QUEEN ELIZABETH
June 28, 2022 | Alaska Cruise – Day 5: Sitka, Alaska
Day 5 of our Alaska cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth (Cunard) brought us to Sitka on June 28, 2022. Following our visit to Icy Strait Point the previous day, the ship continued through Southeast Alaska to Sitka before sailing south toward Ketchikan.
Queen Elizabeth represents a modern continuation of Cunard’s long passenger-ship tradition, combining the company’s historic identity with the design and amenities of a contemporary cruise ship. Built by Fincantieri and entering service in 2010, she became the third Cunard vessel to carry the Queen Elizabeth name, following the original RMS Queen Elizabeth of 1940 and Queen Elizabeth 2, which served from 1969 to 2008. Although her name, interiors, and traditional Cunard colors draw heavily on the company’s ocean-liner heritage, the present Queen Elizabeth was designed primarily for cruise service. Since entering service, her worldwide deployments have taken her through Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, Alaska, and across the Pacific.
Information List
Name: Queen Elizabeth
Operator: Cunard
Builder: Fincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Launched: January 5, 2010
Entered Service: October 2010
Maiden Voyage: October 12, 2010
Class: Vista Class
Length: Approximately 964 feet
Beam: Approximately 106 feet
Gross Tonnage: 90,901 GT
Guest Capacity: Approximately 2,081
Crew: Approximately 1,000
Passenger Decks: 12
IMO Number: 9477438
Operator During This Voyage: Cunard
Voyage: Q220
Cruise: Seven-night roundtrip Alaska cruise from Vancouver
Visit Shown: June 28, 2022, Sitka, Alaska
History and Features
Construction and Entry Into Service:
Queen Elizabeth was built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone, Italy, as the newest addition to Cunard’s fleet.
Her float-out took place in January 2010, followed by fitting-out work during the remainder of the year.
Queen Elizabeth II named the ship at Southampton on October 11, 2010, continuing the long connection between Cunard and the British Royal Family.
The ship departed Southampton the following day on her maiden voyage.
Her introduction created a three-ship Cunard fleet consisting of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth.
Design and Features:
Queen Elizabeth is based on the Vista-class cruise-ship platform and is closely related to Queen Victoria, although design changes give the two ships individual identities.
Her exterior incorporates Cunard’s traditional black hull, white superstructure, and red-and-black funnel.
Interior spaces draw on Cunard history and Art Deco influences while providing the facilities expected aboard a modern cruise ship.
Major public spaces include the three-level Grand Lobby, Queens Room ballroom, Royal Court Theatre, Commodore Club, Golden Lion pub, library, restaurants, and extensive open decks.
Cunard’s traditional passenger categories continue aboard the ship through the Britannia, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill accommodations and dining arrangements.
Service:
Since entering service in 2010, Queen Elizabeth has operated worldwide cruises rather than maintaining regular scheduled transatlantic liner service.
Her deployments have included Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, Alaska, and extended Pacific voyages.
Longer itineraries and World Cruises continue Cunard’s longstanding tradition of operating extended international voyages.
During 2022, Alaska formed part of the ship’s North American program, with voyages from Vancouver visiting ports and scenic destinations throughout Southeast Alaska.
Our 2022 Alaska Cruise:
Our seven-night Alaska cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth began in Vancouver on June 24, 2022.
June 24 was Day 1 and embarkation day, followed by our first full day at sea on June 25.
The ship reached Glacier Bay on June 26 and Icy Strait Point on June 27.
Sitka on June 28 was Day 5 of the voyage and continued our progression through Southeast Alaska.
From Sitka, Queen Elizabeth sailed south toward Ketchikan for our final Alaskan port on June 29.
June 30 was spent at sea before the ship returned to Vancouver on July 1.
Sitka – June 28, 2022:
Our Day 5 call brought Queen Elizabeth to Sitka on the outer coast of Baranof Island, facing the Gulf of Alaska.
Sitka has a particularly distinctive history among Alaska cruise destinations. The community was once the center of Russian colonial activity in Alaska and was known as New Archangel during the Russian-American period.
The transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States was formally marked at Sitka in 1867, giving the community an important place in both Russian and American history in the region.
Sitka’s setting also differs from many Inside Passage ports, with forested islands and mountains surrounding the approaches from the Pacific.
The call followed our previous day at Icy Strait Point and came immediately before Ketchikan, making Sitka the next-to-last Alaska port of our seven-night voyage.
After departing Sitka, Queen Elizabeth continued south through Southeast Alaska toward Ketchikan for Day 6.
Legacy:
Queen Elizabeth carries a name associated with several generations of Cunard passenger ships and one of the company’s most important historic liners.
Although the present ship is a cruise ship rather than a traditional express ocean liner, her design preserves visual and operational connections to Cunard’s maritime heritage.
Her worldwide deployments have taken the Queen Elizabeth name well beyond the North Atlantic routes associated with Cunard’s earlier passenger liners.
Her continuing service represents Cunard’s transition from traditional liner operations into modern worldwide cruising while retaining many elements of the company’s historic identity.
