Cunard is giving travelers new ways to experience some of the world’s most celebrated destinations during its 2027 World Voyages. Nearly 600 shore experiences will be available across two extended journeys aboard Queen Anne and Queen Victoria, ranging from Rio Carnival and Machu Picchu to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and South Africa’s oldest wine estate.
Queen Anne will embark on her first South America voyage, while Queen Victoria will undertake a 109-night journey around the world. Both ships depart Southampton on January 10, 2027.
Although the voyages differ considerably, they share an emphasis on experiences that take passengers beyond the cruise terminal. Travelers can dine in a Buenos Aires home, cruise beneath Hong Kong’s illuminated skyline, climb above Sydney at sunset or spend several days exploring Peru.
Guests who cannot commit to the complete journey will also be able to reserve shorter voyage segments.
Queen Anne’s First Journey to South America
Queen Anne’s 90-night South America Discovery Voyage marks the ship’s first visit to the continent. The itinerary includes 15 maiden calls and visits seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites across Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Argentina.
Additional maiden calls are planned for Casablanca, Morocco, and Bridgetown, Barbados, while the journey also visits the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Queen Anne entered service in 2024 as Cunard’s first new ship in 14 years. DRIFT readers can learn more about Queen Anne and her arrival in Southampton.
The South American itinerary combines major cities, archaeological sites, landscapes and cultural events. For travelers contemplating a longer visit to the region, DRIFT’s guide to what makes South America such a compelling destinationoffers additional inspiration.
An Overnight Stay During Rio Carnival
Queen Anne’s overnight visit to Rio de Janeiro coincides with Rio Carnival, giving passengers an opportunity to experience one of the world’s largest and most colorful celebrations.
Cunard’s shore experiences include access to reserved Carnival viewing areas, including premium Camarote spaces and front-row parade seating. These experiences combine views of the Sambadrome processions with food, beverages and a comfortable base during the festivities.
The Carnival program provides one way to experience Rio, but passengers can also use their time in port to explore the city’s best-known landmarks.
Excursions visit Sugarloaf Mountain, reached by cable car for views across Guanabara Bay, and Christ the Redeemer, the Art Deco statue overlooking Rio from the summit of Corcovado Mountain. The monument is recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
An overnight call is particularly valuable in Rio, where the city’s beaches, neighborhoods, viewpoints and nightlife can be difficult to appreciate during a conventional daytime port visit.
A Four-Day Journey to Machu Picchu
One of Queen Anne’s most ambitious shore experiences is a four-day overland adventure to Machu Picchu.
Passengers leave the ship in Arica, Chile, and travel into Peru before rejoining Queen Anne in Callao, the port serving Lima. The extended excursion allows travelers to venture far beyond the coast and reach the Inca citadel high in the Andes.
Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most recognizable archaeological sites, but reaching it requires careful planning. Weather, altitude, transportation and controlled entry times can all affect the experience. DRIFT’s month-by-month guide to Machu Picchu weather can help travelers understand what conditions to expect.
The overland format also demonstrates one advantage of a world voyage with carefully timed port calls: passengers can leave the ship in one destination, travel inland for several days and reconnect with it farther along the coast.
Food, Wine and Tango in Buenos Aires
Queen Anne will also make an overnight call in Buenos Aires, creating more time to explore Argentina’s capital after dark.
Available experiences include tango performances, wine tastings and a culinary walking tour introducing passengers to the city’s diverse food traditions.
One of the more intimate options is dinner with a local family in their home. Rather than approaching Buenos Aires exclusively through its landmarks, the evening is designed to introduce travelers to local hospitality, conversation and everyday culture.
The overnight stay also gives passengers more flexibility to explore different neighborhoods, from the colorful streets of La Boca to the grand architecture of Recoleta and the restaurants and bars of Palermo.
Queen Victoria’s 109-Night World Voyage
Queen Victoria’s Full World Voyage will also depart Southampton on January 10, 2027.
