Cunard has announced its 2026 entertainment lineup for transatlantic crossings aboard Queen Mary 2, including West End musical performances and a Royal Shakespeare Company production. The programme aims to enhance the week-long voyage between Southampton and New York.
A 'Theatre at Sea' sailing on 22 May will feature West End talent from shows such as Hairspray, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with fares from £869 per person. A one-off 'The Oliviers in Concert' performance will celebrate 50 years of the Olivier Awards, sponsored by Cunard, and guests can be photographed with a statuette.
The Royal Shakespeare Company will present The Constant Wife on 29 May during its UK tour. The comedy, written by Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade and starring Kara Tointon, features original music by Jamie Cullum. The voyage departs from New York, with fares from £909 per person.
On 5 September, conductor Anthony Inglis leads the National Symphony Orchestra for two evening concerts. Guests can attend talks, Q&A sessions, and join a guest choir for a special performance. Fares start at £1,049 per person.
Queen Mary 2's 450th transatlantic crossing departs on 10 November, featuring an immersive programme titled 'Cunard’s 450 Club: Celebrate the Transatlantic'. Highlights include Noël Coward’s early performances and a tribute to Sir Arthur Rostron, captain of RMS Carpathia. Fares from £829 per person.
Over 680 speakers will appear on sailings, including Dame Floella Benjamin, Sir Tony Robinson, and 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.'
