Latest news with #Cunard

Decks appeal: Martin Parr captures life on a cruise liner

The Guardian

20 hours ago

The Guardian

Decks appeal: Martin Parr captures life on a cruise liner

Glamour and elegance are two USPs of cruising and some cruise companies – Cunard in particular – invest heavily in the nostalgia and fantasy that are hallmarks of the industry. Cunard's Queen Victoria, for example, although launched in 2007, feels like a 1980s reimagining of the liners of the early 20th century; think Titanic, complete with bellhop boys standing to attention as you embark, afternoon tea and grandiose, wood veneered, art deco-themed decor throughout. In Cunard's publicity the term 'voyage' is often quietly substituted for 'cruise' with the implication that the latter has overtones of vulgarity that are best avoided. That this is indeed a huge industry becomes apparent with one peek from the carpeted corridors through the service doors to the functional areas. No glamour here, just echoing metal staircases, laundries, kitchens and steel workstations populated by the hundreds of diligent, ever-smiling staff who keep the show on the road. It's reminiscent of a massive beehive: the 2,000 occupants of the ship are fed, watered, tidied, cleaned and cooled. If necessary, the dead are removed; this unhappy outcome is not unlikely given the advanced age of many passengers and the fact that we are experiencing a heatwave. Bell boys attend to passengers But cruising involves a series of such collisions between fantasy and reality. Getting on to the ship is the first problem: with formal attire de rigueur for the evenings and gala nights, suitcases are bulging and cumbersome; in addition cruisers – sorry voyagers – have to manage hanging bags containing their tuxedos and evening wear. In the days of freely available porterage this would not be a problem, but passengers manhandle all their luggage, heaving suitcases on to security belts, trundling them across the tarmac in the scorching heat. Many arrive in their staterooms bathed in sweat. The same applies on return to the ship after every day in port, even unencumbered with baggage. In temperatures above 30C, it is a slog getting from the terminal buildings to the gangway. There, overheated daytrippers are met by Cunard staff handing out glasses of iced water and cold towels. The captain's evening address from the bridge contains the words 'welcome home' a nod to the sense of relief one feels entering the cool. The rooms on the Queen Victoria The term 'stateroom' is amusing if, like us, you opt for the cheaper, inside option. No windows, functional decor, minuscule bathroom; the traditional-style bedside lights and blue and gold velvet cushions cannot distract from the cabin's undeniable pokiness. As one friend remarked on viewing a photo of our room: 'Are you staying in an institution for young offenders?' The advantage of this kind of room is that it is easy to get to sleep. You enter a womb: warm, dark, with the reassuring sound of the ship's engine throbbing like the maternal heartbeat. Art gallery onboard the liner Brief glimpses through open doors on the other side of the corridor reveal another life altogether: cabins with balconies, sofas, champagne in ice buckets, light and space. Slowly one realises that cruising reframes the entire class system. The voyage is no longer the domain of toffs and sophisticates – despite the marketing. It is nothing to do with breeding or extreme wealth and everything to do with brand loyalty. Some people clock up two or three cruises a year, happily claiming the associated upgrades, discounts on wifi and numerous other perks such as a drink with the captain. The highest echelon Princess or Queen Grill-status passengers enjoy superior facilities, exclusive eating places and other advantages that we can only dream of. Sunbathing on deck Some voyagers display traditional signs of their superiority: understated linen outfits, expensive sunglasses, authentic panama hats, leather holdalls and an aloof manner. But these are truly in the minority. Most cruisers hail from all walks of life and dress accordingly. In some parts of the ship, notably the pool areas and the pub, quizzes, karaoke, and round-the-clock sport on the big screen add to the package holiday atmosphere. We could be in a budget hotel on the Costas. A couple at the Lido buffet This floating Wetherspoon's – as one person termed it – has a dedicated eating place: the Lido, which houses a massive all-you-can-eat buffet throughout the day and into the night. Unlike the other eateries, the Lido welcomes casual attire, so those diners who don't want to dress up feel at home morning, noon and night. The advantage of dining