Queen Elizabeth Arrives to Miami in Style

Photo: Gerry Barker

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

The red carpet was out at Port Miami's Terminal D as media and travel advisors arrived Oct. 16 to tour Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, homeporting in Miami for the first time in Cunard's long and storied 185-year history. It's the start of a two-season tenure, offering 9-21 night-Caribbean itineraries.

We arrived at the Port after taking the Brightline train from West Palm Beach. As part of a Cunard/Brightline partnership, guests who book Brightline and a Cunard cruise can qualify for up to a $400 onboard credit per stateroom.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth to PortMiami,” said Hydi Webb, PortMiami Director and CEO in a press release. “I also want to commend Cunard’s investment in our community. With the addition of Cunard to Miami’s roster of cruise line offerings, passengers will be able to sail aboard ships with a legacy of elegance and comfort. We are grateful for this new partnership and continued growth at the Cruise Capital of the World®.” 

Earlier this year, the 2,000-passenger ship completed a three-week makeover that revitalized familiar spaces such as the Commodore Club, Queens Room and The Pavilion as well as revamping the outdoor decks for improved scenic viewing. The Queens Room redesign "exudes the elegance and luxury reminiscent of the golden age of ocean travel, takes inspiration from the Royal Palace’s heritage of planting Mulberry trees since King James I, with its new carpet pattern replicating a lush garden shrubbery."

New is the Pavilion Wellness Café, which debuted in 2024 on Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne. Also borrowed from Queen Anne is the Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea program, with a variety of multi-day packages. Karibe is a new dining concept celebrating Caribbean coastal cuisine, while the "Whispering Hour” features Whispering Angel wines for a Happy Hour experience. During the tour, we were treated to excerpts from the award-winning musical, "Come From Away," its first-ever at-sea production.

For its Caribbean season, Cunard is offering guests a wide range of shore excursions covering 12 different destinations. Those include:

-- A private catamaran trip around Antigua’s pristine coastline with sushi and barbecue delights prepared by a Michelin-starred chef.

-- An off-road 4x4 adventure in Barbados that ends with a cheese and wine picnic.

-- Barbuda Belle Luxury Beach Escape by Helicopter in Antigua.

-- Luxury Day Pass at Scrub Island Resort in Tortola.

Next May, Queen Elizabeth will sail to Seattle, her homeport for her second season in Alaska.  For more information visit www.cunard.com. 

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Take a Tour of Queen Elizabeth
Photos by Gerry Barker