On board with Cunard Our ships Christmas

A Caribbean Christmas on Queen Mary 2

When US radio and TV presenter Ellen K boarded Queen Mary 2 for a Christmas cruise to the Caribbean, she had no idea just how magical her time at sea would be. Here, she shares some special memories from her festive voyage.

3 min 06 Oct 2025

Cunard

Author

Ellen K's Caribbean Christmas

Christmas with Cunard

Ellen K's Caribbean Christmas

Many guests tell us that stepping on our ships takes their breath away. What were your first impressions of Queen Mary 2?

It was magical! We entered a Christmas wonderland. The Christmas tree and the gingerbread village put us in a festive mood instantly. From the moment we stepped on board, we were immersed in the warm welcome of Queen Mary 2.

What was your favourite festive touch on board?

Afternoon tea in the Queens Room with the harp playing was our favourite festive touch. Everyone enjoying tea and champagne dressed in seasonal colours was the best. We looked forward to the tea, sandwiches, and scones each day.

What did you do on Christmas Day?

We started the day with a workout and then breakfast. After that, we showered and enjoyed some sun on the top deck until afternoon tea. That evening, we treated ourselves to dinner at Steakhouse at The Verandah, where the service, food, and decorations were next level! We were all dressed up for dancing and the boys had cigars in Churchill’s after. We ended the night with dessert in the lounge.

Did you take part in any festive activities on shore?

We did a great bike ride, and we also swam in the crystal blue water every chance we could. We loved the shopping and the cold beer in the Caribbean. Best of all was returning to the ship for a hot shower and dinner followed by a visit to the casino.

Was there anything that stood out about the service on board?

Our stateroom steward was wonderful. She was informative and thoughtful and made us feel like royalty. She ensured we were so well taken care of; we didn’t have to worry about a thing.

What are your top tips for sailing with us at Christmastime?

Get ready to experience your most relaxing Christmas ever - no cooking, no decorating, no cleaning. Cunard takes care of everything! All you have to do is celebrate each other and bring gifts for your family. So simple, elegant, and relaxing.

What’s your favourite memory from the whole trip?

Christmas Eve was my favourite memory. I loved being all dressed up with my son and husband, and joining everyone as the Captain read to us, followed by a great meal, fabulous dessert, and more dancing.

Christmas with Cunard

If, like Ellen, you’d like to experience the magic of our iconic Queens during the festive season, why not have a look at our December cruises? You’ll find sailings that fall over key dates in the festive calendar, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Eve, as well as short breaks to popular Christmas market destinations.

Start planning your dream festive getaway with our Canary Islands and Caribbean Christmas guides, and our Christmas market guides for Hamburg and Bruges.