CUNARD WORLD CRUISE STORIES
Planning a grand cruise voyage or just dreaming about one?
Either way, come aboard and explore our Cunard world cruise stories. Read our firsthand accounts of typhoons, pirates, safaris, and ancient art—with everything in between!
Two different cruises in two different years for two different reasons made one full circle around the globe. The first half we sailed on the Queen Elizabeth from Los Angeles to the Mediterranean ending in Barcelona. The second half we boarded Queen Anne in San Francisco and sailed with her on her first cruise around the world, too until Southampton. We invite you to click on the pictures below to read more about our stories.
Our initial journey from LA to Barcelona felt like four cruises packed into one, setting a high bar for adventure. Yet, the true test began just days into our second cruise on Queen Anne sailing from San Francisco, leading to a memorable (and stressful!) discovery. Find out what happened when my wallet vanished
Our arrival in Sydney Harbour was nothing short of spectacular, filled with the iconic sights of the Opera House, Royal Gardens, and fascinating art. But the serene beauty of Australia quickly gave way to high drama as we learned our ship was sailing straight into a typhoon named Alfred, forcing an unexpected change of course and a missed port.
From baffling phone calls in Honolulu to the calm of an art gallery, our Pacific journey seemed to unfold normally. Even crossing two imaginary global lines: the international date line and the equator couldn’t topple our journey. That is, until a perplexing black balloon appeared on stage – a balloon only I could see. Join us as one person's vision becomes everyone's reality.
From the invisible dangers of tiny jellyfish in Airlie Beach to the vibrant cultural beats of Darwin, our journey through Australia offered a captivating mix. But the adventure truly escalated as our ship entered stealth mode under the threat of pirates, culminating in a wild, police-escorted dash through Manila for a glimpse of a shy, fog-shrouded volcano.
Our epic world cruise journey culminates on the historic Maritime Silk Road. We glide across the stunning Indian Ocean doldrums, learn the vibrant Sega in Mauritius, and then dive into the heart of Africa—dancing with Zulus, embarking on a thrilling safari, and conquering fears atop Table Mountain. Not every port was smooth sailing; Namibia brought visa woes and Dakar presented real danger. Yet, a heartfelt stop in Tenerife and the emotional arrival in Southampton provided the perfect, powerful end to our incredible global adventure.
From the unexpected challenge of onboard chair aerobics to the stunning landscapes of Tonga and Hobbiton, this leg of our journey was anything but routine. We'll revisit the mystery of a missing wallet and discover the surprising encounter in New Zealand that left us chuckling over a unique self-description: "Suboptimal."
Our journey through Asia was a dazzling blur of iconic cityscapes, starting with two unforgettable days exploring Hong Kong's vibrant sites and a world-class museum. We dove into Vietnam's water puppetry, then experienced firsthand how a "shortcut" can turn into an hours-long detour. From Singapore's breathtaking Marina Towers and a stunning cherry blossom display, to the cruise's best excursion in Kuala Lumpur, this segment culminated in Penang's beautiful temples and a bus ride that almost left us (or GJT!) behind.
After months at sea, what does a world cruise really teach you? In these final reflections, discover the essential lessons Cunard might not tell you, from surprise concert revelations and our top three transformative lectures, to the unforgettable visuals that still linger. Plus, get the inside scoop on what we packed (and what we wish we hadn't!) for an adventure of a lifetime.