Literature Festival at Sea 2025

Enjoy a daily dose of news from Times journalists. Lose yourself in thought-provoking conversation at Q&A sessions. Meet your favourite writers at intimate book signings. Listen as literary greats dissect everything from art and film to history and politics. You could fill every day on board with all kinds of literature-based activities and experiences.

And that’s on top of exploring the range of signature Cunard experiences you can already look forward to when you holiday with us. Spend your week at sea embracing a world of intellect and indulgence, thanks to round-the-clock room service, relaxing spa treatments, and a cocktail menu that begs to be explored.

Author book signings
Feeling inspired by one of our speakers? Take their words home with you. Browse for their books at the shops on board and get them signed by the authors throughout the week.

The Times and Sunday Times
You'll find yourself mingling with and listening to some incredible Times journalists. Why not join some of them, along with authors, to delve into the day's headlines and the news stories behind them?

In conversation with...
Chaired by one of our speakers, these sessions take a deep dive into an author's life and career. Learn all about their time before writing, find out what brought them to this path, their road to getting published, and what they're working on now.

Workshops and more
Fanatical wordsmiths and aspiring writers will be delighted to find multiple workshops*, designed to get you up close and personal with authors and help you hone your craft.

*The workshops are bookable on board with a small additional charge.

Cunard has been in partnership with The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival since 2018, developing the Literature Festival at Sea on board Queen Mary 2’s Transatlantic Crossing.

On land, we are delighted to support a series of special Author events at the world’s oldest literary festival that takes place in October every year, alongside the VIP Lounge in partnership with Cunard.

Journalist and BBC News presenter, who has fronted many of the BBC’s big events programmes, including the Queen’s funeral, Royal Weddings, the World War One centenary, and the London Olympics.

Writer, broadcaster and an Anglican priest, who co-presented Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 for 11 years and appears, from time to time, on QI, Have I Got News For You, and Would I Lie To You? He writes regularly for the Sunday Times, and is the author of half a dozen books.

13 - 20 November 2024, Queen Mary 2
During a seven-night Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton to New York, guests will travel in style with fellow book lovers, celebrating the power of the pen.

This event, curated by the programming team of The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, sees authors, poets, journalists, critics, and historians unite, bringing the spirit of the Festival to your voyage.

11 - 16 December 2024, Queen Elizabeth
Find yourself captivated by award-winning authors, writers, and more, on this inaugural Australian Literature Voyage at Sea, curated in partnership with Dymocks.