Cunard Brings Royal Shakespeare Company to Sea

British cruise line Cunard announced a new partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to bring world-class theatre to its flagship Queen Mary 2 ship.

Onboard the Queen Mary 2, travelers will enjoy tailored theatrical performances by the RSC, which creates captivating theatre by Shakespeare, his contemporaries and other literary legends past and present.

The three-year partnership will begin on May 29 and run through August 12, 2022, and then again from September 15 to November 13, 2022. Dates for future years to be announced at a later time.

The performances will be available for all guests on board, including a blend of Shakespeare’s iconic love scenes in a brand-new piece called Boundless as the Sea, created by Owen Horsley. Guests also have the opportunity to see critically acclaimed new work from the RSC with Miss Littlewood, a musical by Sam Kenyon.

“What a thrill to welcome the Royal Shakespeare Company to Cunard. Our Transatlantic voyages are known to feature dazzling onboard experiences, and our new partnership with the RSC continues, and elevates this tradition,” Cunard Vice President Jamie Paiko said.

“To offer our guests unique access to exclusive contemporary performances and of Shakespeare’s finest work is something special, an unforgettable experience that our guests will fully immerse themselves in,” Paiko continued.

In addition, the onboard cast will lead a series of workshops that explore their craft. Guests will be able to access “Shakespeare Tales,” a series of informal events where the actors perform their favorite sonnets and speeches, and answer questions from the audience.

The Queen Mary 2 will also host a touring exhibition, “Digital Diorama: An Augmented Journey Through Shakespeare’s Stratford.” Passengers will use devices to experience scenes from his plays come to life before their eyes.