Carnival Corporation's British premium brand Cunard Line announced it is bringing together two of the biggest names in mountaineering and exploration as Queen Elizabeth sails back for a full season in Alaska in 2020.
The ‘World’s Greatest Living Explorer’ (acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, will headline a series of lectures. He will share personal insights of his own adventures as Queen Elizabeth sails through the Alaskan wilderness.
Passengers will be able to experience a first-hand account of the explorer’s notable expeditions, including the 1972-1982 Transglobe, the first surface trip around the polar axis, and the Pentland South Pole Expedition, that was led by Sir Ranulph and achieved the first-ever unsupported crossing of the Antarctic Continent. The explorer has since climbed Mount Everest and the North Face of Eiger in the Bernese Alps, guided by Kenton Cool and throughout his career raised USD 22,8 million for charity.
One of the best alpine climbers of his generation, Mountaineer Kenton Cool, will also join Cunard Line on Queen Elizabeth in Alaska. Cool has summited Mount Everest 14 times, including the 2009 climb when he guided Sir Ranulph’s expedition. Kenton Cool holds the unique title of being the first in history to climb the 3 Everest peaks (dubbed the “Triple Crown”) in a single climb, an achievement that was thought to be impossible. He'll share his remarkable life experiences with passengers.
- Sir Ranulph is the first featured guest speaker in Alaska, onboard Queen Elizabeth’s voyage between Vancouver and Juneau (June 2-4, 2020).
- Kenton Cool board the ship on June 12, 2020, and sails on cruises through July 2, 2020.
Earlier this year, Cunard announced that it will visit Glacier Bay during 2020 Alaska cruises. Cunard will be the only line offering 10-, 11- and 12-day roundtrip sailings from Vancouver next year that soak up the majestic Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.
The company doubled its Alaska program for 2020, offering a full season between June and September. All cruises are roundtrip from Vancouver ranging from 9 to 12 nights and one getaway sailing to San Francisco CA for an overnight on July 4, 2020.