by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 2:25 PM ET, Tue April 7, 2026
Cunard will offer expanded entertainment offerings on its transatlantic sailings aboard Queen Mary 2 this year.
Cunard is this year’s headline partner of the Olivier Awards. To mark the occasion, guests sailing between New York and Southampton will enjoy special performances and cultural events.
“In 2026, we’re offering the most extensive enrichment program ever on a single year of crossings, placing world-class entertainment at the heart of every voyage,” says Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. “From award-winning theater and classical music to thought-provoking literary conversations, this program reflects our long-standing commitment to celebrating culture at sea. We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Olivier and Tony Awards and to welcome such remarkable talent on board Queen Mary 2.”
Departing May 22, the “London Theatre at Sea in partnership with the Olivier Awards Event Voyage” features entertainment offerings curated by Julian Bird, including performances, musical theatre singalongs and talks offering a look behind the scenes of theater.
Exclusive to the voyage, The Oliviers in Concert will celebrate 50 years of the Olivier Awards in a one-off production with the Royal Court Theatre orchestra. Guests can also join interactive workshops and attend a red-carpet gala evening for the chance to be photographed with a real Olivier Award.
Additionally, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new production of The Constant Wife will debut at sea on May 29. The production, from Olivier- and Tony Award-winning producer David Pugh, was written by Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade and stars Kara Tointon. It features original music composed by jazz artist Jamie Cullum.
On September 5, maestro Anthony Inglis will lead the UK’s National Symphony Orchestra for two evening concerts aboard Queen Mary 2. Guests can enjoy talks and Q&A sessions and even participate in the guest choir.
On Queen Mary 2’s 450th transatlantic crossing, departing November 10 from Southampton, guests can enjoy The 450 Club: Celebrate the Transatlantic, an immersive program featuring iconic moments from Cunard history created by the award-winning theater company Immersive Octopus. Guests will enjoy the revived Ocean Times newspaper, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, hear from a maritime historian and attend a commemorative gala dinner.
Meanwhile, Cunard’s Literature Festival at Sea, departing November 28, brings together authors, journalists, historians and critics for a week-long celebration of storytelling. Curated by The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, this unique voyage celebrates the written word in its many forms – with intimate Q&A sessions, themed events, and book signings.
Select transatlantic crossings will also feature exclusive “Entertainment Residencies,” bringing musicals, comedy, opera and immersive theatre to the high seas. Guests can enjoy rare recitals, workshops, and one-of-a-kind performances from acclaimed companies and artists, including Adam Riches’ Jimmy, Tim Benzie’s It’s a Mystery!, Dyad Productions’ A Room of One’s Own, Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful, and the West End comedy The Last Laugh.
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