The Ridiculously Good Queen Elizabeth Deal
Tick the Queen Elizabeth off your bucket list before she concludes her final planned season in Australia.
Sydney - Hobart - Great Oyster Bay - Sydney
Among the wonderful indulgences of life aboard this classical-styled ship, this cruise also includes a great lineup of book-themed events on top of existing onboard entertainment.
Take part in thought-provoking talks with likeminded literature enthusiasts. Hear accomplished authors part ways with the secrets of their creative process. Finesse your own literary skills in hands-on workshops by literary experts and interactive Q&As. And gain a fascinating glimpse into the art of storytelling, from celebrated writers who have taken the literature landscape by storm.
Wherever you choose to discover, you'll find lots included in your fare. Well appointed accommodation, fine dining, fabulous entertainment and outstanding service, it's all included.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Traditional Afternoon Tea from 3.30pm to 4.30pm every day
- Evening Entertainment
- Gala Balls
- Room service available 24 hours a day
Confirmed guests on board:
Nick McKenzie joins as MC
Hosting the literature voyage will be 16-time Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist Nick McKenzie. Known for his work exposing corruption and criminal wrongdoing, McKenzie will engage guests with facilitating insightful talks and a special session detailing his most exhilarating cases.
Alexander McCall Smith
British author, Alexander McCall Smith, has written more than 100 books and is one of the world’s best-loved writers. A writer of novels, short stories (including stories set in Australia), operatic libretti and poetry, he is perhaps best known for his acclaimed series ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’, which has sold over 20 million copies in the English language alone.
On board the Australian Literature Festival at Sea, McCall Smith will share his remarkable story in intimate talks and Q&A sessions. He will join a panel of authors as they take guests on their writing journeys and discuss literature trends.
Fiona McIntosh
Fiona McIntosh is one of Australia’s favourite storytellers across various genres. She is author of the hit Jack Hawksworth crime series, the fourth instalment of which (Dead Tide) ranked #1 bestselling Australian fiction title in its first week of release. Fiona is also a writer of blockbuster historical fiction and hosts one of Australia’s most successful writing masterclasses, producing some of the country’s newest and most popular authors.
During talks and Q&As, McIntosh will reveal the source of her inspiration and how she approaches writing. She will also host a series of lectures ~ offering guests the opportunity to learn first-hand from this acclaimed author.
Elizabeth Stanley
Elizabeth Stanley is an experienced, award-winning writer/illustrator who has a background of English teaching and Educational Psychology. For five years she was the Director of the Dromkeen Children’s Literature Museum in Victoria and subsequently became an inaugural board member of the Fremantle Children’s Literature Museum, modelled on Dromkeen.
Elizabeth will be conducting workshops~ on the art of writing for picture books and understanding visual literacy. These will be both informative and interactive, evaluating picture books for their impact on children’s development. A must for parents and grandparents of inquisitive children.
Sue Williams
Sue Williams is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author who’s written for all of Australia’s leading newspapers and magazines. Sue spent many years travelling the world solo and then exploring Australia, with books that include Getting There: Journeys of an Accidental Adventurer, Women of the Outback and Welcome to the Outback. She has also written numerous biographies and historical novels, Elizabeth & Elizabeth and That Bligh Girl.
Sue will bring her extensive knowledge of editorial and travel writing, as well as writing both non-fiction and fiction books, to guests of the Australian Literature Festival at Sea, presenting workshops~ on how to write travel stories, write your travel journal and travel stories.
Dr Anita Heiss
Dr Anita Heiss is one of Australia’s most prolific authors. Her writing spans many genres, including non-fiction, historical fiction, children’s novels, poetry, social commentary, and travel articles. She is a regular at writers' festivals and travels internationally, lecturing on aboriginal literature.
Join Anita as she takes you through the power of storytelling, shedding light on her experiences as an Indigenous writer, navigating the worlds of literature and advocacy.
Graeme Simsion & Anne Buist
Married for 35 years, Graeme and Anne have co-authored novels such as Two Steps Forward, Two Steps Onward, and The Glass House. Graeme has also written the hugely successful, The Rosie Project series, while Anne has authored five crime novels, including the Natalie King series.
Discover the secrets to penning a novel that holds mass appeal with global readers, as Graeme takes you on an anecdotal journey through his creative process. And join Anne for a riveting exploration that will delve into the delicate interplay between psychology and storytelling.
Paul Cleave
Paul is an award-winning author whose novels are set in Christchurch, New Zealand. He has won the Saint-Maur book festival’s crime novel of the year award, is a three-time recipient of the Ngaio Marsh Award, and has been shortlisted for the Edgar, the Barry, and the Ned Kelly awards.
