From art and literature to fashion, and symphonies and classic pop music to live theatre, luxury cruise line Cunard is planning to go big in 2022 with its event series for the year – a year in which cruising is expected not only to resume after the pandemic, but to thrive.

Cunard says its guests aboard its flagship liner Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth can expect “a rich and compelling variety of themes” utilizing such partners as the Cheltenham Literature Festival and the UK National Symphony of Orchestra.

The cruise company will also introduce its first Art & Design Week and “Beatles and Beyond: Celebrating the Best of British,” and new to the roster, London Theatre at Sea with the Olivier Awards.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with renowned authors, West End theatre stars, wax nostalgic with one the world’s top Beatles tribute bands, and learn insider views and latest trends about art and design.

Journeys are designed to “delve deeper into an existing passion or discover something new through an enriching program of interactive workshops, masterclasses, performances, and thought-provoking speakers and discussions with fellow guests.”

“Anticipation is high for the return of Event Voyage favourites, as well as those new to Cunard, and ones we hope will be equally revered in the future,” says Jamie Paiko, VP of Sales for Cunard North America.

Here’s a taster of what to expect (all events in 2022):

May 15-22, Queen Mary 2, London Theatre at Sea, with the Olivier Awards: This eastbound Transatlantic Crossing, created in partnership with Society of London Theatre, will showcase Olivier award-winning talent, both on and off the stage and feature spectacular performances and an illustrious line-up of guests in conversation about their careers, as well as talks on productions, how they are produced, and the theatres themselves

Highlights include a dazzling show with the stars in the Royal Court Theatre in a production looking back at the last 45 years of the Olivier Awards; an immersive workshop about the secrets and techniques of putting on a production; and dance classes lead by world class choreographers.

May 8-17, Queen Elizabeth: A nine-night roundtrip voyage departing Tokyo, tracing the shores of Japan and South Korea, will play host to Cunard’s first-ever “Beatles and Beyond: Celebrating the Best of British” voyage. Through music, film, tastings and demonstrations, the sailing will celebrate beloved aspects of British culture, culminating in a spectacular finale in the Royal Court Theatre by the leading Beatles tribute band, Bootleg Beatles.

Aug. 28-Sept. 4, Queen Mary 2: Cunard’s first ever Art & Design Week is a one-of-a-kind experience that will take guests on a journey celebrating the best of design, past, present, and future. Expert-led masterclasses and special onboard exhibitions promise to inspire the inner creative life of those who participate. In addition, guests will have an exclusive opportunity to hear from creative influencers at the forefront of design for Cunard’s newest ship.

Oct. 25-Nov. 1, Queen Mary 2: A regular favourite in the Cunard calendar, the UK’s National Symphony Orchestra sets sail again with Maestro Anthony Inglis leading the ensemble in memorable orchestral performances in the Royal Court Theatre. Guests will enjoy an evening of all-American music, including Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” after departing New York; and an evening celebrating the best of British music before arriving in Southampton. Charismatic conductor Inglis leads the audience, guest choir, soloists, and orchestra, in both concerts as well as presenting another afternoon concert featuring Ravel’s “Bolero.”

Dec. 3-10, Queen Mary 2, Literature Festival at Sea in partnership with Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Times and The Sunday Times: This eastbound transatlantic crossing will offer book lovers the opportunity to join some of the best-loved authors, historians, poets, and critics, as well as journalists from The Times and The Sunday Times, to bring the spirit of the Festival to the voyage. Guests will include bestselling authors Ian Rankin, Maggie O’Farrell, Charles Cumming, Sathnam Sanghera, Mick Herron, and Simon Winchester; classicist Mary Beard; acclaimed journalists Damian Barr and Rachel Johnson; and Times Red Box Editor, Matt Chorley. More names to be announced.