Ships to offer Big Band Balls and take guests to New York Fashion Week and culinary hotspots in Britain
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cunard Line is to offer its first ‘Transatlantic Fashion Week’, a culinary tour of the British Isles and the largest Big Band Balls at sea in 2016.
Queen Mary 2’s seven-night ‘Transatlantic Fashion Week’ cruise will depart on 1 September and arrive in New York, US on the first day of New York Fashion Week 2016.
Guests will be able to enjoy ‘an audience with’ Colin McDowell, fashion historian and commentator; Fern Mallis, founder of New York Fashion Week; and British designer Dame Zandra Rhodes CBE. Models from Storm will also showcase Dame Rhodes’ designs during an onboard catwalk show, while students from The Royal College of Art in London, UK will display their latest collections.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining Cunard onboard Queen Mary 2 for the very first Transatlantic Fashion Week, 2016,” said Dame Rhodes, who has dressed some the world’s most iconic stars and musicians. “For me, it offers the opportunity to share my knowledge and wonderful experiences from throughout my career in fashion, and give guests a taste of what my collection has to offer.”
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth will sail a ‘British Isles Culinary Discovery at the end of June. In addition to enjoying regional delicacies during various shore excursions, guests will be able to enjoy specially curated menus and attend events hosted by various industry figures. These include Charles Sichel from wine merchant Maison Sichel and Jilly Goolden, English wine critic and television personality.
Next November, all three ships will host Big Band Balls, where the line’s orchestra will perform music from artists such as Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. The balls will take place during Queen Mary 2’s Southampton to New York crossing, Queen Victoria’s ‘Caribbean Highlights’ itinerary, and Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Bruges Short Break’ voyage from Southampton to Belgium.
“Cunard has as its heart a celebrated history of guests dressing with style and a sense of occasion, as well as some of the finest dining at sea and of course the glamour of music and dance in the largest ball rooms at sea,” said Angus Struthers, Cunard’s marketing director. “These very special cruises are sure to entice our most dedicated travellers and those new to cruising who are looking to immerse themselves in the very best of British fashion and food. Dance and music lovers can look forward to being transformed to an era where elaborate Big Band Balls ruled the social circuits, as we celebrate 2016 in style.”