at the Lido is that you can choose what you eat, and much of it is very good quality: exceptional salads, fruit, and seafood. One can eat very well here, but other less healthy options can be piled on plates and washed down with tolerable tea and bad coffee. The Britannia restaurant It is a quite different experience eating in the Britannia restaurant, where smart attire is compulsory, waiters unfurl napkins with a flourish before placing them on your lap, sommeliers proffer the wine list and the menu is Frenchified a la carte. The mixed quality of the cooking – understandable given the scale of operations – makes this another place on the ship where expectation sometimes collides with reality. The Commodore Lounge While there is place onboard for traditional British pub culture, Cunard goes all-out to foster the sense of sophistication elsewhere. There are several areas on the ship that feel exclusive yet are open to all, even the occupants of inside staterooms. The Commodore Lounge with its marvellous views, deeply cushioned seating and cool background jazz, is a retreat for voyagers who prefer their murmured conversation without the accompaniment of blaring pop music. In the comfortable, spacious Chart Room, cocktails are prepared and served by immaculate, charming waiters. The well-stocked library, with its deep armchairs and reading lights, is a haven for those who want to browse diverse material – from gardening to nautical history – in peace and quiet. Waiting for an excursion But the ultimate Cunard experience must be afternoon tea, served in the Queen's Room between 3 and 4 every afternoon accompanied by a medley of light classics played on the grand piano. Crustless sandwiches, savoury nibbles, fancy cakes and most importantly scones, jam and cream, are served by white gloved waiters. Freshly brewed tea is poured from china teapots, a far cry from the push button operation in the Lido. Afternoon tea – the ultimate Cunard experience The fact that the waiters – and indeed the majority of staff – are predominantly Filipino, West Indian or South African gives the whole afternoon tea scenario a faintly post-colonial feel reminiscent of postwar expat clubs in the tropics. But it is this kind of service that makes Cunard – as one traveller put it – the Waitrose of cruise lines. At afternoon tea, you can if you choose to mingle with other passengers and learn a lot about cruise life. I heard complaints from American, Dutch, German and Spanish passengers that they can't participate in the quizzes because they are so geared to British popular culture and therefore incomprehensible. I also talked to people who never leave the ship to visit the ports because they have been there before on previous trips or because it is much more comfortable staying onboard where your every need is met and it is blessedly cool. For these voyagers, the journey itself – rather than the destinations – is what matters. They are happily immersed in ship culture and reluctant to run the gauntlet of taxi drivers and trip organisers waiting for passengers to emerge blinking into the light. Not for them the challenges of grappling with a foreign town or city. Tai chi class Tai chi and chair yoga The upmarket theme continues in some of the numerous activities timetabled for the days at sea and the evenings on the ship. One can refine one's golf strokes, play deck quoits, learn how to paint watercolours, acquire basic salsa moves or listen to a lecture on popular psychology (why do disasters happen?) in the mindboggling full-size theatre – complete with stalls, circle and boxes. Cunard caters for all tastes; if so inclined you can also join line and ballroom dancing sessions, learn how to flatten your stomach, watch Wimbledon or fit pieces into the enormous communal jigsaws. Silent disco, and dancing in the Queen's Room The logistics of this enterprise are astounding. How many yards, or possibly miles of cucumber must be peeled and sliced ready for sandwiches for 2,000 people daily? How many people labour in the laundry that deals with all the bed linen, towels, and every day turns the chefs and the crew (or 'ship's company' as the captain calls it) out in starched, pristine whites? When and where do the kitchen porters, technicians and cleaners sleep and eat? Who organises work rotas, trains and monitors 900 people? Waitrose or Wetherspoon's, the sheer scale of the operation is bound to impress. And it all feels effortless and dream-like until on the morning of disembarkation you nervously open your bill for the drinks you have bought with numerous carefree swipes of your room key, swallow hard, then head to the airport to catch your easyJet flight home. Getting ready to leave

