Cunard has announced their anticipated 2025 Event Voyages collection offering the chance for you to be part of an experience unlike any other. Award-winning authors. Master composers. Celebrity choreographers. Cunard’s Event Voyages invite you to sail with some of the greatest talents in gastronomy, art, wine and entertainment!
Share your love of film or literature or celebrate the joy of music and dance. You also could have the chance to be part of history as Cunard marks their 185th anniversary! With unforgettable performances, Q&As, and hands-on workshops, an Event Voyage on an Event Voyage on one of Cunard’s Queen is a holiday like no other.
Guests can join Cunard for an extra special adventure with the following Event Voyages in 2025:
- Great Australian Culinary Voyage – Q505 – 6-11 February 2025
- Film Festival at Sea – M506A – 8 – 15 March 2025
- 185th Anniversary Event Voyage – M517 – 24 June-1 July 2025
- Dance the Atlantic – M523A – 8-15 August 2025
- Anthony Inglis and the National Symphony Orchestra – M526 – 3-10 September 2025
- Voyage du Vin – V525N – 13-24 October 2025
- Literature Festival at Sea – M538 – 8-15 December 2025
Great Australian Culinary Voyage
Delicious food. Exquisite wines. Unforgettable company. Setting Sail in February 2025, Cunard’s Great Australian Culinary Voyage offers a unique opportunity. Indulge your love of all things food and wine, while at the same time enjoying a summer voyage on Queen Elizabeth.
This five-night sailing from Sydney, visiting Hobart and the breath-taking Great Oyster Bay, celebrates everything that’s special about Australia’s culinary scene. Listen and learn from chefs, producers and other culinary experts as they expound on the wonders of the Australian Cuisine.
Taste exceptional dishes. Learn about local produce. Sample beautiful wines. You can also make the most of chances to immerse yourself in the local food scene, on one of their Shore Experiences.
Plus, the icing on the cake; treat your tastebuds to an explosion of flavour with exclusive dishes created by talented Australian food icons including Matt Moran. This voyage is set to be one you’ll never forget.
Special guests include the following:
- Matt Moran – an award winning chef with prime-time TV appearances, best-selling cookbooks and a tour de force behind some of Australia’s most celebrated dining establishments such as Chiswick, two-hatted Aria, North Bondi Fish and Opera Bar. Matt is a pioneer in Australia of the ‘paddock to plate’ philosophy and a firm believer in importance of consumers behind connected to the source of their food. He has a passion for fresh, seasonal produce, showcased in his award-winning contemporary Australian menus. Matt will be taking over The Verandah to create an exclusive menu for guests* as well as curating an exclusive dinner for the Britannia Restaurant.
- Nornie Bero – Founder and CEO of Mabu Mabu which is a native food business with a flagship restaurant in Melbourne’s Federation Square. She is also an author for her own cookbook and contributed to multiple TV shows with her expertise. She will showcase her skills by creating a native Australian menu during a takeover of the Lido Alternative Dining Venue.* She’ll also be giving talks and a cooking demonstration for guests to learn about Australia’s native produce and cuisine first-hand.
- Darren Purchese – Renowned pastry chef, owner and creator of B&P Sweet Studio in Melbourne. He will surprise and delight guests with his colourful creations and exclusive hands-on experiences.
- Julie Goodwin – Australia’s first ever MasterChef winner, Julie Goodwin has been a household name in Australia since 2009 and has been on numerous TV shows. Julie will be conducting a hands-on cooking skills workshop* and hosting the culinary talent on stage, where she will discuss their impressive careers, influences and approaches to cooking.
- Katie Spain – Leading drinks expert, writer and journalist, the national drinks writer for GOOD FOOD. Katie will be hosting Lunch & Learn sessions* that are highly educational and entertaining, so book before early so you don’t miss out! During her wine Masterclasses* you can discover some of Australia’s most popular wine regions. Katie will also curate and co-host a bespoke shore excursion* around Hobart.
