So, first up let’s get one thing clear … I’ve never had anything in particular AGAINST cruises – it’s just that I’ve never really wanted to go on one.  Well, actually I did go on one when I was a teacher many years ago. It was a Schools Education Cruise on the SS Uganda and we sailed from Venice to Naples  via Greece, Turkey and Egypt – with about 500 school children and 500 paying passengers.  It was a great trip and I enjoyed the life onboard … when I wasn’t having to calm down homesick 14 year olds or cajole reluctant kids to take an interest in the pyramids - but organised tours are not really my thing, and big groups even less appealing.  

However, when I was invited by Cunard to join their newest liner, the Queen Elizabeth on her maiden voyage to the Norwegian fjords, I decided to test my assumptions about cruising whilst enjoying lavish comfort beyond anything I’ve experienced before.  Well, you would, wouldn’t you?

So, on a sunny May day I set foot on one of the world’s most luxurious liners – and got the biggest shock of my recent travelling life.  This ship is a cultural treasure trove.  She is most beautifully fitted out in Art Deco style, recalling the heritage of the original Queen Elizabeth, launched in 1940.

“She relives, in modern glamour, the high society events of the 1930s and 1940s. Images and features from her predecessors, Queen Elizabeth and QE2, sit comfortably alongside her modern charm.”

The Library

With over 6,000 books this was one of my favourite places in which to relax and write. A graceful spiral staircase twists from one deck to another and the shelves are crammed with books to suit all tastes and interests as well as lots of info on the ports of call. Curled up in one of the huge sofas I totally forgot I was on board a ship.

The Royal Court Theatre

Seeing this lovely theatre for the first time made me realise just how VERY big this ship is. Seating 800 people in the stalls and boxes the talented ship’s theatre troupe put on different shows each night. Admittedly, the first one I saw seemed so naff to me that I had to be persuaded to go again; a brilliant dance show combining every style from classical ballet through Latin American, rock n roll, African tribal dance to vibrant contemporary dance soon changed my view. We also saw a very funny comedian and a nautical-themed production of Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ to rival anything the RSC performs.

 Twelfth Night. Photo courtesy of Cunard

Cunarders Gallery

This Art Gallery, run by Clarendon Fine Art showcases a superb collection of artworks from artists around the world. During our trip they had works by that well-know Aussie, Rolf Harris (far more talented than I’d imagined from his TV swirls) and modern impressionist, Sherree Valentine Daines, whose charming  figurative paintings seem  capture the essence of care-free summer days.

Shell Seekers

Cunard Insights Lectures

As well as the usual Ports-of-Call talks there were 2 lecturers who gave fascinating talks in the theatre on a variety of topics including Dr Amanda McKeever  ‘Seadogs, Privateers & Pirates: State-sanctioned Rogues’, ‘Viking Exploration & Settlement’ by Dr Nick Slope and also ‘Australian Opal Cutters’ by guest jeweller Wayne Revely. What was great was that these talks were recorded and then shown on the ship’s TV channel so you could still see them if you couldn’t actually make the live show. I love learning new things and hearing passionate experts talk about what they love, is a real joy.

 Cunard Place. Photo courtesy of Cunard

There was so much more that fed my creative appetite; gorgeous art works around the ship, my favourites being the fluidly graceful glass sculpture by young Scottish artist Peter Simpson and the stunning wooden marquetry panel of the original Queen Elizabeth, by talented royal family member, David Linley. There are Internet rooms and a special area dedicated to all things Apple – I was able to try out the latest iPad and play with the newest Apple Mac – I want one!  Cunard Place has a wonderful collection of Cunard memorabilia with evocative photos of famous stars and royalty who have travelled on these lovely liners over the decades.

Linley Panel

Attention to detail means that each public area, restaurant, games room, lounge, bar etc is a feast for the senses.  Of course I loved visiting the Norwegian ports of Stavanger and Bergen, the breathtaking  Flam Railway journey and majestic Geiranger Fjord … but it was the ship and her cultural beauty that surprised me the most and has most definitely converted me to the cruising way of travel …

Find out more about Cunard and its history in a great little book called ‘The Fleet 1840-2010’

Zoe Dawes is the Quirky Traveller Editor for Wandering Educators.

For more Quirky Traveller's Tales and information on Tours & Walks in the Lake District and beyond www.thequirkytraveller.com

All photos courtesy and copyright Zoe Dawes, except where noted