Grill restaurant, and the services of a concierge. Grills guests enjoy a range of niceties such as personalised stationary and access to exclusive deck areas. There are five classes of Grill Suites, ever more spacious depending on position, all with full bath and separate shower, extra in-suite entertainment, and so forth. The perks and increased service of Grill-class accommodation are worth it. In a minor addition to the Grills' areas, passengers in the loftiest accommodations have use of a strategically placed pair of telescopes that provide a bird's-eye view of ports, coming or going.

Food and Dining
QE offers traditional British dining for passengers who enjoy dressing up for dinner, either in formal or semi-formal attire. Single-seating dining venues include the five-star Queens Grill and Princess Grill (comes with the stateroom and the Britannia Club (top Balcony staterooms). Queens and Princess Grill guests also have access to exclusive al fresco dining on the top deck. The Verandah, the ship's fine-dining venue, serves excellent French cuisine with an à la carte menu, with cover charge and by reservation. The majority of guests dine in the two-tiered 878-seat Britannia Restaurant, with its grand sweeping staircase, at two seatings. The 24-hour Lido Restaurant offers a buffet service for breakfast and lunch, and come dinnertime, it transforms into an alternative restaurant (pay extra) with a selection of Asian or USA themed menus.

Take afternoon tea in the Queens Room. Cafe Carinthia serves coffees, a light lunch, special teas and pastries. The famed Golden Lion Pub serves up English fare like fish and chips and shepherd's pie. There is a range of magnificently presented bars and lounges available according to accommodation. Cunard host its "Supper Club" – afternoon teas, dancing, music and taster menus – in the Garden Lounge conservatory beneath its lofty domed roof. For sweeping views of the bow, and a martini, the Commodore Club welcomes you. The Midships Bar with its pianist is a place for pre-dinner drinks. The Yacht Club offers cosy seating, good wine, and a dance floor.

Entertainment
In the Royal Court Theatre, with its blue and gold décor, The Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company Royal Court Theatre presents Shakespearean plays, contemporary drama, musicals, and film screenings. With its 20 private boxes (opera-house style available for an extra fee that includes Champagne, dessert and a prime view), it recalls the West End and Broadway at their best. Some shows are followed by theme parties. During the day the theatre stages a specially written panel quiz show. The two-deck-high Queens Room is one of the most beautiful rooms at sea and hosts activities from dancing and fencing lessons to costume balls and white-glove tea. Other rooms include the 6,000 title two-tier library and the Empire Casino.

The ship offers large-screen movies, cabaret acts, bands, live jazz, small combos and solo entertainers. More outdoor shades were added in her recent re-fitting. The Cunard Royal Health Club and Spa includes a beauty salon, large gymnasium, aerobics, thermal area, relaxation area and the Pavilion Pool. The canvas-covered Games Deck harks back to the era of Brideshead Revisited with its 30s-style lawn games – English garden bowls, croquet, paddle tennis and croquet (on Astroturf). There are inside and outside areas dedicated to children ages 1-12.

Explore the decks

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