Queen Victoria in the Mediterranean

As the countdown to the New Year begins, we can reveal that acclaimed musician and Hootenanny host Jools Holland OBE will feature on Queen Victoria's eight-night Spain and Italy voyage departing 4 May 2025.

 

Jools Holland, celebrated host of Later with Jools Holland and former Squeeze pianist, will perform two shows in the Royal Court Theatre. Guests can expect an extraordinary repertoire from his acclaimed career, including many iconic hits.

 

The sailing will be a great adventure for foodies, as well as music lovers, with port calls to Cadiz (including tours to Seville), Malaga (including tours to Granada), and the enchanting island of Majorca, where Rioja and tasty tapas awaits.

 

For more details on this voyage, please click here.

Port de Pollença, a small town in northern Majorca, Spain
Port de Pollença, a small town in northern Majorca, Spain
Port de Pollença, a small town in northern Majorca, Spain
Port de Pollença, a small town in northern Majorca, Spain

Jamie Cullum, Britain's best-selling jazz artist and BBC Radio 2 presenter, will join guests on Queen Victoria departing 21 April 2025. The MOBO Award-winner will captivate audiences with his best-known hits, including songs from breakthrough album Twentysomething.

 

The sailing features port calls to Madeira, Tenerife, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and the charming coastal city of Cadiz (including tours to Seville).

 

For more details on this voyage, please click here.

Cadiz, Spain
Cadiz, Spain
Cadiz, Spain
Cadiz, Spain

Jools Holland

Jools Holland OBE
Jools Holland OBE
Jools Holland OBE
Jools Holland OBE

Jools Holland OBE DL was born Julian Miles Holland on 24th January 1958 in Blackheath, South East London.

 

At the age of eight, he could play the piano fluently by ear, and by the time he reached his early teens, he was proficient and confident enough to be appealing regularly in many of the pubs in South East London and the East End docks.

 

At the age of 15, Jools was introduced to Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford when he joined Squeeze, followed by Gilson Lavis shortly afterward (Gilson had already played with, among others, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Max Wall) - who still drums with Jools.

 

Up The Junction and Cool For Cats gave Squeeze meteoric success and their popularity rapidly extended to America, where their tour included performances at New York's Madison Square Garden.

 

In 1987, Jools formed the Jools Holland Big Band, comprising himself and Gilson Lavis. This has gradually metamorphosed into the current 19-piece Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which consists of a pianist, organist, drummer, three female voices, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and three trombones.

 

Jools Holland OBE

I am incredibly excited about performing on Queen Victoria next year, especially as we’ll be sailing around such a beautiful part of the world. Playing on a luxury cruise ship is a new experience for me and one that I’m sure will be a lot of fun. I want my shows to be uplifting events and I hope guests on board leave the theatre with a renewed love of jazz music.

Jools Holland OBE

Jamie Cullum

Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum

Jamie Cullum is a globally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for his unique blend of jazz, pop, and rock. Most famous for his dynamic stage presence and prodigious musical talent, Cullum first came to prominence wth his major label breakthrough Twentysomething whole multi-million sales make it one of the UK's best-selling albums of all time.

 

Jamie continues to win over audiences worldwide, earning a reputation as one of the most versatile and innovative musicians of his generation. his legendary concert performances have seen him tour over forty countries and grace the stages of festivals from Glastonbury and Coachella to Fuji Rock in Japan, in addition to accepting invitations from President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II to play at The White House and Buckingham Palace respectively.

 

He approaches all aspects of his career as he has from the beginning, as a fan and a student with seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm. In addition to his enduringly successful recording career (nine studio albums and counting), he has established himself as a multi-award-winning radio presenter via his weekly show on BBC Radio 2. Over fourteen years and 750+ shows, Jamie has interviewed the likes of Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Norah Jones and Lars Ulrich, and introduced new talents such as Laura Mvula, Gregory Porter, Ezra Collective, and Laufey to his million-strong listenership.

Jamie Cullum

I’m very much looking forward to performing for guests on board Queen Victoria in the spring. It’s been many years since I performed on a cruise ship - it’s a time that holds many great memories. There's something unique about the whole experience, playing music whilst at sea. My band and I promise everyone a fantastic night.

Jamie Cullum

Cunard collaborations

Cunard has an incredible track record of collaborating with some of the biggest names in music, with legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli headlining Queen Anne’s naming ceremony in Liverpool in June.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard pictured at The Wigmore in London where Cunard announced a partnership with Michelin Star chef Michel Roux.
Client: Cunard.
Picture date: Tuesday August 8, 2023.
Photograph by Christopher Ison ©
07544044177
chris@christopherison.com
www.christopherison.com

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING IMAGE LICENCING FOR THIS PHOTOGRAPH: This image is supplied to the client under the terms previously agree. No sales are permitted unless expressly agreed in writing by the photographer.

At Cunard, we take pride in curating unique and unforgettable experience for our guests, and we can’t wait to welcome the extraordinary Jools Holland OBE and Jamie Cullum aboard Queen Victoria in 2025. Their incredible talent, showcased in the elegant surroundings of the Royal Court Theatre, will make these sailing truly unforgettable.

Katie McAlister, Cunard President

To book your place on one of these celebrated voyages, please visit cunard.com.

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