During talks and Q&A sessions, Paul will share his creative process with you, expand on his source of inspiration, and take part in a panel discussion on literature trends with his fellow authors.
Your fare excludes:
- Travel insurance & airfares
- 11 Dec 2024 - Embark in Sydney, NSW, Australia
- 12 Dec 2024 - At sea
- 13 Dec 2024 - Hobart, TAS, Australia
- 14 Dec 2024 - Great Oyster Bay, Australia
- 15 Dec 2024 - At sea
- 16 Dec 2024 - Disembark in Sydney, NSW, Australia
Cunard's tailored entertainment and activities will boast unmissable experiences, some of which are:
- Join a prestigious panel of bestselling authors, including Alexander McCall Smith, Fiona McIntosh, Paul Cleave, Anita Heiss, and Graeme Simsion, for a lively discussion on literature trends, all expertly moderated by the renowned journalist Nick McKenzie.
- Test your literary knowledge and challenge some of our celebrated authors in a one-of-a-kind trivia session, offering a unique opportunity to engage with your favourite writers.
- Dive deep into the art of storytelling with Fiona McIntosh’s interactive workshop, where she will share her secrets and techniques to crafting compelling narratives.
- In her thought-provoking keynote, Anita Heiss explores the common threads that unite us through shared human experiences, in a world often divided by differences.
- Join acclaimed international author Alexander McCall Smith as he shares captivating stories from his illustrious career, reveals the inspirations behind his award-winning books, and discusses the challenges he has overcome.
- Immerse yourself in the thrilling world of crime fiction with Paul Cleave and Fiona McIntosh, as they discuss their gripping novels and the allure of crime storytelling.
- Investigative journalist Nick McKenzie will take you on a riveting journey through his most exhilarating cases, sharing insights and behind-the-scenes stories from his career in journalism.
- Explore more with intimate, interactive workshops~ on board.
- Enjoy bespoke literature-themed shore excursions~ in and around Hobart, designed to enrich your literary journey with local culture and scenic beauty.
- Purchase your favourite author’s book on board~ and have it personally signed, creating a treasured memento of your adventure.
11 -16 December 2024 Sydney Roundtrip
- Interior Stateroom from
$1,709$1,299 pp twin share /$2,990$2,299 pp sole use* - Obstructed Oceanview Stateroom from
$1,859$1,469 pp twin share /$3,253$2,559 pp sole use* - Balcony Stateroom from
$2,488$1,799 pp twin share /$4,354$3,099 pp sole use* - Princess Grill Suite from
$4,616$2,599 pp twin share /$7,378$4,999 pp sole use* - Queens Grill Suite from
$4,616$3,199 pp twin share /$9,232$6,399 pp sole use*
Please call our travel team on 1300 414 198 to learn more and request a quote.
*Advertised fares are available until allocation is exhausted and prices may fluctuate during the campaign period without notice.
Your ship: Queen Elizabeth
Sail on the Queen Elizabeth, exudes style and has an especially refined feel. Prepare yourself for a truly remarkable voyage.
Inside, Oceanview & Balcony Stateroom includes all of the following amenities:
- Half a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
- Fresh fruit on request
- 24-hour room service
- Nightly turndown service with chocolate
- Satellite TV (with multi-language film and music channels)
- Direct-dial telephone
- Refrigerator
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Hairdryer
- Safe
- Daily shipboard programme
- Bathrobe and slippers
- Penhaligon's toiletries
- 220V British 3-pin and 110V 2-pin sockets
- Dining in the Britannia Restaurant.
Princess Grill Suite includes all of the exclusive amenities found in our Britannia Club staterooms and more:
- Concierge service
- Sparkling wine and chocolates on arrival
- In-suite dining from the Princess Grill menu
- Illy coffee machine
- Soft velour robes and slippers
- Personalised stationery
- Atlas
- Priority embarkation
- Queen Elizabeth: access to Courtyard, Grills Lounge and Grills Terrace
Queens Grill Suite includes all of the exclusive amenities found in our Princess Grill Suites and more:
- Butler service
- Champagne and chocolates on arrival
- Pre-dinner canapes
- In-suite dining from the Queens Grill menu
- Complimentary bar (stocked with two bottles of wine or spirits of your choice and soft drinks)
- iPad (Queen Elizabeth Q1-Q2 Suites)
- Books and atlas
- Priority disembarkation
- Priority tender services (all ships Q1-Q4 Suites)
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.
Guest speakers are confirmed to date, but may change at Cunard’s discretion due to unforeseen circumstances.