Queen Elizabeth has made her way down under to embark on her final season in Australia, giving local guests the opportunity to experience a kaleidoscope of destinations just a port call away from Sydney.
On these extraordinary voyages, guests might find themselves succumbing to the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef or the achingly stunning Whitsunday Islands. Ashore, they have the opportunity to lose themselves in the sights, sounds and aromas of bustling ports, impressive coastlines, and vibrant cities full of fascinating history. On board, they’ll find an impressive offering that reflects the tantalising places they’ll be visiting.
With a focus on local, high-quality, market-leading suppliers, Queen Elizabeth will continue her daily pie specials, street food-style specials, light Asian-influenced flavours and ingredients on Britannia’s lunch menus, and introduce a local Australian dish on the Grill lunch and dinner menu. Steakhouse at The Verandah’s menu will also feature dishes sourced from local suppliers, from Red Gum Creek Lamb Racks to Westholme Wagyu.
Guests will also find locally sourced alcohol on Queen Elizabeth’s drinks menus, from Starward Seafarer Whisky and Never Never Gin to Pines Pacific Ale and Victoria Bitter. And Christmas will be celebrated the Australian way, with menu features including Treacle and Vegemite Cured Salmon and light, fruity desserts.
As well as Queen Elizabeth’s usual production shows in the Royal Court Theatre, the ship will welcome Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel as part of Cunard’s Entertainment Residencies programme. The Company will take to the stage on a 14-night Sydney to Singapore sailing in February, making cruise line history as the first performance of this classic musical at sea. Elsewhere, Queen Elizabeth will be playing host to a plethora of local talent from tribute band The Australian Beatles to multi-award-winning singer and song writer Lisa Crouch.
For those wanting to completely immerse themselves in their Australian passions, Queen Elizabeth will be hosting the Australian Literature Festival at Sea, in partnership with Dymocks, in December and the Great Australian Culinary Voyage in February, joined by some of Australia’s culinary royalty.
The Cunard Insights programme will also find its inspiration in the region’s talent and experts. Read more below about some of the exciting speakers Cunard’s Guest Experience team has booked for Queen Elizabeth’s time in Australia…
Luc Longley – The first Australian to play in the NBA, playing for the Chicago Bulls, the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks.
Major General Liz Cosson – The first woman to be promoted to the rank of Major General in the Australian Army and the first woman to be appointed Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Michelle Payne – Highly successful trainer, jockey and author.
Ian Perry – Previous Australian Reef Pilot guiding ships through the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, and current Port Pilot in the Northern Territory.
Stuart Tipple – Represented Michael and Lindy Chamberlain to pardoning and acquittal in a case regarded as Australia’s worst miscarriage of justice.