The Guardian

2 days ago

The Guardian

Decks appeal: Martin Parr captures life on a cruise liner

Glamour and elegance are two USPs of cruising and some cruise companies – Cunard in particular – invest heavily in the nostalgia and fantasy that are hallmarks of the industry. Cunard's Queen Victoria, for example, although launched in 2007, feels like a 1980s reimagining of the liners of the early 20th century; think Titanic, complete with bellhop boys standing to attention as you embark, afternoon tea and grandiose, wood veneered, art deco-themed decor throughout. In Cunard's publicity the term 'voyage' is often quietly substituted for 'cruise' with the implication that the latter has overtones of vulgarity that are best avoided. That this is indeed a huge industry becomes apparent with one peek from the carpeted corridors through the service doors to the functional areas. No glamour here, just echoing metal staircases, laundries, kitchens and steel workstations populated by the hundreds of diligent, ever-smiling staff who keep the show on the road. It's reminiscent of a massive beehive: the 2,000 occupants of the ship are fed, watered, tidied, cleaned and cooled. If necessary, the dead are removed; this unhappy outcome is not unlikely given the advanced age of many passengers and the fact that we are experiencing a heatwave. Bell boys attend to passengers But cruising involves a series of such collisions between fantasy and reality. Getting on to the ship is the first problem: with formal attire de rigueur for the evenings and gala nights, suitcases are bulging and cumbersome; in addition cruisers – sorry voyagers – have to manage hanging bags containing their tuxedos and evening wear. In the days of freely available porterage this would not be a problem, but passengers manhandle all their luggage, heaving suitcases on to security belts, trundling them across the tarmac in the scorching heat. Many arrive in their staterooms bathed in sweat. The same applies on return to the ship after every day in port, even unencumbered with baggage. In temperatures above 30C, it is a slog getting from the terminal buildings to the gangway. There, overheated daytrippers are met by Cunard staff handing out glasses of iced water and cold towels. The captain's evening address from the bridge contains the words 'welcome home' a nod to the sense of relief one feels entering the cool. The rooms on the Queen Victoria The term 'stateroom' is amusing if, like us, you opt for the cheaper, inside option. No windows, functional decor, minuscule bathroom; the traditional-style bedside lights and blue and gold velvet cushions cannot distract from the cabin's undeniable pokiness. As one friend remarked on viewing a photo of our room: 'Are you staying in an institution for young offenders?' The advantage of this kind of room is that it is easy to get to sleep. You enter a womb: warm, dark, with the reassuring sound of the ship's engine throbbing like the maternal heartbeat. Art gallery onboard the liner Brief glimpses through open doors on the other side of the corridor reveal another life altogether: cabins with balconies, sofas, champagne in ice buckets, light and space. Slowly one realises that cruising reframes the entire class system. The voyage is no longer the domain of toffs and sophisticates – despite the marketing. It is nothing to do with breeding or extreme wealth and everything to do with brand loyalty. Some people clock up two or three cruises a year, happily claiming the associated upgrades, discounts on wifi and numerous other perks such as a drink with the captain. The highest echelon Princess or Queen Grill-status passengers enjoy superior facilities, exclusive eating places and other advantages that we can only dream of. Sunbathing on deck Some voyagers display traditional signs of their superiority: understated linen outfits, expensive sunglasses, authentic panama hats, leather holdalls and an aloof manner. But these are truly in the minority. Most cruisers hail from all walks of life and dress accordingly. In some parts of the ship, notably the pool areas and the pub, quizzes, karaoke, and round-the-clock sport on the big screen add to the package holiday atmosphere. We could be in a budget hotel on the Costas. A couple at the Lido buffet This floating Wetherspoon's – as one person termed it – has a dedicated eating place: the Lido, which houses a massive all-you-can-eat buffet throughout the day and into the night. Unlike the other eateries, the Lido welcomes casual attire, so those diners who don't want to dress up feel at home morning, noon and night. The advantage of dining at the Lido is that you can choose what you