Cunard has partnered with the legendary Abbey Road Studios to introduce a new and exclusive Listening Lounge experience for music enthusiasts aboard Queen Elizabeth.
This collaboration sees the luxury cruise line join forces with the iconic recording studio to present a series of expertly curated playlists, featuring iconic tracks hand-selected by the Abbey Road team.
Launching this autumn, the 60-minute Listening Lounge will debut in the Commodore Club on Queen Elizabeth, offering guests an immersive audio journey through themed playlists. The experience is delivered through high-resolution, active noise-cancelling Bowers & Wilkins headphones, ensuring exceptional sound quality.
The playlists will showcase a diverse range of legendary artists from Abbey Road’s rich musical legacy, including Ed Sheeran—who recorded part of ÷ on Queen Mary 2—Fela Kuti, Gregory Porter, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, and The Beatles. The latter, who famously hail from Cunard’s spiritual home of Liverpool, form a poignant link between the two iconic brands.
This connection is further underscored by the synchronicity of two landmark moments: the release of The Beatles’ Abbey Road album in 1969 and the maiden transatlantic voyage of the QE2 to the United States in the same year. A tribute to this connection has been captured with a reimagining of the album’s cover, featuring four Cunard bellhops.
In addition to music recordings, the playlists will highlight some of the world’s most renowned film scores, recorded in Abbey Road’s recently refurbished Studio One—the home of film music for over 45 years. Guests can expect unforgettable themes from Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Return of the Jedi, The Last Emperor, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, Harry Potter, Skyfall, The Shape of Water, and Gravity. More recent additions include scores from Black Panther, 1917, Tár, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Wonka, Barbie, Deadpool & Wolverine, Gladiator II, and Wicked.
The Listening Lounge will be available on selected sea days, beginning with Queen Elizabeth’s inaugural Caribbean season from Miami in October. Guests will also enjoy a specially curated menu of Cunard cocktails, designed to complement both the music and the ocean views.
Abbey Road at Sea: A Special Event Voyage
In celebration of this unique partnership, Cunard will host an exclusive Event Voyage titled Abbey Road at Sea, departing Southampton for New York on 23 October 2026. This voyage follows in the footsteps of countless musical legends and pays tribute to Abbey Road’s extraordinary cultural legacy.
During the week-long crossing, guests will enjoy live performances, a curated photography exhibition, and intimate Q&A sessions with Abbey Road’s acclaimed recording and mastering engineers. These events will delve into the studio’s unparalleled history of creativity, innovation, and its enduring influence on music and film.
Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said:
“We are always seeking new ways to enrich life on board, and remarkable voyages deserve equally remarkable soundtracks. Abbey Road Studios is synonymous with musical excellence, and this partnership allows us to bring that legacy to sea. Whether guests are relaxing with a cocktail, gazing out at the horizon, or taking time for quiet reflection, our exclusive Listening Lounge will provide the perfect ambience. When it comes to luxury ocean travel, all you need is love—and the perfect playlist.”
Jeremy Huffelmann, General Manager at Abbey Road Studios, added:
“We’re delighted to partner with Cunard for this exciting collaboration, offering guests a unique way to experience music wherever they are in the world. For over 90 years, Abbey Road has been at the heart of music creation across popular music, film, and gaming. We’re thrilled to bring our storied musical heritage to Queen Elizabeth this year.”