The 109-night itinerary includes calls in Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town, along with overnight stays in New York, Los Angeles and Singapore. Queen Victoria will make maiden calls in Dakar, Senegal; Durban, South Africa; and El Salvador.
The journey also incorporates the Panama Canal, Honolulu and Nouméa, creating an itinerary that crosses the Americas, Pacific, Asia, Australia and Africa before returning to Europe.
For travelers who view time ashore as important as life aboard the ship, the extended port calls and overnight stays provide opportunities to experience cities at a less hurried pace.
Hong Kong by Land and Water
In Hong Kong, passengers can choose a comprehensive city tour accompanied by a Cantonese lunch or see the skyline from the water during a sunset harbor cruise.
Another excursion travels across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge toward Lantau Island. The island offers a quieter contrast to the dense city center, with beaches, hiking country and important Buddhist landmarks.
Highlights include the bronze Tian Tan Buddha and nearby Po Lin Monastery. Together, they form one of Hong Kong’s most significant spiritual and cultural destinations.
These contrasting experiences allow passengers to approach Hong Kong from several perspectives: as a modern global city, a celebrated culinary destination and a region of islands, mountains and traditional religious sites.
Climbing Above Sydney Harbour
One of Queen Victoria’s most adventurous shore experiences takes passengers to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during an evening climb.
Participants ascend the bridge with a guide while secured to its structure, eventually reaching a viewpoint with 360-degree views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the city skyline. Timing the climb around sunset adds another dimension as daylight fades and the city begins to illuminate below.
Travelers who prefer to venture beyond Sydney can choose an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. The region is known for eucalyptus forests, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and deep ravines.
Another option visits the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest commercial wine-growing region. Located north of Sydney, the valley is particularly associated with Semillon and Shiraz, along with a growing collection of restaurants and artisan food producers.
Table Mountain and Wine in Cape Town
Queen Victoria’s overnight stay in Cape Town opens the door to several distinctly South African experiences.
Passengers can ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, weather permitting, for panoramic views of the city, coastline and surrounding mountains.
Wine enthusiasts can visit Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine-producing estate. Established in the 17th century, the property combines Cape Dutch architecture, historic cellars and vineyards on the slopes of the Constantia Valley.
The excursion continues to Hout Bay for a coastal cruise toward Duiker Island, known for its colony of Cape fur seals. The outing combines wine, history, wildlife and coastal scenery within a single day.
Cape Town’s overnight call also makes it possible for travelers to experience the city’s dining scene and waterfront after most daytime cruise visitors have returned to their ships.
Full Voyages and Shorter Segments
Passengers do not have to sail for 90 or 109 nights to experience part of these itineraries. Cunard will offer shorter World Voyage segments ranging from brief sailings to longer regional journeys.
This flexibility may appeal to travelers interested in a particular part of the route, such as South America, the Pacific, Asia or southern Africa.
Guests sailing the complete Queen Victoria World Voyage or Queen Anne South America Discovery Voyage receive additional benefits, including dedicated concierge service, cocktail receptions, a commemorative gift, a shoreside celebration and access to a private lounge.
Onboard life includes Cunard’s traditional White Star Service, dining, entertainment and enrichment programs intended to provide context for the destinations visited.
Bringing World Voyage Destinations to Life
Extended cruises have long offered a convenient way to visit multiple continents without arranging a series of separate flights and hotels. Cunard’s 2027 shore program adds another layer by creating experiences that move beyond conventional panoramic tours.
The range is particularly notable. Passengers can witness Carnival from inside Rio’s Sambadrome, spend four days traveling to Machu Picchu, share dinner with a family in Buenos Aires, climb above Sydney Harbour or explore the vineyards and coastline outside Cape Town.
Together, these experiences are designed to make the ports more than brief stops on a map. They turn the wider voyage into a collection of cultural, culinary and active adventures, with the ship providing a familiar home between destinations.
More information about the complete voyages and shorter segments is available from Cunard.
