There is a new lady in town, and she has quite the pedigree. For the first time in her history, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth is calling PortMiami home. The classic ocean liner known for her British elegance has officially kicked off her Caribbean season today, sailing from the Cruise Capital of the World.
This is a big moment for Cunard. The line has been sailing for more than 180 years, but until now the Queen Elizabeth had never homeported in Miami. She is here for a full winter season of Caribbean sailings ranging from nine to twenty one nights, and the timing could not be better. I will be boarding her myself on October 28 to check out everything she offers. While I have sailed on Cunard’s famous Queen Mary 2 several times, this will be my first time on Queen Elizabeth.
Before arriving in Florida, Queen Elizabeth received a bit of a refresh. Some of her venues were updated, and a few new experiences were added with the Caribbean in mind. Highlights include:
- A redesigned Queens Room for gala nights and afternoon tea.
- The brand new Lido Pool Club, perfect for lounging with a cocktail.
- Updated Grills Suites with enhanced amenities and dedicated butler service.
- A Pavilion Wellness Café plus a full Wellness at Sea program created in partnership with Harper’s Bazaar.
- The classic Commodore Club reimagined as the Abbey Road Listening Lounge with curated music and cocktail pairings.
Cunard is embracing the Caribbean season by introducing Karibe – a new restaurant that features an island inspired menu.
Evenings feature a relaxed social hour featuring Whispering Angel wines and small bites, plus a rotating lineup of deck parties and sunset celebrations.
Guests can experience the first at sea production of “Come From Away” along with nearly 120 special performances scheduled throughout the season. Broadway and West End stars will join select voyages, including Sutton Foster in January, and the speaker lineup ranges from actors like Hugh Bonneville to astronauts and Olympic athletes.
If you have been thinking about sailing on Queen Elizabeth from Miami, don’t wait too long. She will call Miami home for this winter season and next only. After wrapping up the Caribbean, she will head to Seattle in 2026 for her Alaska cruises.
In other words, this is a two season window to experience a Cunard Queen sailing from Miami without crossing the Atlantic.
Like I mentioned, I will be stepping onboard on October 28. So, expect plenty of photos, food pics, and my daily reports on how this Queen (the ship!) feels in the Caribbean sun.