Ship: Queen Elizabeth
Cruise No: Q505
Itinerary: Southern Australia
Date: 6 – 11 February 2025
No Nights: 5 nights
Film Festival at Sea
Make the most of life on board this iconic ocean liner, not only by exploring Queen Mary 2’s leisure and dining options, but also by attending film-themed events and activities throughout your voyage.
You will hear from industry experts and icons. Test your knowledge at film-themed quizzes. Discover the world behind the scenes of the film industry and the BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express.
Fill your week at sea by attending bespoke activities or claim a seat in illuminations and sit back and watch the magic unfold, as cinema classics are screened. There will also be well-loved films as well which you can enjoy in your suite or stateroom if pyjamas and room service be the order of the day. As well as all of these great activities, you can also experience art classes and fine dining. Pub fare and Karaoke. White Star Service that takes care of the finer details.
Film Festival at Sea is in partnership with the BFI which is a cultural charity, a national lottery distributor and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Their mission is to support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of the UK storytellers, as well as to grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive.
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Cruise No: M506A
Itinerary: Westbound Transatlantic
Date: 8 – 15 March 2025
No Nights: 7 nights
185th Anniversary Event Voyage
Cunard will be celebrating its 185th Anniversary by holding a Westbound Transatlantic Cruise to New York from Southampton. This route has been sailed by Cunard ships for decades. Sailors will be treated to a host of unique events on Queen Mary 2, Gala Evenings, Afternoon Tea, and Cocktails inspired by seven of their most decorated Commodores. On this celebratory crossing guests will find a programme of fascinating talks.
Hear captivating stories from maritime historians, some that date back to when it all began in 1840. Learn about the origin of Cunard’s historic liners, from humble beginners as a mail courier, to hosting some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Cruise No: M517
Itinerary: Westbound Transatlantic
Date: 24 June – 1 July 2025
No Nights: 7 nights
Dance the Atlantic
Be a part of this extraordinary Transatlantic Crossing that offers an up close and personal insight into the magic English National Ballet create on stage, and all the work that goes into it. Delight in the chance to meet and mingle with National Ballet dancers, who will welcome you to watch their morning ballet classes in the Royal Court Theatre. Why not even drop in on their rehearsal as they showcase their movements and work on new choreography.
You will also be able to attend special workshops led by English National Ballet artists, where you will have the chance to experience the joy of dancing and glean expert advice to work on your own ability!
Listen to insight talks that offer fascinating illumination of working and creating within a professional dance company, and discover more about the dedication and exhilaration of a dancer’s life.
You will be treated to memorable performances at the Royal Court Theatre which includes excerpts from a wealth of classical and contemporary works, these stunning recitals will demonstrate the huge breadth of the company’s repertoire.
The English National Ballet will be the partner of the event bringing world class ballet to the widest possible audience.
Special guests on board
Whilst on board Queen Mary 2 you will be able to meet choreographers, soloists and ballet masters. Cunard’s Dance the Atlantic Voyage has welcomed many famous faces from the worlds of dance and they look forward to announcing the special guests very soon!
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Cruise No: M523A
Itinerary: Eastbound Transatlantic
Date: 8 – 15 August 2025
No Nights: 7 nights
Anthony Inglis and the National Symphony Orchestra
Spend your week at sea exploring everything your Cunard Queen has to offer. Elegant Afternoon Tea, Gala Evening events, Deck Games and Fast paced fitness classes. You will find plenty of opportunities to learn more about the world of classical music and the celebrated and charismatic conductor that is Anthony Inglis, as he speaks about his career at a relaxed Q&A session.
Have the chance to rehearse with the choir is another voyage highlight. You will have the chance to put your own vocal strengths to the test with the best and join the group performance on stage in the Royal Court Theatre in the evening.
The Nation Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is in partnership with Cunard for this voyage. The NSO is one of the longest established and most versatile professional freelance orchestras working in Britain today. They also have been sailing on Cunard voyages for many years.
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Cruise No: M526
Itinerary: Eastbound Transatlantic
Date: 3 – 10 September 2025
No Nights: 7 nights
Voyage du Vin
Take a look closer at the wonderful world of wine on this unique Event Voyage on Queen Victoria, in partnership with Corney & Barrow, one of the UK’s oldest independent wine merchants.
