Group Cruise 2027: Join Me On An Iconic Cunard Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing

In July 2027, I will be hosting a group cruise on one of the most iconic cruise experiences in the world today: a 7-night Transatlantic Crossing on Cunard Queen Mary 2.

The group trip will be on the crossing departing Friday 23 July 2027 from Red Hook Brooklyn and arriving in Southampton on Friday 30 July 2027. The ship should be in excellent condition as it is scheduled to go through a major 40-night refit between 30 March and 9 May 2027.

Timings:

• Panama Canal Group Cruise attendees can submit requests for quotes and book now. Quotes and bookings will commence from 4 March.
• Senior Officer and Captain Patrons and Channel Members will be sent details to submit requests for quotes and book from 9 March and will have priority booking until 16 March.
• If there is still space on the group, ability to book will be opened more broadly.

Group Cruise Must-Knows

1. The Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing departs Red Hook Brooklyn on Friday 23 July 2027, and arrives in Southampton on Friday 30 July 2027. This is the crossing: https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/find-a-cruise/M720/M720
2. Numbers are limited and once sold out you can join a waitlist. However, group bookings will close on 31 August 2026, and no further group bookings can be made after that date.
3. There is no group rate, and bookings will be made based on the best pricing and promotions at time of booking.
   1. The Group booking will include access to organised events confirmed closer to the sailing. As with past groups, these are likely to include activities such as Welcome Cocktail Party, On-board meet ups, Group Dinner Tables, and so on.
   2. If you book on this crossing separately, and not as part of the group booking via Sarah Bolton, you will not be able to attend any of the organised events.
   3. Cabins are currently available across all categories, which on Queen Mary 2 include:
      1. Britannia (Inside, Oceanview and Balcony) with dining in the Britannia Restaurant at First, Second, or Anytime options to be selected.
         1. NOTE: I will be cruising in a Britannia category cabin with first seating dining, which is usually around 6pm. I recommend booking a Britannia cabin and first seating if you want to join group cruise tables
      2. Britannia Club (Premium Balcony) with open-seated dining in an area of the Britannia Restaurant.
      3. Princess Grill (Mini-suites) with open-seated dining at a dedicated table in the Princess Grill Restaurant.
      4. Queens Grill (Suites with Butler service) with open-seated dining at a dedicated table in the Princess Grill Restaurant.
      5. As a guideline on fares:
         1. 2 people:
            1. Inside from £999pp
            2. Outside from £1349pp
            3. Sheltered balcony from £1499pp
            4. Balcony from £1849pp
            5. Club balcony from £2199pp
         2. Solo
            1. Single outside from £2149 (This is a large single bedded cabin only not king/twins)
            2. Inside for single occ from £1998
            3. Outside for single occ from £2698
            4. Sheltered balcony from £2998
            5. Balcony from £3698
            6. Club balcony from £4398
         3. Onboard credit up to $250pp, dependent on cabin category
         4. Cunard operates a fluid pricing structure, and therefore prices shown are indicative only. Prices shown are cheapest grade of each cabin type, and higher grades available for a supplement (note, that there is only one grade of outside cabin).
4. In the unlikely event that I am unable to attend and host the group cruise due to illness or other significant reason, bookings will remain without refund or compensation offered, and any applicable cruise line cancellation terms will apply.

How to book?

1. Bookings need to be made through Sarah Bolton of Travel Counsellors based in the UK to be linked as part of the group booking and to be able to join the group events.
2. To start the booking process please email Sarah at [email protected] (NB only use this email address) with the following details:
   1. eMail heading: Gary Queen Mary 2 Group Cruise
   2. Number of adults and children (plus dates of birth of any children)
   3. Country of residence.
   4. Cabin grade, or if not known, then preferred cabin type (Britannia inside, ocean view, balcony/ Britannia Club Balcony/ Princes Grill/ Queens Grill Suite) and any preferences for location.
   5. Dining preference if in Britannia. You will be booked in First Seating unless you request Second Seating or Anytime Dining.
   6. Whether you would like any of the Cunard Packages added to your booking.
      1. For more details on the 3 options: https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/cruise-deals/cunard-cruise-packages
   7. Insurance Confirmation. Cunard requires every group member to have travel insurance. The level of cover differs significantly based on if you are UK or non-UK based.
      1. This is outlined in “Cunard Note 1” below, and in the booking request email please confirm you have acknowledged this requirement.
      2. Note: Sarah Bolton cannot recommend or suggest Insurance Companies due to way Travel Agents are regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) . However, I will share some companies that other passengers in the UK and USA have or are using to get insurance to meet the Cunard requirement.
   8. Any mobility requirements and specify if an accessible cabin will be required.
      1. Please note you must review the “Cunard Note 2” below if you have any accessibility issues as Cunard has struct rules about type of cabin and requirements
3. Sarah will process the bookings in the order she receives the emails.
4. Note:
   1. Group cruise numbers are limited.
   2. The deposit is non-refundable, and it cannot be transferred to another Cunard booking due to the cruise line terms and conditions for this group cruise booking.

