A cruise line has joined forces with a legendary recording studio to create a new music experience.
Southampton-based Cunard and Abbey Road Studios have partnered to provide a unique 'Listening Lounge' experience for music fans on the Queen Elizabeth ship.
The ship will host a 60-minute music session in the Commodore Club, featuring curated playlists of famous recordings picked by the Abbey Road team.
The sessions will be enjoyed via high-resolution Bowers & Wilkins headphones.
Cunard partners with Abbey Road Studios for new music lounge (Image: Christopher Ison) Famous artists who have recorded at Abbey Road will be featured in the playlists.
These will include Ed Sheeran, Gregory Porter, and The Beatles, who are from Cunard's home city, Liverpool.
Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: "We’re always exploring new ways to make life on board even more special, and incredible voyages deserve incredible soundtracks.
"Abbey Road Studios is synonymous with iconic musical performances, and this partnership allows us to bring this heritage to sea.
"Whether guests are unwinding with a cocktail, watching the waves roll by, or just taking a moment for themselves, our exclusive Listening Lounge experience will set the mood beautifully.
"When it comes to luxury ocean travel, all you need is love – and the perfect playlist."
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The playlists will also include famous film scores, recorded at Abbey Road's Studio One.
These will include recordings from Raiders of The Lost Ark, The Lord of The Rings, and the Harry Potter films.
The Listening Lounge will debut during Queen Elizabeth's maiden Caribbean season from Miami in October 2025, with a menu of Cunard cocktails to complement the music.
Jeremy Huffelmann, general manager at Abbey Road, said: "We’re thrilled to collaborate with Cunard for this special partnership, which will offer guests a unique way to experience music, wherever their journey takes them.
"Abbey Road has been the home of music-making for over 90 years, and has helped shape the landscape of popular music, film and games scores.
"We are excited to bring this incredible musical heritage to Queen Elizabeth this year."
Following the launch of the Listening Lounge, the Queen Elizabeth will host a special event voyage from Southampton to New York in October 2026, in partnership with Abbey Road.
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