By Karen Quinn-Panzer
Travel Matters
Karen Quinn-Panzer
There are cruise ships and then there are ocean liners. The Queen Mary 2 is the only ocean liner built expressly for crossing the Atlantic. In fact, you rarely feel like you are on a ship at all. It’s more like a floating five-star hotel.
We are experiencing an amazing themed cruise on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, called London Theatre at Sea. This is only the second iteration of this cruise, which is curated by Julian Byrd, CEO of London Society of Theatres and UK Theatre. Byrd designed the current Lawrence Olivier Awards – the British version of our Tony Awards.
Sailing from Brooklyn, New York to Southampton, England, we are eight days at sea with so much to do that we cannot possibly get restless for land. In fact, there is so much to do and experience, we can’t fit it all in. Vocal and dance workshops are led by theater professionals who teach as well as they perform. (They also gave us the inside skinny on how they really got their first major break on stage.) This will result in guest performances on the last full day onboard. I am in the dance workshops and learning routines to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from Mary Poppins and “One” from Chorus Line – complete with sequin hats as props. My husband is in the guest chorus performing songs from Mama Mia, Blood Brothers and Chicago. There are almost 200 in the chorus and about 50 dancers. Amazing.
We are enjoying discussions on theater luminaries Noel Coward and Stephen Sondheim, complete with featured readings and songs performed by West End stars who performed their works. There are master classes in musical arrangements and orchestration plus acting workshops. There is no reason to doubt that you will be challenged from a theatrical standpoint.
For those who want a bit more variety, there are scientists discussing astronomy and navigation and the latest new telescopes on the horizon.
Add to that trivia at the Golden Lion British pub, karaoke, singalongs of favorite musicals from both sides of the Atlantic, watercolor painting classes, three pools, a running track, fitness center, Zumba and spa offerings including medi spa treatments and acupuncture. We are talking a very full day.
In the evening there are multiple shows, five different musicians, duos and a jazz trio playing throughout the ship, the Queen Mary 2 orchestra performing for dancers on the largest ballroom dance floor at sea and a casino.
Consider the options pre and post cruise as well. We saw two Tony-nominated Broadway shows before we boarded in New York City. And we have tickets to two West End shows in London when we arrive, including Hamilton with orchestra seats for under $100.
Based on the popularity of this cruise, I am sure the next one will sell out fast.
Karen Quinn-Panzer is the owner and vacation specialist at Dream Vacations Quinn Panzer Travel in Milford.