Cunard has been in partnership with The Times & Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival since 2018 and together, we present the Literature Festival at Sea in partnership with Cheltenham Literature Festival and The Times & Sunday Times on board Queen Mary 2, with the fourth voyage sailing this November.
We were delighted to return to this year’s Festival, supporting seven author events as well as presenting the VIP Lounge in partnership with Cunard. The festival welcomed over 100,000 visitors across the 10 day run.
Our supported events comprise authors who have travelled, or are due to travel on board the Literature Festival at Sea, including an audience with 2023 guest, author, screenwriter and former actress, Lynda la Plante and writer and broadcaster Richard Coles of QI and Have I Got News For You fame, who co-presented Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 for 11 years.
Other supported events align with our passion points and include TV and radio presenter, author and mental health advocate, Fearne Cotton, and Wine Times, where friend of Cunard and Sunday Times wine columnist Will Lyons hosted a special Festival episode of his award-winning podcast, sharing his love of wine, lively conversation and vinous culture, whilst guests enjoyed a three-course dinner.
We were proud to be present the VIP Lounge in partnership with Cunard, which is a space for the festival’s patrons, sponsors and invited guests to relax between events as well as playing host to various receptions throughout the Festival run.
There are some Cunard touches throughout, including Cunard books, portraits of authors who have sailed or are due to sail on board the Literature Festival at Sea, complimentary Cunard pillow chocolates and new for this year Union Coffee, our on board coffee partner, was served in the lounge.
In addition, we also hosted a competition to win a trip on board the Literature Festival at Sea 2025 and an exclusive 10% Cunard booking offer for the duration of the festival.