eat, and much of it is very good quality: exceptional salads, fruit, and seafood. One can eat very well here, but other less healthy options can be piled on plates and washed down with tolerable tea and bad coffee. The Britannia restaurant It is a quite different experience eating in the Britannia restaurant, where smart attire is compulsory, waiters unfurl napkins with a flourish before placing them on your lap, sommeliers proffer the wine list and the menu is Frenchified a la carte. The mixed quality of the cooking – understandable given the scale of operations – makes this another place on the ship where expectation sometimes collides with reality. The Commodore Lounge While there is place onboard for traditional British pub culture, Cunard goes all-out to foster the sense of sophistication elsewhere. There are several areas on the ship that feel exclusive yet are open to all, even the occupants of inside staterooms. The Commodore Lounge with its marvellous views, deeply cushioned seating and cool background jazz, is a retreat for voyagers who prefer their murmured conversation without the accompaniment of blaring pop music. In the comfortable, spacious Chart Room, cocktails are prepared and served by immaculate, charming waiters. The well-stocked library, with its deep armchairs and reading lights, is a haven for those who want to browse diverse material – from gardening to nautical history – in peace and quiet. Waiting for an excursion But the ultimate Cunard experience must be afternoon tea, served in the Queen's Room between 3 and 4 every afternoon accompanied by a medley of light classics played on the grand piano. Crustless sandwiches, savoury nibbles, fancy cakes and most importantly scones, jam and cream, are served by white gloved waiters. Freshly brewed tea is poured from china teapots, a far cry from the push button operation in the Lido. Afternoon tea – the ultimate Cunard experience The fact that the waiters – and indeed the majority of staff – are predominantly Filipino, West Indian or South African gives the whole afternoon tea scenario a faintly post-colonial feel reminiscent of postwar expat clubs in the tropics. But it is this kind of service that makes Cunard – as one traveller put it – the Waitrose of cruise lines. At afternoon tea, you can if you choose to mingle with other passengers and learn a lot about cruise life. I heard complaints from American, Dutch, German and Spanish passengers that they can't participate in the quizzes because they are so geared to British popular culture and therefore incomprehensible. I also talked to people who never leave the ship to visit the ports because they have been there before on previous trips or because it is much more comfortable staying onboard where your every need is met and it is blessedly cool. For these voyagers, the journey itself – rather than the destinations – is what matters. They are happily immersed in ship culture and reluctant to run the gauntlet of taxi drivers and trip organisers waiting for passengers to emerge blinking into the light. Not for them the challenges of grappling with a foreign town or city. Thai chi class Thai chi and chair yoga The upmarket theme continues in some of the numerous activities timetabled for the days at sea and the evenings on the ship. One can refine one's golf strokes, play deck quoits, learn how to paint watercolours, acquire basic salsa moves or listen to a lecture on popular psychology (why do disasters happen?) in the mindboggling full-size theatre – complete with stalls, circle and boxes. Cunard caters for all tastes; if so inclined you can also join line and ballroom dancing sessions, learn how to flatten your stomach, watch Wimbledon or fit pieces into the enormous communal jigsaws. Silent disco, and dancing in the Queen's Room The logistics of this enterprise are astounding. How many yards, or possibly miles of cucumber must be peeled and sliced ready for sandwiches for two thousand people daily? How many people labour in the laundry that deals with all the bed linen, towels, and every day turns the chefs and the crew (or 'ship's company' as the captain calls it) out in starched, pristine whites? When and where do the kitchen porters, technicians and cleaners sleep and eat? Who organises work rotas, trains and monitors 900 people? Waitrose or Wetherspoon's, the sheer scale of the operation is bound to impress. And it all feels effortless and dream-like until on the morning of disembarkation you nervously open your bill for the drinks you have bought with numerous carefree swipes of your room key, swallow hard, then head to the airport to catch your easyJet flight home. Getting ready to leave

