Queen Elizabeth

The newest and second-largest ship in the Cunard Cruises fleet, the MS Queen Elizabeth is a Signature class vessel designed to provide the ultimate in luxury and style.

Also known as the QE, the Queen Elizabeth is very similar in layout to its fleet-mate the Queen Victoria, although slightly larger due to an additional passenger deck and a lengthened hull.

Launched in 2010, the QE was named at a ceremony in Southampton by its namesake, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It then went on its maiden voyage to the Canary Islands.

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The MS Queen Elizabeth is not the first ship in the fleet to bear the name. The first was the RMS Queen Elizabeth, which was an ocean liner that launched in 1940 and was named in honour of the Queen Mother.

There was also the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 - or the QE2 - which operated from 1969 to 2008 as Cunard's flagship vessel. That liner is now in the process of being converted into a floating hotel at the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

Generally based in Southampton, the Queen Elizabeth offers a wide range of destinations to choose from.

Short voyages, lasting from five to ten nights, are available around the British Isles, as well as parts of northern Europe including France, the Netherlands and Belgium. If you're looking for a bit of sunshine, why not try an 11-night cruise to the Canary Islands?

Longer journeys of approximately 17 days are available to the Adriatic, with ports of call including Seville, Valletta, Cephalonia, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice and Korcula. Alternatively, 19-night voyages can be made to locations like Egypt, Cyprus, Israel and Greece.

In addition, the ship makes transatlantic crossings to New York, or even to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal. Around-the-world cruises are also available - passengers can opt for the entire 107-night tour, or a shorter leg of the journey.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 2,092
Year entered service: 2010
Beam (ship width): 106 feet
Draught (ship depth): 26 feet
Length: 965 feet
Tonnage: 92,000
Crew: 996
Maximum speed: 23.7 knots
Number of passenger decks: 12
Number of lifts: 12
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 1,046

Food, cuisine and dining

The Britannia is the main dining room on the QE. It is spread over two decks in the aft section and has room to seat 878 guests (there are two dinner services every night). A beautiful grand staircase connects the levels and the whole room is sumptuously decorated in a 1920s art deco style, including a breathtaking chandelier in the middle of the room.

For those passengers who prefer more opulent dining - and who have chosen to invest in Grill class tickets - there are two exclusive restaurants that provide a more intimate dining experience: Queens Grill and Princess Grill.

Alternative dining options are also available around the ship - for example, the Lido Cafe is a self-serve buffet. Meanwhile, the Garden Lounge is a room modelled after the glasshouse at Kew Gardens. It features glorious vaulted glass ceilings and is filled with tropical foliage, making it a wonderful location to sit back and relax. The space is often used for afternoon tea service, while in the evening it's a prime location for dinner and dancing.

Other dining options include:
• Cafe Carinthia
• Golden Lion Pub
• Courtyard
• The Queens Room
• The Verandah

In addition, room service is available at all hours and offers an extensive menu, including all the options available in the main restaurants during meal times.

On-board entertainment and activities

No matter how long your journey is, there's plenty to keep you occupied on the QE. Just some of the traditional cruise options include shuffleboard, art auctions, karaoke, quizzes, bingo, educational demonstrations and enrichment programmes. There's also a large casino and live music in the various pubs, lounges and clubs.

The stunning Royal Court Theatre has three tiers and offers nightly productions by the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company. These include musicals and cabaret, as well as Shakespearean plays.

If you want to enjoy a show in style, why not book a private box? The perfect option for a romantic evening, this will entitle you to a cocktail, some sweet treats and a half-bottle of champagne, as well as pre-show service in a private lounge and bellboys to provide assistance where necessary.

In addition, there are plenty of facilities available for younger passengers, including a dedicated children's area and a kids' club run by qualified nannies.

Spas and fitness facilities

The Royal Spa and Fitness Centre is the place to go for anyone who wants to enjoy the ultimate in relaxation during their cruise.

It includes a large gym with exercise equipment, while various classes such as Pilates, yoga and aerobics are held. Alternatively, there are plenty of above-deck options to keep your adrenaline pumping - like swimming pools, virtual golf and a sports court.

For those who prefer to wind down with a bit of pampering, why not book a treatment like a massage or body wrap? Or maybe relax in one of the saunas, steam rooms or jacuzzis. You can even create your own exfoliating scrub: a mixologist will help you to choose dried herbs, salts and sugars to create a combination that appeals to your senses.

Beauty treatments like facials, hair therapy and manicure-pedicures are also available, while a barber is on hand for gentlemen's haircuts and wet shaves.

Cabins

When booking a journey on the QE, there are three class categories to choose from and 32 price grades.

Queens Grill is the most luxurious and offers seven price ranges. Princess Grill sits in the middle and is split into four cost categories, while Britannia is a bit more basic and the perfect option for those seeking cruise deals. It spans 21 price levels.

The difference between classes will determine not only the opulence, location and size of your accommodation, but also which amenities you'll be entitled to enjoy during your voyage.

Whichever of the 1,046 staterooms you select, your cabin will include a flat-screen television with good selection of channels and a private bathroom with a full-size bath. Approximately 86 per cent of the rooms offer views, while 76 per cent have balconies.

There's a refrigerator and a safe in every room, as well as plenty of storage space. All guests are also treated to a welcome glass of champagne or sparkling wine.