Embarking on an 11-night Mediterranean sailing promises not only to transport you, physically, to some of the world’s leading wine-producing countries, but you will also be treated to a whole host of events and experiences designed to delight oenophiles of all kinds.
You will have the choose on board to listed to a variety of talks, tastings, classes and more, hosted by guest speakers and Cunard’s own experts. Renowned personalities from the wine world will be on hand to answer any questions, make suggestions or to share their knowledge. Throughout the Iberian Peninsula, you can join a shore experience to a local vineyard and get to know more about the wines produced locally and you make discover your new favourite bottle!
Ship: Queen Victoria
Cruise No: V525N
Itinerary: Mediterranean
Date: 13 – 24 October 2025
No Nights: 11 nights
Literature Festival at Sea
Find yourself in literary heaven, surrounded by authors, poets, journalists, historians, and fellow book lovers, on this seven-night sailing, dedicated to the power of the pen. Curated by the programming team of Cheltenham Festivals, this unique voyage celebrates the written word in its many forms.
Enjoy a daily dose of news from Times journalists. Lose yourself in thought-provoking conversations at Q&A sessions. Meet your favourite writers at intimate book signings. Listen as literary greats dissect everything from art and film to history and politics.
You could fill every day on board with all kinds of literature-based activities and experiences. And that’s on top of exploring the range of signature Cunard experiences you can already look forward to when you holiday
with us.
Literature Festival Highlights
Author Book Signings – Were you inspired by one of the speakers at the festival? Why not choose one of their books at the shop on board and get them to sign it personalised to you. The Times and Sunday Times – You will find yourself mingling with and listening to some incredible Times journalists. Why not join some of them, along with some authors to delve into the day’s headlines and the new stories behind them? In Conversation with… – Chaired by one of the speakers at the event, will be a session that takes a deep dive into an author’s life and career. You will be able to learn about their time before writing, find out what brought them to this path, their road to getting published, and what they are working on now. Workshops and more – Fanatical wordsmiths and aspiring writers will be delighted to find multiple workshops*, allowing guests to get up close and personal with authors to help you hone your craft.
Special Guests On Board
Sophie Raworth – Journalist and presenter of BBC News. Sophie has been on many of the BBC’s big events including the Queens’ funeral, Royal Weddings, the World War One centenary, and the London Olympics. Richard Coles – Writer, broadcaster and an Anglican priest, who co-presented Saturday Live Radio 4 for 11 years. He has appeared on QI, Have I Got News For You, and Would I Lie To You? He also writes regularly for the Sunday Times, and is an author of half a dozen books.
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Cruise No: M538
Itinerary: Westbound Transatlantic
Date: 8 – 15 December 2025
No Nights: 7 nights
Why Sail with Cunard?
For over 180 years Cunard has set the bar and then raised it. A voyage with Cunard means a chance to travel the globe with the pioneers of the world voyage. It means an effortless holiday, on which every day can be different.
Unwind. Embrace a sense of freedom. Enjoy life with no responsibilities. With more included than you might think, spend time in any way you like. It is your holiday, after all. Indulge (at least once or twice) in a delicious Afternoon Tea.
Learn something new at fascinating Insight talks, or maybe take part in a beginner’s Wine Academy course, leaving with a recognised qualification. Take in remarkable theatre, from the renowned talents of the Royal Shakespeare Company to critically acclaimed Cunard Showcases productions. That’s when you’re not treasuring peaceful hours spent at Mareel Spa or gazing out to sea from spacious decks. You could fill your days and nights with activities, or do you dream of laying by the pool doing nothing at all, while you sail to the next destination?
You could push yourself at the gym by morning and glam up for a sparkling Gala Evening by night, maybe with a signature Cunard cocktail in between (why stop at one?). Art classes and fine dining. Pub fare and karaoke.
However, you choose to spend your time, find added comfort knowing that all the finer details have been taken care of, thanks to the renowned White Star Service. Take home all kinds of unique and extra special memories from your Cunard holiday.
