First Time: Queen Elizabeth Arrives in Miami for Caribbean Cruises

A New Chapter for Cunard in Miami

For 185 years, Cunard has been a trailblazer in the world of maritime travel, but it has never called Miami home. That is about to change. The Queen Elizabeth will arrive at PortMiami on October 16 and remain there until April 14, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the historic cruise line.

This arrival follows another major debut earlier this year when the Queen Elizabeth was home-ported in Seattle for the first time. From there, it embarked on a series of voyages to Alaska. This string of firsts highlights an increasing demand from North American guests, as noted by Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, who mentioned that last year saw record bookings.

In Miami, the Queen Elizabeth will focus on trips to the Caribbean, which is also a first for the company. This season will mark the first time Cunard dedicates a ship to a full season in the Caribbean, offering journeys ranging from 9 to 28 nights. These cruises will take passengers to destinations such as St. Lucia, Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, Montego Bay, St. Thomas, Barbados, and Puerto Rico.

Onboard Experience

The luxury ship offers nine types of guest accommodations, with more than two-thirds of the 1,045 staterooms featuring private balconies. The Queen Elizabeth boasts at least 10 restaurants and cafes, including the elegant two-level Britannia Restaurant, where guests can make a grand entrance via a grand staircase.

Every day, the ship consumes 327 bottles of champagne, 297 bottles of red wine, and 327 bottles of white wine. Additionally, 2,668 pounds of smoked salmon are consumed annually. Guests can burn off extra calories or enjoy their drinks in the fitness center, pools, or on the Games Deck, where they can play paddle tennis or croquet. The Queens Room, one of the largest dance floors on the high seas, offers a space for dancing and gala evenings.

For those seeking relaxation, the ship features a luxurious spa, wellness suite with smoothies, seaweed bathing, and a thalassotherapy pool. The two-story library houses around 6,000 books, providing a quiet retreat for passengers.

A Legacy of Excellence

Cunard, based in Southampton, England, has been operating passenger ships on the North Atlantic since 1840—over 50 years before Miami was founded. Hollywood icons like Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, and Charlie Chaplin were among its passengers. The original Queen Elizabeth was retired in 1968.

Founded by Samuel Cunard, the company was initially tasked by the British government to develop a faster way to transport mail from Britain to the U.S. On one of its first voyages, author Charles Dickens joined the journey aboard the ship named Britannia, which is now the name of the ship’s signature restaurant.

A Boost from Carnival Corp.

Since 1998, Doral-based Carnival Corp. has owned Cunard. At the time of the acquisition, Cunard had only two ships and was struggling. However, Carnival's then-chairman and CEO, Micky Arison, ordered a new $850 million vessel, dubbed Queen Mary 2, which became the flagship of Cunard Line.

Micky Arison is credited with saving Cunard, as noted by frequent cruiser Stewart Chiron, who told the Miami Herald that without his efforts, Cunard would have been shuttered decades ago.

Preparing for the Future

Queen Elizabeth’s arrival in Miami will come nine months after Cunard’s sister ship, Queen Anne, docked at PortMiami for the first time. This gave South Florida a taste of what to expect, with local travel agents, influencers, and media exploring the ship’s ballroom dancing venue, live cabaret, and gourmet offerings.

Queen Anne, which debuted in 2024, is slightly longer and heavier than the Queen Elizabeth, accommodating up to 3,000 guests. In contrast, the Queen Elizabeth, built at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, holds up to 2,081 guests. It recently underwent upgrades, including enhanced interiors and the addition of Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, who will prepare a three-course Gala Evening menu for Grill Suite guests.

Expanding Opportunities

The presence of the Queen Elizabeth in Miami presents an opportunity to boost British tourism in the region, a market still not fully tapped. In 2024, the United Kingdom ranked sixth in passenger volume at Miami International Airport among top international markets.

While overall passenger volume at the airport decreased in the first half of 2025, arrivals from the United Kingdom slightly increased, surpassing the figures from the first half of 2019, the last year before the pandemic.

Final Plans and Debut

On its inaugural trip from Miami, the Queen Elizabeth will depart on October 16 for a 12-night Caribbean voyage, visiting destinations such as Bridgetown's UNESCO-listed Garrison and the bustling markets of Castries, St. Lucia.

Before arriving in Miami, the ship will embark on a final round-trip from Seattle, departing September 18 for a seven-day Alaska voyage. Then, on September 25, it will leave Seattle for Miami on a 21-night journey with stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, and Aruba.

Shore Excursions

Passengers can look forward to a range of shore excursions, including:

• A private catamaran trip around Antigua's pristine coastline with sushi and barbecue bites prepared by a Michelin-starred chef.
• An off-road 4x4 adventure in Barbados, culminating in a cheese and wine picnic in the island's scenic wilderness.
• A private tour of Puerto Rico, visiting Old San Juan and El Yunque National Rainforest.
• The ultimate Dominican Coffee Experience, offering hands-on participation in the creative process.
• A Barbuda Belle Luxury Beach Escape, featuring a helicopter tour in Antigua for adventure seekers.
• A Luxury Day Pass at Scrub Island Resort in Tortola, allowing guests to relax in style.

Getting Started

For more information or to book a cruise with Cunard, contact the company at 800-728-6273 or visit their website.