£4499pp—51-night half-world cruise on 'QM2', save £3340

This voyage from Southampton to Sydney costs from £6960–£7839 elsewhere. We've negotiated the exact same sailing down to £4499, including a free Sydney stay at the end. You'll explore New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Tahiti, Auckland, and more—plus experience Queen Mary 2's first full transit of the Panama Canal. 

What's included

• A 51-night full-board Southampton-to-Sydney cruise on Queen Mary 2, in a Britannia Inside Stateroom
• Three final nights at Mercure Hotel Sydney, in a Standard Double or Twin, with daily breakfast
• Return flight from Sydney, with 23kg checked baggage
• All overseas transfers

When
Sail from Southampton on 11 January, 2026.

For more information, see our partner's website.

Itinerary highlights

• New York... sail across the Atlantic on the classic Queen Mary 2 route. You'll have the day to explore the Big Apple. The Central Park ice rink is still open in January. Big attractions, like the Statue of Liberty and the Museum of Natural History, are much less crowded than normal.
• Full transit of the Panama Canal... sail down to the Caribbean via Willemstad, then transit the Panama Canal. It takes a cruise ship around 10 hours to traverse the entire 50-mile waterway. You'll squeeze through six locks and experience many marvels of engineering. This will be the first time that Queen Mary 2 has ever done a full transit.
• Mexico and California... watch the local surfers in the beach city of Manzanillo, Mexico. Then, head to California, where you'll spend a full day and night in both LA and San Francisco. There's plenty of time to see highlights like Rodeo Drive and Fisherman's Wharf, and you can also see the cities glitter after dark.
• Hawaii... you'll call at two Hawaiian ports. First, visit Honolulu, the largest city in the state. You can get a taste of real Hawaiian life here—picnic on the beach, take a catamaran ride, or visit world-famous Waikiki. Then, head to Kona, where you'll see the beach where Captain Cook first set foot on the island. Keep an eye out for humpback whales migrating over winter.
• French Polynesia... you'll explore Pape'ete, the vibrant capital, as well as the volcanic island of Mo'orea. Both these ports are excellent starting points for excursions to the jungles, waterfalls, and lagoons that typify Tahiti. Be sure to try a local restaurant, where you'll experience a mix of Polynesian, French, and Chinese flavours.
• New Zealand... sail through the stunning Bay of Islands, where you could visit Kawiti Glow Worm Caves or the ancient Manginangina Kauri Walk. Then, head to the cosmopolitan capital, Auckland, and the largest city in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga. It's famous for its lush boardwalks and golden beaches.

Finally, arrive in the Australia to spend three nights at the Mercure Sydney. You'll stay right by the Central Station—perfect for exploring. You could even plan an independent daytrip to Bondi Beach or the Blue Mountains.

Ship details
Queen Mary 2 is the flagship of 5-star British heritage cruise line Cunard. Although it is a modern ship, it "captures the glamour of yesteryear when steamer trunks, formal dining and ballroom galas were all the rage at sea", says Cruise Critic. 

Food is a real highlight aboard the ship. You can choose to eat either at the casual buffet or at the main restaurant. The dress code is smart-casual on most nights.

On more special Gala Evenings, most people choose black-tie, though there's no pressure to dress up outside the main restaurant and bars. Gala Evenings give guests the unique opportunity bring out all their evening finery—be sure to get a photo on the grand staircase.

Daytime entertainment is traditional, including deck games, trivia, and pub quizzes. We recommend queueing early to have afternoon tea in the Queens Room. Sometimes it is accompanied by a live orchestra, and you can enjoy cream tea and sandwiches together with ballroom dancing. In the evenings, entertainment options range from theatre shows and cocktails bars to the lively nightclub, G32. Here, you'll find a live band who play tribute sets and take requests.

Other options

• Sail in a Britannia Oceanview Stateroom from £5499 per person
• Sail in a Britannia Balcony Stateroom from £6499 per person

Transfers & baggage
Shared transfers and 23kg checked baggage included.