Cunard Extends Partnership with Royal Canadian Geographical Society to Feature Expert Speakers on Newly Refurbished Queen Elizabeth Alaska Cruises in 2025

Image generated with Ai

Cunard proudly continues its long-standing collaboration with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) throughout 2025, presenting an exceptional lineup of expert speakers on board the newly refurbished Queen Elizabeth during the Alaska cruise season. Beginning June twelfth, select voyages will feature a diverse roster of distinguished RCGS presenters who will enhance the guest experience through engaging talks and exclusive programming tailored to the awe-inspiring Alaskan environment.

The Queen Elizabeth, having undergone an extensive refit, offers guests a luxurious and immersive platform from which to explore Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes. Cunard’s renowned Insights enrichment program invites travelers to deepen their knowledge of the region’s unique geography, wildlife, history, and indigenous cultures. Complementing the educational offerings are unforgettable shore excursions, carefully curated to showcase the best of Alaska’s natural wonders. Together, these experiences create an unparalleled journey blending adventure, learning, and relaxation.

From June through September, voyages will spotlight speakers affiliated with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, one of Canada’s largest non-profit organizations dedicated to exploration, education, and geographic knowledge. The RCGS’s presence onboard enriches Cunard’s itineraries with voices ranging from seasoned explorers and scientists to indigenous advocates and astronauts. These experts craft exclusive content that educates, inspires, and connects guests with the vast wilderness and cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

Among the distinguished RCGS speakers featured in 2025 are:

• George Kourounis, Explorer in Residence: Renowned worldwide explorer and storm chaser, George brings thrilling tales from his adventures tracking extreme weather phenomena. His work for the Discovery Channel and the Weather Network makes him an exciting addition to voyages sailing from June twenty-third through July third.
• Laval St. Germain, Explorer in Residence: A commercial airline captain and intrepid adventurer, Laval holds the unique distinction of being the only Canadian to summit Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. His record-breaking expeditions range from polar landscapes to tropical jungles and remote islands. Guests can engage with him aboard cruises from July third to the tenth.
• Brian and Dee Keating: This naturalist couple, with nearly four decades of wilderness exploration behind them, uses wildlife filmmaking to tell compelling stories about nature’s value and preservation. Their presentations onboard from July tenth through twenty-first invite guests to view the natural world through a conservationist’s lens.
• Lynn Moorman, RCGS Fellow: A skilled geographer and educator, Lynn specializes in glaciers, fjords, and geographic technologies relevant to the British Columbia coast and Alaska. She will sail with guests from July thirty-first to August eleventh, providing in-depth insights into the region’s dynamic landscapes.
• Joseph Frey, Vice President of RCGS: With a rich background including leadership roles at The Explorers Club in New York, Joseph has taken part in numerous expeditions such as NOAA’s Battle of the Atlantic marine archaeology survey. His expertise will be shared onboard from August eleventh to twenty-first.
• Andrew Fuestel: A veteran astronaut with NASA, Andrew boasts over two decades of experience and three spaceflights, including missions on the Space Shuttle and Russian Soyuz rocket. His rare perspective on exploration beyond Earth will captivate guests between August twenty-first and twenty-eighth.
• Sunniva Sorby, RCGS Fellow: An acclaimed polar ambassador, citizen scientist, and author, Sunniva was part of the first all-women team to ski to the South Pole and among the first female duo to overwinter solo in the Arctic. She now advocates passionately for polar region protection and will sail from September eighth to eighteenth.
• David and Kim Gray, RCGS Fellow: David Gray, a naturalist, photographer, and adventurer, gained national acclaim as host of “The Calgary Eyeopener,” one of Canada’s highest-rated local radio shows. He will join guests from September eighteenth through twenty-fifth, sharing stories that blend nature and media.

“The launch of this partnership in 2023 was met with great enthusiasm from guests, and we’re excited to continue the collaboration for a third season in Alaska,” said Cunard president Katie McAlister. “Cunard takes pride in offering an experience that’s not only beautiful and luxurious, but also offers stimulating educational components. This collaboration adds an intellectual enrichment that provides lasting memories for our guests.”

In addition to the RCGS presenters, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth will host a dynamic roster of guest speakers from a variety of fields. Among these are television personalities like Robson Green, host of Extreme Fishing: Alaska; Ruby Wax, British actress and comedian featured in Trailblazers: A Rocky Mountain Road Trip; celebrated mountaineer Peter Hillary, known for conquering the Seven Summits; and adventure filmmaker Ryan Pyle, creator of Extreme Treks and Rough Tides. Also featured are Bill Wichrowski, captain from the popular show The Deadliest Catch; British military veteran and TV personality Jason Fox; filmmaker Qasa Alom, whose documentary Alaska: Shaped by Nature explores the state’s wild landscapes; and adventurer Sarah Outen, the first woman and youngest person to sail solo from Japan to Alaska.

Cultural enrichment also plays a vital role in these voyages, with Alaska Native Voices providing authentic presentations that highlight the heritage, traditions, and stories of Alaska’s indigenous peoples. These sessions deepen guests’ appreciation for the region’s rich human history alongside its natural beauty.

By combining world-class speakers, immersive educational programs, captivating shore excursions, and cultural experiences, Cunard’s Alaska 2025 season aboard the Queen Elizabeth promises travelers a truly transformative journey. This partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society continues to set a high standard for expedition cruising, offering guests the rare chance to engage directly with experts who illuminate Alaska’s spectacular environment and inspire lifelong memories.