Want to catch the next solar eclipse? See it on a ship

Sydney Morning Herald

2 days ago

Sydney Morning Herald

Want to catch the next solar eclipse? See it on a ship

When a total solar eclipse was due over the western US, Canada and Mexico in 2024, it caused a huge spike in tourism, with an estimated 4 million people travelling to see the celestial wonder. There's similar excitement for the next total eclipse on August 12, 2026, best seen in parts of Siberia, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland and Spain. Europe hasn't seen a total eclipse at all since 1999. Prime viewing will be just off Reykjavik in Iceland, which will experience 100 per cent totality lasting two minutes and 18 seconds. A cruise ship is one of the best places to take in a solar eclipse, whose path is more often over ocean than land. Ships, too, have some flexibility in relocating in case of overcast weather. You also have the company of like-minded enthusiasts and the input of guest experts such as astronomers and NASA ambassadors. Special solar eclipse sailings will feature guest lecturers, star-gazing nights, eclipse-themed events and trivia competitions. You have no shortage of ship choice for the 2026 eclipse, with cruise companies from budget and expedition to luxury offering itineraries for the occasion. Azamara Cruises has three ships visiting the Mediterranean, Ireland, and Iceland and Canada. Cunard has three as well, visiting Spain and France, the western Mediterranean, and Norway and Iceland. Flagship Queen Mary 2 will be docked in top spot Reykjavik on the big day. Meanwhile, Holland America's Zuiderdam will be at Grundarfjordur in Iceland. Holland America has two other ships seeking the sun, which will be at sea in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic as day becomes night.

The Age

2 days ago

The Age

Want to catch the next solar eclipse? See it on a ship

Times

3 days ago

Times

11 of the best transatlantic cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime sailing

