Cunard Reveals 2026 Insights Guest Speaker Line-Up

Cunard has announced a new line-up of high-profile guest speakers joining voyages across its fleet from August to December 2026.

More than 800 speakers will take part in the Cunard Insights programme throughout 2026, including around 200 high-profile names from the worlds of broadcasting, sport, science, literature, exploration and entertainment.

Among those appearing later this year are Clare Balding CBE, Celia Imrie CBE, Dame Wendy Hall, Ruby Wax OBE and bestselling crime author Peter James.

Queen Mary 2 Guest Speakers

Queen Mary 2 will welcome a varied programme of speakers during its Transatlantic Crossings between Southampton and New York.

Celia Imrie will join the ship’s 450th Transatlantic Crossing in November, while other guests appearing between August and December include Dame Floella Benjamin, actress Patricia Hodge, broadcaster and former England cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE, and pilot Jeff Skiles, who helped land US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River.

Queen Anne Guest Speakers

Queen Anne’s programme will feature names from sport, broadcasting, literature and technology as she sails from Southampton to destinations across Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and Mediterranean.

Speakers include Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington OBE, AI pioneer Dame Wendy Hall, Rachel Riley MBE, explorer Adrian Hayes, former England rugby captain Will Carling, author Adele Parks MBE and Olympic medallist Katharine Merry.

Queen Victoria Guest Speakers

Guests sailing aboard Queen Victoria can hear from a selection of authors, broadcasters and cultural figures while exploring the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Western Europe.

The line-up includes Ruby Wax OBE, bestselling crime writer Peter James, journalist and documentary maker Jane Corbin and behavioural scientist and author Paul McKenna.

Queen Elizabeth Guest Speakers

During Queen Elizabeth’s Alaska season, guests can hear from broadcaster Clare Balding CBE, adventurer Alison Teal and Alaskan actress and producer Ariel Tweto.

The ship will then return to Miami for its Caribbean season, where speakers will include NASA astronaut Susan Kilrain, television actor Patrick Duffy, former White House official Jeffrey Weinberg, entertainment journalist Nelson Aspen and Grant Harrold, former butler to King Charles III.

More Than 50 Years of Cunard Insights

Cunard first introduced guest speakers on board in 1974, making enrichment a long-standing part of the cruise line’s onboard experience.

Today, the Insights programme includes talks, interviews and Q&A sessions covering topics ranging from artificial intelligence and space exploration to sport, history, culture and current affairs.

Book a Cunard Cruise With Bolsover Cruise Club

Whether you’re interested in a classic Transatlantic Crossing, an Alaska adventure or a voyage through Europe and the Caribbean, our Cruise Experts can help you find a Cunard sailing to suit you.

Call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819 819 or browse our latest Cunard cruise offers online.