Cunard has announced that British astronaut Tim Peake will join Queen Elizabeth for a 10-night voyage through Alaska in July 2026 as part of its Insights Programme.

Peake, who spent more than six months aboard the International Space Station between December 2015 and June 2016, will be a guest speaker during the sailing, which departs Seattle on 20 July 2026. Guests will be invited to the Royal Court Theatre to hear him share stories from his time in space and his earlier career with the Army Air Corps. His programme will include an exclusive insight talk and a Q&A session.

Peake said: “Alaska and space might seem worlds apart – but both are places of stunning natural beauty, perspective, and discovery. I’m incredibly excited to share with Cunard guests what it’s really like to live and work in space – and to meet curious minds from around the world in one of the most breathtaking destinations on Earth.”

The itinerary includes calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Wrangell and Victoria in Canada, with prices starting from £1,459 (US$1,964) per person, based on two sharing a Britannia Balcony stateroom.

Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: “Having Tim Peake join us on board Queen Elizabeth is something truly special. He’s lived the kind of adventure most of us can only imagine, and to hear his stories – from space missions to life on the International Space Station – in the setting of Alaska’s wild beauty will be unforgettable.”

Cunard’s Insights Programme has previously featured figures such as Bear Grylls and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

One of Royal Caribbean Cruises most popular vessels, Brilliance of the Seas, is set to make its return on the Southampton horizon after being absent from the city since 2020. 

The ship is set to make her return on August 30 after making a one way trip to Barcelona, with stops in other parts of Spain and Portugal. 

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Brilliance of the Seas was first built in 2002 and has spent the last three decades taking excited holidays makers through the Mediterranean and Europe. 

The ship can accommodate more than 2,500 passengers and around 800 crew. 

One of the most iconic features of the ship is its large helipad on its bow and the ship also has a large range of restaurants, bars and stages for passengers to enjoy. 

Frank M

Frank is a seasoned travel journalist with over a decade of experience covering hospitality, cruise, and air travel.

He has traveled extensively by land, sea, and air, collaborating with industry giants like Marriott, Hyatt, Disney, and Carnival Corp. His work has been featured in major international and industry publications across four continents.