Cunard's Queen Mary 2 - our wonderful conference venue!

This July the Fred. Olsen Travel Agents Retail Marketing Team took a well-deserved few days out of the office to reflect, regroup and look to the future. “This trip was to get the team away together, thinking about what we do, how we are doing it and how we can work smarter, and not harder.” confirms Sharon Ingle, Head of Retail Marketing. Where better to hold such reflections, than on a three night cruise onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2?! As Cunard’s flagship, she’s famous for her iconic red funnel, elegant style, and one-of-a-kind ocean liner charm - not only a lovely environment to hold a conference, but also an incredible opportunity for the team to experience this classic cruise brand, so beloved by our customers. Six team members stepped onboard at Southampton’s Mayflower Terminal and cruised at a leisurely pace to the busy port of Zeebrugge, gateway to Belgium.

Being onboard a Cunard ship is a beautiful world of attentive service, dazzling décor and memorable moments, and we asked our team what their standout experiences were from the trip:

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Behind the curtain: As part of our conference we were lucky enough to gain some exclusive insights into the bustling world behind the serene atmosphere onboard Queen Mary:

Amy: One of the most surreal moments of the trip was stepping onto the bridge as we sailed out of Zeebrugge. We were welcomed by Captain Aseem Hashmi himself, who gave us an insight into how the ship is navigated. Standing there, watching the crew at work with the sea stretching out ahead, felt so special – a behind-the-scenes look you don’t often get.

Rhea: The Galley Tour was such a fascinating experience. Walking through the Britannia Restaurant’s working kitchens, we got to see all the different stations and watch the crew in action as they prepped for that evening’s dinner. The scale of it all was incredible - seeing the organisation and artistry behind every plate made me appreciate every meal onboard even more!

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Fantastic Food: delicious meals punctuate the day on any cruise, and for our team it was an absolute highlight:

Jenna: The food was delicious, with a fantastic array of options, including vegetarian, every night, with an “always available” menu for anyone who is worried about the à la carte menu not being to their taste. For anyone who loves Italian food as much as me, I can highly recommend the pizza and pasta station at the Kings Court Buffet. The pasta was delicious, and the pizza was perfectly cheesy – I had to try each dish on offer, and none of them disappointed!

Maggie: I loved sitting down for our team dinners each evening – we spruced ourselves up after our busy days, and sat in the beautiful main Britannia Restaurant, which really felt like the golden age of transatlantic cruising, with its classic styling and elegant atmosphere.

Katie: For me it was amazing that Cunard are so excellent for handling allergies! Everything in the buffet was clearly marked with any allergens and there was a dedicated section with a large selection of gluten free foods. This includes bread rolls, desserts and pizza for lunch, and a selection of cereals, muesli, breads, and biscuits for breakfast. Each evening in the restaurant, the staff would bring over the next day’s menu for me to choose from and could alter anything to be gluten free for the following day.

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Stepping Ashore: we were lucky enough to take time out to explore the beautiful city of Bruges, just a short taxi (or train) ride from Zeebrugge port:

Amy: Bruges might be one of the prettiest places I’ve ever visited. Cobblestone streets, canals, gothic architecture – it’s like stepping into a storybook. We strolled through Market Square, visited the breathtaking Basilica of the Holy Blood, took a 15-euro canal boat tour (worth every cent!), and indulged in the city’s best treats: waffles from Otto Atelier and crispy Belgian fries from Fritbar. Wandering around Koningin Astridpark and soaking in the details of the basilica’s interior – gilt paintwork, stained glass, serene silence – were unforgettable.

Rhea: We managed to pack so much into our short visit! Wandering the cobbled streets, we couldn’t resist popping into the year-round Christmas shop (a definite highlight!)

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New Favourites: there are so many places to enjoy a relaxing tipple onboard, from the elegant bars and lounges to the sun-soaked poolside, or even a glass of fizz getting ready before dinner, and it’s always great to try exciting new combinations:

Jenna: For any cocktail lovers like me, there is wide selection of intriguing cocktails available at the various bars – I particularly loved the concept of the zodiac themed cocktails, inspired by cosmic constellations, in the Chart Room.

Amy: Gin lovers, take note: the Cunard Spritz might be my new favourite drink. Made with Cunard’s own Queen Anne gin, Aperol, Akashi-Tai Yuzushu, and Fever-Tree tonic – it’s light, refreshing, and absolutely delicious!

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Endless entertainments: If you feel you’d run out of things to do on a cruise, think again! When the team had finished brainstorming for the day, they couldn’t wait to enjoy all the excitement Queen Mary 2 offers:

Jenna: There is lots of fun to be had on Queen Mary 2, even if you’re at sea for a few days, you won’t be stuck for things to do. You can indulge in board games, puzzles, shuffleboard on deck, or check out one of the bingo sessions or quizzes in The Golden Lion pub – great fun!

Maggie: Finally I found a use for all the old song lyrics that fill my head – the “Finish the Lyrics” quiz in the Golden Lion Pub! Such a laugh, and we were just one point off coming first… here’s hoping for a rematch one day.

‍Katie: Rhea and I loved swimming in the pool and relaxing in the jacuzzi whilst watching the ship sail away from Zeebrugge. The warm bubbles, the sea breeze, and watching the horizon slowly melt away until there was nothing but ocean all around…

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Making an occasion of it: although the atmosphere is very casual onboard, those who like a spot of glamour can flex their sequins on the Gala Night:

Rhea: one of my highlights was Gala Night. Cunard really knows how to do it in style - it was such a fun excuse to get all dressed up and feel fabulous. Everywhere you looked, people were in their finest, the champagne was flowing, and the whole evening felt magical.

Maggie: sitting in the Grand Lobby on Gala Night was great - watching everyone walk by in their fancy finery, it was like being in the front row at a fashion show!

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‍It’s all about the people: onboard Cunard it’s the staff really make your day, their attentive service makes you feel special, cossetted and valued, which is exactly how you want to feel when you get away:

Rhea: Every day onboard, the crew went above and beyond. Each morning we’d return to perfectly made beds, and every evening our cabin was turned down ready for a cosy night’s sleep. Waiting for us was the next day’s programme, packed with entertainment options, and a little chocolate on the bed. It was such a small touch, but it made the whole experience feel so special.

Katie: The attentive service onboard was fantastic; all the staff were incredibly helpful and positive – their happiness is contagious!!

And this trip was all about our people too, as Sharon Ingle, Head of Retail Marketing confirms, “I really do enjoy getting our team away together and having quality time to share ideas outside of the office environment. We were thrilled to have the chance to experience the iconic Queen Mary 2 and everything that the Cunard brand represents, and the setting sparked valuable conversations and gave us renewed energy and alignment as we look ahead to 2026.”

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