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Musical theatre singalongs and performances of the Royal Shakespeare Company play The Constant Wife are among the highlights of the new entertainment on Cunard’s transatlantic cruise crossings this year.
There will be plenty to keep guests occupied during a week at sea sailing aboard Queen Mary 2 between Southampton and New York.
When not exploring the onboard library, hearing talks in the planetarium or enjoying a white-gloved afternoon tea, passengers can enjoy an expanded programme of entertainment.
This includes a “Theatre at Sea” sailing from Southampton on 22 May. It features performances by West End talent from shows such as Hairspray, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Prices start from £869 per person.
There will also be a one-off The Oliviers in Concert performance, celebrating 50 years of the Olivier Awards, which are sponsored by Cunard. Guests will even have a chance to be photographed with a real statuette.
The Royal Shakespeare Company will be bringing its production of The Constant Wife to Queen Mary 2 on 29 May during its UK tour.
The hit comedy, written by Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade and starring Kara Tointon, features original music composed by jazz artist Jamie Cullum. The voyage departs from New York and prices start at £909 per person.
On 5 September, well-known conductor Anthony Inglis leads the UK’s National Symphony Orchestra for two evening concerts aboard Queen Mary 2 on a voyage from Southampton to New York.
Guests can join talks and question and answer sessions and even participate in the guest choir, rehearsing throughout the week for a special performance alongside the orchestra. Cruise fares start from £1,049 per person.
This year also marks Queen Mary 2’s 450th transatlantic crossing, departing from Southampton on 10 November.
Passengers on this sailing will be entertained by an immersive programme, titled Cunard’s 450 Club: Celebrate the Transatlantic, which displays key moments from the brand’s history. Highlights include Noël Coward’s early performances to officer Sir Arthur Rostron, captain of the cruise line’s RMS Carpathia, who rescued passengers from the Titanic.
There will be behind-the-scenes tours and a commemorative gala dinner. Prices start from £829 per person.
More than 680 speakers will be on sailings during the year including Dame Floella Benjamin, Sir Tony Robinson and former England cricket captain Sir Andrew Strauss.
Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: “For more than 185 years, Cunard’s iconic Transatlantic Crossings have been defined by extraordinary journeys and exceptional experiences. In 2026, we’re offering the most extensive enrichment programme ever on a single year of crossings, placing world-class entertainment at the heart of every voyage.
“From award-winning theatre and classical music to thought-provoking literary conversations, this programme reflects our long-standing commitment to celebrating culture at sea. We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Olivier and Tony Awards and to welcome such remarkable talent on board Queen Mary 2.”