There's a real thrill about travelling from one continent to another by sea; a true sense of the vastness of the Atlantic. You'll have days to commune with the ocean, to take the sea air on deck, and to enjoy the rhythm of shipboard life. The only scheduled transatlantic service is operated by Cunard on its flagship, Queen Mary 2. Pack your ballgown for this one and take a step back into the Golden Age of cruising. But there are plenty of less formal options, complete with all-inclusive drinks, West End quality entertainment, or an adults-only party vibe. Here are 11 of the best to help you choose. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Best for foodiesDuring long days at sea, it's more important than ever that a cruise line's food is top-notch. Oceania's cuisine is overseen by two Master Chefs of France, and esteemed executive culinary adviser Jacques Pépin. Better still, every restaurant on board — apart from specific wine-paired dinners — is included in your cruise fare. Oceania's newest ships also have a dedicated culinary centre for cooking classes, while gourmet shore excursions include exclusive market tours and visits to renowned restaurants. Best for all-inclusive A transatlantic voyage is often a once-in-a-lifetime treat, so you may as well do it in style. Regent Seven Seas Cruises sail from ports including Miami and New York to Lisbon, Barcelona and Athens. You'll be in no hurry to disembark once you get accustomed to the lavish, all-inclusive lifestyle on board, which encompasses unlimited drinks, a stocked minibar, wi-fi, valet laundry, 24-hour room service and gourmet meals in any speciality for shore daysExtend your transatlantic crossing by squeezing in some shore days. Royal Caribbean's itineraries factor in at least three or four stops on its 14-night voyages, including the Mediterranean city of Malaga, with its old town and city beach, and sun-soaked Alicante for tapas bars and a clifftop mediaeval fortress. On board, expect action-packed days with activities including surf-simulators, zip lines, escape rooms and some of the biggest waterslides at for lazy days at seaWindstar's six ships carry between 148 and 342 guests and their small size makes crossing the Atlantic a gloriously unhurried affair — even a direct voyage from Bridgetown in Barbados to Lisbon takes two weeks without any additional stops. Ships include sister yachts Wind Star and Wind Spirit, both four-masted, sail-assisted ships that bring a touch of old-fashioned romance to the high seas. There are no casinos or waterslides on board but days pass in a relaxed blur of cooking demonstrations, live music, navigation lessons and lectures from guest for traditionReturn to the golden age of cruising on a memorable journey with Cunard. Itineraries sail in both directions from New York to either Southampton or Hamburg, on board the distinctive Queen Mary 2, with round-trips available for anyone keen to avoid flying. Voyages include live music performances, black-tie gala evenings, a twice-daily turndown service, use of a library and planetarium, big-name keynote speakers and Cunard's traditional afternoon tea, where white-gloved waiters serve scones and sandwiches to the sounds of a pianist or harpist. • World's most luxurious cruise ships Best for longer voyages Tick far-flung destinations including the Antarctic and Rio de Janeiro off your travel wish-list without setting foot on a plane by joining one of Fred Olsen's extended transatlantic crossings from Southampton. Most last a month or more with plenty of shore days included and are loosely based around themes, from island-hopping in the Caribbean to seeing Canada in autumn. Spend sea days enjoying the purpose-built art studio, the spa and a daily activity programme with non-stop entertainment provided by dance teachers, a resident band and an in-house theatre company. • Best budget cruises in the Caribbean• Best cruise lines for solo travellers Best for activities on boardThere's plenty on offer to fill long days at sea on a Princess cruise. Alongside the pools, basketball court, mini golf and shuffleboard, guests can expect art history lectures, gaming tournaments in the casino, wine tastings, dance classes. Depending on your ship, there's a huge range of entertainment on offer, from movies and musicals to magicians, comedians and acrobats. Best for value Tui's cruise arm Marella doesn't offer regular transatlantic sailings but you can still bag one of its great value repositioning cruises, often between Jamaica or Barbados and Mallorca or Malaga. All-inclusive fares mean you won't need to worry about bills on board either, as regional UK flights, transfers to the ship, gratuities, selected drinks including certain cocktails and several dining options are all covered. Be aware that although most Marella ships usually welcome children, its repositioning itineraries are for adults for included flightsOne-way transatlantic cruises can seem like a great deal until you factor in the cost of a flight home. Luckily P&O cruises include flights from the UK to departure points including Barbados and Antigua, and they'll even throw in transfers from the airport to the ship. Or you can opt for a round-trip cruise from Southampton to the Caribbean, of which there are several a year. Once on board, you can put away your wallet as entertainment, mini golf, fitness classes, gratuities, kids' clubs and dining in a range of restaurants are all covered, while drinks packages can be added on for an extra cost if for an adults-only cruiseExpect a two-week party at sea on board a Virgin Voyages repositioning cruise across the Atlantic. Adults-only ships sail both ways from Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome) to Miami calling at ports including subtropical Funchal in Madeira and cosmopolitan Casablanca in Morocco with its thriving food scene and surf-friendly beaches. On board, the emphasis is firmly on fun, with a tattoo parlour, record shop, hammocks on balconies, ship-wide bar crawls, group HIIT classes and an app to order champagne at any time. Best for stops at big-name portsIf you don't fancy sailing without seeing destinations along the way, a transatlantic voyage with Norwegian Cruise Line is a good compromise. Its Atlantic crossings are around two weeks long but include a handful of shore days to add variety. Popular stops include Lisbon, and Ponta Delgada in the Azores, where optional shore excursions include a food tour or cooking class. • Best adults-only cruises• Biggest cruise ships in the world

Latest news with #Cunard

Decks appeal: Martin Parr captures life on a cruise liner

Decks appeal: Martin Parr captures life on a cruise liner

Want to catch the next solar eclipse? See it on a ship

Want to catch the next solar eclipse? See it on a ship

11 of the best transatlantic cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime sailing

Get Started Now: Download the App