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Meet the iconic Queens: Queen Elizabeth
Launched in 2010 by her namesake, the late Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth has a special history that’s woven through her interiors. Combining elegant art deco design with sparkling experiences, she is the epitome of British refinement at sea. She’s a sister ship to Queen Victoria and a tribute to the original Queen Elizabeth, which sailed the high seas in the 1930s. Here’s Queen Elizabeth in numbers…
Capacity: 2,081 guests and 911 crew
Staterooms: 6 categories (Britannia Inside, Britannia Oceanview, Britannia Balcony, Britannia Club Balcony, Princess Grill Suites, Queens Grill Suites) over 6 of 12 guest decks
Theatre seats: 800 in the Royal Court Theatre on decks 1, 2 and 3
Restaurants and cafes: 10
Destinations: North America, the Caribbean and Europe (Mediterranean fly-cruises are available from 2027), plus World Voyages
Who will love Queen Elizabeth?
Recommend her to luxury-loving adventurers who regularly cruise, whether they’re discovering Cunard for the first time and are seeking something more, or returning to enjoy the experience they’ve come to know and love. They will be seeking connections with like-minded travellers, a variety of activities on board and the shining White Star Service Cunard is famous for.
Queen Elizabeth’s perfect guest will desire:
- A luxury travel experience
- Plenty of opportunities to socialise
- Activity options to suit all interests
Jane Chadwick, an award-winning cruise specialist at Go Cruise and Travel has sailed on Queen Elizabeth many times with her daughter Lizy (who works alongside her also as a travel agent), and her granddaughter Kate (all pictured, right). The ship holds a very special place in her heart, as Lizy met her now husband – and father to Kate – on board during the naming ceremony in Southampton in 2010.
Jane says the ship has “something for everyone”, adding “Queen Elizabeth ticks a lot of boxes – she's got that grandeur and romance about her, and is that little bit more elevated and refined in comparison to other mainstream ocean cruise ships.”
Queen Elizabeth is not long refreshed too, following a refit in 2025. Between the beloved Commodore Club, lively Queens Room and elegant Grill Suites, Lounge and Terrace, she’s gained fresh furnishings and smartened surroundings. The Pavilion Wellness Café has also been added so guests can dine mindfully at breakfast and lunch, while the Lido Pool has been given a Caribbean makeover complete with new sun canopies and a bar menu featuring island rum.
CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN
The Caribbean flair on board Queen Elizabeth is a reflection of the sun-kissed, colourful islands she visits on a range of inspiring itineraries. Guests can start their day with yoga or pickleball on deck, grab a light bite at the Pavilion Wellness Café, then explore one of the Caribbean’s 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, or laze on one of the islands’ many golden beaches stopping only to cool off in the aquamarine Caribbean Sea.
If craft markets, nature hikes or centuries-old rum distilleries are more your client’s thing, they will truly be spoiled for choice.
The Lido Pool Club and its hand-crafted cocktails will be there to welcome guests upon return, while sunset brings an opportunity to taste the Caribbean with everything from street eats to fine dining featuring local flavours.
Typically, Cunard’s Eastern Caribbean cruises visit Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Then Aruba, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Curacao and Martinique are often included on southern Caribbean routes, while western Caribbean routes tend to take in Jamaica, Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Belize, or Honduras.
“With Cunard, travelling to the Caribbean is easy,” says Jane. “The flights are packaged with the cruise, so customers can relax knowing everything has been taken care of, leaving them free to look forward to exploring some lovely island destinations.”
Should guests be able to pry themselves away from the sunny games deck or daytime Cunard Insights talks and performances taking place on board, there are a number of enticing Caribbean Shore Experiences to select from.
Wildlife lovers can discover the likes of turtles and dolphins during a boat trip with local wildlife experts and conservationists, or dive into the cooling waters to see more marine life through the lens of a snorkel. Monkeys and parrots, meanwhile, can be spotted in the Caribbean’s lush tropical jungle.
If cultural immersion is more appealing, guests can get lost in bustling craft markets, learn about the islands’ history on guided tours or seek out the flavours of unique Caribbean delicacies during culinary masterclasses.
There are segway tours, RIB rides and kayaking experiences too, which active types will love.
Jane always advises her clients to browse the excursions. “You will find something, whether you want something just for a few hours in the morning, or if you want a fully immersive experience,” she says. “I like that there are more interactive options, rather than simply sitting on a bus to see the sights.”
FABULOUS EVENINGS OF STYLE & CELEBRATION
Once the stars start to sparkle in the sky, Queen Elizabeth becomes host to a number of glittering theatrics, musical marvels and indulgent celebrations.
In the Royal Court Theatre (right), guests can expect concerts, eye-catching cabaret performances and West-End style productions.
Jane suggests hiring a private box to elevate the experience, which promises a Cunard bellhop to escort guests to their seats and luxury chocolates, desserts and crisp champagne delivered on arrival. “It makes you feel really, really special,” she says.
The Yacht Club is where guests will find a spot to sit back and relax with a good book or a pre-dinner tipple, or later in the evening, resident DJs to listen to, while the Queens Room (left) is where guests go to dance the night away in the night club.
The iconic Queens Room also welcomes a live orchestra and guests in their finery during Gala Evenings, when they savour every moment they spend moving on the dancefloor. Or, on other nights they can enjoy Latin beats, 70s tunes and iconic film soundtracks.
“Queen Elizabeth has a beautiful wooden, sprung dance floor,” says Jane. “I have clients that will go on a Cunard cruise just to dance – sometimes they're not even interested in where the ship is going, they just get on board to dance.”
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Cunard’s Entertainment Residencies. These can be found on selected voyages and are part of Cunard's theatre and musical partnerships, offering guests the highest quality entertainment spanning everything from musicals and comedy to ghost stories.
GRILL SUITE EXPERIENCE
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I always travel in Grill Suites myself. The extra space in the rooms sells it, but you’ve also got the elevated service and dining, with more extensive menus, and exclusive lounge and terraces.
Jane Chadwick, Go Cruise and Travel
Queen Elizabeth’s Grill Suites are for guests who love to travel and are looking for an elevated experience on board a ship that promises timeless heritage and sophisticated service.
Choosing a Princess or Queens Grill Suite will reward them with more space (both inside their suite and elsewhere on the ship), priority embarkation, a dedicated concierge and a thoughtful butler who will cater to every customer request, however big or small.
Jane is so sold on Cunard’s White Star Service, she celebrated 30 years of selling travel on board with 84 clients last year, and was blown away by the team’s attention to detail, from arranging stylish party decorations to a personalised drinks menu.
“The crew knew what I wanted before I did, and they executed everything perfectly,” she remembers.
With more than 185 years of exceeding guests' expectations, it's no wonder Cunard has unlocked the secret to sensational service.
OCEAN-INSPIRED WELLNESS
Like her fellow Queens, Queen Elizabeth prioritises wellness. Maybe a guest wants to swim laps in the pool, detox during a body scrub at the Mareel Wellness and Beauty spa, or join a group fitness class – there’s always a stress-relieving solution to suit.
Look out for wellness workshops and educational seminars on board too, as some select sailings offer the opportunity for a deeper dive into the mind, body and soul. Often, these are part of a series of Wellness at Sea programmes run in partnership with fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar.
Jane is very wise to the wellness options on Queen Elizabeth. “I like to use the aqua therapy pool, and the heated beds are amazing,” she says, adding that “they all look out to sea so you can completely relax”.
But it’s Cunard’s range of spa treatments that's really captured her heart, specifically, the hot stone massage: “That’s really my thing,” she smiles.