What are the fares?

1. The cruise fare will be in British Pounds Sterling. It will be paid for with your usual local credit card online via a secure payment link in the myTC app or Travel Counsellors payment webpage. Details and a link will be given at time of booking.
   1. The one currency pricing and sole agent is a requirement of Cunard to fit with their cross-border selling policies and requirements.
   2. You can use online currency converters to get an indication of the fare in your local currency but bear in mind the actual rate will be determined by the rate your credit card company is using on the day payments are made. Example of convertor: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
2. Any cancellations where refunds are due will be refunded in £ sterling, which due to exchange rate changes may not be the same as what you initially paid.
3. The only cruise deposit option available is a non-refundable one and cannot be transferred to another Cunard booking if you need to cancel, so having travel insurance is recommended.
4. There is no group rate, and fares will be best available at time of booking and are likely to rise as the ship fills up.
5. Changes to bookings may incur a fee of up to £50 plus operator charges.

Cunard Requirements Notes

• Cunard Note 1 (Insurance):
  • USA/ Non-UK Travellers: All guests must have travel insurance. This should be at a minimum levels as per what non-UK based travellers booking in the USA would usually require. Currently this is a minimum of (1) Medical Expense Coverage up to $20,000 for medical expenses related to an illness, or up to $20,000 for expenses related to an injury, and (2) Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation: In the event that serious illness or injury requires air or ground transportation to a specialised facility or to return home, up to $50,000 in covered medical services and supplies to help ensure your safe transport. You may be required to show proof at check in. Without it, you may be denied boarding at your own expense.
    • From my understanding, suppliers like Allianz, IMGGlobal and many others in the USA offer policies at affordable costs that well exceed the amounts.
  • UK Travellers: All guests must have comprehensive travel insurance specifically for cruises this must include at least £2 million in medical and repatriation cover, including emergency evacuation and full cover for any pre-existing medical conditions in the destinations you will visit. You will be asked to confirm you have this insurance and may be required to show proof. Without it, you may be denied boarding at your own expense. If you travel with a CPAP machine, oxygen concentrator, mechanical ventilation or receive peritoneal dialysis, please speak to your doctor to discuss your fitness to travel on your chosen itinerary. Please note we are unable to receive guests who receive haemodialysis. If you have any questions, or wish to request travel with oxygen via tank or cylinder, please email our medical team at [email protected]. If you have any additional needs that could affect your health or safety or that of others, please complete the On board needs questionnaire after booking: https://www.cunard.com/ accessibility
• Cunard Note 2 (Assistance): In the unlikely event of an emergency, it is important we know in advance of guests on board needs – even if you are travelling with someone who can support you. Guests who are unable to independently get to their assembly stations (which could be down several flights of stairs as lifts will not be available), due to a disability, health or mental capacity, must be pre-registered for assistance. Assistance levels are determined using the following statements: (1) I require someone to guide and steady me on the stairs (this is 1 to 1 assistance), (2) I am unable to use stairs and/ or I am bringing a wheelchair/mobility scooter (this is evacuation chair assistance)
  • Evacuation Chair assistance is mandatory for anyone bringing a wheelchair or mobility scooter, even if it’s only for occasional or long-distance use. Failure to provide and register this information correctly will result in you being denied boarding at your own expense. If you are intending to bring a powered mobility device, such as a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair, you must be booked into a suitable stateroom that can accommodate these devices.

Other considerations

1. All Travellers
   1. The following standard Cunard UK terms and conditions will apply: https://www.cunard.com/content/dam/cunard/marketing-assets/pdf/booking-condition-pdf/Cunard_Booking_Conditions_June_2025.pdf
   2. The following standard Travel Counsellors terms and conditions will apply: https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/hygenie-pages/terms-and-conditions/
2. Non-USA Travellers
   1. To enter the USA, you have either a valid ESTA or visa.
   2. If you have travelled to Cuba previously, you may be required to obtain a visa rather than an ESTA – please let Sarah know at time of booking
3. USA Travellers
   1. You will need a  valid UK eTA to board and enter the UK.