Latest news with #QueenMary2
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
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.
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
New York Post
21-07-2025
- New York Post
The world's only active ocean liner will offer a front-row seat to next year's grand Sail4th 250 bash
The world's only active ocean liner will have a front-row seat to the largest peacetime naval gathering in history — one celebrating a milestone anniversary for our nation. Millions of spectators are expected to attend America's 250th birthday bash in the New York Harbor next summer, and one special ship will have the best view in the house. 9 The Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor. Courtesy of Cunard Advertisement 9 The last time a naval flotilla of this magnitude took place was in 2000, to celebrate the new millennium. Photo Courtesy of OpSail 2000 The Queen Mary 2, an ocean liner by Cunard, will offer guests Harbor-side vistas as the largest flotilla of tall ships and naval vessels ever assembled coasts between the George Washington and Verrazano bridges. The dazzling display of these giant, majestic ships will be the highlight of the multi-day event hosted by Sail4th 250 from July 3 through 8. The Queen Mary 2 will be in some other good company. Advertisement 'Surrounding the Queen will be Navy aircraft carriers also at anchor,' Chris O'Brien, the president of Sail4th 250, told The Post. 'It's going to make for a visually unbelievable sight.' The once-in-a-generation global gathering expects more than 30 nations' tall ships among its ranks, according to O'Brien. With a prime anchorage point, the Queen Mary 2 is advertising an unbeatable view of the nautical array. 9 Queen Mary 2 passengers will have a prime spot for the record-breaking parade of tall ships. U.S. Navy Mass Comm Specialist Wilson 9 The world's only ocean liner measures twice the length of the Washington Monument. Courtesy of Cunard Advertisement Finalizing the giant ocean liner's position in the harbor with the Navy and the Coast Guard was one of 'the final pieces of the puzzle' in planning the big day, O'Brien said. 'At this scale, it's a little bit of a ballet,' O'Brien said. 'Especially after the parade is over and the docking of ships starts.' While the flotilla of ships will serve as the patriotic weekend's centerpiece, the national fête will also include cannon salutes, boat tours, Blue Angels flight shows and, of course, Macy's glittering July 4 fireworks. The Queen Mary 2 will be secured along the parade route by her 23-ton anchors, just south of Governors Island. Guests can watch the parade float by on traditional steamer chairs along the promenade deck, or from one of 14 passenger decks. Advertisement When the ocean liner first set sail in 2004, it was the largest, longest, widest and tallest passenger ship in history. The Queen Mary 2 towers 200 feet above the waterline and its length is equal to the height of a 23-story building, or twice the length of the Washington Monument. The ship can hold more than 2,600 passengers, according to Cunard. 9 The grand lobby of the Queen Mary 2. Courtesy of Cunard 9 The ship combines sea-faring might with a refined on-board experience. Courtesy of Cunard 9 The original Queen Mary ocean liner. Courtesy of Cunard An on-board whistle inherited from the original Queen Mary, which sailed the North Atlantic from 1936 to 1967, is audible for 10 miles. The ship remains the world's only active ocean liner, distinct from cruises for its powerful ability to sail over the high seas, as opposed to hugging coast lines. And it blends force with a refined touch. On-board luxuries include four outdoor pools and the ocean's only floating planetarium. Cunard already carries significant cachet in American history. In the 1800s, Cunard's Royal Mail service provided a vital and reliable connection between the US and Europe. Its ships later transported waves of European migrants to the United States, many of whom passed through the doors of Ellis Island. Cunard also operated the doomed Lusitania, and the liner supported Allied troops in both World Wars. Advertisement Cunard's heroic steamship crew of the RMS Carpathia rescued 705 survivors of the Titanic disaster from the frigid water in 1912, and took them to the shores of New York City. 9 The Queen Mary 2 offers more than 1,300 guest rooms for its July 4 voyage. Courtesy of Cunard 9 One of the ship's staterooms. Courtesy of Cunard The Queen Mary 2 is selling tickets for its July 4 voyage across more than 1,300 guest rooms. Prices for available rooms currently start at about $5,000, with Princess Grill Suites and Queens Grill Suites starting at $14,000 and $15,000. Advertisement Discerning travelers can shell out more than $50,000 for one of five duplex apartments. The ultra-luxury offerings feature two-story glass walls and more than 1,000 square feet of space. Following the July 4 celebrations, the voyage will continue with visits to Newport, Rhode Island and Halifax, Nova Scotia, before returning to New York on July 10. 'Cunard ships have been sailing into New York Harbor for 185 years, and we are thrilled to honor this history by being part of Sail4th 250's historic celebration,' said Liz Fettes, senior vice president, Commercial for North America, Cunard. 'Aboard Queen Mary 2, our guests will enjoy an unparalleled view of the tall ships parade, fireworks and an unforgettable spectacle marking America's 250th anniversary.' Please visit for more information.
CNN
18-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
More than 130 passengers fall ill on Royal Caribbean cruise
(CNN) – More than 130 cruise ship passengers reported suffering from a gastrointestinal disease after setting sail from Los Angeles on July 4. The cause of the outbreak has not been determined. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 134 passengers on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas — or 3.4 percent of the cruise's total passenger list of 3,900 people — reported feeling ill. Seven members of the crew were also affected, out of a total of 1,266 staff members. The outbreak was reported to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on July 11 when the weeklong Royal Caribbean cruise returned to Los Angeles to dock after the trip was over. According to records compiled by the VSP, there have been 18 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships under the program's jurisdiction so far this year, mainly related to Norovirus. That's the same number of outbreaks reported all of last year, according to incidents logged by the CDC. While it's unclear what caused the outbreak on the Royal Caribbean ship, passengers experienced diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, the CDC said in a post this week about the Navigator of the Seas outbreak. In April, about 250 passengers on the Queen Mary 2 reported coming down with the highly contagious norovirus. That disease has a reputation as 'the cruise ship virus,' infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told CNN Travel earlier this year. That's because it spreads easily, and anyone in close quarters — like cruise ships — is extra susceptible. Such outbreaks also frequently occur in schools and jails — wherever large groups of people gather in tight spaces. But the CDC hasn't determined yet if the culprit on the Navigator of the Seas was norovirus. 'The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority,' a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told CNN Travel. 'To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.' The CDC says Royal Caribbean reported boosting its cleaning and disinfection procedures and also collected specimens from infected passengers, after isolating anyone who was ill. CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen said that while infectious diseases can be 'very unpleasant,' they typically 'pass within 1 to 2 days.' While the cause remains unknown in this case, Dr. Wen reiterated that precautions such as thorough hand washing are critical. She also noted that norovirus is not killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are commonly used.
